Top 10 Shonen Anime with the Highest Filler Episodes, Ranked

Anime series known for their high number of filler episodes, such as Dragon Ball, Bleach, and Naruto, often deter potential fans from diving into the series. The abundance of filler content can make the viewing experience daunting and frustrating for newcomers, ultimately becoming a drawback for the series. This approach is used to allow the manga source material to progress, resulting in an excessive amount of filler episodes that can be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with the series.

Which anime do these belong to? And why is there so much filler content? Is any of the filler worth watching? Let's explore these questions with the following list.

10 anime with the most filler, ranked

10. Ranma 1/2 (72 episodes out of 161)

A hidden gem in the world of anime. (Image via Studio Deen)

Ranma 1/2 presents an intriguing case for discussing anime with a high amount of filler due to the nature of its storyline. Crafted by Rumiko Takahashi, the mastermind behind Urusei Yatsura and Inuyasha, the narrative follows Ranma Saotome, a young man with a rebellious streak and a martial artist hailing from a prominent family who, after falling into cursed springs, transforms into a woman whenever exposed to water.

Now, he must confront the situation and eventually grapple with an arranged marriage to a girl named Akane.

The series has a comedic nature, at times even reaching the absurd, with Ranma and Akane constantly clashing due to their dislike for each other and reluctance to marry. The manga's episodic nature allows for a lot of creative and comedic moments, and the amount of filler in the series does not disrupt the flow.

In many ways, this is one of those anime with the most filler, but done in a way that doesn't really affect the story.

9. Dragon Ball (74 episodes out of 444)

One clear example of an anime notorious for its filler is Dragon Ball. (Image via Toei Animation)

Both the original series and Z are prime examples of excessive filler content. While many fans were initially drawn to the series, especially those new to anime, Toei Animation's decision to prolong various storylines made certain parts of the series more tedious to watch.

8. Yu-Gi-Oh (91 episodes out of 225)

During the Saiyan saga, the training moments of Goku and Gohan, the journey of the humans to Namek, and certain scenes in the Buu saga were significantly prolonged, including the infamous "Five Minutes in Namek" episodes. However, it also blessed the world with the legendary episode of Goku and Piccolo attempting to learn how to drive, which balances out the equation.

Yu-Gi-Oh is known for its extensive use of filler episodes, making it one of the anime with the most filler. Despite this, the franchise has expanded beyond the anime medium and has made a significant impact on the gaming industry, particularly with its trading card game. It all began with Kazuki Takahashi's manga in the 90s, and the 2000s anime adaptation by Studio Gallop, which followed the original story of Yugi and his friends, played a major role in transforming the franchise into a commercial powerhouse.

7. One Piece (96 episodes out of 1014)

Many children who grew up watching the series were unaware of the significant amount of filler, amounting to 91 episodes. While most of it is enjoyable as it showcases different approaches to the card game, the consensus is that the true hidden gem among these non-canon arcs is Waking the Dragons. This particular arc provided the series with some unforgettable moments and also contributed to the development of the character of Yami/Atem.

One Piece is an obvious contender for anime with the most filler. With its extensive list of episodes and ongoing status, it was inevitable that it would make the cut. Toei Animation's decision to adapt a manga chapter per episode has limited the amount of filler, but it has also made the pacing of the anime at times difficult to watch.

6. Sailor Moon (98 episodes out of 200)

Nevertheless, the padding in One Piece typically consists of only two or three episodes between story arcs. While there were non-canon arcs in the past, Toei has since shifted away from that approach. It's surprising that this anime doesn't have even more filler, considering how daunting the number of episodes can be for newcomers.

Sailor Moon presents a fascinating scenario when it comes to anime with the most filler. Toei Animation had to add a significant amount of non-canon content due to author Naoko Takeuchi's need to advance the manga, resulting in a major divergence between the source material and the adaptation. This situation highlights both the benefits and drawbacks of filler in anime.

