Anime with filler episodes have been a common practice among many producers in the industry. This is done to allow the source material to catch up and develop, especially when the anime is produced faster than the manga or light novel. However, this could lead to some anime losing momentum and becoming boring for viewers. Nonetheless, some anime effectively use filler episodes to let the story and characters breathe and even add weight to the plot. Here are the top 6 popular anime with the most filler episodes.
6. Pokémon – 77 Episode Filler
With over 1000 episodes and multiple movies, the Pokémon franchise has been a massive hit since its beginning as a video game. The anime adaptation of this franchise has an impressive filler record of only 77 episodes. The anime creates random adventures that are as powerful as the games, with every episode always pushing the story forward, even with the filler episodes. Pokémon emphasizes the minute details, making the filler episodes worth watching.
5. One Piece – 95 Episode Filler
One Piece is one of the longest-running anime series, with over 1000 episodes to date, but it only has 95 episodes of filler. The anime’s impressive storytelling and characters have established a massive fan following across the world. The anime’s filler episodes often take place between story arcs, which makes them easy to skip without losing track of the story.
4. Ranma 1/2 – 72 Episode Filler
Ranma 1/2 is a martial arts anime that depicts elements of slice-of-life primarily found in 90s anime. The plot follows Ranma Saotome and his ability to transform into a girl when splashed with cold water. Besides, other characters suffer similar curses, transforming them into various animals. Out of its 161 episodes, almost half are filler episodes, totaling to 72. However, the anime presents a delicate balance of action and slice-of-life from the beginning, making its filler episodes feel organic.
3. Fairy Tail – 61 Episode Filler
Fairy Tail, a shounen anime with more than 300 episodes, takes time to find its pacing. Still, character development and the extraordinary world-building make it worthwhile. The anime explores different types of magic, which makes the series engaging and thrilling. Out of its 300 episodes, the anime only has 61 filler episodes. The anime’s carefully crafted character arcs and overall plot make the filler episodes a necessary part of the story.
2. Rurouni Kenshin – 40 Episode Filler
Historical anime is not ordinary, and Rurouni Kenshin is no exception. The anime is a fantastic fictional reconstruction of Japan’s Meiji era. The story follows Himura Kenshin, who renounces his bloody past as a notorious assassin out of his belief in pacifism. Rurouni Kenshin presents many themes, including honor and survival, with a balance between Kenshin’s repentance and martial arts-action. The anime only has 40 episodes of filler out of its total 100 episodes.
1. Dragon Ball Z – 38 Episode Filler
Dragon Ball Z is an interesting anime when it comes to filler episodes. Although there are no specific original episodes, the anime’s manga adaptation also takes up multiple episodes. Dragon Ball Z has 291 episodes, but material covering the same content was adapted into 167 episodes for Dragon Ball Kai. This proves that many parts can be eliminated. But Dragon Ball Z found comfort in its pace and easily becomes a marathon-friendly anime. The anime only has 38 episodes of filler.
In conclusion, filler episodes are a necessary evil for anime producers, as it provides them with time to develop the source material. Sometimes, filler episodes can be dull, while at other times, they can enhance the overall story. The anime on this list have used filler episodes to their advantage, making them worthwhile to watch.
