The Naruto timeline spans generations of shinobi, major wars, clan conflicts, time skips and events that are revealed through flashbacks much later in the story. Because the anime also contains filler arcs and several movies, it can be difficult to understand exactly when each major event takes place.
The story begins long before Naruto Uzumaki becomes a ninja. It covers the origins of the shinobi world, the history of the Uchiha and Senju, the creation of Konoha, Naruto’s childhood, the Fourth Great Ninja War and the events that eventually lead into the next generation.
This guide explains the Naruto timeline in chronological order, then shows the practical watch order for Naruto and Naruto Shippuden. It also explains where The Last: Naruto the Movie fits, which movies are connected to the main story, how filler affects the timeline and how the story continues into Boruto.
Naruto Timeline in Order
The easiest way to understand the Naruto story timeline is to divide it into major historical periods.
| Timeline Period | Major Events |
| Ancient Era | Kaguya Otsutsuki and the origins of chakra |
| Warring States Era | Uchiha and Senju conflicts |
| Formation of Konoha | Hashirama and Madara establish the Hidden Leaf |
| First Great Ninja War | The hidden villages enter major conflict |
| Second Great Ninja War | The legendary Sannin rise to prominence |
| Third Great Ninja War | Minato, Kakashi, Obito and Rin become involved in war |
| Naruto’s Birth | The Nine Tails attacks Konoha |
| Uchiha Massacre | Itachi destroys the Uchiha clan |
| Naruto Part 1 | Naruto becomes a genin and joins Team 7 |
| Naruto Shippuden | Naruto returns after the time skip and faces the Akatsuki |
| Fourth Great Ninja War | The Allied Shinobi Forces fight Madara, Obito and Kaguya |
| Post War Era | The shinobi world begins rebuilding |
| The Last | Naruto and Hinata’s relationship develops after the war |
| Next Generation | Boruto and the new generation continue the story |
This gives you the broad Naruto timeline before getting into the individual story arcs.
Naruto Story Timeline
The Naruto story timeline begins with the ancient origins of chakra and the shinobi world before moving through the Great Ninja Wars, Naruto’s birth, the Uchiha massacre and the events of Naruto Part 1 and Naruto Shippuden.
The Ancient Era: Kaguya and the Sage of Six Paths
The earliest events in the Naruto timeline involve Kaguya Otsutsuki and the origin of chakra.Kaguya arrives on Earth and eventually becomes connected to the Ten Tails. Her story leads to the birth of Hagoromo Otsutsuki and Hamura Otsutsuki.
Hagoromo becomes known as the Sage of Six Paths and plays a major role in the history of the shinobi world. His sons, Indra and Asura, become the ancestors of rival bloodlines that eventually develop into the Uchiha and Senju lineages.
These ancient events are mostly revealed through flashbacks during Naruto Shippuden. They become especially important during the Fourth Great Ninja War when the origins of the conflict are finally explained.
The Warring States Era
Long before the hidden villages existed, shinobi belonged to powerful clans that fought against one another. The Uchiha and Senju were among the strongest clans during this period. Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju became the most important figures in their respective clans.
Although Madara and Hashirama were childhood friends, their clans remained enemies for years.Eventually, Hashirama and Madara work together to establish Konohagakure, the Hidden Leaf Village. Their agreement becomes the foundation for the hidden village system that defines the modern shinobi world.
The relationship between Hashirama and Madara also becomes important much later when their legacies influence Naruto and Sasuke.
The First Three Great Ninja Wars
The Naruto timeline includes four Great Ninja Wars, but the first three occur before Naruto’s generation becomes the main focus of the story.
The First Great Ninja War
The First Great Ninja War occurs after the formation of the major hidden villages. The new village system creates a more organized shinobi world, but competition between the villages eventually leads to large scale conflict.
Hashirama attempts to create stability between the villages by distributing the tailed beasts. Despite these efforts, conflict continues and eventually develops into the First Great Ninja War.
The Second Great Ninja War
The Second Great Ninja War takes place during the generation before Naruto.Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimaru become famous during this period and are later known as the Legendary Sannin.
The war also shapes the lives of many characters and contributes to the harsh environment in which the next generation of shinobi grows up.
The Third Great Ninja War
The Third Great Ninja War takes place much closer to Naruto’s birth.Minato Namikaze becomes one of the most important shinobi of the era. Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara also become involved in the conflict.
The Kannabi Bridge mission becomes a major turning point for Kakashi and Obito. The events surrounding Obito eventually become directly connected to the main conflict of Naruto Shippuden.
