Every Single Naruto & Shippuden Story Arc, In Chronological Order

The Naruto series is one of the most well-known franchises worldwide. The series follows a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki, who strives to become the Hokage of his village, the Hidden Leaf. Although he has the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed inside him and is shunned because of it, he works hard to become strong.

Together with the sequel series Naruto Shippuden, the anime ran for 15 years from October 3, 2002, to March 23, 2017. Like many anime series, Naruto is broken up into distinct arcs. While some of these are core to the main storyline of Naruto and his friends, others serve as filler and aren’t tied to the contents of the manga.

Updated April 3rd, 2023 by Declan Lowthian: We’ve totally revamped this list with new info about all the arcs that made Naruto and Naruto Shippuden the juggernauts of shonen anime that they are today.

Arc	Episodes
Prologue – Land of Waves Arc	Episodes 1 – 19
Chunin Exams Arc	Episodes 20 – 67
Konoha Crush	Episodes 68 – 80
Search For Tsunade	Episodes 81 – 100
Land Of Tea Escort Mission	Episodes 102 – 106
Sasuke Recovery Mission	Episodes 107 – 135
Land Of Rice Fields Investigation Mission	Episodes 136 – 141
Mizuki Tracking Mission	Episodes 142 – 147
Bikochu Search Mission	Episodes 148 – 151
Kurosuki Family Removal Mission	Episodes 152 – 157
Gosunkugi Capture Mission	Episodes 159 – 160
Cursed Warrior Extermination Mission	Episodes 162 – 167
Kaima Capture Mission	Episodes 169 – 173
Buried Gold Excavation Mission	Episodes 175 – 176
Star Guard Mission	Episodes 178 – 183
Peddlers Escort Mission	Episodes 187 – 191
Third Great Beast Arc	Episodes 195 – 196
Konoha Plans Recapture Mission	Episodes 197 – 201
Yakumo Kurama Rescue Mission	Episodes 203 – 207
Gantetsu Escort Mission	Episodes 209 – 212
Menma Memory Search Mission	Episodes 213 – 215
Sunagakure Support Mission	Episodes 216 – 220
Naruto Shippuden	Episodes
Kazekage Rescue Mission	Episodes 1 – 32
Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission	Episodes 33 – 53
Twelve Guardian Ninja	Episodes 54 – 71
Akatsuki Suppression Mission	Episodes 72 – 88
Three-Tails’ Appearance	Episodes 89 – 112
Itachi Pursuit Mission	Episodes 113 – 118
Kakashi Gaiden	Episodes 119 – 120
Tale Of Jiraiya The Gallant	Episodes 127 – 133
Fated Battle Between Brothers	Episodes 134 – 143
Six-Tails Unleashed	Episodes 144 – 151
Pain’s Assault	Episodes 152 – 169 & 172 – 175
Past Arc: The Locus Of Konoha	Episodes 176 – 196
Five Kage Summit	Episodes 197 – 214
Fourth Shinobi World War: Countdown	Episodes 215 – 222
Paradise Life On A Boat	Episodes 223 – 242
Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation	Episodes 261 – 270, 272 – 289, 296 – 310, & 312 – 321
Power	Episodes 290 – 295
Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax	Episodes 322 – 348 & 362 – 375
Kakashi’s Anbu Arc: The Shinobi That Lives In The Darkness	Episodes 349 – 361
Birth Of The Ten-Tails’ Jinchuriki	Episodes 378 – 388, 391 – 393, 414 – 421, & 424 – 431
Jiraiya Shinobi Handbook: The Tale Of Naruto The Hero	Episodes 432 – 450
Kaguya Otsutsuki Strikes	Episodes 451 – 455, 458 – 468, & 470 – 479
Itachi Shinden Book: Light And Darkness	Episodes 453 – 458
Childhood	Episodes 480 – 483
Sasuke Shinden: Book Of Sunrise	Episodes 484 – 488
Shikamaru Hiden: A Cloud Drifting In Silent Darkness	Episodes 489 – 493
Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day For A Wedding	Episodes 494 – 500

Naruto Episodes 1 – 19

Naruto‘s Prologue – Land of Waves arc covered the first 19 episodes of the show. Team 7’s first serious mission led them to encounter Zabuza and Haku—the most well-liked villains in the series.

