Watched on network TV as a kid. Forgot how far I got....

Watched Episodes 1 to 25, 27 to 101, 107 to 158, 161, and 216 to 220.

Reminds me of Hunter x Hunter, with a splash of the drama in Star Wars (the whole master/disciple thing and the force vs. the dark side aspect).

Canon episodes: Enjoyable and addictive watch. Main and side characters had some interesting backstories.

Filler episodes: Some were pretty funny and entertaining, but I found Naruto to be a bit annoying in these episodes (too hasty and angry....a trait that may have carried on to Shippuden...)

Watched 1-56 (56), last quarter of 71 to 94 (24), last half of 112 to 143 (32), 152 to 181 (30), 197-222 (26) --- fillers 228, 237-241 (6) --- 243 to 256 (14), 261 to 270 (10), 272 to 278 (7), 282 to 283 (2), fillers 290 to 295 (6) (Chikara/Power arc), 296 to 302 (7), 321 to 346 (26), 362 to 375 (14), 378 to 388 (11), 391 to 393 (3), 414 to 415 (2), 417 to 421 (5), 424 to 426 (3), 451 (1), 458 to 463 (6), 469 to 479 (11), 484 to 500 (17).

In-cannon episodes had interesting story lines that kept my attention. Found the key characters (primarily Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke) to be, quite often and IMO, a bit too one-dimensional and annoying. However, found many of the side characters (Shikamaru, Itachi, Kakashi, Rock Lee & Might Guy (in moderation...!), and some of the key villains) to be very compelling, whether in terms of their personality, motivations and/or background. The climax of the final story/battles were a bit too "out there" for my taste (deus ex machina).

Enjoyed some of the more lighthearted, comedic fillers, but skipped over a lot of the more "serious" fillers.