Not sure if this is right place to put this discussion thread, but considering some of what I am about to detail is spoiler territory for some anime-only users, I figured it would be fine.
Basically, one of my main gripes with the direction of Toei’s anime adaptation of the Wano arc is that there is a complete lack of filler. Now obviously I am not referring to filler scenes, there is an overwhelming abundance of that in this arc, with the Urashima fight being the most noteworthy example. What I am referring to is the lack of filler episodes. I know, I know a lot of you guys are in complete shock right now that I would even dare to suggest that Toei taint the sanctity of Wano with needless filler but please hear me out.
As we all know, the pacing of the anime since the Dressrosa Arc has been utterly atrocious. Currently the anime is adapting less than half a manga chapter per episode, that is simply unacceptable for a modern anime. Many have brought forth solutions to this pacing problem by suggesting things such as One Piece becoming a seasonal anime so that there will be a greater gap between manga chapters and anime episodes. The honest truth behind why this will never happen is the money making machine that is One Piece.
Unfortunately, One Piece is a product of a perpetual capitalist system that relies on ceaseless consumerism to line the pockets of Shuiesha and Toei executives, therefore turning it into a seasonal anime is extremely unlikely.
My solution for the pacing of the anime? Adding filler episodes where they are appropriate to the plot/storyline.
Does anyone else remember the days of Grand Line Era One Piece where we could enjoy a few filler mini-arcs before heading into the next major arc of the series? The Post-Alabasta and Rainbow Mist Arcs are the first to come to mind, of course. Providing relatively good quality of filler to act as both a buffer for the Strawhats adventures in-universe and a buffer for the sake of pacing for the series. Imagine heading straight into the Skypeia Saga after the Alabasta Saga in the anime, I can’t.
Although One Piece filler episodes are few and in between, seeing as how there are only around 120 actual filler episodes in a series of 938 episodes. The early filler episodes of One Piece helped to provide that necessary buffer between the anime and the manga.
Now with that being said: Does anyone remember the filler episodes of the Loguetown and Post-Enies Lobby arcs?
Following the major story arcs of Arlong Park and Enies Lobby respectively, fans were greeted with an entertaining slew of episodes that gave us the opportunity to see the Strawhats interacting with the citizens of an island without a looming danger or threat. Each of the individual filler episodes of Loguetown and Post-Enies Lobby offered us a glimpse into a slice of life aspect of the series that we so rarely get to enjoy, only strengthening the characterizations of the SH crew outside of combat.
As an example:
From Sanji’s cook off battle against Carmen in Loguetown to his discovery of the Aqua Laguna salt in Water Seven, his skills and prowess as a world class chef were highlighted along with his dream of finding the All Blue. A refreshing glimpse into Sanji’s life as a chef.
Do you guys see where I’m going with this? If not, I’ll state it directly:
Wano needed SH filler episodes.
As we manga readers know, we are reaching a point in the series where great pacing would be game changing for the anime adaptation. Imagine the Oden flashback and Onigashima being ruined by snail pacing and filler scenes?? Trust me, it’s definitely going to happen given the current state of affairs.
In my opinion, what could have helped to boost the pacing of the anime would’ve been filler episodes dedicated to each individual Strawhat as they blended in with the Wano populace, highlighting each Strawhats individual dreams/character traits/motivations.
Here are some “ideas” I had for what these episodes could have consisted of:
All in all, I believe that Wano has suffered greatly from a lack of appropriate and meaningful filler that could have provided us with many strong character moments for the SHs after the monotony of both Dressrosa and WCI. Wano was the perfect place to give us a breather with some character driven filler episodes, allowing us to truly get a feel for the atmosphere and citizens of Wano. Unfortunately, it’s just a reminder of yet another missed opportunity from Toei Animation.
As I stated prior, we have an abundance of filler scenes that do little more than pad out the run time of canon episodes. With a little bit of filler, we might have already been done with the snore fest that is Udon.
What do you guys think? Took me 3 hours to write down all this mumbo jumbo so I hope we can all discuss it.
Let me know your thoughts!
Basically, one of my main gripes with the direction of Toei’s anime adaptation of the Wano arc is that there is a complete lack of filler. Now obviously I am not referring to filler scenes, there is an overwhelming abundance of that in this arc, with the Urashima fight being the most noteworthy example. What I am referring to is the lack of filler episodes. I know, I know a lot of you guys are in complete shock right now that I would even dare to suggest that Toei taint the sanctity of Wano with needless filler but please hear me out.
As we all know, the pacing of the anime since the Dressrosa Arc has been utterly atrocious. Currently the anime is adapting less than half a manga chapter per episode, that is simply unacceptable for a modern anime. Many have brought forth solutions to this pacing problem by suggesting things such as One Piece becoming a seasonal anime so that there will be a greater gap between manga chapters and anime episodes. The honest truth behind why this will never happen is the money making machine that is One Piece.
