There are many filler anime characters who are solidly written, have great character development, and provide a great deal of entertainment value.

Anime filler and fans tend to have a contentious relationship, stemming from the fact that, for the most part, filler episodes tend to be lesser products than their canonical counterparts. However, this trend shouldn't entirely discredit them. After all, they are still part of some of the most beloved franchises in the history of anime.

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There are plenty of examples of successful anime filler episodes, many of which introduced characters that have gone on to become fan favorites in their respective series. In particular, a few of these filler characters stand out as being exceptionally worthy of mention, be it for their solid writing, eye-opening character development, or all-around entertainment value.

Bleach is notorious for its copious use of filler, but with 163 total non-canon episodes, it was bound to eventually get something right. Standing head and shoulders above the competition, at least in terms of new characters, is the Zanpakuto Rebellion arc, which introduces Muramasa and the other rebelling Zanpakuto spirits.

Muramasa possesses more charisma than many of Bleach's canon villains, and this, coupled with the other Zankpakuto spirits, whose personalities vary significantly based on their wielder, makes the Zanpakuto Rebellion fun to watch throughout the entirety of its 38 episodes.

Rarely does a filler episode cause much debate, but that is certainly the case with Cowboy Bebop's "Toys in the Attic" episode. Some argue that, given the show's semi-episodic nature, "Toys in the Attic" shouldn't be classified as non-canon. Yet, due to the damage caused by its antagonist, the Fridge Monster, it feels necessary to classify it as such.

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The Fridge Monster serves as a fantastic parody of several popular horror tropes, and while aboard the Bebop, it does a number on the crew. Most of the crew, minus Ed, was left incapacitated by the entity, prompting a hard reset going into the subsequent episodes.

Rurouni Kenshin frequently draws from historical references and cultural myths/legends, a theme that is even evident in the show's filler episodes. The Kairyu Pirates, led by their masked leader, Shura, steal from those who gained their riches through illicit means and draw a clear comparison to the actions of Robin Hood.

Shura took over leadership of the Kairyu Pirates from her father, and her commitment to honoring his peaceful practices perfectly complements the behaviors of Himura Kenshin. While her brief appearance only leaves fans wanting more, the charming pirate certainly left her mark on the series.

Dragon Ball Z rarely utilizes filler, but when it does, it often yields some of the most fun episodes in the entire series. Immediately after the Cell saga lies the Other World arc, a five-episode, anime-only addition centered around Goku's attempt to win the Other World Tournament. Standing between him and that goal is Pikkon, the warrior representing the West quadrant of the universe.

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Pikkon resembles Goku's ally Piccolo in several ways, a comparison that obviously seems to have been intended given their similar names, stoic attitudes, and green skin. The West Kai's best pupil has a solid fight with Goku, establishing himself enough with fans to appear in multiple Dragon Ballspin-offs.

Izuku Midoriya has encountered a lot of good people on his journey to becoming the world's best hero. Yet, despite all his high-stakes battles, arguably the most impactful stranger that he has come across appeared in one of My Hero Academia's filler episodes.

Taneo Tokuda utilizes his Quirk, which allows him to produce functioning camera lenses anywhere on his body, to ply his craft as a journalist, eventually leading him to discover that Deku has inherited One For All from All Might. Rather than make his name by publishing the scoop of a lifetime, Taneo teaches Izuku the value of empathy and compassion and solidifies himself as the best anime-only addition to the series.

Most filler episodes stray away from introducing characters directly related to their series' core narratives, but as evidenced by Yu-Gi-Oh!'s Noah Kaiba, this doesn't have to always be the case. The antagonist of the Virtual World arc is Seto Kaiba's adoptive brother, who is somehow never mentioned in the canonical events of the show.

It's a shame that Noah Kaiba isn't canon, because his relationship with Seto Kaiba and the impact that he has on Seto's relationship with Yugi are both fascinating. He represents everything that Seto could have been and marks the anime's best use of filler.

During Black Butler's 49-episode run, the dark fantasy title managed to release more filler episodes than it did canon material. This would be to the detriment of most anime, but thankfully for the A-1 Pictures product, it allowed for the introduction of Alois Trancy, who is perhaps Black Butler's most memorable antagonist.

Trancy first appears in Season 2 of the series, and his sadistic, unpredictable behavior takes over the screen every time he appears. Unraveling his backstory proves to be as engaging as any of the show's canonical episodes and cements him as the best filler character in the entire show.

Naruto portrays and highlights the plight of the Jinchuriki throughout its entire run, so it shouldn't be surprising that one of the series' numerous filler characters is defined by this dynamic. Sora carries residual chakra left over by Kurama's rampage through the Hidden Leaf Village, allowing his life to serve as a clear parallel to the struggle that Naruto faces.

Whereas Naruto handles the real Nine-Tailed Fox with humor and determination, Sora instead leans into angst and frustration. The monk-in-training's decisions result in the release of all his Nine-Tailed Fox chakra, prompting a struggle between him and the show's protagonists that is worth checking out.

Fullmetal Alchemist may not be as well received as its reboot, Brotherhood, but despite its shortcomings, the original is almost certainly more successful in one regard - filler characters. The 2004 series ran out of manga content to adapt, forcing its creators to generate new additions for the series like the youthful Wrath.

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Wrath is a Homunculus created by Izumi Curtis' failed attempt to revive her son, and due to the events that transpire at the very beginning of the series, he ends up wielding Edward's right arm and left leg. The character is a fun presence, making it a shame that he didn't appear in Brotherhood.

With over 1000 total episodes, One Piece was bound to provide its fans with plenty of non-canon adventures. The series contains over 90 filler episodes, 11 of which are dedicated to the Straw Hats' struggle to escape the grasp of vice admiral Jonathan, the commander of the G-8 Marine Military Base.

Jonathan's laid-back demeanor belies his tactful mind, and on multiple occasions throughout the G-8 arc, he proves himself to be among the best minds in the Marines. Thankfully for the Straw Hats, the vice admiral never truly deems them a threat, allowing them to escape unharmed on their way to Long Ring Long Island.

NEXT: Luffy's 10 Best Outfits In One Piece, Ranked

Anime Lists Writer--Hendrix College Alumni--Fayetteville, AR

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