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Watch Naruto first, then Naruto Shippuden. Shippuden continues the same story after a long training interval; it is not a remake or an alternate version. Starting with the original series gives you the character relationships and story context that the sequel expects you to know.
The simplest way to think about the two titles is that they cover different stages of one continuing story. Naruto introduces Naruto Uzumaki, his ambition to become Hokage, and the world around him. Naruto Shippuden returns to those characters later, after Naruto has trained with Jiraiya. If you are choosing a starting point for your first viewing, there is no need to compare them as competing versions: begin with the original series.
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Naruto Shippuden Blu-ray Set 11 | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Naruto Shippuden (Set 10)(BD) | $34.29 | Buy on Amazon |
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Naruto Shippuden Set 8 (BD) | $29.96 | Buy on Amazon |
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Naruto Shippuden Set 5 (Blu-ray) | $18.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Naruto Shippuden Set 7 new (BD) | $25.99 | Buy on Amazon |
What’s the difference between Naruto and Naruto Shippuden?
Naruto introduces Naruto Uzumaki, his early life, and his ambition to become Hokage. Naruto Shippuden picks up later in the same story, after Naruto has been away training with Jiraiya. The Naruto Official Site places the interval at almost two and a half years after the Final Valley battle.
That time jump changes the characters’ circumstances and the scale of the conflict, but not the basic continuity: the familiar characters and events carry over. Shippuden begins with Naruto returning to the Hidden Leaf, while Akatsuki’s actions put Gaara—now Kazekage—in danger.
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So the difference is mainly where each series sits in the story. The original is the introduction; Shippuden is the continuation. The sequel does not retell the beginning with a different cast or reset the relationships. Its opening assumes that Naruto has already lived through the events of the earlier series and that viewers understand who his friends are and why their connections matter.
The Naruto Official Site describes the interval as almost two and a half years after the Final Valley battle and says Naruto returns after training with Jiraiya. That gap matters because the story resumes with characters who have had time to change. It is a substantial jump forward, but not a break in continuity: Shippuden carries on from what came before rather than asking the audience to start over.
| Question | Naruto | Naruto Shippuden |
|---|---|---|
| Place in the story | The original series, focused on Naruto’s early life and goal of becoming Hokage. | The continuation, set after Naruto’s training interval. |
| Opening focus | Introduces Naruto and the world and relationships that shape his early story. | Begins with an Akatsuki kidnapping and a mission to rescue Gaara. |
| Best viewing position | Start here. | Watch after the original series. |
VIZ describes the original series through Naruto’s Hokage ambition and presents Shippuden as a later chapter involving Naruto’s return and Akatsuki’s threat. The two titles therefore mark different stages of one story, rather than two versions from which a new viewer must choose. If your question is which title is “the real one,” the practical answer is that both are parts of the same franchise story, and Shippuden follows the original.
How do the characters and conflict change?
Naruto returns with new experience
When Shippuden opens, Naruto has returned from training with Jiraiya. He is older and stronger than when he left, but the story does not treat the interval as a fresh start. His relationships and previous experiences remain part of the sequel’s context.
This distinction helps explain why the time jump is a useful dividing line between the shows, but not a recommended point for beginners to jump in. Shippuden starts with a changed situation; it does not pause to reintroduce every part of Naruto’s earlier life as if the audience had never met him. Watching the first series gives the return its context and makes the continuation easier to follow.
Sakura and Naruto’s friends have developed too
Sakura has become a notable medical ninja, and Naruto’s other friends have grown stronger during his absence. The change is not limited to the title character: the sequel shows a group of familiar characters at a later point in their lives and abilities.
That development is one reason the original series remains relevant even if a viewer is most curious about Shippuden’s later conflicts. The people Naruto returns to are not simply in the same circumstances as before. The continuation presents them as a group that has changed while he was away, and their earlier relationships help explain why their reunion and shared work carry meaning.
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Akatsuki’s plans broaden the danger
The opening Shippuden storyline sends Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi to rescue Gaara after Akatsuki kidnaps him. The opening conflict also establishes Akatsuki’s interest in capturing the Tailed Beasts. That shift gives the sequel a broader threat than the original series’ introductory setup, while keeping the stakes connected to characters viewers already know.
