Battle of Blade: Possessed by Night!
Episode 173 · Naruto (2002)
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Filler or Canon?
No — Naruto Episode 173 is filler. It's anime-original and has no impact on the main story. Safe to skip if you only want canon. A combat-driven filler — clean standalone action with no canon residue; watchable for the fight, skippable for the plot.NEXT CANON → NAR EP 220 · Departure
Series
Naruto (2002)
Episode
173 / 220
Status
Filler
Arc
Filler Arcs
FILLER ARCS · EP 136–220 · 85 EPISODESYOU ARE HERE · 38 OF 85
Episode Summary
A blade-focused confrontation drives the filler toward action, an enemy possessed by night and edged weapons pressing the genin into a sharper fight. The episode delivers its self-contained combat with the brisk competence the format allows — a threat, a clash, a resolution that changes nothing — while keeping every consequence inside the anime-original bubble. It's a standalone swordplay entry in the long pre-Shippuden valley, entertaining on its own terms and entirely irrelevant to the manga's advancing story.
Frequently Asked
What arc is it in?
It's part of the Filler Arcs arc.
Can I skip it?
Yes, you can safely skip it without missing main story.
Filler Arcs · Ep 136–220 · 85 episodes
136Deep Cover?! The Super S-Rank Mission!Filler137A Town of Outlaws, the Shadow of the Fuma ClanFiller138Pure Betrayal, and a Fleeting Plea!Filler139Pure Terror! The House of OrochimaruFiller140Two Heartbeats: Kabuto's TrapFiller141Sakura's DeterminationMixed Canon/Filler142Three Villains in the Maximum Security PrisonMixed Canon/Filler143Tonton! I'm Counting on You!Filler144A New Three-Man Squad: Two People and a Dog?!Filler145A New Formation: Ino-Shika-Cho!Filler146Ambition, Thwarted!Filler147A Clash: Fate vs. Destiny!Filler148Search for the Rare Bikochu BeetleFiller149What's the Difference? Don't All Insects Look Alike?Filler150A Battle of Bugs: Deceivers and DeceivedFiller151Blaze Away, Byakugan! This is My Ninja Way!Filler152Funeral March for the LivingFiller153A Lesson Learned: The Iron Fist of LoveFiller154The Enemy of the ByakuganFiller155The Dark Creeping CloudsFiller156Counterattack! Raiga's RevengeFiller157Run!!! The Curry of LifeFiller158Follow My Lead! The Great Survival ChallengeFiller159Bounty Hunter from the WildernessFiller160Hunt or be Hunted?! Showdown at the O.K. Temple!Filler161The Appearance of Strange VisitorsFiller162The Cursed WarriorFiller163The Tactician's IntentFiller164Too Late for HelpFiller165The Death of NarutoFiller166When Time Stands StillFiller167When Egrets Flap Their WingsFiller168Mix It, Stretch It, Boil It Up! Burn, Copper Pot, Burn!Filler169Remembrance: The Lost PageFiller170The Closed DoorFiller171Infiltration: The Set-UpFiller172Despair: A Fractured HeartFiller
173Battle of Blade: Possessed by Night!Filler
174The Art of Ninjutsu: Money Makes the World Go Round!Filler175The Excavated Treasure!Filler176Run, Dodge, Zigzag: Chase or be Chased!Filler177Oh! Please, Mr. Postman!Filler178Encounter: The Boy with a Star's NameFiller179The Remembered LullabyFiller180The Hidden Jutsu: The Price of Ninja Art: KujakuFiller181Hoshikage: The Buried TruthFiller182Reunion: The Remaining TimeFiller183The Star's RadianceFiller184Kiba's Long Day!Filler185A Legend from the Hidden Leaf: The Onbaa!Filler186Shino LaughingFiller187Open for Business! The Leaf Transfer CenterFiller188Mystery of the Targeted MerchantsFiller189A Limitless Ninja ToolFiller190The Byakugan Sees the Blind SpotFiller191Forecast: Death! Clouds with a Chance of SunFiller192Ino Screams! Fatso Paradise!Filler193Viva Dojo Challenge! Youth is All About Passion!Filler194The Mysterious Curse of the Haunted CastleFiller195The Third Great BeastFiller196Tears of the MasterFiller197Crisis: The Hidden Leaf 11 Gather!Filler198The Anbu's Decision: Naruto's PartingFiller199The Missed TargetFiller200The Powerful HelperFiller201Multiple Traps! Countdown to DestructionFiller202The Top 5 Shinobi BattlesFiller203Kurenai's Decision: Squad 8 Left BehindFiller204Yakumo's Sealed PowerFiller205Kurenai's Top-Secret MissionFiller206Was It Reality or Illusion?Filler207The Supposed Sealed AbilityFiller208The Weight of a Treasured Artifact!Filler209The Enemy: Ninja DropoutsFiller210The Bewildering ForestFiller211Memories of FireFiller212To Each Their Own PathFiller213Vanishing MemoriesFiller214Bringing Back RealityFiller215A Past to be ErasedFiller216Shukaku's Targeted SandFiller217Sand Alliance with the Leaf ShinobiFiller218The Counterattack: Hidden Sand, Hidden Leaf!Filler219The Ultimate Weapon RebornFiller220DepartureMixed Canon/Filler720 episodes — canon, mixed, filler and best animation moments.
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