The Boruto: Naruto Next Generations anime isn’t just an adaptation. It’s a divergent beast. While the manga plows forward through its own storyline, the anime has taken a different route. It incorporates a high percentage of filler episodes and anime canon content that never appeared in the source material.
For fans trying to keep up with Boruto Uzumaki’s journey, this creates a navigation problem. You want the plot. You don’t want 30 episodes of side missions in the Land of Water. This guide helps you separate the signal from the noise. It lists the filler arcs so you can skip the fluff and focus on the narrative that actually matters.
The Skippable Stuff (Pure Filler)
Some arcs are pure padding. They don’t move the main story forward. They don’t impact the overarching conflict with Kaguya’s remnants or the Otsutsuki. If you’re watching for the plot, these are the episodes to fast-forward through.
The Super Beast Scroll Arc (Episodes 16–18)
This is a supernatural detour. It centers around Sumire and a cursed scroll. Metal Lee gets involved. It’s completely skippable. Nothing here changes the status quo.
The Byakuya Gang Arc (Episodes 43–50)
A group of thieves mimicking Robin Hood creates tension in the Hidden Leaf Village. The arc touches on ethical dilemmas. It’s filler. It doesn’t impact the main story. You can skip it without missing a beat.
The Chocho Arc (Episodes 67–69)
Comedy gold for some. Narrative dead weight for others. This arc focuses on Chocho’s obsession with love and appearance. It’s often cited as filler that contributes little to the overall narrative. Pick your poison.
Konohamaru’s Love Arc (Episodes 116–119)
A mystery set in a remote village. It introduces a new original character. The suspense is minor. It’s filler. Move on.
The Great Sea Battle of Kirigakure Arc (Episodes 231–260)
This stretches for nearly 30 episodes. It explores side missions in the Land of Water. Many fans consider it filler. It slows down the pacing. Unless you’re deeply invested in Water Village politics, skip it.
The Kawaki & Himawari Ninja Academy Arc (Episodes 261–273)
Pure filler. It centers around Boruto’s classmates. It focuses on Himawari’s experiences at the Ninja Academy. It’s cute. It’s not essential.
The “Anime Canon” Grey Area
Not everything non-manga is useless. The anime introduces “anime canon” content. This is material approved by the manga’s creators. It’s not in the manga. But it’s official. It often provides character development that the manga lacks.
Mitsuki’s Disappearance Arc (Episodes 71–92)
This dive into Mitsuki’s identity and sense of belonging is a standout. It’s not from the manga. But it develops one of the core characters. Is it skippable? Maybe not. It fleshes out Mitsuki in ways the comic rarely does.
Time Slip Arc (Episodes 128–136)
A highlight among anime originals. Boruto and Sasuke go back in time. They meet young Naruto. It’s not manga canon. But it provides strong character connections. It offers nostalgia. It works.
Hashirama Cell Arc (Episodes 157–160)
This arc explores the fallout from the use of the legendary Hashirama Cell. It teases science vs. tradition themes. It’s filler in the strictest sense. But it adds texture to the world.
Kara Actuation Arc (Episodes 157–175)
This anime original content complements the manga’s Kara storyline. It introduces the tech-forward world of the new generation. It bridges gaps in the manga’s pacing. Worth watching if you want to understand the technological threat facing the shinobi.
The Spin-Off Exception
Sasuke’s Training Arc (Episodes 282–286)
Also known as the Sasuke Retsuden arc. This sequence is adapted from the Sasuke Retsuden spin-off novel. It’s not from the main Boruto manga. But it’s considered canon to the storyline. It expands on Sasuke’s character. It’s a rare case where a non-manga source is essential.
Should You Watch It All?
If you’re only interested in storylines pulled directly from the Boruto manga, you can skip the majority of episodes. The pacing drags without the filler cuts.
But the arcs labeled as anime canon are worth watching. Not for the plot. For the depth. They offer meaningful exploration of characters like Mitsuki and Boruto. They dive into the daily lives of the next generation of Shinobi.
The Boruto anime is a hybrid. It’s part adaptation. Part expansion. Knowing which parts to skip lets you enjoy the expansion without suffering through the rest. The manga is the backbone. The anime is the muscle. You need both to understand the full body, even if you spend most of your time looking at the skeleton.
Or do you? Maybe you just like watching Sas
