Top Anime Filler Arc Guides: One Piece, Bleach, Naruto

When an anime adaptation catches up to its source material, studios sometimes pause the main timeline by inserting anime-only episodes or even full filler runs. This pattern shows up most often in long-running series with huge episode counts—especially titles that are measured in dozens of installments, like One Piece, Bleach, and Naruto.

Of course, not every filler stretch is the same. Some shows toss in only a few stand-alone episodes, while others roll filler arcs that last for weeks and easily cross the 20-episode mark. Over time, certain series have built filler stories so long that fans either settle in, enjoy the detours, or skip them completely just to keep moving through the canon.

Here’s a quick pass through the longest, most notable filler arcs—plus what makes each one worth your time or a clear “not today.”

Quick facts

Bleach’s New Captain Shusuke Amagai Arc is 22 episodes and is widely seen as divisive.
Boruto’s Great Sea Battle of Kirigakure Arc is 23 episodes and is criticized for plot armor and pacing.
Dragon Ball GT’s Baby Saga is 24 episodes and is often praised as the series’ best villain arc.
Naruto’s Three-Tails’ Appearance Arc is 24 episodes and is the longest filler arc fans mention for tailed-beast action.
The Prince of Tennis’ Junior Selection Camp Arc spans 25 episodes when paired with related filler.
Fairy Tail’s Key of the Starry Sky Arc runs 26 episodes and is often ranked highest among its filler.
Saint Seiya’s Asgard Arc is 26 episodes and is frequently treated as standout filler.
Bleach’s Zanpakuto Rebellion Arc lasts 36 episodes and is considered too good to skip.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters’ Waking the Dragons Arc (Orichalcos Arc) runs 40 episodes and turns darker.
Bleach’s Bount Arc stretches to 46 episodes and is often criticized for taking too long.

10 Bleach’s New Captain Shusuke Amagai Arc Is a 22-Episode Filler That Deserves a Second Look

Even years later, Bleach’s New Captain Shusuke Amagai Arc remains one of the franchise’s most polarizing filler storylines. Some viewers treat it as a solid detour, while others skip it outright and jump forward to the Arrancar saga. A common sticking point is how closely it follows the familiar “protect the princess” setup, which can make the arc feel generic despite its own distinct premise.

Still, the arc earns a watch at least once. Its fights are well staged, there’s political tension to chew on, and the story digs into Shusuke Amagai as more than just a plot device. If you’re a fan of Izuru Kira and the 3rd Division, this arc also puts that squad and its members front and center rather than treating them as background pieces.

9 Boruto’s Great Sea Battle of Kirigakure Arc Is a 23-Episode Filler Full of Wasted Potential

In Boruto, the Great Sea Battle of Kirigakure Arc is one of the most divisive stretches fans talk about. Criticism often centers on villains feeling protected by plot armor, power levels swinging in ways that don’t always match earlier rules, and character deaths that land as controversial. On top of that, the arc leans heavily on twists that keep the story running longer than it probably needs.

That said, the premise has enough spark to keep it interesting: a strong pirate fleet supported by a ninja clan. The problem is that the execution never quite reaches the bar it sets. Even so, it still delivers moments worth staying for—especially when the members of the new Team 7 reject revenge as the driving force for how they move forward.

8 The Baby Saga Is a 24-Episode Filler That Introduced Dragon Ball GT’s Best Villain

Dragon Ball GT has long been a lightning rod for fandom, and the debate hasn’t fully cooled. Yet as more viewers revisit it, a lot of people point to the bold ideas and experimental direction as reasons to give it another chance, even if the results can be inconsistent. Within this anime-only sequel, the Baby Saga is frequently treated as its strongest arc.

In this story, a villain created from the consequences of the Saiyans comes to Earth with the goal of avenging a lost race. Baby plays like a natural disaster—using parasitic abilities that veer into horror territory as he infects and takes control of almost everyone he targets, including Vegeta himself.

7 Naruto’s Three-Tails’ Appearance Arc Is a 24-Episode Filler Packed with Tailed Beast Action

Naruto’s Three-Tails’ Appearance Arc is one of many filler entries, but it’s notable even among filler because it’s the longest of the bunch. Plenty of fans skip it, yet it still earns a spot on the “watch if you want more tailed-beast action” list. The arc also brings together Team Guren, the Akatsuki, and several of Naruto’s best-known shinobi for a tense confrontation built around capturing and sealing the Three-Tails.

