Filler vs. Canon: A Beginner's Guide to Understanding Anime Arcs (and Which to Skip)

You're watching a long-running action anime, like Naruto. The main plot is intense; the characters are in the middle of crucial training or a life-or-death battle. Suddenly, the next episode begins, and the main characters are on an unimportant side mission, like helping a talking ostrich or cooking the perfect ramen.

The tension vanishes. The main plot grinds to a halt.

You have just encountered "filler."

For new fans, this is one of the most confusing experiences. Is this ostrich mission important? Can I skip it? This guide will explain the definitions of "canon" and "filler," why filler exists, and how you can decide what to watch.

What is "Canon"?

"Canon" refers to the story, events, characters, and plot arcs that are considered the "official" and "true" source of a series.

In most anime, the canon comes from the original manga (the Japanese comic) written and drawn by the author (the mangaka). If an event happens in the manga, it is 100% canon. This is the main story the creator intended to tell.

What is "Filler"?

"Filler" refers to episodes, characters, or entire story arcs created exclusively by the animation studio.

These events do not exist in the manga.

The purpose of filler is, literally, to "fill" airtime. The characters might go on a complete adventure, but it has zero impact on the main plot. At the end of a 20-episode filler arc, the characters will return to the exact same point they were at before it began, with no new powers, knowledge, or development that affects the canon story.

Why Does Filler Exist? (The Production Problem)

Filler isn't created to be bad; it's created for a logistical reason: anime is faster to produce than manga.

• One anime episode (22 minutes) often adapts 2-3 manga chapters.

• A mangaka might release only one chapter per week, or sometimes just one per month.

Years ago, popular anime like Naruto and Bleach aired every single week without a break. Inevitably, the anime would "catch up" to the manga. When this happened, the animation studio had two choices:

1. Stop production and wait for the mangaka to write more story (this is what modern seasonal shows like Spy x Family or My Hero Academia do).

2. Create original content (filler) to keep the show on the air and allow the mangaka to get ahead.

Most older anime chose option 2, resulting in hundreds of filler episodes.

The Gray Area: "Anime-Canon" and "Mixed"

Not everything is black and white. There are two middle categories you should know:

1. Mixed Canon/Filler Episodes: An episode that contains both canon material from the manga and new filler scenes. The studio might stretch a single manga fight to last an entire episode by adding dialogue or action shots that weren't in the original. One Piece does this frequently.

2. Anime-Canon: This is a more modern term. It refers to content that is not in the manga but is supervised, suggested, or approved by the original author. It often expands on side character backstories or world-building. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations uses this format a lot. "Anime-canon" is generally considered much more valuable than traditional "filler."

Should You Skip Filler?

This is the most important question, and the answer is factual:

Yes. You can skip 100% of traditional filler and miss absolutely nothing from the main plot.

If you find a filler arc boring, stopping it will not affect your understanding of the canon story.

However, some people choose to watch filler if:

• They simply enjoy spending time with the characters, regardless of the plot.

• Some filler arcs (though rare) are genuinely entertaining.

• They want to say they have seen "every episode" of the series.

How to Identify and Skip Filler: "Filler Lists"

You do not have to guess. The anime community has solved this problem for you.

The easiest tool is to use a "Filler List."

1. Go to Google and search for: "[Anime Name] filler list" (e.g., "Naruto filler list" or "Bleach filler list").

2. You will find dedicated websites that have categorized every single episode of the series.

3. They will use a simple color code:

   • Green: Canon

   • Red: Filler

   • Yellow: Mixed (Canon/Filler)

   • Blue (sometimes): Anime-Canon

With this list, you can watch a canon episode, and if you see the next 15 episodes are marked "Filler," you can skip directly to the next "Canon" episode.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between "canon" and "filler" gives you the power to manage your time. It allows you to enjoy the main stories of massive anime without getting bogged down in irrelevant plot arcs. Use "filler lists" as your guide, and you will never have to watch a talking ostrich again (unless you want to).