WARNING: SPOILERS FOR NARUTO’S ENDING
Summary
Thefinal episodesofNaruto Shippuden’s anime are much different than the ending of Masashi Kishimoto’s manga, and they feature even more adventures with Naruto, Sasuke, and the rest of the cast that some fans may need to be aware of. According tofiller guides,Naruto Shippuden’s animeis almost 50% non-canon material, but as the final episodes prove, not all fillers are bad and can effectively build the series world and character relationships if they are in the right hands.
Before theNarutomanga’s chapter #700 epilogue, which transitions the series into theBorutosequel series, chapter #699 was an effective ending to Naruto and Sasuke’s storylines that’d been building for years.Episode #479 ofShippudenfeatures the manga’s ending, with Naruto giving Sasuke his headband before he leaves Konoha on his journey of atonement. But theShippudenanime had even more stories to tell after that.
Studio Pierrot’s adaptation of the series final battle betweenNaruto and Sasuke features some of the bestcontent the anime ever produced, but the series continues for another twenty episodes. In those episodes, flashbacks show how far the cast has grown up, stories adapted from light novels explore post-war missions, and an incredibly emotional final arc that brilliantly reflects on how Naruto has touched lives in the series and, in a way, fans in the real world.
After Naruto & Sasuke’s Final Fight, The Anime Ends With Filler Arcs
The Final Episode of Naruto Shippuden Aired July 20, 2025
The ending ofNaruto’s manga saw Naruto convince Sasuke that they could accomplish more extraordinary things as allies than enemies. Their ultimate battle destroyed the giant statues of their previous reincarnations and the hands both shinobi used for their signature attacks. Afterward, Sakura arrived to stop Team 7’s bleeding and sighed a breath of relief she’d been holding for years. Naruto and Sasuke then save the world by freeing the population from Madara’s Infinite Tsukuyomi. The manga ended soon after that, but theShippudenanime had a different and arguably more satisfying endingfor fans and its cast.
After the Fourth Shinobi War ended and Konoha’s best ninjas saved the world, everyone returned to their respective villages. Losses were mourned, and damage was repaired. Still, Sasuke felt he had a lot to make up for. After a reassuring chat with thenew Sixth Hokage, Kakashi Hatake, the young Uchiha decided to leave Konoha to travel and explore the world. It was a walk of atonement that Sakura asked to join and was turned down once again. Like the manga, Naruto got the final word whenhe returned Sasuke’s ninja headband in episode #479 ofNaruto Shippuden.
After the manga’s ending was adapted, four short anime filler arcs explored past and future storylines of fan-favorite cast members.Shippuden’s choice to keep going after the manga story concluded was an odd choice that risked ending the revered anime on a less impactful conclusion than its source material. Thankfully,theNarutoanime’s final episodes succeed in delivering a satisfying ending, as well as well-written filler arcs based on light novels.
Episodes Based On Light Novels Prove Filler Can Be Great
There Are 16 Naruto Light Novels In The Hiden, Shinden, and Retsuden Series
The final chapter ofNarutowas published in 2014, and since then, there have been more than a dozen light novels based on the franchise that focus more on important characters and their well-written adventures after the Fourth Shinobi War. After a collection of episodes exploring days in the life of cast members during their youth,the final three arcs of theNaruto Shippudenanime adapted stories from the light novels'. However, the final arc of the anime included a touching glimpse at a future that manyNarutofans wish they’d been able to see more of.
At the end of the series, Sasuke leaves Konoha again to explore parts of the ninja world. The novelSasuke’s Story: Sunrisewas adapted in episodes #484 - #488ofNaruto Shippuden. In the post-war mystery, Sasuke investigates strange occurrences of missing shinobi and exploding humans that lead him to encounter Orochimaru and a deadly neweye technique called the Ketsuryūgan. The eerie red eyes specialize in genjutsu and blood manipulation, giving even Sasuke a lot of trouble. Still, by the end of the arc, viewers get an enlightening look at how certain characters' lives evolved after the manga ended.
Episodes #489 - #493 adapt a light novel calledShikamaru Hiden: A Cloud Drifting in Silent Darkness. Shikamaru’s performance during the Fourth Shinobi War earned him a key role in helping keep the peace between the Shinobi villages that fought together. After the war, he became a leading member of the new Shinobi Union and went on a mission that threatened to start a new war that would dissolve the peace that so many lives were lost to achieve. Team 7 is notably absent from the arc, but the final arc ofNaruto Shippudenmostly makes up for that.
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The Final Episodes of Naruto Are Satisfying and Not In The Manga
Shippuden’s Ending Let’s Everyone Say Goodbye
TheNaruto Shippudenanime ends with a touching look at the events leading up to the wedding of Narutoand Hinata. Episodes #494 - #500 adapt theKonoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Weddinglight novel, which takes place around two years after the Fourth Shinobi War ended and features a more mature look at the beloved cast that fans fell in love with throughout the series. Each episode focuses on characters reflecting on how Naruto impacted their lives and a comedic story of them trying to figure out what gift to give him and Hinata for their wedding.
Having the final episodes ofNaruto’s anime focus on how he’s influenced the lives of the supporting cast is a brilliant move that makes it easy for the audiences to put themselves in the cast’s shoes. It all culminates in scenes that would have been great additions to the manga, such as one of themost emotional episodes where Narutoasks Iruka to play the role of his father during his wedding.
AlthoughNarutofans have mixed feelings about the plentiful amount of filler content in the anime series, the final arcs ofShippudenprovide some of the best-written filler arcs and a surprisingly sentimental sendoff, not only for Naruto but for members of the cast that the manga did not have time to explore. TheBorutosequel series includes more world-building and time with older versions of the ninjas from the series, but the ending ofNaruto Shippudenmanages to provide a special but different conclusion to Naruto’s journey that fans should explore if they have not already.
Naruto: Shippuden
Cast
Naruto: Shippuden follows Naruto Uzumaki as he returns to Konoha after two and a half years, facing new challenges and enemies, including the Akatsuki organization. The series continues Naruto’s journey and growth as a shinobi while navigating complex alliances and adversaries.
