Naruto: Shippuden was an incredible upgrade even over its classic predecessor, Naruto, with everybody instantly noticing the greater cinematic quality in its 2007 debut. But despite a visual overhaul and the plot steadily descending into darker territory as the Akatsuki threat – alongside a reunion with Sasuke – lurk around the corner, one element remained from the original Naruto: its pacing being dragged down by an enormous portion of filler.