This arc shows Team 7 beginning to understand how serious being a ninja can be, as well as learning that not every ninja fits a clear-cut definition of “evil” and “good.” Character growth begins immediately as Zabuza realizes what is truly important to him in the end.

Prologue – Land of Waves Episodes	Title
1.	Enter: Naruto Uzumaki
2.	My Name Is Konohamaru
3.	Sasuke and Sakura: Friends or Foes?
4.	Pass or Fail: Survival Test
5.	You Failed! Kakashi’s Final Decision
6.	A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land of Waves
7.	The Assassin of the Mist
8.	The Oath of Pain
9.	Kakashi: Sharingan Warrior
10.	The Forest of Chakra
11.	The Land Where a Hero Once Lived
12.	Battle on the Bridge! Zabuza Returns!
13.	Haku’s Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors
14.	The Number One Hyperactive, Knucklehead Ninja Joins the Fight!
15.	Zero Visibility: The Sharingan Shatters
16.	The Broken Seal
17.	White Past: Hidden Ambition
18.	The Weapons Known as Shinobi
19.	The Demon in the Snow

Naruto Episodes 20 – 67

The Chunin Exams Arc was one of the longest of the original Naruto anime. The Chunin exams had the ninjas handle some of the toughest tests thrown their way yet.

From figuring out how to truly work together to participating in near-death battles in the Forest of Death, nearly all of Naruto‘s characters proved their strength in this arc. The Chunin Exams Arc marked the first appearance of Orochimaru, fully displayed all of the Kohona 11, and introduced important Naruto characters like Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro.

Chunin Exams Episodes	Title
20.	A New Chapter Begins: The Chunin Exam
21.	Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals
22.	Chunin Challenge: Rock Lee vs. Sasuke
23.	Genin Takedown; All Nine Rookies Face Off
24.	Start Your Engines: The Chunin
25.	The Tenth Question: All or Nothing
26.	Special Report: Live From the Forest of Death
27.	The Chunin Exam Stage 2: The Forest of Death
28.	Eat or Be Eaten: Panic in the Forest
29.	Naruto‘s Counterattack: Never Give In
30.	The Sharingan Revived: Dragon Flame Jutsu
31.	Bushy Brow’s Pledge: Undying Love and Protection
32.	Sakura Blossoms
33.	Battle Formation: Ino-Shika-Cho!
34.	Akamaru Trembles: Gaara’s Cruel Strength!
35.	The Scroll’s Secret: No Peeking Allowed
36.	Clone vs. Clone: Mine are Better Than Yours
37.	Surviving the Cut! The Rookie Nine Together Again!
38.	Narrowing the Field: Sudden Death Elimination
39.	Bushy Brow’s Jealousy: Barrage of Lions Unleashed!
40.	Kakashi and Orochimaru: Face-to-Face
41.	Kunoichi Rumble: The Rivals Get Serious
42.	The Ultimate Battle: Cha!
43.	Killer Kunoichi and a Shaky Shikamaru
44.	Akamaru Unleashed! Who’s Top Dog Now?
45.	Surprise Attack: Naruto‘s Secret Weapon
46.	Byakugan Battle: Hinata Grows Bold!
47.	A Failure Stands Tall!
48.	Gaara vs. Rock Lee: The Power of Youth Explodes
49.	Lee’s Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu
50.	The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja Is Born
51.	A Shadow in Darkness: Danger Approaches Sasuke
52.	Ebisu Returns: Naruto‘s 70x1v39″ title=”tough”>Toughest Training Yet
53.	Long Time No See: Jiraiya Returns!
54.	Summoning Jutsu: Wisdom of the Toad Sage
55.	A Feeling of Yearning, A Flower Full of Hope
56.	Live or Die! Risk It All to Win It All
57.	He Flies! He Jumps! He Lurks! Chief Toad Appears!
58.	Hospital Besieged: The Evil Hand Revealed!
59.	The Final Rounds: Rush to the Battle Arena!
60.	Byakugan vs. Shadow Clone Technique!
61.	Ultimate
62.	A Failure’s True Power
63.	Hit it or Quit it: The Final Rounds Get Complicated!
64.	Zero Motivation: The Guy with Cloud Envy!
65.	Dancing Leaf, Squirming Sand
66.	Bushy Brow’s Jutsu: Sasuke Style!”
67.	Late for the Show, But Ready to Go! The Ultimate Secret Technique is Born!

