How Many Seasons Are There in Naruto? Complete 2025 Breakdown

Anyone who has ever tried to start the Naruto anime knows the feeling. They open their favorite streaming app, excited to begin an epic ninja adventure, and immediately hit a wall of confusion. How many seasons are there in Naruto? The answer depends on who you ask—and which streaming service you’re using. For curious new viewers and returning fans alike, this entertainment guides breakdown covers everything needed to finally make sense of this beloved anime’s structure.

The Quick Answer: How Many Seasons Does Naruto Have?

The Naruto franchise splits into two main series. Each one follows the same beloved ninja through different stages of his life. Understanding both is the first step toward making sense of the season count.

Original Naruto: 5 Seasons (220 Episodes)

The original Naruto series—sometimes called “Part I”—features a young ninja-in-training named Naruto Uzumaki. This show aired from 2002 to 2007 and contains 220 episodes across 5 broadcast seasons. Viewers follow Naruto as he graduates from the ninja academy, forms bonds with teammates Sasuke and Sakura, and begins proving himself to the village that once shunned him.

For anyone looking for a complete episode breakdown, understanding this foundation is essential. These early seasons establish everything that makes the later story hit so hard emotionally.

Naruto Shippuden: 21 Seasons (500 Episodes)

After the original series wraps up, Naruto Shippuden picks up the story. A two-and-a-half-year time skip has passed. Naruto is now a teenager, and the stakes have grown much higher. This sequel series ran from 2007 to 2017 and contains a massive 500 episodes across 21 seasons.

Shippuden takes everything established in the original and builds toward an epic conclusion. The battles grow larger. The emotional beats hit deeper. And the ninja world expands in ways new viewers can barely imagine.

Total Count: 26 Seasons Across Both Series

Adding everything together, the complete Naruto story spans 26 seasons and 720 episodes. That’s a lot of anime. In fact, watching every single episode would take over 240 hours—roughly ten full days of nonstop viewing.

But here’s where things get tricky. These official season numbers don’t always match what streaming platforms display. And that disconnect has confused countless new viewers over the years.

Why the Season Count Is So Confusing (And It’s Not Your Fault)

A parent once mentioned trying to help their teenager figure out where to start watching Naruto. They checked Netflix and saw 9 seasons. They checked a fan forum and saw 5 seasons. They checked Wikipedia and found yet another number. Nothing matched up.

This confusion happens to almost everyone. And it’s not a matter of being bad at research—it’s that streaming platforms genuinely organize the same content differently.

How Different Streaming Platforms Organize Seasons Differently

Here’s the frustrating truth: all the major streaming services have the same Naruto episodes. The content is identical. But each platform decided to divide those episodes into “seasons” using different logic.

Some platforms follow the original Japanese broadcast structure. Others group episodes by story arcs. Still others seem to have made arbitrary decisions about where one “season” ends and another begins.

The result? A viewer might finish “Season 4” on one platform and discover that another service calls those same episodes “Season 6.” The episodes are the same. Only the labels change.

Netflix vs Hulu vs Crunchyroll: The Season Number Problem

Different platforms handle Naruto in their own ways:

• Netflix: Displays the original Naruto as 9 seasons (in the US). They merged and reorganized episodes differently from the original broadcast format.
• Crunchyroll: Tends to organize by story arcs rather than traditional seasons, making navigation different yet again.
• Hulu: Offers both original Naruto and Shippuden, with their own organizational system.

The good news? Every platform has the same episodes in the same order. A viewer starting Episode 1 on any service will see the same story. The “season” labels are just different ways of packaging that same content.

Breaking Down the Original Naruto Series (Part I)

The original series remains essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand the Naruto phenomenon. Skipping straight to Shippuden would be like starting a novel halfway through—technically possible, but deeply confusing.

Season Structure and Episode Range

Across its 5 broadcast seasons, the original Naruto covers 220 episodes. The show introduces core characters, establishes the ninja village setting, and builds the relationships that drive the entire franchise forward.

