If you’re wondering how many Naruto seasons are there, you’re definitely not alone. When I first decided to watch Naruto from start to finish, I quickly realized that the franchise isn’t as simple as “just one anime.” Between the original series, Naruto Shippuden, and Boruto, the number of seasons, episodes, and story arcs can feel overwhelming.
In this guide, I’ll break everything down in a clear and practical way. I’ll explain how many seasons each series has, what actually happens in them, and why they matter to the overall story. This article is designed to help both new viewers and longtime fans who want a clean overview of the entire journey — without confusion or filler overload.
Before we dive into the season-by-season breakdown, it’s worth mentioning that Naruto is often recommended alongside other best animes on Crunchyroll, especially for fans of long-running shonen stories.
Naruto Classic Seasons Explained (9 Seasons)
- Season 1 (Episodes 1–26): Introduction to Naruto Uzumaki, Team 7, and the ninja world. The Land of Waves Arc establishes Naruto’s ideals, teamwork, and the first real life-or-death mission against Zabuza and Haku.
- Season 2 (Episodes 27–52): Beginning of the Chunin Exams, introducing key rivals like Gaara, Rock Lee, and Neji Hyuga. Focus on strategy, talent versus hard work, and early character rivalries.
- Season 3 (Episodes 53–80) :The Chunin Exams turn into chaos with Orochimaru’s invasion of the Leaf Village. Major turning point with the death of the Third Hokage and Gaara’s transformation.
- Season 4 (Episodes 81–106) : Search for Tsunade, Naruto’s training with Jiraiya, and the introduction of the Rasengan. This season strengthens Naruto’s growth and future leadership path.
- Season 5 (Episodes 107–135): Rising tension between Naruto and Sasuke. Sasuke’s jealousy and inner conflict intensify, leading to his decision to leave the village.
- Season 6 (Episodes 136–160): Sasuke Retrieval Arc, one of the most important arcs in the series. Multiple character-defining battles and the iconic final fight at the Valley of the End.
- Season 7 (Episodes 161–180): Anime-original missions expanding the ninja world. Focus on side characters and smaller-scale conflicts after Sasuke’s departure.
- Season 8 (Episodes 181–205): Primarily filler arcs, offering additional world-building and character moments while bridging toward the series conclusion.
- Season 9 (Episodes 206–220): Mostly filler content, closing the original series and preparing Naruto for his training journey with Jiraiya, directly leading into Naruto Shippuden.
Because the seasons include a high number of non-canon episodes, I strongly recommend checking the Naruto filler list here.
Naruto Shippuden – Seasons, Episodes & Key Events
For those asking how many naruto seasons are there, Naruto Shippuden has 20 seasons, each covering major arcs of Naruto’s journey.
- Season 1 (Episodes 1–32): Kazekage Rescue Arc, Naruto returns to the village and helps save Gaara from the Akatsuki.
- Season 2 (Episodes 33–53): Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission, introduction of Sai and Yamato, with Sasuke’s first appearance in Shippuden.
- Season 3 (Episodes 54–71): Akatsuki Suppression Arc, focusing on Asuma’s death and Shikamaru’s revenge.
- Season 4 (Episodes 72–88): Anime-original arcs, expanding side characters and ninja missions.
- Season 5 (Episodes 89–112): Three-Tails Arc, centered on the Akatsuki’s hunt for tailed beasts.
- Season 6 (Episodes 113–143): Itachi Pursuit Mission, leading to Sasuke’s confrontation with Itachi.
- Season 7 (Episodes 144–151): Two Saviors Arc, bridging major storylines and character conflicts.
- Season 8 (Episodes 152–175): Mostly filler episodes with standalone missions.
- Season 9 (Episodes 176–196): The Fated Battle Between Brothers, one of the most important arcs in the series.
- Season 10 (Episodes 197–222): Pain’s Assault Arc, Naruto faces Pain and becomes a hero of the village.
