Which Episodes Are Fillers In Naruto Shippuden

Okay, let's be real. We all love Naruto Shippuden. But some episodes...well, they feel like detours, right?
I’m not saying they're bad. Just... unnecessary. Prepare yourself. I'm about to wade into dangerous territory.
The "Lost" Episodes
Remember that whole arc about Utakata and the Six-Tailed Slug? Yeah, that's filler. I'm calling it.
Must Read
It's pretty but does it advance the main plot against Akatsuki? Nope. Utakata is cool, I guess. But that story feels disconnected.
The Power Arc and Mecha-Naruto?!
Oh boy, this one. The Power Arc is essentially a movie stretched out over several episodes. And let's not forget the horrifying addition of Mecha-Naruto!
I mean, a giant robot Naruto? What even was that? Fun, maybe, but definitely not canon.

It was cool to see the characters again, but it felt like a bad dream, not a real plot point.
A Few More Suspects
What about that whole ninja ostrich episode? Or the one where they're trying to find a lost cat? Come on!
Sure, these are comedic breaks. But they interrupt the flow of the main storyline significantly. My attention span can't handle it.
Don't even get me started on some of the flashbacks. We get it! They're all sad and have complicated backstories. Let's move on!

The In-Between Moments
It's not just entire arcs that are filler. Sometimes it's just bits and pieces within the canon episodes.
Like extended reaction shots, you know? "Gasp! He did WHAT?!" And then, like, five minutes of everyone standing around looking shocked.
Or those training montages that go on forever. We know they're getting stronger. Show, don't tell!
Unpopular Opinion Time
Look, I know some people actually like these episodes. They offer a breather. They give us more character development.

But for me, they just drag things out. I'm impatient! I want to see Madara destroy the world!
Is it wrong to prefer the main plot? Am I a terrible person? Maybe.
In Defense of Filler
Okay, okay, I'll admit it. Sometimes filler can be good. It gives the animators time to catch up to the manga.
And sometimes, it does offer genuine insight into the characters. Plus, we love the characters, so seeing more of them is never a bad thing.

So maybe "filler" isn't the right word. Maybe it's just..."bonus content"? I don't know! I'm just trying to be nice.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, whether or not an episode is filler is up to you. It's subjective!
Some people will love every minute of Naruto Shippuden. Others will skip straight to the Pain arc. Both are valid.
And maybe, just maybe, the real filler was the friends we made along the way. (Okay, I'm kidding...mostly.)
