Watch Black Clover TV episodes 1–170 first, then the optional movie Sword of the Wizard King. The new 2nd Season continues the TV story; the movie is not required before it. For a first watch, this release-order route avoids interrupting the series to fit an extra adventure into its timeline.
Black Clover watch order at a glance
| Order | What to watch | Do you need it? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black Clover — TV episodes 1–170 | Yes. Follow the episode numbers; selected filler is optional. |
| 2 | Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King | Optional. Watch after episode 170 for the least interruption. |
| 3 | Black Clover 2nd Season — the new continuation | Continue here after the original TV run; see the release update below. |
If your streaming service divides the original anime into several seasons, keep following the episode sequence. A package labeled “Season 2” containing early episodes is not the same release as the new continuation officially called “2nd Season.” The episode numbers and release year are more useful than the platform’s season tab.
When should you watch Sword of the Wizard King?
Finish the original TV run first. You will recognize the cast, their relationships and the abilities the film expects you to know.
Sword of the Wizard King is an original, standalone adventure rather than an adaptation of the next stretch of the manga. You can skip it and still follow the television story, or save it for when you want another outing with the established cast.
If you see a timeline placing the film around the training gap near episode 157, treat it as an alternative viewing arrangement, not a compulsory stop. “Watch after 170” is a spoiler-conscious recommendation, not a claim that the film chronologically follows the TV finale.
Which Black Clover filler episodes can you skip?
For a shorter first watch, skip 29, 66, 68, 82, 123–125, 131, 134–135 and 142–148. Keep 149 for the return to training. If recaps are your only problem, skip just 29, 66 and 123–124 and keep the character detours.
| Episodes | What they contain | Shorter watch route |
|---|---|---|
| 29, 66, 123–124 | Recap-heavy installments | Skip if you remember the preceding story. |
| 68, 82, 125, 131, 134–135 | Side stories, comedy or character detours | Skip on the shorter route; return to them for extra character moments. |
| 142–148 | The anime-original Devil Believers storyline | Skip the whole side story rather than leaving it halfway through. |
| 149 | An aftermath and transition episode | Keep for the transition; optional on a strictly filler-free run. |
The episode classifications come from the community-maintained Anime Filler List, not an official studio canon label. It also marks 149 as filler. Our route keeps that episode for its transition back toward training: after 141, jump to 149, then continue with 150.
Do not skip the whole training stretch
The episodes around 130–157 are often bundled together in discussions of anime-original material. Treating that entire span as disposable is a much rougher shortcut than skipping a few recaps. Training, character developments and transitions occupy the same stretch as lighter detours.
For a first watch, keep the episodes in that range that are not on the skip list above. Episode 151, “Clash! The Battle of the Magic Knights Squad Captains!”, is an especially straightforward reason to stay: its central attraction is watching the captains demonstrate their abilities against one another.
Keep 2, 8–9, 12, 30, 69 and 102 too: the same list marks them as mixed adapted/original material. Removing the whole episode would remove story material along with the additions. “Contains filler” does not mean “skip everything.”
Do the OVAs and Squishy! Black Clover matter?
The TV series introduces its own cast and premise, so you can start with episode 1 and leave these extras until later:
- Jump Special Anime Festa 2016 OVA: an early animated adaptation, later included with a limited edition of manga volume 11. It is not a required episode zero for the TV series.
- The All Magic Knights Thanksgiving Festa: a comedy special built around a quiz show with the Magic Knight captains and guests. It is separate from the 2016 OVA.
- Squishy! Black Clover: eight short chibi-comedy episodes. They are not a sequel or a bridge to Sword of the Wizard King.
All three are optional. Saving them until after the original TV run lets you enjoy the character jokes without breaking up the main story.
After episode 170: the 2026 continuation
Release update — September 11, 2026: the official broadcast schedule lists Black Clover 2nd Season for October 3, 2026, at 11 p.m. in Japan. It has not premiered as of this update. This is the continuation of the original run, not a reboot; regional streaming schedules may differ.
Our Black Clover Season 2 release-date guide covers the premiere announcement and streaming details.
Where to watch Black Clover
Look for the Black Clover TV anime on Crunchyroll and Sword of the Wizard King on Netflix. Availability and language options depend on your country. Check the episode number when switching services, because season packaging can differ even when the story order has not changed.