Naruto’s Birth and the Nine Tails Attack
Naruto Uzumaki is born to Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. On the night of Naruto’s birth, the Nine Tails attacks Konoha. Minato fights the beast and uses the Reaper Death Seal to divide its chakra before sealing the Nine Tails inside Naruto.
Minato and Kushina die during the attack.
Naruto therefore grows up without knowing his parents and is treated differently by many villagers because he carries the Nine Tails.
This event explains one of the central parts of Naruto’s childhood and becomes important throughout both Naruto and Naruto Shippuden.
The Uchiha Massacre
Several years before Naruto Part 1 begins, the relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha’s leadership deteriorates.
The Uchiha are suspected of planning a coup against the village. Itachi Uchiha becomes involved in the situation and ultimately kills most of the Uchiha clan.
Sasuke survives the massacre and grows up believing that Itachi murdered their family simply because he wanted to test his strength.
The truth is revealed much later in Naruto Shippuden and changes Sasuke’s understanding of his brother, his clan and Konoha itself.
Naruto Part 1 Timeline
Naruto Part 1 begins with Naruto as a young academy student who wants to become Hokage and gain recognition from the people around him.
Naruto Becomes a Ninja
Naruto graduates from the Ninja Academy and becomes a genin.He is placed on Team 7 with Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno under the leadership of Kakashi Hatake.
At first, the three young ninja have very different personalities and goals. Naruto wants recognition, Sakura wants to develop her skills and Sasuke is focused on becoming strong enough to defeat Itachi.
Their early missions gradually turn Team 7 into one of the most important groups in the Naruto story.You can learn more about the team in our guide to Team 7.
The Land of Waves Mission
Team 7’s first major mission takes them outside the Land of Fire. What begins as a relatively simple escort mission becomes a dangerous confrontation with Zabuza Momochi and Haku.
The mission introduces Naruto to the realities of the shinobi world. He learns that ninja are often forced to make difficult choices and that protecting another person can require great personal sacrifice.
The Chunin Exams
The Chunin Exams bring Naruto and his classmates into direct competition with young ninja from other villages. The exams also introduce important characters such as Gaara, Temari, Kankuro, Rock Lee and Neji Hyuga.
The situation becomes much more serious when Orochimaru attacks Konoha and the Sand Village joins the invasion.
Naruto’s battle with Gaara becomes a major turning point. Naruto manages to reach Gaara emotionally and demonstrates how his own experiences have shaped his understanding of loneliness.
Sasuke Leaves Konoha
Sasuke becomes increasingly frustrated with his own progress and remains determined to gain enough power to defeat Itachi.
He eventually accepts Orochimaru’s offer and leaves Konoha. A group of young shinobi is sent to bring him back. Naruto eventually catches up with Sasuke at the Valley of the End.
The two fight, but Sasuke chooses to continue his journey with Orochimaru. After this battle, Naruto begins training with Jiraiya. This leads directly into the time skip and the beginning of Naruto Shippuden.
Naruto Shippuden Timeline
Naruto Shippuden begins approximately two and a half years after Naruto leaves Konoha to train with Jiraiya. Naruto returns older and stronger, but the threats facing him have also grown significantly.
The Time Skip
When Naruto returns to Konoha, Sakura has also developed considerably under Tsunade’s training. The relationship between Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke has changed during the time skip because Sasuke remains away from the village.
At the same time, the Akatsuki has become much more active and begins targeting the jinchuriki who carry the tailed beasts.
The Akatsuki Threat
The Akatsuki becomes the central threat during the early part of Naruto Shippuden. The organization begins capturing tailed beasts, making Naruto one of its most important targets because he contains the Nine Tails.
The attack on Gaara demonstrates the danger of the organization and establishes the direction of the larger Shippuden storyline. As the story progresses, Naruto faces members of the Akatsuki while Sasuke continues his own search for Itachi.
Sasuke and the Truth About Itachi
Sasuke eventually fights Itachi in one of the most important battles of Naruto Shippuden. After Itachi’s death, Sasuke learns that the Uchiha massacre was connected to the political conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha. Obito later reveals more information about Itachi’s actions and the circumstances surrounding the massacre.
Sasuke’s understanding of his brother changes completely. His goal also changes from simply defeating Itachi to confronting the village system itself.
Pain’s Attack on Konoha
Pain attacks Konoha while searching for Naruto.Naruto travels to the village after completing his training in Sage Mode and confronts Pain.The battle forces Naruto to deal with the destruction of his home and the death of people close to him.
After defeating Pain, Naruto earns greater respect from the villagers and becomes an important symbol for the village.The events also move the story toward the larger conflict that eventually becomes the Fourth Great Ninja War.
