Filler has a not-so-great reputation as the unwanted byproduct of anime. It’s often dismissed as unnecessary padding or a frustrating detour from the main plot, and even some of the most dedicated fans check out during it. However, that reputation doesn’t tell the whole story, especially with an anime like Dragon Ball Z. While many series use filler to stall the narrative, Dragon Ball treats it as a meaningful chance to slow down and explore the characters and story beyond the power levels and earth-shaking battles.
Rather than dragging the story down, Dragon Ball Z uses filler to give its characters space to breathe and develop. Sometimes, they provide a much-needed break from the high-stakes arcs that define the series, while at other times, they enrich the storyline by giving other characters moments to shine. Through these moments, Dragon Ball proves that filler is much more than its undeserved reputation.
Not All Anime Filler Is the Best
Some Filler Risks Taking Away From the Story Rather Than Adding to It
In many long-running anime series, filler has become a source of frustration for fans, and not without reason. Due to tight production schedules and ongoing manga source material, studios often rely on filler arcs to buy time. Unfortunately, it results in bloated narratives, tonal and pacing inconsistencies, and even creates storylines that either disconnect or clash with the series. Most notably, Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden collectively have about 41.5% of their episodes being filler. While a few of these detours provide unforgettable character moments or lighthearted fun, much of it interrupts the main plot’s pacing and undermines the story’s momentum.
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Dragon Ball Z Kai trimmed out the filler and sharpened the story, which is something that Naruto and One Piece still struggle to do even years later
Bleach faced a similar problem with about 45% of its anime being filler. Some filler arcs, like the Bount arc, are notoriously divisive among fans and are often cited as reasons why viewers stop watching. These extended stretches introduce one-off characters or conflicts that are never revisited, making them feel less like part of character or world-building and more like unnecessary stalls. When filler is handled poorly or without connection to the main storyline, it risks being viewed as content with no purpose. It’s this kind of filler that gives the entire concept a bad reputation.
Dragon Ball Is Proof That Not All Filler Is Bad
Dragon Ball Offers Filler That Enhances the Story and Characters
Unlike many other shōnen series, Dragon Ball Z uses filler episodes to deepen fans’ connection to the characters and world rather than disrupt the story. With only about 13% of the series considered filler, it never slows down the pacing or distracts from the main plot. Instead, these episodes provide moments of breathing room between intense arcs and include reflection, humor, and character development that add depth. Rather than adding random villains or unrelated plots, Dragon Ball’s filler tends to focus on main characters, letting fans see who they are outside of battles.
Filler in Dragon Ball Z isn’t only functional, it’s also often emotional and character-driven. Episodes like Goku and Piccolo learning how to drive or Gohan befriending a dinosaur may seem minor to the series, but they provide valuable insight into who the characters are when they aren’t saving the world. These moments emphasize humor, humanity, and growth, grounding the characters and making them more relatable to viewers. These filler episodes help balance the story and make the series feel more fleshed out and complete.
More Anime Should Take Cues From Dragon Ball
If More Anime Used Filler Like Dragon Ball, Fans Would Appreciate It
Filler doesn’t have to be a story burden in anime and can be used purposefully without feeling overwhelming. What makes Dragon Ball Z stand out is how it doesn’t see filler as a delay but as a tool. When studios approach filler with the same care and intent they give to canon material, it can add real depth and value. Filler can explore emotional moments, strengthen relationships, and expand the world. If more anime followed Dragon Ball’s lead and kept filler closely connected to its main characters and series tone, it wouldn’t seem like an interruption but rather an enhancement.
Fans respond to sincerity, not just spectacle and over-the-top action. When filler respects their time and investment in the characters and the story, they’re much more likely to embrace it. The main issue with filler isn’t that it exists, but that it’s often not executed to its full potential. Dragon Ball proves that even action-heavy shows with high-stakes battles can have slower, character-driven storytelling. If other series embraced the same practices, filler wouldn’t be something fans skip over, and it might even become something they look forward to.
Modern Anime Suffers From a Lack of Filler Content
Filler Can Enhance Anime Series When It’s Executed With Care and Not Overwhelming
In today’s anime industry, the push for tighter seasonal formats and source-accurate pacing has led to the near-elimination of filler content. While this can result in more focused storytelling, it often comes at the expense of character development and world-building. Modern series like Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and My Hero Academia are more streamlined, with little to no filler content. They typically include twelve to twenty-four episodes per season, with minimal downtime and relentless plot progression. While this approach promotes efficient storytelling and isn’t inherently bad, it also reduces the chances for fans to develop a deeper, lasting emotional connection.
What Dragon Ball Z achieved through its filler is something many anime struggle to replicate, and the absence of these moments is starting to show, with fans beginning to notice.
Filler can be a powerful narrative tool to help characters naturally evolve and make the world feel lived-in rather than just passed through. Without filler, many modern anime rely solely on main arcs to handle character development and world-building, leaving little space for exploration, side relationships, and tonal variation while still staying true to the core story. What Dragon Ball Z achieved through its filler is something many anime struggle to replicate, and the absence of these moments is starting to show, with fans beginning to notice.
Filler doesn’t have to be a flaw and can be a powerful addition when handled with intention and care. While much of anime history has treated filler as expendable, the best examples show how filler can enrich stories, characters, and worlds. When done right, it can help fans connect with and understand characters better, adding depth to the narrative. Dragon Ball Z understood this better than most, and anime can benefit from following its lead.
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- Latest TV Show
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Super Dragon Ball Heroes
- First Episode Air Date
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April 26, 1989