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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Watch Naruto first, then Naruto Shippuden. Shippuden continues the same story after a training interval of almost two and a half years; it is not a remake or an alternate starting version. Beginning with the original series gives you the relationships and events the sequel expects you to know.
If you are deciding whether to skip ahead, the key distinction is simple: Naruto introduces the young ninja and his ambition to become Hokage, while Shippuden follows him after time away and opens with a new crisis involving Gaara and Akatsuki. You can follow the sequel’s immediate situation without seeing the original, but you will miss the earlier character history that gives the continuation its context.
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What’s the difference between Naruto and Naruto Shippuden?
The difference is mainly where the story is in Naruto’s life. The original Naruto introduces him as a young ninja whose ambition is to become Hokage. Naruto Shippuden picks up later, after Naruto has been away training with Jiraiya. When he returns to the Hidden Leaf, he is older and stronger, and the people around him have changed too.
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That time gap changes the story’s starting point without changing its basic continuity. Naruto is not introduced again as a new version of himself, and the sequel does not ask viewers to treat the earlier series as an alternate timeline. It picks up with a familiar character returning to a familiar home after training, while his friends have continued to develop in the meantime. If you begin with Shippuden, you will see the result of that growth before you have seen the earlier events that led to it.
| Question | Naruto | Naruto Shippuden |
|---|---|---|
| Where it fits | The original series, introducing Naruto and his goal of becoming Hokage. | The continuation, set after almost two and a half years of training and time away. |
| Opening focus | Naruto’s early life and ambition. | Naruto’s return to the Hidden Leaf and the crisis involving Gaara. |
| Best place to start | First for a first-time viewer. | After the original series. |
| What has changed | Naruto and his relationships are being introduced. | Naruto, Sakura, and their friends have developed during his absence. |
| How the conflict is framed | The story foregrounds Naruto’s early goal. | Akatsuki’s move against Gaara begins a rescue mission and brings the Tailed Beasts into the larger threat. |
The series also moves into a different stage of conflict. Shippuden opens with Gaara, now Kazekage, kidnapped by Akatsuki. Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi set out to rescue him. That mission introduces the group’s effort to capture the Tailed Beasts, giving the sequel a broader threat than a story focused only on Naruto’s early ambition.
The opening arc is therefore a useful example of what changes: the characters have advanced, and the stakes reach beyond Naruto’s own aspirations. It begins with a concrete problem—Gaara has been taken—and follows a team trying to bring him back. At the same time, Akatsuki’s interest in capturing the Tailed Beasts signals that the rescue is connected to a wider danger. You do not need to know every later plot detail to understand the setup, but watching the original first lets you encounter the characters and their relationships in the order the story presents them.
Do I watch Naruto before Shippuden?
Yes. For a first viewing, the straightforward order is Naruto followed by Naruto Shippuden. The sequel’s opening situation depends on the earlier story: Naruto has been away training, his friends have progressed, and Gaara has reached a position the original series helps contextualize. Watching the original first makes those changes part of the story rather than background information you have to infer.
- Start with Naruto. Follow the original series to experience Naruto’s introduction, his ambition, and the relationships that carry forward.
- Continue with Naruto Shippuden. It resumes after the training interval and starts its new conflict with Gaara’s kidnapping.
This order is based on the franchise’s stated story chronology, not on a requirement to watch every movie or special. The official sources supporting this viewing order establish the relationship between the two television series, but do not provide a complete movie-placement guide.
The recommendation is especially useful if this is your first time with the franchise. The first series supplies the starting point for Naruto’s goal and the relationships that continue into the sequel. Then the time gap gives those characters room to change before the next stage begins. Watching in sequence means you can recognize the return and the differences among the characters as developments, rather than having to piece together what happened while Naruto was away.
If you have already watched the original, the practical answer is simpler: Shippuden is the next series to watch. You do not need to find an alternate edition or a remake to bridge the gap. The official franchise synopsis describes the continuation directly: Naruto returns after training with Jiraiya, nearly two and a half years after the Final Valley battle.
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Where do I start with Naruto?
If you have never watched either series, begin with episode one of the original Naruto. Then move to the first episode of Naruto Shippuden when you finish. This gives you the intended broad progression without inserting movies or relying on an episode-skipping list.
If you have already watched the original series and remember its main characters and events, Shippuden is the next series in the story. Its opening is a continuation, not a retelling of the original. If it has been a while, a recap of the original may help you remember details, but the official descriptions do not prescribe a particular recap or specify a minimum set of episodes to revisit.