The Fourth Great Ninja War
The Fourth Great Ninja War is the largest conflict in the main Naruto storyline.The major hidden villages form the Allied Shinobi Forces to fight against Obito, Madara and their forces.
The War Begins
The Fourth Great Ninja War brings together shinobi from different villages who were previously enemies.
Naruto eventually gains greater control over the Nine Tails and becomes one of the central figures in the Allied Shinobi Forces.
Sasuke follows a separate path as he searches for answers about the shinobi world and his place within it.
Madara and the Ten Tails
Madara Uchiha’s return dramatically changes the scale of the war. The Ten Tails is revived and the conflict moves beyond a conventional battle between shinobi villages.
Obito’s plans, Madara’s ambitions and the history of the Uchiha and Senju eventually connect the current war to the ancient origins of the shinobi world.
Kaguya Otsutsuki
The story eventually reveals that the conflict goes back even further than Madara.Kaguya Otsutsuki returns and becomes the final major enemy of the war.
Naruto and Sasuke receive power from Hagoromo Otsutsuki and fight alongside Sakura and Kakashi against Kaguya.
Her appearance connects the modern Naruto story directly to the ancient events that were introduced much earlier in the timeline.
Naruto and Sasuke’s Final Battle
After Kaguya is defeated, Naruto and Sasuke still disagree about how the shinobi world should be protected.
They return to the Valley of the End and fight one final battle.Their confrontation resolves the central rivalry that began when they were children.
After the battle, Naruto and Sasuke finally move beyond the cycle of conflict that had defined their relationship.
Naruto After the War
The end of the Fourth Great Ninja War marks the beginning of a new period for the shinobi world. The villages begin rebuilding and the surviving characters move toward a more peaceful era.
The Post War Period
Naruto’s role in the shinobi world changes significantly after the war.He is no longer the isolated child who wanted recognition from his village. He has become a respected shinobi who helped protect the entire world from a major threat.
Sasuke also chooses a different path. Instead of returning to his old life immediately, he travels and works to protect the village from threats that may appear outside it.
The relationship between Naruto and Hinata also develops further during this period.
Where Does The Last: Naruto the Movie Fit?
The Last: Naruto the Movie takes place after the Fourth Great Ninja War and before the final episodes of Naruto Shippuden.
The movie focuses on Naruto and Hinata while also introducing a new threat that affects the moon and Earth.
More importantly for the Naruto timeline, it develops Naruto and Hinata’s relationship and connects the post-war period to the later events of Naruto’s adult life.
For the practical anime watch order, watch The Last after Naruto Shippuden episode 493 and before episodes 494 through 500.
How Old Is Naruto in The Last?
Naruto is 19 during The Last. The movie therefore takes place several years after the main Fourth Great Ninja War conflict and before Naruto becomes the adult Hokage seen in the next-generation story.
Naruto Watch Order
If your goal is to follow the main Naruto story with the least confusion, this is the simplest viewing order:
- Naruto episodes 1 to 220
- Naruto Shippuden episodes 1 to 493
- The Last: Naruto the Movie
- Naruto Shippuden episodes 494 to 500
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
The earlier Naruto movies can be watched separately because most of them tell standalone stories.
The Last is the main exception because it directly connects to the post-war Naruto storyline. For a more detailed episode and movie sequence, see our Naruto watch order guide.
How Long Does Naruto Take to Watch?
Naruto has 220 episodes and Naruto Shippuden has 500 episodes.Together, the two main series contain 720 episodes.
If you watch every episode at an average length of around 23 minutes, the combined runtime is roughly 275 hours.
The actual viewing time will depend on whether you skip opening and ending sequences and whether you watch the filler episodes.
Naruto Movies in Order
The Naruto franchise includes 11 main theatrical movies released between 2004 and 2015. Most of the earlier movies are standalone stories. They can be enjoyed without changing the main Naruto timeline.
Naruto Movies and Their Story Status
| # | Movie | Release Year | Story Status |
| 1 | Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow | 2004 | Standalone |
| 2 | Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel | 2005 | Standalone |
| 3 | Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom | 2006 | Standalone |
| 4 | Naruto Shippuden the Movie | 2007 | Standalone |
| 5 | Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds | 2008 | Standalone |
| 6 | Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire | 2009 | Standalone |
| 7 | Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower | 2010 | Standalone |
| 8 | Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood Prison | 2011 | Standalone |
| 9 | Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie | 2012 | Standalone story |
| 10 | The Last: Naruto the Movie | 2014 | Main story continuation |
| 11 | Boruto: Naruto the Movie | 2015 | Next generation |
The first nine movies can generally be treated as optional side stories. The Last is directly connected to the main Naruto storyline, while Boruto: Naruto the Movie introduces the next generation.