Toei incorporated a substantial amount of filler content, enabling the main cast of Sailors to develop a more robust bond and connection through various episodic adventures. This enhanced the strength of their relationships and friendships, as they experienced a greater range of challenges. However, the filler content also resulted in uninspired villains and plots, which is a source of discontent for many. Despite Toei's release of new anime and films closely following Takeuchi's manga, a significant number of people favor the 90s series not just out of nostalgia, but because they believe it allowed the main cast more opportunities for personal growth.

5. Bleach (164 episodes out of 366)

Arguably one of the most iconic examples of this topic. (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Bleach is known for its abundant filler episodes, which were often inconveniently placed in the original adaptation by Studio Pierrot. Although it is now easier to skip the filler, during its airing, non-canon storylines would frequently interrupt the main storyline at crucial moments, such as prior to Ichigo and Ulquiorra's final battle in the Arrancar arc. The excessive amount of filler could be seen as a contributing factor in damaging Bleach's reputation among anime fans worldwide, due to its frustrating impact on the series' pacing.

4. Boruto (182 episodes out of 293)

The Zanpakuto Rebellion arc stood out from most filler for its engaging plot, impressive animation, and the additional appeal of showcasing the Zanpakuto spirits of various Shinigami, complete with designs by Tite Kubo that were later incorporated into the manga.

Boruto is one of those anime that has been heavily criticized for its abundance of filler episodes. While it may come as a surprise to some, it is important to understand that the anime has more canon episodes than the manga, leading to a significant amount of non-canon content that can be frustrating for viewers.

3. Pokemon (233 episodes out of 1116)

Boruto's anime presents a unique challenge as it intertwines canon and non-canon arcs, making it more frustrating to watch and potentially contributing to the negative public perception of the sequel. This complexity arises from the prevalence of non-canon arcs in anime with the most filler.

Pokemon has gained legendary status for its high number of filler episodes. (Image via OLM Team)

2. Naruto (294 episodes of 720)

Nonetheless, numerous non-canon storylines manage to integrate seamlessly within the series' framework, providing Ash and his Pokémon with ample opportunity to develop and take center stage, a quality that is always welcomed in such narratives.

Naruto stands out as one of the most prominent examples of anime with an abundance of filler content, which has had a negative impact on its rewatch value for many viewers. This is due to the fact that, like Boruto, the series includes numerous filler episodes alongside the canon material, resulting in a frustrating viewing experience at certain points in the story.

The interruption of the narrative flow made the series feel like a real chore to watch at certain points. Now that it's over, it's a bit easier to watch because viewers can identify which episodes are filler, but many are eagerly awaiting the long-awaited Naruto remake.

1. Detective Conan (503 episodes out of 1111)

Detective Conan, produced by TMS Entertainment, is renowned as Japan's foremost crime and mystery series, as well as the anime with the most filler. With its extensive history of solving cases in an episodic manner, it's no surprise that the franchise contains a significant amount of filler, as it aligns with the nature of the story itself.

Final thoughts

These are the anime with the most filler, and while some of them can be quite interesting to watch, it is fair to say that most fans are better off skipping those episodes. However, if people want to consume the entire anime without hesitation, here is hoping this list can help on that front.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about anime with high filler content. On the one hand, I understand the need for filler episodes to allow the manga source material to progress. On the other hand, I find it frustrating when filler episodes disrupt the flow of the story or add unnecessary content that doesn't contribute to the overall plot.

In the case of Ranma 1/2, I think the filler episodes are well-integrated into the series and don't detract from the overall enjoyment. The comedic nature of the show allows for more creative and lighthearted episodes that don't feel like a waste of time. However, I find the filler episodes in Dragon Ball and One Piece to be more problematic. In Dragon Ball, the filler episodes often drag on and feel repetitive, while in One Piece, the pacing of the anime can be painfully slow due to the limited amount of filler.