After Wano: Uncovering the Need for a Game-Changing Filler Arc in One Piece

With the conclusion of the Wano Arc in the One Piece anime, now is the perfect opportunity for a new filler arc. Filler is used in anime to fill time while the manga creates new material to adapt, and sometimes to explore new stories that enhance the series. One Piece, with its vast and captivating world, offers plenty of potential stories for the anime to cover while the manga continues to release chapters.

In the past, when popular anime series followed a weekly schedule, filler was more common. Shows like Naruto featured multiple filler arcs that took viewers to unseen locations and introduced new characters. Other series, like Dragon Ball Z, utilized filler to elongate episodes with dramatic pacing. One Piece has employed both filler methods throughout its 24-year broadcast history. However, now is the ideal moment for the anime to embark on a unique storyline exclusive to the show. This would provide the Straw Hat Crew with a shorter, less intense adventure to showcase their growth and camaraderie before delving into the next epic arc.

A Filler Arc Would Give One Piece's Characters Time To Breathe

With over a thousand episodes, One Piece surprisingly has a minimal amount of filler content. Some of these fillers serve as promotional episodes to introduce the series' films. However, there are notable exceptions, such as the G-8 arc comprising episodes #196-206. This anime-only storyline takes place after Skypiea, where the Straw Hats accidentally find themselves in a heavily fortified Marine base. The arc provided a refreshing change with its comedic focus and, more importantly, the development of bonds between the characters, something that One Piece greatly benefits from after the intense Wano Arc.

Wano was by far the longest arc in One Piece, and its significance was further heightened due to the culmination of pivotal story elements from past arcs, leading to the battle against two Pirate Emperors in Wano. Now that Luffy and his crew are no longer racing against time to rescue a crewmate or working in an alliance to overthrow cruel dictatorships, the Straw Hats require an arc with less tension and high-stake situations. If executed effectively, a post-Wano One Piece filler arc could delve into the changes in dynamics among the characters with the addition of Jimbei to the crew.

One Piece Has Many Options For Filler Arcs

The One Piece anime has effectively incorporated filler content by animating the manga's cover stories. Creator Eiichiro Oda often incorporates additional stories in the One Piece world through covers, capturing important events that couldn't be included in the manga. It has been a while since the anime adapted any cover stories, such as Buggy's recovery in the East Blue and the rigorous training endured by Coby and Helmeppo. "Germa 66's Emotionless Excursion" would serve as a valuable link to events in the Egghead Island arc. While requesting more filler may be uncommon in the anime community, One Piece has extensive potential to tell captivating stories. Moreover, given Oda's recent breaks for eye surgery and assistance with the Netflix adaptation, the anime can greatly benefit from adapting the manga's cover stories or creating anime-exclusive filler content that allows characters to interact in a less intense setting.