Is The Last Canon?
The Last is part of the main Naruto story and takes place after the Fourth Great Ninja War. It is especially relevant because it develops Naruto and Hinata’s relationship and connects the end of the war to the later stages of Naruto’s life.
Is Boruto: Naruto the Movie Canon?
Boruto: Naruto the Movie focuses on Naruto as an adult and introduces his son Boruto. The movie belongs to the next-generation storyline. Its story is later adapted and expanded in the Boruto anime.
Naruto Filler Timeline
Filler can make the Naruto timeline harder to follow because anime-original stories are placed between major parts of the manga based story.
Naruto Part 1 Filler
Naruto Part 1 contains a long anime-original section after the Sasuke Retrieval arc. Episodes 136 through 219 are largely filler and anime-original material.
These episodes are part of the anime experience but are not required to understand the main manga storyline.
Naruto Shippuden Filler
Naruto Shippuden also contains numerous filler arcs. Some are placed between major story arcs while others expand on characters and situations that receive less attention in the main storyline.
If you want to follow only the core story, a filler guide can help you identify which episodes are generally considered skippable.
You can use our Naruto Shippuden filler list to check individual episodes before deciding what to watch.
Naruto Age Timeline
Naruto grows from a young academy graduate into an adult leader over the course of the story.
| Story Period | Naruto’s Approximate Age |
| Start of Naruto Part 1 | 12 |
| Later Part 1 | 12 to 13 |
| Start of Naruto Shippuden | 15 |
| Fourth Great Ninja War | 17 |
| The Last | 19 |
| Adult Era | Adult |
The most noticeable age jump occurs between Naruto Part 1 and Naruto Shippuden because of the approximately two and a half year time skip.
Naruto to Boruto Timeline
The Naruto story continues after the events of Naruto Shippuden through a new generation of characters.
What Happens After Naruto Shippuden?
After the Fourth Great Ninja War, the shinobi world enters a period of rebuilding. Naruto continues working toward his goal of becoming Hokage and eventually becomes the Seventh Hokage.
Sasuke spends much of his later life travelling and protecting the village from threats that exist beyond its borders.
The next generation eventually grows up in a very different shinobi world from the one Naruto experienced as a child.
Do You Need to Watch Boruto?
Boruto continues the wider Naruto story but shifts the main focus to the next generation. Boruto Uzumaki and his classmates become the primary young characters while Naruto and other characters from the original series appear as adults.
If you only want to complete Naruto’s original journey, Naruto and Naruto Shippuden contain the main story. Boruto can then be watched as the continuation of that world.
Conclusion
The Naruto timeline becomes much easier to understand when the story is separated into its major historical periods.
The ancient era establishes the origins of chakra and the Otsutsuki connection. The Warring States Era and the Great Ninja Wars shape the world that Naruto is eventually born into.
Naruto Part 1 follows his childhood and the formation of Team 7. Naruto Shippuden then expands the story through the Akatsuki, the truth behind the Uchiha massacre and the Fourth Great Ninja War.
After the war, The Last fills an important gap between the main conflict and Naruto’s adult life. The story then continues into Boruto, where the focus shifts to the next generation.
Once you separate the chronological timeline from the practical watch order, the entire Naruto story becomes much easier to follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Correct Naruto Timeline Order?
The main story begins with the ancient history of the shinobi world, followed by the formation of Konoha and the Great Ninja Wars. Naruto Part 1 then introduces Naruto’s generation, followed by Naruto Shippuden, the Fourth Great Ninja War, The Last and finally the next-generation story.
When Does The Last Take Place?
The Last takes place after the Fourth Great Ninja War and before the final episodes of Naruto Shippuden. For viewing, it fits after episode 493 and before episodes 494 through 500.
Are Naruto Movies Part of the Main Timeline?
Most Naruto movies are standalone stories and are not required for following the main storyline. The Last is directly connected to the main story, while Boruto: Naruto the Movie belongs to the next-generation storyline.
How Old Is Naruto in Shippuden?
Naruto is approximately 15 years old when Naruto Shippuden begins. He was 17 during the Fourth Great Ninja War.
How Many Naruto Episodes Are There?
Naruto has 220 episodes and Naruto Shippuden has 500 episodes. Together, the two main series contain 720 episodes.
Can You Skip Naruto Filler?
Yes. Most filler can be skipped if your goal is to follow the core manga based story. However, filler can still provide additional character moments and side stories for viewers who want to watch the complete anime.