Gaara’s position as Kazekage is part of the changed setting: he is now a leader whose danger prompts a rescue mission. The opening therefore gives new viewers a concrete sense of what has changed since the earlier stage of the story, while making clear that the threat is not isolated to one character. Akatsuki’s actions point toward a wider conflict involving the Tailed Beasts.
These details are enough to distinguish the opening premise without treating Shippuden as a separate story. The immediate rescue mission is new, but the characters, their histories, and the consequences of earlier events remain connected to the original series.
Do I watch Naruto before Shippuden?
Yes. For a first viewing, follow this order:
- Watch Naruto. It introduces the protagonist, his ambition, and the relationships that the continuation builds on.
- Continue with Naruto Shippuden. It resumes the story after the training interval and assumes familiarity with the earlier events.
This order is the clearest way to follow the story. Shippuden’s later setting may make it possible to recognize the basic setup without having seen the original, but that is not the same as having the context the continuation relies on. If you are watching for the first time, moving directly from one television series to the next is the straightforward option.
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Where do I start with Naruto?
Start with the original Naruto television series, not with Shippuden or a movie. Then move to the Shippuden television series. A simple first watch can follow the two series in order without inserting movies between episodes.
The official pages establish the continuation order, but they do not provide a definitive movie-placement guide or a filler-by-filler skip list. If you want to watch every episode, use broadcast episode order. If you want to skip episodes, consult a separately verified episode guide; do not assume that every online filler label or movie placement is authoritative.
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That leaves two sensible approaches. For an unabridged anime viewing, follow the broadcast episode order for the two shows, beginning with the original. If you prefer a shorter route, use an episode guide that has been checked for the specific list you plan to follow. The official franchise and distributor pages described here do not settle which episodes are filler, where each film belongs, or whether a film is needed to understand the television story, so avoid treating an unverified list as definitive.
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You also do not need to build a movie schedule before you begin. The recommended starting sequence is simply Naruto, then Naruto Shippuden. The official material used to establish this order does not require adding movies between episodes, and it does not supply a definitive placement for them. If your goal is a clear first watch, the two series in order are enough as a practical plan.
Can I skip straight to Shippuden?
You can begin there, but it is not the recommended starting point for a first-time viewer. Shippuden opens at a later stage and proceeds with Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, Gaara, and Akatsuki in circumstances shaped by events before the time jump. Without the original series, you will have less context for their relationships and how they reached that point.
For someone who has already watched Naruto and wants to revisit the sequel, starting at Shippuden is straightforward. For someone new to the franchise, watch the original series first rather than treating Shippuden as a reboot.
If you are deciding based on the title alone, “Shippuden” does not mean “alternate version” or “optional replacement.” It identifies the later continuation. Watching it first may give you enough information to recognize the immediate setup—Naruto has returned, and Gaara needs help—but it skips the introduction and earlier character context that the sequel builds on. A viewer who wants to see how the story and relationships reach that point should start with the original.
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VIZ’s pages list streaming, digital, and Blu-ray/DVD options for Part 1 of each series. The listed services differ by title, and those catalog entries should not be read as proof that a service currently carries every episode in every country.
| Series listing | Services named on VIZ’s Part 1 page | Other listed formats |
|---|---|---|
| Naruto | Hulu, Netflix, Pluto TV, YouTube, Prime Video, and Apple TV | Digital and Blu-ray/DVD |
| Naruto Shippuden | Hulu, Crunchyroll, Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango, and Amazon | Digital and Blu-ray/DVD |
These are the options named on VIZ’s Part 1 listings, not a guarantee of current or complete availability. The Naruto Official Site notes that supported streaming services vary by region. Before subscribing or buying, check the service catalog for your country and confirm that it has the episodes you need, the language version you want, and the relevant format. For physical editions, also check the specific listing for contents and region compatibility; the cited listings do not establish complete-set contents, stock, language tracks, or current prices.
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The “Part 1” label matters when you are shopping or comparing catalogs. VIZ’s listings are for Part 1 rather than proof that a particular store or streaming service has every installment of either series. The VIZ pages also show an episode range of 1–27 for the listed Part 1 collections; that is a catalog detail for those collections, not a total episode count for either television series. Check the listing and the service catalog rather than assuming that one Part 1 page represents the complete run.
