5 Anime Arcs You Didn't Realize Were Filler and 5 You Should Skip

Looking for the definitive list of 5 anime arcs you didn't realize were filler and 5 you should skip? You're in the right place. Filler episodes get a bad reputation, but some are surprisingly well-written side stories that expand a series' world, while others are genuinely a waste of your binge-watching time. Below, we break down five sneaky filler arcs that actually earn their runtime, plus five that most fans agree you can safely skip. Then, since collecting figures often follows falling in love with an arc, we'll cover how to buy authentic Japanese anime merch direct from Japan.

5 Filler Arcs That Are Actually Worth Watching

Not every non-canon storyline deserves the skip button. These arcs slipped past many viewers as filler yet reward you with strong character moments, memorable animation, or standalone stories that feel like mini-films.

• Naruto Shippuden – "The Twelve Guardian Ninja" Arc: Introduces Sora, a jinchūriki-adjacent character, and delves into events surrounding the Third Hokage's era. It's technically anime-original, but the political intrigue and fight choreography make it feel canon-adjacent.
• Bleach – "The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai" Arc: Often dismissed, this arc actually gives significant screen time to Squad 3 and offers surprisingly emotional payoffs. The villain's motivations are more layered than the average filler antagonist.
• One Piece – "G-8" (Navarone) Arc: Frequently cited by long-time fans as one of the best arcs in the entire series, canon or not. The Straw Hats infiltrate a Marine fortress in a caper-style story that showcases every crew member's strengths.
• Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – The early "State Alchemist Exam" flashback sequences: While mostly canon, several expanded scenes were anime-original padding that added welcome depth to Edward and Alphonse's backstory.
• Gintama – The "Love Choris" Arc: A one-off filler that pokes fun at otaku culture with self-aware humor. It's a perfect example of how Gintama uses non-canon episodes as some of its funniest content.

5 Filler Arcs You Can Safely Skip

These arcs are the ones most viewers agree you can fast-forward through without missing anything meaningful. If you're doing a first watch or a re-watch on a tight schedule, skip these guilt-free.

• Naruto (Original) – "Land of Tea" Escort Arc: A generic escort mission with a forgettable side character. It stalls the pacing right before major plot developments.
• Bleach – "Bount" Arc: Long, slow, and features power systems that never reappear in the canon story. Fans routinely list this as the arc that broke their Bleach viewing habit.
• One Piece – "Long Ring Long Land" (Foxy Pirates) Arc: Technically canon, but structurally functions like filler. The Davy Back Fight games drag on with little payoff.
• Dragon Ball Z – "Garlic Jr." Arc: A rehash of the movie villain that adds no lasting stakes. Skip it and jump straight into the Cell Saga preparation.
• Naruto Shippuden – "Paradise Life on a Boat" Arc: Wedged into a critical war storyline, this collection of flashback filler episodes derails the tension of one of the series' most important moments.

Why Anime Fans Buy Merch Direct From Japan

Once you finish (or skip) these arcs, you'll probably want to commemorate your favorites with a figure, statue, or plush. Buying merchandise directly from Japan is the most reliable way to secure authentic products because you're purchasing from the origin market where these items are manufactured, distributed, and released first.

Here's what to look for when shopping for authentic Japanese anime collectibles:

• Official manufacturer branding: Look for names like Good Smile Company, Kotobukiya, Bandai Spirits, Banpresto, MegaHouse, and Aniplex+. Legitimate boxes carry copyright text listing the original licensor.
• Holograms and license seals: Many prize figures and scale figures include an anti-counterfeit hologram or a printed license stamp on the box.
• Japanese-market packaging: Items intended for the Japanese domestic market often include Japanese-only text, JAN barcodes (starting with 45 or 49), and inserts printed in Japanese.
• Release windows: Domestic Japanese releases frequently arrive months before overseas distribution — sometimes exclusive variants never leave Japan at all.

How to Buy From Japan Without a Proxy Middleman

There are generally two ways to import anime figures and collectibles from Japan: through a proxy or forwarding service, or by ordering directly from a Japan-based retailer that ships internationally.

