WHY DOES FILLER SUCK SO DAMN MUCH?!

bananarama · 01-02-2007, 05:50 AM

Note: If you don't want to hear a crazed "Bleach" rant, then skip the next paragraph and go on to the next one.

So I finally found enough time to watch Bleach episode 108 and when I was finished, I thought "hooray they're done with the retarded ass Bountu arc, now they can get to the actual damn story". But then I realized something horrible from the opening and ending credits: they are going to do another frackin' filler arc and it will probably suck as well. I mean come freaking on; the manga has already like an 80 chapter head start!!! Why do I have to suffer another 40+ episodes of suckass?! (no, if anyone was wondering, I can't simply just stop watching anime; nice try though).

So I got to thinking: why do fillers suck so damn much? Or here's a less obvious question: is there such thing as a good/interesting filler (episode(s) or arc)? What I mean is: is there any filler that makes you think: "Actual story can wait, this episode/arc is awesome!" Or are all filler arcs destined to be flaming bags of shit that are only meant to stall or lengthen an anime series as well as completely piss off the audience?

Mesden · 01-02-2007, 07:25 AM

Quote:

What I mean is: is there any filler that makes you think: "Actual story can wait, this episode/arc is awesome!"

No such thing, really. Filler is one of the founding reasons behind the "Most good animes are only 3 seasons long." since filler is an inevitability for something like a Manga offshoot (Ala Naruto, Bleach, One Piece).

Filler is made to be crappy, yet still hold the typical fight scenes and lack of story based things to hold the fanboys/girls (No offense, but they do exist) at bay. And sometimes to develop a character(The only good thing that can ever come of filler).

That said, the Bounto arc wasn't so bad -- I mean, as far as filler goes.(Guess that's like saying a kick in the shin isn't as bad because this time you aren't wearing the Steel Toed Boots) They had some actual character development stemming a couple of times, but as per usual with Bleach, they toss aside the support characters. Poor Chad, Orihime and Rukia.

OctopusPrime · 01-02-2007, 12:42 PM

I generally enjoyed the filler in Slayers.

lymerion · 01-02-2007, 06:52 PM

bananarama:

The Bounto Arc is a shining example of how to do filler right. It's one long arc instead of a dozen mini-arcs, it has a decent story, a good amount of action, and a bit of comedy here and there. Sure, it's not nearly as good as canon material, but it's good enough to maintain interest in the show. I always snagged a sub as soon as it came out, partly because it's actually a bit captivating, but mostly because I was confident that this arc would be the only filler arc between canon material, and I was right.

So you know, very reliable sources are reporting that canon material will be returning next week, Jan. 10.

Bottom line, be glad Bleach's filler wasn't like Naruto's. Be very, VERY glad.

Eltargrim · 01-02-2007, 06:55 PM

The only filler I have ever enjoyed is that present in Eureka Seven, and since that show is more of a character drama than a "Save the world" anime, it's perfectly acceptable.

Filler in shows that are plot-driven is unacceptable. Where character development is in the foreground, as long as the filler aids this goal, it's reasonable.

h4x.m4g3 · 01-02-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bananarama

So I finally found enough time to watch Bleach episode 108 and when I was finished, I thought "hooray they're done with the retarded ass Bountu arc, now they can get to the actual damn story". But then I realized something horrible from the opening and ending credits: they are going to do another frackin' filler arc and it will probably suck as well.

The opening and ending were all clips from the movie (Memories of Nobody), and placed there as additional promotional material, so there WILL NOT be another filler arc.

That aside I thought the Bounto arc was one of the better filler arcs I've seen. The first half (when they were in the real world) was slow, but once they reached Soul Society things picked up and become enjoyable for he most part.

I liked the filler arc because the captains came out to fight again. And while not much character development (as in them chainging and growing) took place, they did show the personalities of a good portion of the shinigami that were introduced in the last arc. Not to mention even if it was only a small part of the filler, we got to see a little bit of Kenpachi's background.

bananarama · 01-03-2007, 04:40 AM

Oh my god! If it's true that Bleach is returning to the actual story, then I am so damn happy! Though I guess the fact that the original version opening and closing credits showed some of the actual story scenes (like parts of the Ichigo versus Hollow Ichigo fight) should have tipped me off.

Also the reasons why I hate the Bountu arc were: 1) It was mostly made up of fights and most of them were unbalanced, for example, Ichigo vs. Koga and Kenpachi vs. Ichinose. What I mean is that during the duration of these fights, one side almost always has the upper hand and the less fortunate side either: loses, wins through some contrived means, or is saved in the last damn minute. The only fight that was of any interest to me was the Byakuya and (or should that be vs.?

) Ichigo vs. Kariya fight. 2) Those damn Bountu sensors (Rinrin, Cloud, and Nova) piss me off. 3) Some characters in this arc shouldn't even be here (like RanTao; her only real purpose in the arc was to get rid of Kariya's spirit particle absorption powers, which could have been accomplished through some other ridiculously contrived means if the writers wanted to).

synkr0nized · 01-03-2007, 08:13 PM

Filler allows for some great comedy.
Despite this being mostly about Bleach, allow me to point toward Nadesico or Excel Saga...

