Naruto Reading Order: Complete Guide to Every Arc

Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto is one of the most iconic manga series ever created — 72 volumes of ninjas, friendship, and the most emotionally devastating battles in shonen history. If you’re about to start or you’re confused about where Shippuden begins, this guide has you covered.

The short answer: Read volumes 1–27 (Part 1), then continue straight into volumes 28–72 (Shippuden). The manga has zero filler. Read every volume in order.

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⚡ TL;DR — The definitive Naruto reading order guide. All arcs in sequence, filler guide, and where to start Naruto Shippuden. No spoilers for your starting arc.

Naruto at a Glance

Detail	Info
Author	Masashi Kishimoto
Total Volumes	72
Status	Complete
Part 1	Volumes 1–27 (Naruto)
Part 2	Volumes 28–72 (Naruto: Shippuden)
Time to read	~120–150 hours
Difficulty for beginners	Easy

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Complete Naruto Arc Order

Part 1 — Original Naruto (Volumes 1–27)

1. Land of Waves Arc — Volumes 1–4 The starting point. Team 7 forms, gets their first real mission, and faces a genuine threat. This arc sets the tone for everything that follows and introduces the series’ emotional core.

2. Chunin Exams Arc — Volumes 4–13 The tournament arc that introduces half the major characters of the series. Rock Lee, Gaara, Orochimaru — this arc is peak Part 1 and one of the best arcs in shonen manga.

3. Invasion of Konoha Arc — Volumes 13–16 The Chunin Exams explode into a full village invasion. One of the most tragic moments in the entire series happens here. Do not look up spoilers.

4. Search for Tsunade Arc — Volumes 16–19 Naruto and Jiraiya hit the road. This arc introduces the Rasengan and deepens the Naruto–Jiraiya relationship that becomes one of the series’ most important bonds.

5. Sasuke Recovery Arc — Volumes 20–27 Part 1 ends here. Naruto chases Sasuke across the country in a desperate effort to bring him back. The emotional climax of Part 1.

Start of Naruto: Shippuden → Volume 28

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Part 2 — Naruto: Shippuden (Volumes 28–72)

6. Kazekage Rescue Arc — Volumes 28–32 The first arc of Shippuden. Naruto returns after 2.5 years of training and immediately faces the Akatsuki. A perfect reintroduction to the series with higher stakes.

7. Tenchi Bridge Arc — Volumes 32–35 A mission reveals more about Orochimaru’s plans and the terrifying power of the Akatsuki’s Tobi.

8. Immortals Arc — Volumes 35–41 Kakashi and Team 7 face Hidan and Kakuzu — two of the most memorable Akatsuki members in the series.

9. Itachi Pursuit Arc — Volumes 41–45 The arc fans had been waiting for since Volume 1. Sasuke confronts Itachi. The truth about the Uchiha massacre is revealed in one of the most shocking revelations in manga history.

10. Invasion of Pain Arc — Volumes 45–49 The best arc in the entire series. Pain attacks Konoha in an assault that will change everything. Naruto’s answer to Pain is one of the most powerful moments in shonen manga.

11. Five Kage Summit Arc — Volumes 49–53 The ninja world unites — or tries to. Sasuke’s path becomes irreversible here.

12. Fourth Ninja War — Allied Forces Arc — Volumes 55–59 The war begins. Old enemies return. The scale of the conflict grows to legendary proportions.

13. Fourth Ninja War — Climax Arc — Volumes 60–67 The war reaches its climax with some of the most visually stunning fight sequences in the manga.

14. Final Battle Arc — Volumes 67–72 The series ends here. The final confrontation, the resolution of Naruto and Sasuke’s rivalry, and the epilogue that closes the story Kishimoto spent 15 years building.

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Manga vs Anime: What to Know

The Naruto anime adapts the manga faithfully but adds substantial filler content — episodes with original stories not written by Kishimoto. The anime has approximately 40% filler across both series.

In the manga, there is zero filler. Every chapter moves the story forward.

If you’re watching the anime, the worst filler blocks to skip are:

• Original Naruto: Episodes 136–220 (entire filler block before Shippuden)
• Naruto: Shippuden: Episodes 57–71, 91–111, 144–151, 170–171, 176–196, 223–242, 257–260, 271–272, 279–281, 284–295, 303–320, 347–361, 376–377, 388–390, 416–417, 422–423, 427–450, 464–469, 480–483

Reading the manga eliminates all of this — you get the pure story as Kishimoto wrote it.

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Where to Buy Naruto

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Naruto Vol. 1

72 volumes total · Part 1: vols 1–27

Check Price on Amazon

💰 Best value: The Naruto Box Set 1 (vols 1–27) covers all of Part 1 at a significant discount. There are also Box Sets 2 and 3 for Shippuden.

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FAQ

Should I read Part 1 before Shippuden?

Absolutely. Part 1 establishes every relationship and motivation that Shippuden pays off. Reading Shippuden first would ruin some of the most impactful reveals in the series.

Does Naruto have a good ending?

Yes — the manga has a complete, satisfying ending. The final arc is divisive among fans in terms of pacing, but the emotional resolution of Naruto and Sasuke’s story is widely considered excellent.

What comes after Naruto?

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations follows the next generation set years after Naruto ends. It’s optional — Naruto is fully complete on its own.

How long does it take to read Naruto?

At a comfortable pace of 2–3 volumes per day, expect 25–35 days for the full 72 volumes. Most readers describe it as impossible to put down once the Chunin Exams begin.

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What to Read Next

Finished Naruto? These series scratch a similar itch:

• Demon Slayer — Complete in 23 volumes, emotional and action-packed
• My Hero Academia — Modern shonen with one of the best ensemble casts in the genre
• Fullmetal Alchemist — 27 volumes, complete story, widely considered a manga masterpiece
• Jujutsu Kaisen — The modern spiritual successor to Naruto’s dark side

Or explore the complete manga catalog for hundreds more series.