Naruto is more than an anime — it's a generational entry point to shonen. An outcast protagonist who becomes the strongest through effort and friendship, a ninja academy with rivals who evolve into allies, a power system that grows arc by arc with shocking revelations. If you've finished Naruto, Naruto Shippuden — and maybe Boruto — and don't know what to watch next, this guide lists the 12 best anime similar to Naruto in 2026, explained with what they actually share.
What Makes Naruto Special?
Before the recommendations, let's identify the key elements Naruto fans look for when searching "something similar":
- The underdog who triumphs — a protagonist with no talent or social rejection who surpasses the "chosen ones" through hard work.
- Academy or team system — an institution that groups young people with powers, creating rivalries, friendships, and team dynamics.
- The rival who isn't the villain — a Sasuke-type figure: a secondary antagonist with a love-hate dynamic whose redemption arc spans the full story.
- Villains with backstory — antagonists with philosophical motivations or comprehensible traumas (Pain, Itachi, Madara...).
- Scalable power system — chakra, techniques, and transformations expand arc by arc in a coherent way.
The 12 Best Anime Similar to Naruto
My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia)
My Hero Academia is the top recommendation for Naruto fans. Izuku Midoriya is born without a Quirk in a world where 80% have superpowers — the exact mirror of Naruto born talentless in the ninja world — and inherits the most legendary power of all. U.A. Academy = Konoha Ninja Academy. The Deku/Kacchan dynamic = Naruto/Sasuke. All Might as charismatic mentor = Kakashi + Jiraiya combined. MHA has a tighter pace and much less filler than Naruto, with well-structured ~20-25 episode arcs.
Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba)
Tanjiro Kamado, the eldest brother of a modest family, trains as a demon slayer to save his sister who has been turned into a demon. Demon Slayer shares Naruto's emotional core: a kind protagonist who overcomes pain and loss through effort and determination. The Breathing Styles (Hinokami, Water, Thunder...) replicate Naruto's named-technique structure. ufotable's animation is the most spectacular in modern shonen. No filler, short and precise arcs. If you can only recommend one post-Naruto series, make it this one.
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
HxH 2011 is frequently cited as the best-written shonen of all time. Gon Freecss searches for his absent father by becoming a Hunter. The Nen system shares with Naruto's chakra that feeling of precise rules that the universe respects: emission, transformation, restrictions. The Yorknew City and Chimera Ant arcs are narrative masterpieces that Naruto Shippuden's best moments (Pain, Itachi) aspire to reach. No filler, 148 episodes, philosophically devastating antagonists.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
FMAB is the other candidate for "best shonen of all time" alongside HxH. Edward and Alphonse Elric search for the Philosopher's Stone to recover their bodies lost while trying to revive their mother. It shares with Naruto the brothers duality, a power system with rules (alchemy with equivalent exchange), antagonists with tragic motivations, and a deeply built lore world. The difference: FMAB is more concise (64 episodes), no filler, near-perfect pacing. Essential viewing.
Black Clover
The closest structural match: Asta is born without magic in a world where everyone has it, and his rival Yuno is the "chosen one" with the most powerful grimoire — the Naruto/Sasuke dynamic replicated almost literally. The Magic Knight Academy of the Clover Kingdom = Konoha's Ninja Academy. The power revelations (Asta's Anti-Magic) hit the same way as Naruto's transformations. Has moderate filler (check episode guide); starts slow but its second half is excellent.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is the most popular shonen of the moment. Yuji Itadori becomes a vessel for the king of curses Ryomen Sukuna to exorcise them. Tokyo Jujutsu High = Konoha Academy; sorcerers have ranks similar to shinobi. MAPPA animates with fluidity and violence unseen since the best arcs of Shippuden. The Shibuya arc (season 2) carries the same emotional intensity as the Pain arc. No filler.
Fairy Tail
If what you loved about Naruto was team dynamics, friendship as a power source, and long arcs with deep lore, Fairy Tail is your series. The Fairy Tail guild = Team 7 multiplied by 100. Natsu Dragneel has the same unstoppable energy as Naruto. 328 episodes with moderate filler that emphasizes loyalty, bonds, and collective perseverance over individual training. Best for those who loved Naruto's warmth above all.
Bleach
The third pillar of the Big Three alongside Naruto and One Piece. Ichigo Kurosaki becomes a Shinigami (death god) and defends the spirit world. Bleach shares with Naruto the structure of training arcs, escalating power, evolving power systems (Zanpakuto/Bankai = Chakra Techniques/Sage Mode), and the depth of secondary characters. The Thousand-Year Blood War arc (2022-2024, Disney+) is one of the best final seasons in modern shonen.
One Piece
The other great pillar. Monkey D. Luffy wants to become King of the Pirates. One Piece has the most ambitious narrative scope in shonen: 1100+ episodes building an extraordinarily detailed world. Shares with Naruto the team loyalty, iron-willed protagonist, and antagonists with tragic backstories. The difference is scale and pacing — it's a larger time investment. Recommended especially from the Alabasta arc onward. Filler guides available to skip the non-canon episodes.