There is no need to make the entry point more complicated than the two-series order. The broad viewing path is the original television series, followed by its continuation. A viewer who wants the unabridged anime can follow broadcast episode order within those series. A viewer who wants to shorten the watch can make a separate decision about episode omissions, but that requires a guide beyond the basic series-order recommendation.
The gap between the shows also does not create a mandatory movie stop. The official franchise and distributor pages establish that Shippuden follows the original series, but they do not supply a complete movie placement sequence. If your priority is to begin the story in a clear order, start the original and continue to the sequel; you can consider movies separately rather than delaying the series to solve every placement question first.
Can I skip straight to Shippuden?
You can choose to start there, but it is not the recommended first-watch order. Shippuden begins with Naruto’s return after training and sends him and his teammates into a rescue mission. The story treats the characters and their shared history as established, so starting with the sequel means meeting them at a later point without seeing the original series’ introduction and development.
For someone who wants the story in sequence, watch the original series first. For someone choosing Shippuden despite the missing context, the opening makes the immediate situation clear—Gaara has been taken by Akatsuki—but it does not replace the earlier series’ character history.
In other words, skipping ahead is a choice about how much context you want, not a different official watch order. The sequel does have a clear opening conflict, so a viewer can understand the immediate rescue setup. But the franchise synopsis describes a return after a long absence, and the characters’ changes are presented as developments from the earlier story. Starting at that later point means accepting that some of the relationships and history will already be in progress.
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If you are tempted to skip because you only want to reach the later conflict, weigh that against what the original establishes: Naruto’s starting ambition and the relationships that carry into the sequel. If you have already seen the original or simply prefer to begin with the later series, you can do so, but it is less complete as a first introduction. For a first watch with no missing context, begin with Naruto.
Should I skip filler or watch the movies?
A simple first watch is the two television series in order, without pausing to place every movie. The official series and distributor pages used for this guide do not establish an authoritative filler-by-filler skip list or a definitive placement guide for the movies. They also do not establish that a particular movie is required to understand the two-series story.
- For the unabridged anime experience: follow the television episodes in broadcast order.
- For a faster watch: use a separately verified episode guide if you want to omit episodes; do not assume that an unofficial filler label is an official franchise classification.
- For movies: treat them as optional unless you verify the placement and relevance of a specific film from a suitable guide.
These are practical viewing choices, not claims that every episode has the same relationship to the main plot. The official sources establish the series order and opening setup, but not a detailed canon taxonomy.
This distinction matters because “What order do I watch the series?” and “Which episodes can I omit?” are different questions. The first has a direct answer: watch the original, then Shippuden. A detailed skip plan requires episode-by-episode information that the official series descriptions and catalog entries do not provide. If you choose a faster route, check that the episode guide is clear about what it is classifying and how it distinguishes material to skip from material to watch.
Likewise, the fact that movies exist does not by itself establish where each one belongs or whether it is needed. If you want to include a particular film, verify its placement with a dedicated guide. If you do not want to interrupt the two-series run, you can simply watch the television series in order and leave the movie question aside. The central recommendation does not depend on adding a film between the two shows.
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Where can I watch or buy the series?
VIZ’s Part 1 pages list streaming, digital, and Blu-ray/DVD options. The listed services differ between the two series, and the pages should be treated as access leads rather than proof that every service has every episode in your country.
| Series listing | Options shown by VIZ | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Naruto, Part 1 | Hulu, Netflix, Pluto TV, YouTube, Prime Video, and Apple TV; digital and Blu-ray/DVD options are also listed. | Whether the service has the episodes you need, in your country and preferred language. |
| Naruto Shippuden, Part 1 | Hulu, Crunchyroll, Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango, and Amazon; digital and Blu-ray/DVD options are also listed. | Whether the listing covers the complete run you want, and which language and edition are available. |
VIZ’s Part 1 catalog entries show episode ranges of 1–27 for the listed collections; that is a detail about those catalog listings, not a total episode count for either series. The official Naruto site cautions that supported streaming services vary by region. Before subscribing or buying, check the service’s own catalog or product listing for complete episode availability, language tracks, format, and regional compatibility. The cited catalog pages do not establish current stock, prices, or the contents of complete-set editions.