Naruto Episodes 68 – 80

Before the Chunin exams could get into their final stages, Orochimaru attacked the Hidden Leaf. The Konoha Crush Arc saw Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, and his pupil battle to the death.

Although Hiruzen’s death was ultimately in vain, the impact it left on the characters—and especially Naruto—could be felt throughout the village. The events of the Konoha Crush Arc helped kick off the following arc, and indeed the entire rest of the Naruto anime.

Konoha Crush Arc Episdes	Title
68.	Zero Hour! The Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village Begins!
69.	Village in Distress: A New A-Ranked Mission!
70.	A Shirker’s Call to Action: A Layabout No More!
71.	An Unrivaled Match: Hokage Battle Royale!
72.	A Mistake from the Past: A Face Revealed
73.	Forbidden Secret Technique: Reaper Death Seal!
74.	Astonishing Truth! Gaara’s Identity Emerges!
75.	Sasuke’s Decision: Pushed to the Edge!
76.	Assassin of the Moonlit Night
77.	Light vs. Dark: The Two Faces of Gaara
78.	Naruto‘s Ninja Handbook
79.	Beyond the Limit of Darkness and Light
80.	The Third Hokage, Forever

100“>Naruto Episodes 81 – 100

After the Third Hokage’s death, the search for a new Hokage to fill the previous one’s shoes began. This also marked the first appearance of the Akatsuki and revealed that Sasuke’s brother Itachi Uchiha was a member.

In the Search for Tsunade Arc, Naruto sets out on a journey with Jiraiya. He trains to master the Rasengan for the first time, setting up an important facet of his character moving forward.

Search for Tsunade Arc Episodes	Titles
81.	Return of the Morning Mist
82.	Eye to Eye: Sharingan vs. Sharingan!
83.	Jiraiya: Naruto‘s Potential Disaster!
84.	Roar, Chidori! Brother vs. Brother!
85.	Hate Among the Uchihas: The Last of the Clan!
86.	A New Training Begins: I Will be Strong!
87.	Keep on Training: Pop Goes the Water Balloon!
88.	Focal Point: The Mark of the Leaf
89.	An Impossible Choice: The Pain Within Tsunade’s Heart
90.	Unforgivable! A Total Lack of Respect!
91.	Inheritance! The Necklace of Death!
92.	A Dubious Offer! Tsunade’s Choice!
93.	Breakdown! The Deal is Off!
94.	Attack! Fury of the Rasengan!
95.	The Fifth Hokage! A Life on the Line!
96.	Deadlock! Sannin Showdown!
97.	Kidnapped! Naruto‘s Hot Spring Adventure!
98.	Tsunade’s Warning: Ninja No More!
99.	The WIll of Fire Still Burns!
100.	Sensei and Student: The Bond of the Shinobi

Nartuo Episodes 102 – 106

The Land of Tea Escort Mission Arc is a filler arc, so it follows Team 7 on a mission that wasn’t covered in the manga. The plot was simple—to help a genin from the Hidden Leaf, Idate Morino, win a race.