Unfortunately, One Piece is a product of a perpetual capitalist system that relies on ceaseless consumerism to line the pockets of Shuiesha and Toei executives, therefore turning it into a seasonal anime is extremely unlikely.
My solution for the pacing of the anime? Adding filler episodes where they are appropriate to the plot/storyline.
Does anyone else remember the days of Grand Line Era One Piece where we could enjoy a few filler mini-arcs before heading into the next major arc of the series? The Post-Alabasta and Rainbow Mist Arcs are the first to come to mind, of course. Providing relatively good quality of filler to act as both a buffer for the Strawhats adventures in-universe and a buffer for the sake of pacing for the series. Imagine heading straight into the Skypeia Saga after the Alabasta Saga in the anime, I can’t.
Although One Piece filler episodes are few and in between, seeing as how there are only around 120 actual filler episodes in a series of 938 episodes. The early filler episodes of One Piece helped to provide that necessary buffer between the anime and the manga.
Now with that being said: Does anyone remember the filler episodes of the Loguetown and Post-Enies Lobby arcs?
Following the major story arcs of Arlong Park and Enies Lobby respectively, fans were greeted with an entertaining slew of episodes that gave us the opportunity to see the Strawhats interacting with the citizens of an island without a looming danger or threat. Each of the individual filler episodes of Loguetown and Post-Enies Lobby offered us a glimpse into a slice of life aspect of the series that we so rarely get to enjoy, only strengthening the characterizations of the SH crew outside of combat.
As an example:
From Sanji’s cook off battle against Carmen in Loguetown to his discovery of the Aqua Laguna salt in Water Seven, his skills and prowess as a world class chef were highlighted along with his dream of finding the All Blue. A refreshing glimpse into Sanji’s life as a chef.
Do you guys see where I’m going with this? If not, I’ll state it directly:
Wano needed SH filler episodes.
As we manga readers know, we are reaching a point in the series where great pacing would be game changing for the anime adaptation. Imagine the Oden flashback and Onigashima being ruined by snail pacing and filler scenes?? Trust me, it’s definitely going to happen given the current state of affairs.
In my opinion, what could have helped to boost the pacing of the anime would’ve been filler episodes dedicated to each individual Strawhat as they blended in with the Wano populace, highlighting each Strawhats individual dreams/character traits/motivations.
Here are some “ideas” I had for what these episodes could have consisted of:
Zoro: Zoro and Tonoyasu’s misadventure at the gambling house pretty much suffices for an adequate filler episode. Maybe expand the episode by showing Zoro and Tonoyasu arriving at the gambling house and so forth.
Nami: An O-Nami and Zeus centric episode focused on Zeus being captured/abducted by government officials who wish to present it to a local magistrate for a promotion. Nami uses her newly acquired kunoichi skills and weather knowledge to retrieve Zeus and their bond is strengthened as a result. In a perfect world, Nami’s eye catcher debuts here.
Usopp: While selling his miraculous toad oil, Usohachi encounters another local grifter who takes advantage of the naive townspeople. Feeling pity for the townspeople, Usohachi and Gama Pyonnosuke take a stand against the grifter. If life was fair, Usopp’s eye catcher would debut here.
Sanji: As Sangoro is enjoying the success of his soba stand, a young boy comes along and degrades the soba stand with graffiti. Sangoro catches the young boy and forces a confession out of him. The young boy explains that his father’s own soba stand has been ruined by the success of Sangoro’s soba stand, explaining that if their business goes under they will be kicked out of the Flower Capital by the magistrates and the Kyoshiro Family. Instead of punishing the young boy, Sangoro gives him and his father a much needed lesson on how to cook high quality soba. If there was any light left in this world, Sanji’s eye catcher would debut here.
Chopper: After Chopper, Tama and Momo bring O-Lin to Okobore Town, the town is shocked to discover that a samurai from the Flower Capital has arrived in the village. The samurai has been afflicted with a seemingly incurable illness and was exiled from the Flower Capital as to not infect the rest of the populace. Chopper takes pity on the samurai and decides to help save his life. In a different world, Chopper’s eye catcher debuts here.
Robin: O-Robi has adjusted to her career as a geisha, being a rising star amongst both her peers and the customers. That is, except for another young geisha who resents O-Robi’s popularity. The young geisha reveals that she is part of a long line of talented and revered geishas, arguing that O-Robi has no respect for the history of the geisha. After an unruly customer attacks the geisha, O-Robi risks exposing herself as an outsider by using her Hana Hana no mi to save her. The young geisha apologizes for her earlier remarks and the two women form a bond. If we deserved it, Robin’s eye catcher would debut here.
Franky: Franosuke has come to be known as the top carpenter under Minatomo, drawing the attention of a rival group of carpenters. The rival group of carpenters confront Franosuke and destroy several homes crafted by Minatomo. Enraged, Franosuke opts to beat the other carpenters to a pulp but Minatomo offers a different solution, a carpenter showdown where the best creation built, wins. Franosuke accepts and after a series of trickery from the other team, manages to craft a magnificent structure to secure the win, earning Minatomo’s respect. If we were lucky, Franky’s eye catcher would debut here.
