Top 10 Worst Anime Filler
Ugh, just get on with it already! Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we are counting down our picks for the top ten worst anime filler.
Special thanks to our user Chris Temple for submitting the idea on our interactive suggestion tool: WatchMojo.comsuggest
#10: Orange Islands
“Pokemon” (1997-) Granted this one is a little tricky, given how the series is based on a set of highly successful video games, which allows the show a lot of leeway. That being said, what the hell was up with the Orange Islands?! We had just gotten over the fact that Ash had lost the Indigo League and were eager to see him journey across the Johto region. Nope, first you have to see him take a vacation as he surfs around a bunch of islands on his Lapras. Dude, get your ass in gear! We want to see you take on Gym Leaders not go on a gap year!
#9: The Finale
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“Blue Exorcist” (2011-) We all know that the point of filler is to allow time for more manga content to come out. That being said, when you have just passed the halfway point of your first series and you go down a totally separate story, then you know you’ve messed up. This wouldn’t be so bad in Blue Exorcist’s case if it weren’t for the recently released Kyoto Arc, which totally ignores the filler of the first season. So unless you’re well-versed in both the anime and the manga, prepare to be confronted with a lot of inconsistencies.
#8: Season Four
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“Inuyasha” (2000-10) While a couple of these episodes fit into canon, for the most part the majority of this season is entirely made of filler. In fact, when fans complain about the boring, slow-paced and uninspired episodes that bogue down this fantasy anime, these are the one’s they’re talking about. Sure, we may get the occasional romantic moment between Inuyasha and Kagome, but the rest of the time it’s nothing but small-time villains, pointless tangents and more one-dimensional side characters than we know what to do with.
#7: The Garlic Jr. Saga
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“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96) Really? After the awesomeness that was the Frieza Saga you’re going to give us this? Unless you happen to be a huge fan of classic DBZ movies, chances are you’ll have no idea who Garlic Jr is let alone why his return is supposed to be a big deal. Instead of Super Sayains and a race against time on an dying planet, what does this arc give us? Pseudo-vampires, Gohan getting beaten up by Piccolo (again) and Krillin dealing with his gold-digger of a girlfriend. (Sigh) We miss Namek.
#6: Eclipse Celestial Spirits
“Fairy Tail” (2009-16) Natsu and company have managed to get away with quite a bit in terms of filler arcs, but when one rears its ugly head you’d best watch out. Following on from the magnificence of the Grand Magic Games, it’s understandable that we would need a small break before we got to the climactic clash with Zeref in the Tartarus arc. Except that was what the previous Sun Village arc was for. So on top of that we got this needless mini-rebellion arc. It’s hard to even enjoy the battles here because unlike the vicious duels we saw at the Grand Magic Games, we’re stuck with Gray engaging in a dance off. Really?
#5: Season Three
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“Rurouni Kenshin” (1996-98) The final battle against Makoto Shishio was arguably one of the anime’s highlights, and easily the best part of the second series. It would have taken a lot for Kenshin to one up such a brutal medley of swords, screams and Steven Blum, but if anyone could do it, it would be the manslayer. Sadly, all we got afterwards was a season of filler that contained no fights that even came close to the awesomeness that had come before. The fact the show was cancelled soon afterwards, cementing this as some of the most infamous filler in anime. Sorry Kenshin, you deserved better.
#4: Warship Island
“One Piece” (1999-) It just goes to show how much of a masterpiece this anime is, even when the occasional filler arc sneaks up on it, it can sometimes turn out to be so entertaining that it can stand on its own against canon content. G-8 anyone? The same, however, can’t be said for this arc, which is kind of understandable since it’s One Piece’s first case of filler. Unfortunately, when put up against the rest of the series, it’s rather boring by comparison, especially when it comes to the villain. Lucky for us, following on from this misstep was the unforgettable Alabasta arc. Bring on Crocodile!
#3: Rebecca
“Yu-Gi-Oh” (2000-04) When it comes to this show, all we want to see is our favourite cast of characters decide the fate of the world through a children’s card game. Of course, there are times when even that isn’t enough to prevent us from hating obvious filler. Enter Rebecca, a brat of a character whose only motivations seemed to revolve around complaining and getting Yugi to notice her. There was no reason for her to exist, yet she still ended up overstaying her welcome. We would take Noah or those three motorcycle guys over her any day!
#2: Endless Eight
“The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” (2009-11) The SOS Brigade’s second series was certainly filed with plenty of pitfalls, but none even come close to this collection of episodes. We know that Haruhi can do literally anything, but did she really need to give eight episodes of the exact same thing?! In order to ensure that their vacation lasts for eternity, Haruhi inadvertently rewinds time again and again. While there are minor changes here and there, for the most part we are watching Kyon and the rest go through the same old motions. Look, we love Haruhi, but there’s a right and a wrong way to do this kind of thing!
#1: That F**king Boat
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“Naruto Shippuden” (2007-) Ask any fan what the worst part of this anime is, and without a doubt they’ll answer with ‘the filler.’ Naruto is utterly plagued with it. To be honest, after suffering through nearly a hundreds of filler episodes in the previous series, then having to deal with the Twelve Guardian Ninja arc, The Three Tails and The Six Tails we would be finally over the worst of it. And then we got the Paradise Life on a Boat arc. Nearly twenty episodes of Naruto and Gai on a boat, dealing with everything except the plot. Are you serious?!