Vinland Saga
For Naruto fans who want something more mature. Thorfinn seeks to avenge his father's death in 11th-century Viking Europe. Vinland Saga doesn't have classic shonen tropes, but shares the journey of a young person growing through combat and pain, with antagonists who turn out to be the most human figures in the story (Askeladd is one of the best anime characters of the last decade). Season 2 (the Farm arc) is one of the medium's best studies of peace and trauma.
Haikyu!!
No supernatural powers, but Haikyu!! captures the spirit of Naruto's perseverance better than any other anime. Hinata Shoyo, short and without technical talent, wants to become the best volleyball player. The rival-partner Kageyama = Sasuke. Team matchups have the same narrative tension as Naruto's battles. Haikyu!! has the unique ability to make viewers understand and feel every single point. Absolutely addictive, with 4 seasons and two final movies.
Blue Exorcist (Ao no Exorcist)
Rin Okumura discovers he is the son of Satan and decides to become an exorcist to defeat his own father. Blue Exorcist shares with Naruto the protagonist's identity conflict — am I the monster everyone fears, or can I choose who to be? — and the academy of young fighters facing supernatural threats. The Kyoto arc (second season) is especially strong in character development and rival-ally dynamics. 37 episodes with few diversions, a solid entry point.
Comparison Table: Anime Similar to Naruto
| Anime | Similar to Naruto because | Episodes | Filler | Where to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| My Hero Academia | Underdog, academy, dynamic rival | ~140+ | Little | Crunchyroll / Netflix |
| Demon Slayer | Perseverance, named techniques, emotion | ~76 + movie | None | Crunchyroll / Netflix |
| Hunter x Hunter | Deep power system, philosophical antagonists | 148 | None | Crunchyroll / Netflix |
| FMA: Brotherhood | Brothers, alchemy with rules, epic drama | 64 | None | Crunchyroll / Netflix |
| Black Clover | Underdog, gifted rival, magic academy | 170 | Moderate | Crunchyroll |
| Jujutsu Kaisen | Academy, sorcerers vs curses, intensity | ~50+ | None | Crunchyroll |
| Fairy Tail | Friendship, guild, extensive lore | 328 | Moderate | Crunchyroll |
| Bleach | Epic scale, evolving powers, iconic OST | 366 + TYBW | Heavy | Disney+ / Crunchyroll |
| One Piece | Adventure, loyalty, massive lore world | 1100+ | Moderate | Crunchyroll |
| Vinland Saga | Personal growth, trauma, epic journey | 48 | None | Prime Video |
| Haikyu!! | Perseverance, rival-partner, narrative tension | 85 + movies | None | Crunchyroll / Netflix |
| Blue Exorcist | Hybrid identity, academy, inner conflict | 37 | Little | Crunchyroll |
Where to Start Based on What You Loved About Naruto
- If you loved the underdog-who-triumphs trope: My Hero Academia → Black Clover → Haikyu!!
- If you prioritize emotion and aesthetic fights: Demon Slayer → Jujutsu Kaisen
- If you want the best lore and power system: Hunter x Hunter 2011 → Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- If you want to continue the Big Three: Bleach (use filler guide) → One Piece (rewarding patience)
- If you prefer something more mature and grounded: Vinland Saga → Haikyu!!
Frequently Asked Questions
What anime is most similar to Naruto?
My Hero Academia is the most direct spiritual successor: an underdog protagonist who overcomes his limits, a hero academy, rivals who become allies, and antagonists with deep motivations. Demon Slayer also shares the spirit of effort and perseverance, with more modern animation and no filler.
How many filler episodes does Naruto have?
Naruto original has 220 episodes, approximately 90 of which are filler (episodes 136-220 are almost entirely filler). Naruto Shippuden has 500 episodes with filler spread throughout: 57-70, 91-112, 144-151, 176-196, 223-242, 257-260, 271, 279-281, 284-295, 303-320, 347-361, 376-377, 388-390, 394-413, 416, 422-423, 427-450, 480-483.
Is My Hero Academia similar to Naruto?
Yes, very clearly. Izuku Midoriya born powerless in a world of heroes mirrors Naruto born talentless in the ninja world. Both have a charismatic mentor who passes on their legacy, a competitive academy of young heroes, and a rival/antagonist (Sasuke/Kacchan) who evolves throughout the story. MHA has a tighter pace and less filler.
Where to watch Naruto in English in 2026?
Naruto and Naruto Shippuden are available on Crunchyroll with English subtitles and dub. They are also on Hulu and Peacock in the US. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is on Crunchyroll. Boruto: Two Blue Vortex (2024 manga) does not yet have an anime adaptation.
Is Black Clover similar to Naruto?
Yes, structurally it is the closest match: Asta is born without magic in a world where everyone has it — a direct mirror of Naruto born without talent. His rival Yuno is the gifted chosen one, mirroring Sasuke. The Magic Knight Academy parallels the Ninja Academy of Konoha. Black Clover has moderate filler; its second half is particularly strong.