For viewers wanting more detail on exactly how many episodes to expect, there’s a detailed episode guide that breaks down each part of the journey.

Key Story Arcs You’ll Watch

The original series moves through several major story arcs that fans still reference years later:

• Land of Waves Arc: The first real mission outside the village, introducing dangerous combat and sacrifice
• Chunin Exams Arc: A tournament-style storyline that introduces many fan-favorite characters
• Konoha Crush Arc: When the village faces its first major attack
• Search for Tsunade Arc: A quest to find a legendary ninja and future leader
• Sasuke Recovery Arc: An emotionally devastating conclusion to Part I

These arcs form the emotional core of everything that comes later. They’re why fans get so invested in the characters’ journeys.

How Much Filler Should You Expect?

Here’s a number that surprises many new viewers: approximately 41% of the original Naruto consists of filler episodes. That’s 89 episodes that weren’t part of the original manga story.

Filler episodes exist because anime production often caught up to the manga being published. The studio created new episodes to give the source material time to get ahead again. These episodes rarely affect the main story.

Some viewers skip filler entirely. Others enjoy the extra character moments. Either approach works fine—the main plot won’t be confusing either way. For those tackling other long anime series, an anime filler guide can help identify which episodes are essential versus skippable.

Understanding Naruto Shippuden (Part II)

After the original series ends, Shippuden carries the story forward with higher stakes and more complex storytelling. This is where many fans say the series truly finds its emotional depth.

The 21-Season Epic Journey

Shippuden’s 500 episodes across 21 seasons represent one of the longest-running anime stories ever told. The series begins with Naruto returning to his village after years of training, only to discover that dangers he never imagined are closing in.

The scope expands dramatically. Where the original series focused mainly on one village, Shippuden explores the entire ninja world. Past histories are revealed. Ancient conflicts resurface. And Naruto’s personal journey intersects with events that affect everyone.

Story Arcs and Major Plot Points

Shippuden contains some of the most beloved arcs in all of anime:

• Kazekage Rescue Arc: Immediately raises the stakes as a main character faces grave danger
• Pain’s Assault Arc: Often cited as the emotional peak of the entire franchise
• Five Kage Summit Arc: Expands the world by bringing all major leaders together
• Fourth Great Ninja War Arc: An extended conclusion that ties together every storyline

These arcs build on everything established in Part I. The payoffs only work because viewers spent time with these characters during their earlier adventures.

Shippuden’s Filler Situation

Like the original series, Shippuden contains significant filler content—approximately 43% of its episodes. That’s over 200 episodes that exist outside the main storyline.

Many fans recommend a mixed approach: watch the canon episodes to experience the core story, then go back and explore select filler arcs that look interesting. This way, nothing important gets missed, but viewing time stays manageable.

Where to Watch All Naruto Seasons in 2025

Finding where to stream Naruto legally in 2025 requires knowing what each platform offers. Availability varies by region, and not every service has both series.

Netflix: What’s Available and What’s Missing

Netflix in the United States currently offers the original Naruto series, displayed as 9 seasons using their own organization system. However, Shippuden is not available on Netflix US.

The situation differs in other countries. Netflix Japan and Netflix France have much more complete libraries, including Shippuden and even some Naruto movies. Regional differences matter significantly for this franchise.

Crunchyroll: The Complete Collection

For viewers who want access to everything, Crunchyroll remains the most comprehensive option. The platform offers the original Naruto, all of Shippuden, and even the sequel series Boruto.

Crunchyroll’s organization follows more of an arc-based structure, which some viewers find intuitive and others find confusing. Either way, all episodes are present and in correct viewing order.

Other Streaming Options (Hulu, Prime Video)

Hulu offers both Naruto and Naruto Shippuden for US subscribers, making it a solid all-in-one option. Prime Video also has episodes available, though some may require additional purchase.