The attack by Orochimaru on the Hidden Leaf left behind a shortage of jonin. Team 7 was the only option left to aid the Wasabi family on an escort mission.

Land of Tea Escort Mission Arc Episodes	Titles
102.	Mission: Help an Old Friend in the Land of Tea
103.	The Race is on! Trouble on the High Seas!
104.	RunIdate Run! Nagi Island Awaits!
105.	A Fierce Battle of Rolling Thunder!
106.	The Last Leg: A Final Act of Desperation

Naruto Episodes 107 – 135

After Sasuke received his curse mark from Orochimaru during the Chunin exams and was called weak by Itachi during the Search For Tsunade, he wanted more power. Sasuke decided to leave the village to pursue his drive, leading the Hidden Leaf’s Konoha 11 to search for him.

The Konoha 11 were determined to stop Sasuke from joining Orochimaru, no matter what. Naruto and Sasuke had their first fight at the Valley of the End in this story arc, and it was the last canonical arc in the original Naruto series before filler took over.

Sasuke Recovery Mission Arc Episodes	Episodes
107.	The Battle Begins: Naruto vs. Sasuke
108.	Bitter Rivals and Broken Bonds
109.	An Invitation from the Sound
110.	Formation! The Sasuke Retrieval Squad
111.	Sound vs. Leaf
112.	Squad Mutiny: Everything Falls Apart!
113.	Full Throttle Power! Choji, Ablaze!
114.	Good-bye Old Friend…! I’ll Always Believe in You!
115.	Your Opponent Is Me!
116.	360 Degrees of Vision: The Byakygan’s Blind Spot
117.	Losing is Not an Option!
118.	The Vessel Arrives Too Late
119.	Miscalculation: A New Enemy Appears!
120.	Roar and Howl! THe Ultimate Tag Team
121.	To Each His Own Battle
122.	Fakeout: Shikamaru’s Comeback!
123.	The Leaf’s Handsome Devil!
124.	The Beast Within
125.	The Sand Shinobi: Allies of the Leaf
126.	Showdown: Gaara vs. Kimimaro!
127.	Vengeful Strike! The Bracken Dance
128.	A Cry on Deaf Ears
129.	Brothers: Distance Among the Uchiha
130.	Father and Son, the Broken Crest
131.	The Secrets of the Mangekyo Sharingan!
132.	For a Friend
133.	A Plea From a Friend
134.	The End of Tears
135.	The Promise That Could Not Be Kept

Naruto Episodes 136 – 141

After Sasuke departed and defected to Orochimaru’s side, only Naruto and Sakura were left of Team 7. During this arc, Jiraiya took a larger role in the series than he had previously.

Naruto and Sakura join Jiraiya went on a mission to investigate Orochimaru’s whereabouts, hoping to get more information on Sasuke. This journey takes them to the Land of Rice Fields, where they discover Sasuke is safe, but only for the time being.

Land of Rice Fields Mission Arc Episodes	Title
136.	Deep Cover!? A Super S-Ranked Mission!
137.	A Town of Outlaws, the Shadow of the Fuma Clan
138.	Pure Betrayal, and a Fleeting Plea!
139.	Pure Terror! The House of Orochimaru
140.	Two Heartbeats: Kabuto’s Trap
141.	Sakura’s Determination

Naruto Episodes 142 – 147

Mizuki was the original antagonist responsible for Naruto learning about the sacred ninja scroll that had the Shadow Clone Jutsu written inside of it.

In this story arc, Nartuto goes after Mizuki after learning he has escaped from prison. Though he is too powerful to take on alone, Naruto and Iruka work together to finally recapture Mizuki.

