Have you ever waited with bated breath for your favorite manga to be transformed into an anime? Have you noticed the little differences between the two? If yes then you know what filler is. If not then our blog on what does filler mean in anime would do the job for you.
People who do not read the manga or have not read the manga before watching the anime version would not spot any difference between the two. They find it difficult to know the fillers. They are not exclusive to the anime even films adapted from novels also face the same.
The fillers are not always loved by the audience. But they also have positive aspects to the anime as well. So, below we will discuss everything in detail and understand how they are important.
What Does Filler Mean in Anime?
There are two types of fillers. One is the inclusion of content in the storyline. But they never affect the spot. The second thing is it is not included in the storyline of the manga or the source from where the anime is adapted.
The best example of this is My Hero Academia. Manga readers know the story is about class 1-A of the UA High School. The story revolves around Izuku Midoriya and his struggle to become the number one hero. When season 3 begins the class is spending a summer vacation day in the pool of their school.
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Midoriya and Bakugo have their one-sided rivalry which is shown in the anime. Hence, due to their differences, they have a swimming contest in the pool that day. As a viewer, you would find the episode to be quite fun and interesting to watch. But the episode does not have any content which would be continued in the next episode. This is not included in the original manga.
In the same episode you would find the answers about Tokoyami’s bird body might end. Hence, this filler in the anime is not there in the original manga. This filler is also not required in the anime as well.
Naruto has a lot of filler in the anime. But the anime is a super hit and quite popular among the global audience as well. You would also come across mixed fillers where some parts of the episode are taken from the manga and some are not.
What is The Use of Filler in an Anime?
Fillers are used to increase the content in the anime. When the anime catches up with the manga then fillers are used. Some animes are still in creation while the mangas are not yet finished. In such cases fillers are used, this helps the manga to buy some time to catch up with the anime.
There are exceptions too. Some of the animes do not even use the fillers at all. The Black Clover anime caught up with the manga and ended in 2021. Instead, a movie was announced which gave the creator of the manga more time to add content to the manga.
Sometimes what you see as a filler might be the change in the creative direction. Here we can take the example of Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. In the anime Fullmetal Alchemist, many things were added that were not included in the manga.
But the fillers added the storyline of the anime complete. The manga did not have the details included in the anime. Those fillers of the anime if removed would make the story incomplete and there would be no continuation for the next season. So it was quite necessary for the anime.
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The anime is based on the manga Fullmetal Alchemist: brotherhood, it is based on the original and goes much ahead of the manga. The anime follows the originality of the manga and does justice to it. It moves at a faster pace than the manga released before it. But the anime does not have the depth it should. Hence, it could not make a mark in the hearts of the viewers with the anime version.
Conclusion
Is the answer to the question of what does filler mean in anime clear to you? I hope now you can identify a filler in any anime you watch after reading the manga. They are sometimes crucial and sometimes not so important. It depends on how the directors of the anime utilize the fillers in the right place. So, share with us if you liked or even disliked any filler that you have come across in the recent mangas that you have watched.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does filler mean in anime?
Fillers are content included in the anime which might not be included in the original source of the story. They may not be included in the original manga or the source from which the anime is adapted.
What is the use of filler in an anime?
Fillers are used to increase the content in the anime. When the anime catches up with the manga then fillers are used. Some animes are still in creation while the mangas are not yet finished.
Can fillers be used to help the creators of the manga?
Yes, sometimes when the anime exceeds the manga. The fillers are used in the anime. This helps the creator of the manga to buy some time and complete the manga to catch up with the anime.