Naruto Shippuden: A frustrating but fun experience
Myanimelist Rating: 8.27/10
Aired: Feb 15, 2007 to Mar 23, 2017
Animation Studio: Pierrot
Source: Manga
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Number of Episodes: 501
Plot Summary:
“It has been two and a half years since Naruto Uzumaki left Konohagakure, the Hidden Leaf Village, for intense training following events that fueled his desire to be stronger. Now Akatsuki, the mysterious organization of elite rogue ninja, is closing in on their grand plan which may threaten the safety of the entire shinobi world.
Although Naruto is older and sinister events loom on the horizon, he has changed little in personality—still rambunctious and childish—though he is now far more confident and possesses an even greater determination to protect his friends and home. Come whatever may, Naruto will carry on with the fight for what is important to him, even at the expense of his own body, in the continuation of the saga about the boy who wishes to become Hokage.” -myanimelist
If I had to describe my experience with Naruto: Shippuden, I’d say it felt like being trapped in a relationship that was equal parts thrilling and exasperating. But no, I’m not talking about an actual romance—this rollercoaster was Naruto: Shippuden, the anime that both wowed me and wore me out at the same time.
This series is a prime example of everything amazing—and infuriating—about shounen anime. When I first dived into it years ago, I was so hooked by the story that I could overlook its flaws. But as time went on, those problems became harder to ignore, and the deeper I got into the series, the more obvious they became.
Things got especially rough once I caught up with the show. Right in the middle of what should have been a nail-biting climax, I found myself staring down a long filler arc. Not just one, but several. If you’ve never experienced the agony of being caught up in an anime only to be slapped with endless filler episodes, consider yourself lucky. It’s a unique kind of torture. After a point, I threw in the towel and moved on to the manga.
Years later, with the entire series now available for streaming, I decided to revisit Shippuden. This time, I braved all of it: canon episodes, filler arcs, the whole shebang. So the question is, does Naruto: Shippuden still hold up? Is it worth binge-watching, or should you save yourself the trouble and just read the manga?
The series picks up two years after the end of the original Naruto, with Naruto returning to the Hidden Leaf Village, reuniting with old friends, and diving headfirst into new, deadlier challenges. The stakes are higher than ever as the Akatsuki make bolder moves to capture the Tailed Beasts, and Sasuke continues down a dark, self-destructive path. Can Naruto stop them and bring his friend back from the brink?
While the original Naruto had some of the strongest arcs, Shippuden holds its own with standout moments. Some of the arcs here are truly unforgettable—the Hidan and Kakazu arc, Sasuke vs. Itachi, the Pain arc, and the Five Kage Summit, to name a few. The Pain arc, in particular, remains a standout in Shounen’s history. It’s packed with emotional weight, a fantastic villain, and one of the most memorable battles of all time. Few moments in anime hit as hard as the aftermath of the Pain fight.
That said, Naruto’s reaction to Hinata’s confession is still one of the most frustrating moments in the entire show. She risks everything for him, and he doesn’t say a word. Come on, Naruto!
As the series progresses, the story unfortunately starts to lose its edge. The Fourth Great Ninja War drags on for what feels like an eternity, even without the filler. You’re stuck watching fight after fight, many involving characters you don’t even care about. The massive cast that was once a strength now becomes a burden.
The villains, too, become less compelling. Tobi’s initial mystery and menace fade as he morphs into a weaker version of Pain. And while Madara is undeniably cool, his presence overstays its welcome. Then there’s Kaguya, who arrives out of nowhere and becomes one of the most lackluster final villains in anime history. It’s a shame to see a series that once thrived on powerful villains fizzle out in such a disappointing way.
And don’t get me started on Orochimaru. In the original Naruto, he was the ultimate nightmare fuel—creepy, powerful, and dangerous. By the time Shippuden rolls around, he’s little more than an afterthought, making a bizarre shift to neutrality for no compelling reason. Why ruin such a great villain?
When it comes to action, Shippuden offers a mix of the fantastic and the forgettable. On one hand, you have standout battles like Kakashi vs. Obito, a masterclass in shounen fighting choreography. Sasuke’s many duels—against Deidara, Itachi, Bee, and others—are also some of the series’ best moments. But as the series wears on, the show shifts away from tactical, skill-based fights and embraces the spectacle of giant monster battles and over-the-top explosions.
The final Naruto vs. Sasuke fight, however, strikes a perfect balance between spectacle and strategy. It manages to combine the raw power of their abilities with the clever, tactical edge that made the original Naruto fights so compelling. That battle alone is worth sitting through the whole war arc.
Filler: The Double-Edged Sword
Now, let’s talk about filler—Shippuden’s infamous Achilles’ heel. The filler content is what drove many fans away, and for good reason. But, surprisingly, some of the filler episodes are pretty good. When used to expand the main story, filler can add depth and emotion. Shikamaru’s grief over Asuma’s death is one of the best examples of this, with some of his most heartfelt moments coming in filler episodes.
Still, the sheer amount of filler is overwhelming, especially when it interrupts key story moments. I didn’t need a Chunin Exam flashback during the climax of the Fourth Great Ninja War, and I certainly didn’t need endless flashbacks that replay the same scenes over and over. I swear, if I see Obito getting crushed by that boulder one more time, I’m going to lose it.
What’s worse is how canon episodes are often mixed with filler, making it hard to skip the non-essential content. If you’re a manga purist, stick to the source material. If you’re brave enough to endure, be sure to have a filler guide on hand.
As expected of a long-running anime, Shippuden’s animation quality varies wildly. Some episodes are painfully low-budget, while others shine with incredible choreography, especially in hand-to-hand combat scenes. The animators really go all out when the characters throw down—Killer Bee using eight swords at once is a highlight.
The soundtrack, on the other hand, is consistently strong. The emotional and epic tracks punctuate the big moments perfectly. Even if some tracks are a bit overused, the Shippuden OST has earned its place as one of the best in the Shounen genre.
The opening and ending themes are hit or miss, but when they hit, they’re unforgettable. Tracks like ‘Silhouette,’ ‘Lovers,’ and ‘Blue Bird’ are some of the best anime openings out there.
Revisiting Naruto: Shippuden was like reconnecting with an old friend. Sometimes, it felt like a bad idea, but at other times, I was reminded why I fell in love with it in the first place. The highs are worth it—there are still moments in Shippuden that left me in awe, and certain battles and story arcs still resonate deeply.
But is it worth watching the entire series from start to finish? Unless you have a lot of time and patience, probably not. My advice: grab a filler guide and stick to the core episodes, or just dive into the manga for a more streamlined experience. While Shippuden is packed with unforgettable moments, slogging through all 500 episodes is a test of endurance.
And with that, my journey with Naruto is over. For real this time. No more fillers, no more flashbacks—I’m officially calling it quits.