Proxy and forwarding services can be useful for domestic-only listings, but it's worth understanding the cost structure. Most such services add three layers of markup:

• A purchasing commission — a fee for buying the item on your behalf.
• A forwarding or handling margin — added when the item is repacked and shipped from their warehouse.
• A currency-conversion spread, typically in the range of ~1–3.5% above the interbank rate, applied when your payment is converted from your local currency into Japanese yen.

These layers stack on top of the item price and international shipping. Buying direct from a Japan-based retailer like HD Toys Store Japan means you pay one transparent price plus shipping, without the extra purchasing commission or forwarding margin. You're dealing with a single seller from listing to doorstep.

Shipping and Customs to the US, UK, Australia, and Canada

Shipping figures from Japan is straightforward once you know what to expect. Most international carriers — EMS, DHL, FedEx, and Japan Post's smaller-parcel services — offer tracked delivery to major markets within roughly 3–10 business days depending on service level and destination.

Here's what to keep in mind by region:

• United States: The de minimis threshold for informal entry is currently USD 800, meaning most single-figure orders arrive with no duty owed. Be aware that trade policy can change; always check current CBP guidance.
• United Kingdom: VAT (currently 20%) applies to imports. For goods valued at £135 or under, VAT is generally collected at checkout by the retailer. Above that threshold, VAT plus any applicable duty is collected by the carrier upon delivery, often with a small handling fee.
• Australia: GST (10%) applies to imported goods. For orders at or under AUD 1,000, GST is typically included at point of sale. Above AUD 1,000, GST and duty are assessed at the border.
• Canada: GST/HST applies based on your province, and shipments above CAD 20 are generally subject to tax collected by the carrier. Duty on figures is usually low or zero, but a carrier brokerage fee may apply for courier shipments.

To avoid surprises, choose a retailer that provides accurate customs declarations, itemized invoices, and tracked shipping. Reputable Japan-based sellers pack figures with double-boxing and protective padding — this matters enormously for scale figures and resin statues, where a bent box can devalue a collector's item.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're binge-watching hidden-gem filler like the One Piece G-8 arc or skipping the Bount saga to protect your weekend, anime is best enjoyed when your shelf reflects the arcs and characters that meant the most to you. Buying authentic Japanese figures direct from Japan cuts out the extra layers of proxy commissions, forwarding fees, and currency spreads — leaving you with more budget for that next scale figure, Nendoroid, or exclusive statue. Happy watching, and happy collecting.

Why buying direct from Japan usually costs less

Japan proxy / forwarding services commonly add several layers on top of the item price: a purchasing or service commission per order, a domestic handling and international forwarding/consolidation margin, and a currency-conversion spread (often around 1-3.5%). These are stated on the providers' own public pricing pages. Buying direct removes those intermediary layers, so you pay one transparent landed cost.

Cost layer	Via a Japan proxy / forwarder	Buying direct from HD Toys Store Japan
Purchasing / service commission	Commonly charged per order or item	None — you buy the item itself
Forwarding / consolidation margin	Added on top of postage	We ship the item straight from Japan
Currency-conversion spread	Often ~1–3.5%	Charged in your currency at checkout, no hidden markup
Total price you see	Item + several separate fees	One transparent landed cost

Fee structures above reflect the providers' own publicly listed pricing; exact amounts vary by service and order.

Shop authentic items shipped direct from Japan →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy Japanese collectibles from Japan without using a proxy service?

Yes. You can buy directly from HD Toys Store Japan, which ships worldwide from Japan with full tracking, so you skip the extra proxy commission, forwarding margin and currency spread.

Is buying direct from Japan cheaper than a proxy?

In most cases yes, because a proxy adds a purchasing commission, a forwarding/consolidation margin and a currency-conversion spread (often ~1-3.5%) on top of the item. Buying direct is a single transparent landed cost.

Do you ship to the US, UK, Australia and Canada?

Yes, we ship worldwide from Japan with tracking, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Western Europe and much of Asia.

How do I know the Japanese collectibles are authentic?

Every item is sourced inside Japan and hand-inspected before it ships, so you receive the genuine article rather than an overseas reproduction.