Availability can also differ between the two titles. VIZ names Hulu, Netflix, Pluto TV, YouTube, Prime Video, and Apple TV on its Naruto Part 1 page; its Shippuden Part 1 page names Hulu, Crunchyroll, Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango, and Amazon. These are useful places to check, not a promise that the same titles or episodes appear in every region or remain available indefinitely. The Naruto Official Site specifically cautions that streaming options depend on residence.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchBefore paying for a subscription, search the service’s catalog in your country and verify that it includes the series and episodes you intend to watch. Check the language version as well; a service having a series listing does not, by itself, establish which language options are available. For digital purchases and discs, inspect the individual product page for the exact contents. A listing may refer to a part or collection rather than the entire series, so confirm how much it includes before buying.
VIZ also lists Blu-ray/DVD options for both series, and its Shippuden Part 1 page includes Amazon as an ownership link. Physical media can be a useful option if you prefer to own a copy, but the pages do not verify stock, current prices, complete-set contents, language tracks, or region compatibility. Do not infer those details from the format name alone; check the specific edition and seller listing. If you are considering manga as another way into the franchise, the Naruto Official Site credits Masashi Kishimoto and Shueisha / Jump Comics for the manga. That makes printed volumes a related option, but the particular edition and its availability should be checked separately.
Who made the series?
The Naruto Official Site credits Masashi Kishimoto for the original story and art, and credits Hayato Date as a director of Naruto Shippuden. Those credits distinguish the source creator from the director credited for the animated continuation; they do not change the recommended viewing order.
These credits are useful context when comparing the manga and the two animated series, but they do not make the shows separate continuities. The practical distinction remains that the original series introduces the story and Shippuden carries it forward. The creator and director credits should not be mistaken for a recommendation to start with one format or for evidence that the sequel retells the original.
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Quick answer
- What changes? The story moves forward by almost two and a half years; Naruto returns from training, his friends have developed, and Akatsuki’s threat drives the opening Shippuden conflict.
- Where should a new viewer start? With Naruto, followed by Naruto Shippuden.
- Are movies or a filler skip list necessary? The official pages cited here do not establish a required movie sequence or a definitive filler guide. A first watch can simply follow the two television series in order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Naruto and Naruto Shippuden?
Naruto introduces Naruto and his goal of becoming Hokage. Naruto Shippuden continues the same story almost two and a half years after the Final Valley battle, with Naruto returning from training with Jiraiya and Akatsuki’s threat driving the opening conflict.
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Do I watch Naruto before Shippuden?
Yes. For a first viewing, watch Naruto first and then Naruto Shippuden. The sequel continues the earlier story and assumes context about the characters and their relationships.
Where do I start with Naruto?
Start with the original Naruto television series, then continue with Naruto Shippuden. You do not need to insert a movie to follow this basic series order.
Can I skip straight to Shippuden?
You can, but it is not the recommended starting point for a first-time viewer. Shippuden begins later in the story, after the characters and relationships have already been introduced. If you have seen the original series, you can start Shippuden directly for a revisit.
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Is Naruto Shippuden a remake or a reboot?
No. It is a continuation, not a remake or alternate version. The Naruto Official Site describes Naruto’s return after a training interval of almost two and a half years.
Do I need to watch Naruto movies between the series?
The official pages cited here do not provide a definitive movie-placement guide or say that a movie is required. A simple first watch can go from the Naruto television series to Naruto Shippuden.
Can I skip filler episodes in Naruto or Shippuden?
The official franchise and distributor pages do not provide a definitive filler-by-filler skip list. If you want to skip episodes, consult a separately verified episode guide; if you want the unabridged anime, follow broadcast episode order.
Where can I watch Naruto and Naruto Shippuden?
VIZ lists streaming and ownership options for Part 1 of both series, but availability varies by region and may not cover every episode. Check the current catalog in your country and confirm episode coverage and language options before subscribing.
Are the VIZ Part 1 listings the complete series?
They are Part 1 listings, not proof of complete-series availability. VIZ shows episodes 1–27 for the listed Part 1 collections; check the relevant service or product listing for exactly what it includes.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Start with Naruto and follow it with Naruto Shippuden. The sequel resumes the same story almost two and a half years after the Final Valley battle, with Naruto back from training and Akatsuki threatening Gaara. Movies are not needed to establish this basic watch order, and availability should be checked in your region before you subscribe or buy.
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