We definitely can’t say no to more episodes of a show with striking visuals, an intriguing storyline, and pure vibes! That’s why you’ll see a lot of iconic anime sporting more than hundreds of episodes and numerous arcs. While some viewers appreciate these extra contents and character content, others may feel odd towards filler episodes. In this article, we’ll see the top 10 anime series with the most fillers of all time. Let us know your guesses!
1. Detective Conan (Case Closed)
This fellow detective has solved way more cases than you’ll probably think. First on the spot is Detective Conan, also known as Case Closed. The long-running detective series took pride in its impressive 513+ filler episodes over its total of 1123+ episodes. It can be said that fillers accounted for half of the total episodes in this series. Despite this, many fans argue how entertaining and worthwhile these filler episodes are. After all, we are seated for a good mystery and fun character dynamics.
2. Naruto & Naruto Shippuden
You can slowly breathe and chill down. Next on the list is the popular ninja franchise Naruto, which earns a staggering 293 filler episodes across its 720-episode run. If you like diving into characters’ backgrounds and personalities, these fillers are for you. It sheds light and gives depth to the secondary characters of the series. Some see it as irrelevant to the main plot and skip through it.
3. Bleach
Bleach ranks high on the list, with 163 filler episodes for a 366-episode anime. Interestingly, some filler arcs, like the Zanpakuto Rebellion Arc, are well-received by fans and introduce popular characters like Muramasa.
4. Boruto
The fourth one belongs to the same franchise as the Naruto series. Inheriting its predecessor’s tendency for fillers, Boruto showed 124 filler episodes for a 293-episode show. It’s almost half of the total episode of extra content and character story. Due to this, it faced criticism from the viewers for the high filler ratio. However, some argue that these episodes provide deeper insights into the new generation of ninjas.
5. Pokémon (Original Series)
The original Pokémon series contains 77 filler episodes from its 274 total episodes. These fillers often introduce new Pokémon, explore various regions, or showcase comedic moments. It’s worth noting that subsequent seasons of Pokémon also incorporate significant amounts of filler content.
6. One Piece
Despite its massive episode count, One Piece has managed to keep its filler content relatively low compared to other long-running anime. With only 94+ filler episodes over its 1103+ total, One Piece’s filler ratio is quite impressive. These episodes often explore self-contained stories or dive into the backgrounds of secondary characters.
7. Sailor Moon
These Sailor Guardians have 98 filler episodes in its 200 total episodes of the original Sailor Moon series. Fortunately, fans have grown to like these extra bits of charming guardians and their stories, resulting in well-received responses. It was able to contribute to the character development of the beloved heroes to create a better storyline loved by all.
8. Dragon Ball
The search for the 8 dragon balls was not dragged on for too long. With only 74 filler episodes across its 575 episodes, these anime added enough ounce of comedic break from action-packed battles. Most fillers contain extended training sequences or additional character interactions to add depth to the characters and the Dragon Ball universe.
9. Yu-Gi-Oh
They’ve played their cards well, as this 225-episode show has only 91 filler episodes. Yu-Gi-Oh keeps the tension and entertainment high by extending some intense duels in these filler episodes. New cards and side character exploration were also showcased in these added contents to give depth to the dueling world.
10. Ranma ½
Closing out our list is a classic romantic comedy anime, Ranma 1/2. The 161-episode series has 72 filler episodes exploring comedic scenarios and character relationships. This just makes the unique blending of romance, comedy, and martial arts more entertaining!
Conclusion
Although fillers can be frustrating for some viewers eager to follow the main plot, these episodes have various purposes in anime production. From allowing source material to progress to providing additional character development, fillers aim to offer diverse experiences for fans. Whether you choose to skip or embrace these episodes, understanding their prevalence in popular anime can help set expectations and enhance your viewing experience.