- Season 11 (Episodes 223–242): Five Kage Summit Arc, reshaping the ninja world after Pain’s defeat.
- Season 12 (Episodes 243–275): Prelude to the Fourth Great Ninja War, preparing for the global conflict.
- Season 13 (Episodes 276–295): Mixed canon and filler content expanding the war’s background.
- Season 14 (Episodes 296–320): Fourth Great Ninja War begins with large-scale battles.
- Season 15 (Episodes 321–348): Continued war arcs and major reanimated shinobi fights.
- Season 16 (Episodes 349–361): Climax of the war, focusing on Madara and Obito.
- Season 17 (Episodes 362–372): Kakashi Anbu Arc, exploring Kakashi’s past.
- Season 18 (Episodes 373–393): Final war confrontations and Kaguya’s appearance.
- Season 19 (Episodes 394–413): Naruto vs Sasuke and the resolution of the main story.
- Season 20 (Episodes 414–500): Post-war episodes, Naruto’s journey toward becoming Hokage.
For a complete breakdown of canon and filler episodes, check the Naruto Shippuden filler list.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations – Episodes, Arcs & Key Events
For readers wondering how many Naruto seasons are there, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations does not follow a traditional season structure like Naruto or Naruto Shippuden. Instead, the series is divided into story arcs, mixing manga canon, anime canon, and filler episodes.
- Academy Entrance Arc (Episodes 1–15): Introduces Boruto Uzumaki, his classmates, and the new ninja generation, setting the tone of the series.
- Sarada Uchiha Arc (Episodes 19–23): Focuses on Sarada’s past and her relationship with Sasuke, adapting early manga chapters.
- Hidden Mist School Trip Arc (Episodes 25–32): Anime-canon arc expanding Boruto’s world and introducing political tensions.
- Chūnin Exams Arc (Episodes 51–66): One of the most important arcs, featuring Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki and Naruto’s major battle.
- Mujina Bandits Arc (Episodes 141–151): Manga-canon storyline introducing Kara-related threats.
- Kara Actuation Arc (Episodes 157–177): Deepens the mystery of Kara and develops Kawaki’s role.
- Kawaki Arc: Ōtsutsuki Awakening (Episodes 178–220): Central storyline of Boruto, focusing on Kawaki, Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, and Naruto’s transformation.
- Code’s Assault Arc (Episodes 287–293): Direct continuation of the manga, raising the stakes for the next generation.
- Anime-original & Standalone Arcs (Various Episodes): Numerous anime-canon and filler arcs that expand side characters and village life.
To identify which episodes are canon or filler, see the complete Boruto filler list.
Final Thoughts: How Many Naruto Seasons Are There?
So, how many Naruto seasons are there in total? When you break it down clearly, the franchise is much bigger than it looks at first glance. Naruto (classic) is officially divided into 9 seasons, Naruto Shippuden expands the story across 20 seasons, and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations abandons the season model entirely, organizing its narrative through story arcs instead.
This structure explains why many fans feel confused when starting the series or returning after a long break. Knowing where each season begins and ends helps you avoid filler-heavy sections and focus on the arcs that truly shape the story of Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and the next generation of shinobi. It’s also one of the reasons Naruto is often mentioned among the best anime to watch on Crunchyroll, thanks to its massive catalog and long-term storytelling.
If your goal is to watch efficiently, skipping fillers or following a recommended order is essential. That’s why understanding how many Naruto seasons are there naturally leads many fans to search for how to watch Naruto in order, especially when moving from the classic series to Shippuden and then Boruto.
Where to Watch Naruto Legally
You can stream the Naruto franchise on major platforms:
- Crunchyroll – Complete access to Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, and Boruto, including sub and dub options.
- Netflix – Availability varies by region, but several seasons and movies are officially licensed.
Watching through official platforms not only guarantees the best quality but also supports the creators behind one of the most influential anime franchises ever made.