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For a streaming subscription, confirm that the service has the episodes you plan to watch, not just a listing for the show or an early collection. The VIZ pages show Part 1 listings, so their presence is a useful place to check but not proof of complete availability. The Naruto franchise site’s regional caveat is important if you are comparing platforms: the services supported for one viewer may not be supported for another, and a listing can vary by residence.
Check language as well as availability. A service might have the series but not the language track or presentation you want. If you are buying a digital edition or a disc, read the specific listing for format and regional compatibility before purchasing. VIZ lists Blu-ray/DVD options for both series, and “Naruto Shippuden Blu-ray” is a useful phrase when looking for ownership options, but the catalog information does not verify that a particular set is complete, in stock, or compatible with your equipment.
Do not assume that an advertised Part 1 collection is the full series. The VIZ catalog entries identify ranges of episodes 1–27 for the listed collections; those ranges describe those entries only. They are not a total-series count. Likewise, the pages do not confirm current prices, stock, complete-set contents, or the availability of any particular language track. Verify those details at the service or retailer before you pay.
Printed manga is another option if you want to explore the source story in book form. The franchise site credits the manga to Masashi Kishimoto and Shueisha / Jump Comics. That makes printed volumes a relevant alternative for readers interested in the manga, but the specific edition, stock, and inventory are not established by those credits. Check the individual edition listing if you decide to buy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who made the series?
The Naruto franchise site credits Masashi Kishimoto with the original story and art. It identifies Hayato Date as a director of Naruto Shippuden. Those credits reflect the series’ relationship to the source story and its television production; they do not change the recommended viewing order.
For the comparison here, the most useful point is that the two titles are linked by the same continuing franchise story: the first introduces Naruto and his goal, and the sequel resumes after his training interval. The creator and director credits help identify the roles attached to the source story and the sequel’s direction, but they are not evidence that one series should be watched before the other in some alternative sequence. The chronology remains the practical guide for a first viewing.
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Quick decision guide
- New to the story? Start with Naruto, then watch Naruto Shippuden.
- Already finished the original? Continue to Shippuden.
- Considering a direct jump? You can begin with the later series, but expect established relationships and history.
- Want to watch everything? Follow broadcast episode order for the television series and verify movie placement separately if you want to add films.
- Want to watch faster? Consult a separately verified episode guide instead of treating an unverified skip list as official.
- Choosing a service or disc? Confirm complete episode availability, language, format, region, price, and stock with the relevant listing.
These decisions do not alter the basic answer. Naruto Shippuden is the continuation after the original series, and the clearest first-watch path is to follow that sequence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Naruto and Naruto Shippuden?
Naruto introduces Naruto as a young ninja whose ambition is to become Hokage. Naruto Shippuden continues the story after almost two and a half years, with Naruto returning from training with Jiraiya and Akatsuki beginning a new threat involving Gaara.
Do I watch Naruto before Shippuden?
Yes. For a first viewing, watch Naruto first and then Naruto Shippuden. The sequel assumes the earlier characters and relationships are established.
Where do I start with Naruto?
If you are new to both series, start with episode one of the original Naruto. Continue with the first episode of Naruto Shippuden after finishing it.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsCan I skip straight to Shippuden?
You can, and its opening makes the immediate Gaara rescue situation clear. It is not the recommended first-watch order, however, because you will miss the original series’ introductions and character history.
Do I have to watch a Naruto movie between the two series?
The official series descriptions do not establish that a particular movie is required or provide a definitive movie-placement guide. The simple viewing order is the two television series in sequence; verify a specific film separately if you want to include it.
Can I skip filler episodes?
A detailed authoritative filler-by-filler skip list is not established by the official series pages. For an unabridged watch, follow broadcast episode order. For a shorter watch, use a separately verified episode guide and check how it classifies episodes.
Where can I stream or buy Naruto Shippuden?
VIZ lists streaming, digital, and Blu-ray/DVD options for Shippuden Part 1, including Hulu, Crunchyroll, Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango, and Amazon. Availability varies by region, so confirm that a service or product listing covers the episodes, language, format, and territory you need.
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No conclusion about the full run follows from a Part 1 listing. The listed VIZ collections show episodes 1–27; check a service or retailer directly for complete episode availability and edition details.
The Bottom Line
For a first watch, follow the story in order: Naruto, then Naruto Shippuden. Shippuden resumes almost two and a half years after the Final Valley battle, with Naruto returning from training and the Gaara rescue launching a wider Akatsuki conflict. Movies are not established as required viewing, and platform availability varies by region, so verify any skip guide, film placement, or purchase listing separately.
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