Anyone who has watched Naruto and/or Naruto Shippuden knows that it contains quite a bit of filler. With 293 of these episodes between the two series, it's undeniable that non-canon material plays a major role in the franchise's legacy. However, despite the contentious relationship between fans and fillers, many argue that Naruto and Naruto Shippuden have some of the best filler arcs in anime.
Several of these arcs introduce filler-only characters that more than left their mark on Naruto as a whole. Whereas many non-canon additions to the franchise struggle to stay relevant, some actually manage to carve out roles worthy of being added to the continuum.
Updated on January 11th, 2022, by Kennedy King: As Boruto continues the legacy of the Hidden Leaf Village, more and more information is revealed about the shinobi world. These discoveries shed light on a variety of subjects, and despite their lack of canonical relevance, this extends to filler characters as well. Some of these characters have aged like fine wine, benefitting from newer generations of viewers. Others have suffered the opposite fate, instead being relegated to the forgotten annals of Naruto history.
10 Guren, A Cruel Kunoichi With A Unique Kekkai Genkai
Three-Tails' Appearance Arc
As a member of the Village Hidden in the Sound, Guren is introduced as a loyal, cruel villain with no qualms about serving her master, Lord Orochimaru. In order to appease her master, Guren joins forces with Kabuto in an attempt to take control of the Three-Tails jinchuriki — much to the chagrin of the Hidden Leaf.
Guren's role in Naruto Shippuden might be limited to filler episodes, but she actually enjoys one of the more interesting Kekkai Genkai in the series. Her Crystal Release allows her to manipulate and create crystalline structures at will, making for some visually pleasing fights throughout the Three Tails' Appearance arc.
9 Sora, The Pseudo Nine-Tails Jinchuriki With Trust Issues
Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc
When the Nine-Tails Fox descended upon the Hidden Leaf Village, a significant amount of residual chakra was left behind. In order to manage this chakra, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja — Kazuma — sealed the energy into his son, Sora. By doing so, Sora was effectively thrust into the role of a jinchuriki.
Asuma Sarutobi introduces Twelve Guardian Ninja in Episode 58 of Naruto Shippuden, but other than a few brief mentions, they never play a major role in the series' narrative. Thankfully, Sora's backstory during the Twelve Guardian Ninja arc provides the perfect opportunity to allow the group to shine.
8 Hanare, A Female Love-Interest For Kakashi With Self-Memory Wiping Abilities
Past Arc: The Locus Of Konoha
The Land of Keys is only briefly mentioned in Naruto Shippuden, yet despite its minor role, it manages to field at least one significant character: Hanare. The espionage-inclined kunoichi is capable of wiping her own memory, making her the perfect spy to send into foreign lands.
While Hanare regularly erases her mind, there is one memory that she consistently holds on to — a chance encounter with Kakashi Hatake from her childhood. Their connection may have been brief, but it eventually results in some loaded flashbacks that provide some unique characterization of the Copy Ninja.
7 Shira, A Taijutsu Styled Fighter That Helps Gaara
In Naruto's Footsteps: The Friends' Paths Arc
Although Shira's not one of the strongest Taijutsu users in Naruto, his backstory and motivations are noteworthy as an anime-only character. Having been ridiculed for his lack of skills in ninjutsu and genjutsu, Shira wasn't allowed to enter Ninja Academy in the Village Hidden in the Sand.
In retaliation, Shira continued working on his Taijutsu skills to prove his naysayers wrong. After impressing Gaara with his Taijutsu skills and offering to train him in this fighting style, Shira was granted acceptance into the academy thanks to the Kazekage himself.
6 Yukimaru, An Orochimaru Test-Subject & Tool To Control Three-Tails
Three-Tails' Appearance Arc
Yukimaru is one of Orochimaru's many test subjects. Like many of these other test subjects, Yukimaru served a very limited purpose for the most heinous member of the Sannin. Thanks to the soft-spoken orphan's ability to control the Three-Tails, Orochimaru was able to research methods of controlling the tailed beasts, posing major problems for the future of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Orochimaru doesn't stop there, as he forces Yukimaru to watch his allies struggle to survive, all the while hoping to draw out the Three-Tails. Despite only appearing in a handful of filler episodes, Yukimaru and his backstory speak to the magnitude of Orochimaru's depravity.
5 Hotaru, A Tsuchigumo Kunoichi The Six-Tails Jinchuriki Mentored
Six-Tails Unleashed Arc
Hotaru is a kunoichi dead set on upholding her clan's legacy no matter what. During Naruto Shippuden's Six-Tails Unleashed Arc, she trains with the Six-Tails jinchuriki himself. By doing so, she not only evidences her own determination, but provides characterization for Utakata as well.
When Hotaru's captured by a villain named Shiragami, she's saved by the combined efforts of Utakata and Naruto. Unfortunately, Pain and the Akatsuki weren't far behind, resulting in their capture of Utakata and the other Tailed Beasts.
4 Natsuhi, A Jonin Who Completed Her Village's Star Training
Star Guard Mission Arc
As one of the most powerful ninja from the Village Hidden Among Stars, Natsuhi is a prominent ninja capable of performing the Mysterious Peacock method. However, after hearing what her village's training is doing to her fellow ninja, she becomes determined to end their current regime.
With the power to combat the Third Hoshikage, Akahoshi, Natsuhi served as a strong ally for Naruto and his comrades. Her efforts eventually allowed Naruto and his allies to deal the finishing blow to the Kage, despite him harnessing the power of an actual star itself.
3 Sasame, A Ninja Bent On Finding Her Friend Arashi & Restoring Her Clan's Glory
Land Of Rice Fields Investigation Mission Arc
As evidenced by Sasame, a kunoichi from the Land of Rice Fields, Orochimaru's influence can be seen far and wide across the Land of Fire. Following Sasuke's original departure from the Hidden Leaf Village in Naruto, several Hidden Leaf Shinobi leave in order to search for the youngest-surviving Uchiha.
Although Sasame doesn't show much combat potential in the arc, she does help Naruto take down her own father, Arashi, after discovering his devotion to Orochimaru. Her presence adds significant emotional gravitas to the moment while also demonstrating the abhorrent nature of Orochimaru's actions.
2 Yakumo Kurama, A Kunoichi Who Sought Revenge On Kurenai & Konoha
Yakumo Kurama Rescue Mission Arc
The shinobi world is no place for the fragile, as evidenced by the gifted genjutsu specialist Yakumo Kurama. Appearing during Naruto's Yakumo Kurama Rescue Mission arc, Yakumo once trained under the tutelage of Kurenai Yuhi. However, after Kurenai became wary of her student's ability to control her talents, the Hidden Leaf jonin sealed away Yakumo's genjutsu and ninjutsu.
Outraged, Yakumo uses her hidden powers to destroy Kurenai's seal and travel to the Hidden Leaf Village for revenge. Thanks to some help from Might Guy, Hinata, and Naruto, Yakumo eventually comes to understand why Kurenai sealed her powers, abandoning her revenge-seeking quest in the process.
1 Miina, A Little Girl With Extraordinary Psychic Powers
Power Arc
Although Miina may look like a little girl, she has incredible psychic powers that not only allow her to see the future, but also aid in controlling the tailed beasts. Miina is a sensitive and shy girl who can sense evil intent in others and cure contamination with no issues.
Miina also possesses the power to tamper with people's subconscious, as evidenced during the scene where she helps Naruto calm down Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within him. For an anime-only character, the pint-sized citizen of Tonika Village is one of the most gifted characters in all of Naruto Shippuden.