The key takeaway: multiple legal streaming options exist. Viewers should pick the platform they already subscribe to rather than stressing about finding the “best” one. All services have the same core content.

Should You Watch All 26 Seasons? (And How Long It Takes)

The complete Naruto experience demands a serious time commitment. Viewers should understand what they’re getting into before starting.

Total Watch Time Breakdown

Watching every single episode of Naruto and Shippuden takes approximately 240 hours. That’s assuming no breaks, no rewatching favorite scenes, and no pausing to process emotional moments (good luck with that last one).

In practical terms, watching one hour per day would take about eight months to complete both series. A more intensive three-hour-per-day pace still means nearly three months of viewing.

Canon-Only vs Complete Experience

Here’s helpful news for viewers with limited time: skipping filler cuts the watch time nearly in half. A canon-only viewing includes roughly 400 episodes instead of 720, bringing total viewing time down to around 133 hours.

The core story remains completely intact without filler. Character development doesn’t suffer. Major plot points are all present. Filler episodes are genuinely optional.

Filler Guide Recommendations

Most experienced fans recommend this approach for new viewers:

This approach lets viewers experience the complete narrative without burnout. Nothing essential gets lost, and there’s always more content available if you want it.

What About Boruto? (The Next Generation)

After Naruto and Shippuden both conclude, the story continues with a sequel series: Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. This show focuses on Naruto’s son and the next generation of ninja characters.

Boruto adds another 293+ episodes to the franchise total. Combined with the original series and Shippuden, the complete Naruto universe now exceeds 1,000 episodes. That’s a staggering amount of content.

However, Boruto is entirely optional for Naruto fans. The main story of Naruto Uzumaki concludes satisfyingly at the end of Shippuden. Boruto tells a new story with new characters, and many fans who loved Naruto choose not to continue into the sequel.

Those who do enjoy Boruto often appreciate seeing familiar faces in new contexts. It’s simply a matter of personal preference and available time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Naruto Seasons

Do I need to watch all seasons in order?

Yes, absolutely. The Naruto story builds continuously from Episode 1 of the original series through the finale of Shippuden. Viewers should watch the original Naruto first, then move to Shippuden. Skipping ahead will make major plot points confusing and ruin emotional payoffs that depend on earlier character development.

Can I skip the filler seasons?

Filler episodes can definitely be skipped without missing story-critical content. The main narrative flows smoothly without them. Many fans use online filler guides to identify which episodes are canon (from the manga) versus filler (anime-original content). Either watching approach is valid—some viewers enjoy filler, others skip it entirely.

Which season should I start with?

Start with Season 1, Episode 1 of the original Naruto series (sometimes labeled “Naruto Part I” or just “Naruto”). Don’t start with Shippuden, even though it comes first alphabetically on some platforms. The original series establishes essential characters, relationships, and context.

How is Naruto organized on different platforms?

Each streaming platform organizes the same episodes into different “season” groupings. Netflix might call something Season 4, while Crunchyroll groups those same episodes differently. The actual episode order and content remains identical across all platforms. Only the packaging changes. Start with Episode 1 on any platform and watch in numbered order.

Understanding how anime fans talk online can help when navigating fan communities for watch recommendations and guides.

The Journey Starts With Episode One

With 26 seasons and 720 episodes, Naruto represents one of the most ambitious anime stories ever told. The numbers can seem overwhelming at first glance. But every long journey begins with a single step—or in this case, a single episode.

New viewers shouldn’t worry about memorizing season counts or understanding platform differences before starting. Just find the show on any streaming service, start Episode 1, and let the story unfold naturally. The confusing season labels matter far less than the characters and adventures waiting inside.

For those ready to dive deeper into anime culture, there’s plenty more to explore. Whether it’s understanding episode structures, finding the best filler guides, or discovering what makes long-running anime so beloved, the journey has only just begun.

Believe it.