Mizuki Tracking Mission Arc Episdes	Title
142.	The Three Villains from the Maximum Security Prison
143.	Tonton! I’m Counting on You!
144.	A New Squad! Two People and a Dog?!
145.	A New Formation: Ino-Shika-Cho!
146.	Orochimaru’s Shadow
147.	A Clash of Fate: You Can’t Bring Me Down

Naruto Episodes 148 – 151

This arc sees Naruto gaining some new allies. Instead of teaming up with Sakura or the remainder of Team 7, Naruto instead joins Team 8 so he can help search for the rare bikochu beetle. This insect was used by the Aburame clan to find anything that was lost.

Naruto planned to use the forehead protector Sasuke left behind to search for Sasuke by his scent. The arc was well-received for its comedic undertones and the appearance of four rarely appearing characters; Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inazuka, and Akamaru.

Bikochu Search Mission Arc Episodes	Title
148.	Search for the Rare Bikochu Beetle
149.	What’s the Difference? Don’t All Insects Look Alike?
150.	A Battle of Bugs: The Deceivers and the Deceived
151.	Blaze Away Byakugan: This Is My Ninja Way

Naruto Episodes 152 – 157

Another filler arc, the Kurosuki Family Removal Mission Arc featured Team Guy and plenty of supernatural happenings. Although all Naruto wishes to do is train, Jiraiya is nowhere to be found.

As he has nothing else to do, Naruto decides to join Team Guy in their mission of dealing with the Kurosaki family. Naruto believed the leader of the family, Raiga Kurosuki, might be able to help him learn Sasuke’s whereabouts.

Kurosuki Family Removal Mission Arc	Title
152.	Funeral March for the Living
153.	A Lesson Learned: The Iron Fist of Love
154.	The Enemy of the Byakugan
155.	The Dark Creeping Clouds
156.	Raiga’s Counterattack
157.	Run! The Curry of Life

Naruto Episodes 159 – 160

In this arc, Naruto once again heads out together with Team 8. This time, they help a bounty hunter and bladesmith named Sazanami—formerly known as Tokichi—clear his name.

While they are out searching for the famous bandit Gosunkugi, Team 8 comes across Sazanami instead and vows to help prove him innocent. Though Team 8 doesn’t manage to catch the bandit in the end, this arc is an important learning moment for them all.

Gosunkugi Capture Mission Arc Episodes	Title
159.	Bounty Hunter from the Wilderness
160.	Hunt or Be Hunted?! Showdown at the O.K. Temple!

Naruto Episodes 162 – 167

This arc sees Naruto once again join an excursion of ninjas. This time the team is composed of Tenten and Rock Lee, who are both determined to investigate rumors of a ghost in the Land of Birds.

The Land of Birds is a small country in the Naruto universe between the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth. Through some clever tactics and determination, the ninjas are able to save the Land of Birds and defeat the “ghosts” once and for all.

Cursed Warrior Extermination Mission Arc Episodes	Title
162.	The Cursed Warrior
163.	The Tactician’s Intent
164.	Too late for Help
165.	The Death of Naruto
166.	When Time Stands Still
167.	When Egrets Flap Their Wings

Naruto Episodes 169 – 173

The Kaima Capture Mission Arc continues the theme of Naruto joining up with disparate teams of other ninjas. This time, Naruto bands together with Anko Mitarashi, Ino Yamanaka, and Shino Aburame.

Anko is on the lookout for information about her former teacher. Naruto decides to join her so he can try and get any information about Sasuke’s whereabouts.

The Kaima Capture Mission Arc Episodes	Title
169.	Remembrance: The Lost Page
170.	The Closed Door
171.	Infiltration: The Set-Up!
172.	Despair: A Fractured Heart
173.	The Battle at Sea: The Power Unleashed

Naruto Episodes 175 – 176

Naruto is paired up with Kiba and Hinata so he can somehow help them improve Team 8’s teamwork. In truth, this is because they all have low success rates with their missions—excluding Shino—and Tsunade has noticed this.

Kiba rarely listens, Naruto runs headfirst into issues, and Hinata avoids confrontation, wasting her capabilities. Tsunade then gives them an ultimatum: either improve their teamwork or be sent back to the Academy to redo their ninja training.