Eltargrim · 01-04-2007, 12:58 AM

Nadeisco is nothing but comedy. Episodes intended for comedy != filler. Filler occurs when the writing staff doesn't have enough source material to actually make a few episodes, and thus they half-ass an attempt. Comedy is often intentionally like that, which makes it tongue-in-cheek.

Sesshoumaru · 01-04-2007, 01:17 AM

This is a bit off topic, but I figure here's as good a thread as any to ask this. I haven't been keeping up with the DeathNote anime, but have they done any filler yet? And if they have, did it suck (I've already read the manga, just in case you're wondering)?

01-02-2007, 05:50 AM	#1
bananarama Old Gregg Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,189	WHY DOES FILLER SUCK SO DAMN MUCH?! Note: If you don't want to hear a crazed "Bleach" rant, then skip the next paragraph and go on to the next one. So I finally found enough time to watch Bleach episode 108 and when I was finished, I thought "hooray they're done with the retarded ass Bountu arc, now they can get to the actual damn story". But then I realized something horrible from the opening and ending credits: they are going to do another frackin' filler arc and it will probably suck as well. I mean come freaking on; the manga has already like an 80 chapter head start!!! Why do I have to suffer another 40+ episodes of suckass?! (no, if anyone was wondering, I can't simply just stop watching anime; nice try though). So I got to thinking: why do fillers suck so damn much? Or here's a less obvious question: is there such thing as a good/interesting filler (episode(s) or arc)? What I mean is: is there any filler that makes you think: "Actual story can wait, this episode/arc is awesome!" Or are all filler arcs destined to be flaming bags of shit that are only meant to stall or lengthen an anime series as well as completely piss off the audience?

01-02-2007, 06:55 PM	#5
Eltargrim Fifty-Talents Haversham Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: FABULOUS Posts: 1,904	The only filler I have ever enjoyed is that present in Eureka Seven, and since that show is more of a character drama than a "Save the world" anime, it's perfectly acceptable. Filler in shows that are plot-driven is unacceptable. Where character development is in the foreground, as long as the filler aids this goal, it's reasonable. __________________ <Insert witticism here; get credit; ???; profit!>

01-03-2007, 04:40 AM	#7
bananarama Old Gregg Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,189	Oh my god! If it's true that Bleach is returning to the actual story, then I am so damn happy! Though I guess the fact that the original version opening and closing credits showed some of the actual story scenes (like parts of the Ichigo versus Hollow Ichigo fight) should have tipped me off. Also the reasons why I hate the Bountu arc were: 1) It was mostly made up of fights and most of them were unbalanced, for example, Ichigo vs. Koga and Kenpachi vs. Ichinose. What I mean is that during the duration of these fights, one side almost always has the upper hand and the less fortunate side either: loses, wins through some contrived means, or is saved in the last damn minute. The only fight that was of any interest to me was the Byakuya and (or should that be vs.? ) Ichigo vs. Kariya fight. 2) Those damn Bountu sensors (Rinrin, Cloud, and Nova) piss me off. 3) Some characters in this arc shouldn't even be here (like RanTao; her only real purpose in the arc was to get rid of Kariya's spirit particle absorption powers, which could have been accomplished through some other ridiculously contrived means if the writers wanted to). Last edited by bananarama; 01-03-2007 at 04:50 AM.

01-03-2007, 08:13 PM	#8
synkr0nized synk-ism Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: throughout the Wired Posts: 6,861	Filler allows for some great comedy. Despite this being mostly about Bleach, allow me to point toward Nadesico or Excel Saga... __________________ Find love.

01-04-2007, 12:58 AM	#9
Eltargrim Fifty-Talents Haversham Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: FABULOUS Posts: 1,904	Nadeisco is nothing but comedy. Episodes intended for comedy != filler. Filler occurs when the writing staff doesn't have enough source material to actually make a few episodes, and thus they half-ass an attempt. Comedy is often intentionally like that, which makes it tongue-in-cheek. __________________ <Insert witticism here; get credit; ???; profit!>

01-02-2007, 12:42 PM	#3
OctopusPrime Goomba Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Between Underground and Outer Space Posts: 15	I generally enjoyed the filler in Slayers.

01-02-2007, 06:52 PM	#4
lymerion I got nothin'. Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 432	bananarama: The Bounto Arc is a shining example of how to do filler right. It's one long arc instead of a dozen mini-arcs, it has a decent story, a good amount of action, and a bit of comedy here and there. Sure, it's not nearly as good as canon material, but it's good enough to maintain interest in the show. I always snagged a sub as soon as it came out, partly because it's actually a bit captivating, but mostly because I was confident that this arc would be the only filler arc between canon material, and I was right. So you know, very reliable sources are reporting that canon material will be returning next week, Jan. 10. Bottom line, be glad Bleach's filler wasn't like Naruto's. Be very, VERY glad.

01-04-2007, 01:17 AM	#10
Sesshoumaru Tyrannus Rex Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 616	This is a bit off topic, but I figure here's as good a thread as any to ask this. I haven't been keeping up with the DeathNote anime, but have they done any filler yet? And if they have, did it suck (I've already read the manga, just in case you're wondering)? __________________ "The Second Amendment is about ensuring the rights of the citizen to be armed, despite [not at] the whims of government or State bureaucracy" "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." -Theodore Roosevelt: San Francisco CA, May 13, 1903 "We are all citizens, not a one among us is a serf, and we damn well better remember it"