It also introduces Guren’s Crystal Release, gives the Three-Tails more screen time and detail, and includes Naruto teaming up for cooperative jutsu with Gamatatsu and Gamakichi. One move in particular—Wind Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet—is showcased here and then never used again anywhere in the series.

6 The Prince of Tennis’ 25-Episode Junior Selection Camp Arc Is Still a Fan Favorite

The Prince of Tennis is one of the longest-running sports anime franchises, with its source material continuing for more than 27 years after the series debuted. Among its longest anime-original storylines is the Junior Selection Camp Arc. It’s often discussed alongside the Junior Selection Team vs. U.S. Coast Team Arc, and together they form a 25-episode filler run.

Fans tend to like this stretch because Seigaku’s beloved captain returns to Japan, not as a player, but as a coach. The arc also delivers the memorable “Wonderful Days” performance from the tennis team, with Atobe and Sanada leading the charge. Just as importantly, it’s the first time the protagonists take on an international team, setting up matches packed with fresh techniques from beginning to end.

5 Fairy Tail’s Key of the Starry Sky Arc Is a 26-Episode Filler That Turned Side Characters Into Stars

When it comes to Fairy Tail filler, the Key of the Starry Sky Arc is widely treated as the best of the bunch. The reputation is deserved: it leans on clever callbacks, keeps the tone entertaining, and still manages to deliver a storyline that’s surprisingly solid even when the overall handling feels chaotic.

A major highlight is how the arc pulls off unexpected character pairings—combinations that the manga rarely explores. Beyond that, Lucy, Romeo, and even Laki get meaningful character growth rather than being tossed into set dressing. It also answers several lingering details, though a few developments remain unexplained, leaving behind new questions that the story doesn’t fully resolve.

4 Saint Seiya’s Asgard Arc Is a 26-Episode Filler Done Right

Even though it’s filler, the Asgard Arc is often ranked among the best arcs in Saint Seiya. The care put into it shows in nearly every corner, from high-impact battles and cleanly choreographed action to villains that feel genuinely shaped rather than pasted on. The God Warriors also stand out thanks to distinctive designs.

Many viewers can mistake the Asgard stretch for canon because it feels that complete. Another standout is that it’s the first time the series leans into mythology beyond Greek legends. Instead of depending entirely on Greek mythology, the arc draws heavily from Norse myth to build its setting, shape its characters, and define its lore.

It’s also worth noting that tournament arcs have long been a major draw across anime, and this is one of the stronger examples of that style.

3 Bleach’s Zanpakuto Rebellion Arc Is a 36-Episode Filler That’s Too Good to Skip

Unlike the Bount Arc, the Zanpakuto Rebellion Arc is widely seen as one of Bleach’s best filler storylines. The appeal starts with the way it gives viewers their first look at Zanpakuto spirits in physical form—each one with its own visual identity and personality.

In other words, this arc shows Bleach from an angle fans hadn’t really experienced before. Paired with strong animation, entertaining anime-original storytelling, and a slate of memorable fights—particularly Ichigo’s clash against Zangetsu—the arc remains a beloved filler entry. Plenty of fans don’t mind revisiting it, either.

2 Waking the Dragons Arc Is a 40-Episode Filler That Took Yu-Gi-Oh! Into Darker Territory

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters has its own long filler entry in the Waking the Dragons Arc, also known as the Orichalcos Arc. Most fans rate it among the better storylines in the anime, pointing to memorable new cards, strong character development, and an emotionally driven plot. That emotional focus helps reveal a more brutal, darker, and more exposed side of the protagonists.

The arc’s biggest weakness is often said to be Dartz. Even though he’s the main antagonist, he tends to stay out of the foreground, letting subordinates carry out Doma’s plans instead of taking a more direct role in the story’s momentum.

1 Bleach’s Bount Arc Didn’t Need 46 Filler Episodes to Complete

While the Bount Arc introduces an intriguing concept, it stretches the story across far too many episodes. The result is a filler run that feels dragged out in a way that makes the arc feel longer than it needs to be. It could have worked as an excellent Bleach movie, but the slow pacing across dozens of episodes drains the impact of what the story is trying to do.

Still, the arc isn’t all dead weight. Smaller character moments help keep it watchable, especially the interactions between Ichigo and Izuru, along with Orihime and Rukia. The villain group led by Jin Kariya doesn’t always land as the most compelling, yet their character designs and powers are undeniably cool, and that alone helps lift the arc’s appeal. It also wraps cleanly, which means the canon storyline can continue without creating major narrative problems.