Brook: Brook continues with his role of gathering food provisions in Ringo. He becomes distracted, however when a beautiful young woman comes to Ringo to pay her respects to the grave of a fallen samurai. It is revealed that the fallen samurai was part of the unsuccessful raid on Onigashima ten years ago. The young woman reveals that she had a major falling out with her brother, the fallen samurai, before he left for the raid and she begs for her brother to forgive her for abandoning him. Brook overhears this and feeling pity for the woman, appears before her as a spirit. Although the woman is shocked at first, Brook assures the woman that her brother has forgiven her and that his soul is at peace, Brook plays her a soothing melody from her childhood to soothe her before asking to see her panties.If the god of luck smiled upon us, Brook’s eye catcher would debut here.
Nami: An O-Nami and Zeus centric episode focused on Zeus being captured/abducted by government officials who wish to present it to a local magistrate for a promotion. Nami uses her newly acquired kunoichi skills and weather knowledge to retrieve Zeus and their bond is strengthened as a result. In a perfect world, Nami’s eye catcher debuts here.
Usopp: While selling his miraculous toad oil, Usohachi encounters another local grifter who takes advantage of the naive townspeople. Feeling pity for the townspeople, Usohachi and Gama Pyonnosuke take a stand against the grifter. If life was fair, Usopp’s eye catcher would debut here.
Sanji: As Sangoro is enjoying the success of his soba stand, a young boy comes along and degrades the soba stand with graffiti. Sangoro catches the young boy and forces a confession out of him. The young boy explains that his father’s own soba stand has been ruined by the success of Sangoro’s soba stand, explaining that if their business goes under they will be kicked out of the Flower Capital by the magistrates and the Kyoshiro Family. Instead of punishing the young boy, Sangoro gives him and his father a much needed lesson on how to cook high quality soba. If there was any light left in this world, Sanji’s eye catcher would debut here.
Chopper: After Chopper, Tama and Momo bring O-Lin to Okobore Town, the town is shocked to discover that a samurai from the Flower Capital has arrived in the village. The samurai has been afflicted with a seemingly incurable illness and was exiled from the Flower Capital as to not infect the rest of the populace. Chopper takes pity on the samurai and decides to help save his life. In a different world, Chopper’s eye catcher debuts here.
Robin: O-Robi has adjusted to her career as a geisha, being a rising star amongst both her peers and the customers. That is, except for another young geisha who resents O-Robi’s popularity. The young geisha reveals that she is part of a long line of talented and revered geishas, arguing that O-Robi has no respect for the history of the geisha. After an unruly customer attacks the geisha, O-Robi risks exposing herself as an outsider by using her Hana Hana no mi to save her. The young geisha apologizes for her earlier remarks and the two women form a bond. If we deserved it, Robin’s eye catcher would debut here.
Franky: Franosuke has come to be known as the top carpenter under Minatomo, drawing the attention of a rival group of carpenters. The rival group of carpenters confront Franosuke and destroy several homes crafted by Minatomo. Enraged, Franosuke opts to beat the other carpenters to a pulp but Minatomo offers a different solution, a carpenter showdown where the best creation built, wins. Franosuke accepts and after a series of trickery from the other team, manages to craft a magnificent structure to secure the win, earning Minatomo’s respect. If we were lucky, Franky’s eye catcher would debut here.
Brook: Brook continues with his role of gathering food provisions in Ringo. He becomes distracted, however when a beautiful young woman comes to Ringo to pay her respects to the grave of a fallen samurai. It is revealed that the fallen samurai was part of the unsuccessful raid on Onigashima ten years ago. The young woman reveals that she had a major falling out with her brother, the fallen samurai, before he left for the raid and she begs for her brother to forgive her for abandoning him. Brook overhears this and feeling pity for the woman, appears before her as a spirit. Although the woman is shocked at first, Brook assures the woman that her brother has forgiven her and that his soul is at peace, Brook plays her a soothing melody from her childhood to soothe her before asking to see her panties.If the god of luck smiled upon us, Brook’s eye catcher would debut here.
All in all, I believe that Wano has suffered greatly from a lack of appropriate and meaningful filler that could have provided us with many strong character moments for the SHs after the monotony of both Dressrosa and WCI. Wano was the perfect place to give us a breather with some character driven filler episodes, allowing us to truly get a feel for the atmosphere and citizens of Wano. Unfortunately, it’s just a reminder of yet another missed opportunity from Toei Animation.
As I stated prior, we have an abundance of filler scenes that do little more than pad out the run time of canon episodes. With a little bit of filler, we might have already been done with the snore fest that is Udon.
What do you guys think? Took me 3 hours to write down all this mumbo jumbo so I hope we can all discuss it.
Let me know your thoughts!
Last edited:
