AN News Podcast Poll - Should Filler Storylines Affect Primary Anime Storylines?

Signalite · May 10th, 2007, 11:39 AM

Should Filler Storylines Affect Primary Anime Storylines?

On this week's AN News Podcast we pose this question and want to know
what our listeners think.

Be sure to listen to the show, read John's response, and add your vote! Give your comments and thoughts below and we may read it on the next
show.

lav2k4 · May 10th, 2007, 11:40 AM

Well I don't want to sound like an ******* but there already is a thread about it http://animenation.net/forums/showthread.php?t=203994

**John** · May 10th, 2007, 12:25 PM

But that thread doesn't have a poll.

lav2k4 · May 10th, 2007, 12:26 PM

ah touché.

justin2011 · May 10th, 2007, 05:23 PM

I don't get the answers to the poll...ok. NO, I don't think fillers should affect the story line at all in an anime....the question is...
"Should Filler Storylines Affect Primary Anime Storylines?".

1.Yes-"An anime should be faithful to its own storyline. "(If it is faithful then it wouldn't change for a filler,the answer contradicts itself...)

2.No-"Non-canon material should be kept isolated." (I get this one)

3.No-"Adaptations shouldn't include original material."(does it mean the filler should include the original material..?)

4."Doesn't matter, as long as the anime is enjoyable."(I get this one)

I just don't get the first answer It contradicts itself by saying yes.

Prof.Nosebleed · May 10th, 2007, 06:23 PM

As long as it's enjoyable.

Lord Timaeus · May 10th, 2007, 06:46 PM

I haven't seen much filler in terms of manga-based stories, but I suppose it depends on the series. In terms of the filler actually being incorporated into the main storyline, there are a few series that have pulled it off decently, but for every Fullmetal Alchemist, there are 10 times that much GetBackers. So as long as the writers don't drop the ball on their Filler/Canon slashfic, I'll try to enjoy it; otherwise, I'll stick with Wikipedia spoilers.

kimbeey13 · May 10th, 2007, 07:00 PM

As long as the anime is enjoyable it's fine, but I tend to find it hard to find it enjoyable when the fillers are so long that the story takes forever to get somewhere.

Road-Kill21 · May 10th, 2007, 07:48 PM

Filler is not a bad thing, if handled properly. As has already been mentioned the Full Metal Alchemist anime is technically filler as it does not follow the manga directly. It comes down to execution. If there is a need to toss in additional story-lines to complement, re-visualize, or even retool a series then I feel it can (potentially) be a good thing. Having read a portion of the Naruto manga, I feel the filler was handled poorly. This can be caused by a number of things: time constraints; source material limitations; funding; studio decision; ect, but thats not the point of this thread.

My opinion however leans towards (properly handled) filler being a good thing. I usually read a manga before I watch the anime. I enjoy when an anime will deviate from the manga enough that I don't feel I am watching an animated version of the manga panel for panel. Direct transfer from one medium to another holds little interest for me. Sure it's nice to sit back and enjoy the story in an "easier to digest" medium however being a fan of both manga and anime I don't feel that one needs to copy the other. Not to belittle anime at all, I simply don't enjoy seeing the exact same thing over again.

This brings up the discussion of Canon as it applies to literature. Canon is what is considered by the fans to be the set "official" story lines/characters/ect. Some fans want to see an animated version of their favorite manga and they want it translated "faithfully" word for word, exactly the same. I'm a fan who enjoys change. If a new story line can expand the show's universe (in a good way) then I'm all for it.

So what is a properly handled filler? Something that doesn't offset the timing of the show, something that doesn't feel like it's there to simply increase the episode count, something that doesn't feel "thrown together" or sloppy. There is no clear cut definition for what would be a good or bad case for filler. Some fans will always be against it, some will be for it, some will be in the middle and some simply won't care either way. Filler is, for various reasons, fact and it's up to the fan to decide if they enjoy it or not.

CrossboneGundam · May 10th, 2007, 08:44 PM

The entire point of filler is that it's thought up on short notice to fill gaps and make time to complete the actual story. It's pretty oxymoronic to say filler could somehow be part of the main story.

justin2011 · May 10th, 2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrossboneGundam

The entire point of filler is that it's thought up on short notice to fill gaps and make time to complete the actual story. It's pretty oxymoronic to say filler could somehow be part of the main story.

Right on, I couldn't have said it better

Leader Desslock · May 11th, 2007, 01:28 AM

Wow. A Tama rant gets taken seriously enough to merit a poll/podcast. Slow newsday at AN?

I just can't wait for the AN podcast to cover the really critical issues for anime fans today, like:

1) Could Goku beat Superman?
2) Are dubs better than subs?
3) Is fansubbing illegal?
4) Who'll win the fight between Prons and George Lucas?

...and of course...

5) Is Leader Desslock really the pompous *** he portrays himself to be, or is he just the false online persona for a 14-year old InuYasha fangirl from Iowa?

**Shiroiyuki** · May 11th, 2007, 05:24 AM

^I'd pick the latter part of 5, but because I know you better than that....

Filler is okay as long as it isn't excessive, too distracting from the main plot, or randomly placed between heavy action. Some filler can be good (Slayers, for example, had some nice filler to it

), but the key word is moderation. I don't want to invest time into a series that has 300 episodes of filler and about 15 episodes of actual cannon storyline (*sigh* this is an exaggeration, but Inuyasha comes to mind).