Buried Gold Excavation Mission Arc Episodes	Title
175.	The Treasure Hunt is On!
176.	Run, Dodge, Zigzag! Chase or Be Chased!

Naruto Episodes 178 – 183

The Star Guard Mission Arc is perhaps the most well-known Naruto filler arc—and for a good reason. The story follows Naruto and Team Guy as they head to Hoshigakure to help the villagers protect their sacred star, but that’s just the beginning.

The characters Sumaru and Natsuhi in particular became fan-favorite filler characters. The lullaby “Natsuhiboshi” still resonates with Naruto fans around the world.

Star Guard Mission Arc Episodes	Title
178.	Encounter! The Boy with a Star’s Name
179.	The Remembered Lullaby
180.	Hidden Jutsu: The Price of the Ninja Art: Kujaku
181.	Hoshikage, The Buried Truth
182.	Reunion, The Remaining Time
183.	The Star’s Radiance

Naruto Episodes 187 – 191

This filler arc follows Naruto as he goes on a mission with Hinata Hyuga and Chojo Akimichi. The group sets out to protect peddlers traveling from the Land of Vegetables.

The peddlers are accosted by a trio of brothers called the Janin. These bandits can use special jutsu, but use it for evil instead of good.

Peddlers Escort Mission Arc Episodes	Title
187.	Open for Business! The Leaf Moving Service
188.	Mystery of the Targeted Merchants
189.	A Limitless Supply of Ninja Tools
190.	The Byakugan Sees the Blind Spot
191.	Forecast: Death! Cloudy with Chance of Sun

Naruto Episodes 195 – 196

Might Guy and Rock Lee take center stage in this filler arc. Naruto helps Might Guy as he is wrapped up in a plot for revenge. The plot is led by Yagura, a genin from the Hidden Leaf Village.

Might Guy, Rock Lee, and Naruto must fight off Yagura and his brothers’ special Puppet Technique. In doing so, they learn the reason behind the brothers’ desire for revenge.

Third Great Beast Arc Episodes	Title
195.	The Third Super-Beast!
196.	Hot-Blooded Confrontation: Student vs. Sensei

Naruto Episodes 197 – 201

This arc focuses on the Konoha 11 joining together to help protect the village once again. This time, Naruto and the Konoha 11 work together to stop a ninja from the Kagero Village from destroying their home.

This arc includes as much action as it does investigation. The group must thwart a sabotage attempt and find all the planted explosives before it’s too late.

Konoha Plans Recapture Mission Arc Missions	Title
197.	Crisis! The Hidden Leaf 11 Gather!
198.	The Anbu Gives Up? Naruto‘s Recollection
199.	The Missed Target
200.	The Powerful Helper
201.	Multiple Traps! Countdown to Destruction

Naruto Episodes 203 – 207

This arc features a greater focus on Team 8’s leader Kurenai Yuhi. The arc also centers around Yakumo Kurama is the last remaining member of the Kurama clan.

This clan is skilled with genjutsu and has valuable kekkei genkai users. Yakumo is in danger, and Naruto joins Kurenai in helping rescue her from her attackers.

Yakumo Kurama Rescue Mission Arc Episodes	Title
203.	Kurenai’s Decision, Squad 8 Left Behind
204.	Yakumo’s Sealed Ability
205.	Kurenai’s Top-Secret Mission: The Promise With the Third Hokage
206.	Genjutsu or Reality?
207.	The Supposed Sealed Ability

Naruto Episodes 209 – 212

In this arc, Naruto teams up with both Sakura and Lee to help aid in transferring a criminal to prison. Said criminal is a part of the Shinobazu and is extremely dangerous, leading to various difficulties with their mission.

While this arc features a lot of classic combat and action, it also sees the group making some tough choices. Several of the “villains” of the arc are allowed to escape by the end.