Let me be upfront about something before we dive in: I have a complicated relationship with Boruto. I grew up with Naruto, cried during the Pain arc, and spent way too much of my adult life rewatching Shippuden. So when Boruto: Naruto Next Generations launched, I had high hopes — and I have to admit, those hopes were tested pretty hard by the sheer volume of filler the show throws at you in the early going.
If you’re here, you’re probably wondering the same thing I was: which Boruto episodes can I actually skip? The answer is a lot of them. This Boruto filler list is going to break down every filler episode, every anime canon arc, and every manga canon episode so you can make an informed decision about what’s worth your time. Let’s get into it.
Is 70% of Boruto Filler?
This is probably the most common question I see asked about the series, and honestly? The answer is close to yes — at least in the early seasons. By most estimates, roughly 50–70% of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is filler or anime canon that has no direct basis in the manga. That’s an uncomfortable truth for fans of the source material, and it’s one of the biggest reasons the anime has a divisive reputation.
To be clear, there’s a distinction worth making here: manga canon episodes follow the Boruto manga directly. Anime canon episodes are original content created by the anime team — sometimes connected to the broader story, sometimes not. And then there’s pure filler, which is self-contained material that has essentially no impact on the main plot. When people say Boruto flopped, this bloated filler ratio is usually exhibit A in their argument.
Why Did Boruto Flop (Or At Least Disappoint)?
I don’t think Boruto fully flopped — the manga’s later arcs involving Kawaki are genuinely compelling — but the anime’s pacing problems are real and they stem directly from this filler issue. The show spent its first 50+ episodes doing slice-of-life content and standalone ninja missions that had no stakes and no consequences. For viewers coming off Naruto and Shippuden, where every arc felt like it mattered, this was jarring.
Can you skip the first 50 episodes of Boruto? Mostly yes. Episodes 1–15 cover the Academy Arc which has some value in establishing characters, but episodes 16 through the mid-40s are largely safe to skip or skim. I’ll be more specific below.
The Complete Boruto Filler List: Episodes You Can Skip
Below is a breakdown of the Boruto filler list organized by arc. I’ve marked each arc with its canon status so you know exactly what you’re dealing with.
Episodes 16–17 — Filler
Standalone episodes with no manga basis. Skip freely.
Episodes 33–52 — Anime Canon / Mixed Filler
This stretch includes the Genin Mission Arc and various one-off episodes. Some of these episodes do light character work for Mitsuki, which becomes relevant much later. However, the majority of this block is skippable if you’re just chasing the main plot. In my opinion, episode 39 (Mitsuki’s background) is the one worth keeping.
Episodes 67–92 — Filler / Anime Canon
This section is almost entirely filler. We’re talking filler episodes about Chocho’s diet, ninja tools, and assorted fluff. None of it connects meaningfully to the manga or the larger Boruto and Kawaki storyline. Skip all of it with zero guilt.
Episodes 93–97 — Anime Canon (Mitsuki Disappearance Arc Prelude)
These episodes lead into the Mitsuki Disappearance Arc, which is actually one of the better anime-original arcs in the series. Worth watching.
Episodes 112–119 — Filler
Back to filler. These are standalone missions and character vignettes. Nothing here ties into the manga canon in any meaningful way. Skip.
Episodes 120–138 — Anime Canon (Jugo Arc)
The Jugo Arc is anime original, but I’d actually argue it’s worth a watch if you’re a Sasuke fan. It’s not manga canon, but it has some decent shinobi action and gives Team 7 real screen time together. Up to you on this one.
Episodes 152–154 — Filler
Skip. Three standalone episodes with no plot relevance.
Episodes 155–156 — Filler
Skip.
Episodes 177–189 — Filler / Anime Canon (Mixed)
This is a mixed bag. Some episodes here are pure filler, others do minor setup. If you want to be thorough, watch 182 and 187 — the rest are skippable.
Episodes 190–227 — The Time Slip Arc (Anime Canon)
Now here’s something interesting. The Time Slip Arc is not manga canon, but it’s one of the most fan-beloved sections of the entire anime. It brings back young Naruto and young Sasuke, and it’s genuinely nostalgic in a way that works. Is it necessary? No. Is it fun? Absolutely. I’d recommend it to any Naruto fan, with the caveat that you know going in it’s anime filler in the broader sense — just very well-executed filler.
Episodes 228–265 — Mixed Filler and Anime Canon
This is a long stretch with some genuine gems buried in filler. Episodes around the 230s that deal with Kawaki’s integration into the Hidden Leaf are worth watching. The pure filler episodes — mostly in the 240–255 range — can be safely skipped.
Which Boruto Episodes Are Actually Worth Watching? (Manga Canon Episodes)
If you want to cut straight to the manga canon episodes of Boruto, here’s the short version:
- Episodes 1–15: Academy Arc — watch it, establishes the cast
- Episodes 18–32: Sarada Uchiha Arc / Naruto Gaiden — manga canon, essential
- Episodes 53–66: Chunin Exams Arc — manga canon, this is where the anime starts getting serious
- Episodes 98–111: Mitsuki Disappearance Arc — anime canon but high quality
- Episodes 140–151: Kara Actuation Arc intro — starting to adapt manga material again
- Episodes 157–176: Ao Arc — manga canon, things are picking up
- Episodes 193–208: Kawaki Arc begins — manga canon, don’t skip any of this
The Kawaki Arc is where Boruto stops being a slow burn and starts delivering on the promise of that opening flash-forward scene. If you’ve been patient enough to get here, it pays off.
Are the Anime-Only Boruto Episodes Connected to the Manga Timeline?
Mostly no — and this is an important distinction. The anime canon episodes of Boruto exist in a kind of narrative grey zone. They don’t contradict the manga per se, but they’re not sourced from it either. The Time Slip Arc, for example, is a fun detour that the manga never acknowledges. The Jugo Arc features characters and events the manga skips entirely.
For viewers who only care about following the manga’s story through Boruto, Kawaki, and the larger Otsutsuki threat, the safest approach is to stick to manga canon episodes and treat anime canon arcs as optional bonuses — not required viewing.
My Honest Take on the Boruto Filler Problem
I hate myself for saying this because I genuinely want to love this show — but the filler ratio in Boruto is a legitimate problem that hurt the anime’s reputation in ways it hasn’t fully recovered from. A show doesn’t get called “boring” when it’s adapting compelling manga content. It gets called boring when it’s padding time with low-stakes ninja missions and comedy episodes for 60+ consecutive weeks.
That said, the manga arcs that do get adapted — especially anything involving Kawaki and the later Kara content — are legitimately great. The bones of a fantastic anime are there. The filler just makes it harder to find them.
I know that I am being nitpicky with the filler classifications above, and reasonable people can disagree on some of the anime canon arcs. The Time Slip Arc especially has its defenders, and I get it — nostalgia is a powerful thing. But if you came to Boruto for the next chapter of the Naruto story and you feel like the show isn’t delivering, just know: it’s not your imagination, and this filler list should help you cut straight to the good stuff.
Have a different take on which Boruto filler episodes are actually worth watching? Think I’m wrong about the Time Slip Arc? Let me know in the comments — I genuinely want to hear from you.
