Manyanimehave filler episodes, which are episodes that don’t affect the story arc at all. Some go into character development, or introduce you to the backstory of a side character, like the internship episode in My Hero Academia, and other ones are completely disconnected, such as the Ouran episode that’s a tribute to Alice in Wonderland.
Some filler episodes aren’t great, and fans decide to skip right past them in their rewatches. Others are beautiful in their own right, and well worth watching. Keep reading to find out the best filler episodes to check out next
10Naruto
Episode 101
Naruto follows an orphaned ninja who fights hard to become the leader of his small village. There are several awesome episodes that have nothing to do with the plot, but the best one is episode 101, Gotta See! Gotta Know! Kakashi-Sensei’s True Face! Naruto and his friends were dying to know what their mentor’s face looked like, and worked hard the entire episode to discover it.
This episode is great because it’s light and fun, but also because of the twist at the end. When Kakashi finally takes his mask off in this grand gesture, he’s wearing another mask underneath. It’s not only a failed moment for Naruto, but for the audience that also longed to see his face. In the very last moment, the audience finally gets to see his face, which is an exciting twist.
9Inuyasha
Episode 127
Inuyasha is the protagonist of his own show, and spends most of his time in feudal China as a half-demon working to become a full-demon despite how loving and kind he truly is. That is, of course, until the infamous Episode 127 where Inuyasha goes through the time traveling well and gets to explore the modern world.
He’s baffled by modern objects, particularly electronics, and gets into a tizzy with a cat. He finds his way to Kagome, which both annoys and delights her. It gives us a fun reprieve from the main plot while showing us a bit more of Inuyasha and how he reacts to new surroundings.
8My Hero Academia
Episode 32
My Hero Academia is different from other anime because the filler isn’t a complete non-sequitor. In general, My Hero Academia almost exclusively sticks to the plot, which makes episode 32 an extra special one. This is one of the best opportunities we have to really get to know some of the side characters.
Not only do we learn more about the students, but it also gives us insight into the pros. Katsuki is with Best Jeanist, Ochaco is with the Gunhead agency, Tsuyu is with Selkieand his sidekick,and more. It’s really awesome to get to see all of these heroes in their natural habitat and watch the students grow under their watch.
7Ouran High School Host Club
Episode 13
Episode 13 of Ouran High School Host Club, titled Haruhi in Wonderland, is an episode where each character plays someone from Alice in Wonderland. It’san epic homagethat takes place during a dream sequence. There are subtle moments that hint at the rest of the show, such as warning Honey about a cavity, which is a plot point in one of the episodes.
There’s a beautiful moment at the end that shows Haruhi with a dream version of her mom. This moment makes her cry, and even though it’s a filler episode, it’s one of the realest moments we get of Haruhi in the entire show.
6Fairy Tail
Episode 19
Fairy Tail is a guild-based show that follows adventures as they take on tasks, become friends (and sometimes more), delve into their pasts, and search for a dragon. The guild is a group of fantastic outsiders that come together and make a real difference. In Episode 19, its best filler episode, the guild discovers a power called Changeling.
Of course, the guild members all end up switching bodies and magic. It’s a great insight into each of them, and gives the characters a chance to get to know each other on a deeper level.
5One Piece
Episode 196
Considering how long One Piece is, it’s surprising how little filler it has. So whenever a filler episode does appear, it’s exciting to watch. Episode 196–206 is an entire filler arc, which is pretty unique. It’s called the G-6 arc, and many fans adore thes episodes.
4Sailor Moon
Episode 51
Some of the best Sailor Moon episodes are filler. The show follows a girl group, and getting to watch them in their element and outside the main plot is incredibly enjoyable, and gives us insight into each of their personalities.
However, Episode 51 is a filler episode that gives us the most insight. Usagi is struggling with her powers, and through her companion, Luna, she’s able to discover that much of the reason for that was a lack of confidence. When you love a character like Usagi, it’s awesome to watch her build herself back up.
3Cowboy Bebop
Episode 11
There have been some questions about whether this episode is filler because we get to spend so much time getting to know the main characters, but once you realize the entire episode is a parody of Alien, there’s no doubt that it’s filler.
This episode is incredibly fun, and full of comedy. Many of the characters get bitten by the Alien, except for Ed, who actually eats it. Homage episodes are always exciting, and fans of both the horror movie Alien and anime would adore this episode.
2Spy X Family
Episode 5
Spy x Family is a fantastic show about a fake family containing an Assassin, Spy and Mind Reader. They’re working to create the facade of a family, and when the little girl, Anya, gets into a prestigious school that helps with the mission, they give her a reward.
Using spy resources, they lock down a castle and let her be a princess for the day. It’s extra special because it’s a reminder that Anya is just a young girl, and it’s nice to see her get a win. Though this episode doesn’t guide the plot, it does bring our favorite family closer.
1Dragon Ball Z
Episode 125
This episode of Dragon Ball Z is widely considered one of the best filler episodes ever. It’s been coined the Driving License Episode, and follows Goku and Piccolo as they work to get their licenses. Thisshow is long runningand incredibly iconic, and episodes like this one take a break from the long epic story line.
Characters discuss rest and relaxation, which is a testament to the writers, because the episode itself gives viewers a moment of reprieve from the fighting and more serious plot points. There’s a lot of humor, which puts us at ease before the next dramatic arc.