It's nice that your favorite characters get more on-screen time, but what a shame it is that those filler episodes have nothing to do with the plot at hand. *shrugs*.

Scandiadream · May 11th, 2007, 05:47 AM

It should be kept isolated and not have a plot-altering effect on the main storyline or the characters' essences. Otherwise it would be too hard to consolidate the manga and anime events into one canonic storyline when you are daydreaming the adventures of the characters.

Lord Timaeus · May 11th, 2007, 08:13 AM

I thought Desslock was a college student who had watched Ranma 1/2 so many times that he became cursed himself. Or am I just spewing more plotlines than Pirates of the Caribbean 2?

View Poll Results: Should Filler Storylines Affect Primary Anime Storylines?
Yes. An anime should be faithful to its own storyline.	5	16.13%
No. Non-canon material should be kept isolated.	10	32.26%
No. Adaptations shouldn't include original material.	1	3.23%
Doesn't matter, as long as the anime is enjoyable.	15	48.39%
Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll

May 10th, 2007, 11:39 AM	#1
Signalite Laconic Boyscout Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 17 Blog Entries: 2	AN News Podcast Poll - Should Filler Storylines Affect Primary Anime Storylines? Should Filler Storylines Affect Primary Anime Storylines? On this week's AN News Podcast we pose this question and want to know what our listeners think. Be sure to listen to the show, read John's response, and add your vote! Give your comments and thoughts below and we may read it on the next show.

May 10th, 2007, 06:23 PM	#6
Prof.Nosebleed Go Team Nyamo! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: On Campus Posts: 2,337	As long as it's enjoyable. __________________ *MEMBER OF TEAM NYAMO. FOR GREAT JUSTICE.* "Therefore, those people who say that they can't jack off to anime must have something wrong with their brains! Otherwise, they're just trying to act cool!" -Madarame Harunobu, Genshiken *Make your own "motivator": bighugelabs.com/flickr/motivator

May 11th, 2007, 01:28 AM	#12
Leader Desslock <-- How Shiroiyuki sees me... Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 8,439	Wow. A Tama rant gets taken seriously enough to merit a poll/podcast. Slow newsday at AN? I just can't wait for the AN podcast to cover the really critical issues for anime fans today, like: 1) Could Goku beat Superman? 2) Are dubs better than subs? 3) Is fansubbing illegal? 4) Who'll win the fight between Prons and George Lucas? ...and of course... 5) Is Leader Desslock really the pompous *** he portrays himself to be, or is he just the false online persona for a 14-year old InuYasha fangirl from Iowa? __________________ All your doing is just trying use your "critical thinking words" playing card once again. ~Walt

May 11th, 2007, 05:24 AM	#13
Shiroiyuki Leading Cause of Otaku Death Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Don't fear the Reaper Posts: 3,795 Blog Entries: 27	^I'd pick the latter part of 5, but because I know you better than that.... Leader Desslock is really a 75 year old Cuban named 'Santiago' who has no luck fishing and loses the support of his village because of it. Some think he's crazy, others think he's cursed.....I think he's kinda cute.... Filler is okay as long as it isn't excessive, too distracting from the main plot, or randomly placed between heavy action. Some filler can be good (Slayers, for example, had some nice filler to it ), but the key word is moderation. I don't want to invest time into a series that has 300 episodes of filler and about 15 episodes of actual cannon storyline (sigh this is an exaggeration, but Inuyasha comes to mind). It's nice that your favorite characters get more on-screen time, but what a shame it is that those filler episodes have nothing to do with the plot at hand. shrugs. __________________ My Art Thread THE PATH TO AWESOMENESS Avid Snape fan and hater of all things BLUE Last edited by Shiroiyuki; May 11th, 2007 at 05:52 AM.

May 10th, 2007, 11:40 AM	#2
lav2k4 Tensai Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 4,733	Well I don't want to sound like an ******* but there already is a thread about it http://animenation.net/forums/showthread.php?t=203994

May 10th, 2007, 12:25 PM	#3
John Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 2,845	But that thread doesn't have a poll.

May 10th, 2007, 12:26 PM	#4
lav2k4 Tensai Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 4,733	ah touché.

May 10th, 2007, 06:46 PM	#7
Lord Timaeus Banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Kamina City, WA, kicking Renton to the curb Posts: 3,428	I haven't seen much filler in terms of manga-based stories, but I suppose it depends on the series. In terms of the filler actually being incorporated into the main storyline, there are a few series that have pulled it off decently, but for every Fullmetal Alchemist, there are 10 times that much GetBackers. So as long as the writers don't drop the ball on their Filler/Canon slashfic, I'll try to enjoy it; otherwise, I'll stick with Wikipedia spoilers.

May 10th, 2007, 07:00 PM	#8
kimbeey13 figment of imagination Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Somewhere in my mind Posts: 341	As long as the anime is enjoyable it's fine, but I tend to find it hard to find it enjoyable when the fillers are so long that the story takes forever to get somewhere.

May 10th, 2007, 07:48 PM	#9
Road-Kill21 That Guy Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Secret Cake Village Posts: 6	Filler is not a bad thing, if handled properly. As has already been mentioned the Full Metal Alchemist anime is technically filler as it does not follow the manga directly. It comes down to execution. If there is a need to toss in additional story-lines to complement, re-visualize, or even retool a series then I feel it can (potentially) be a good thing. Having read a portion of the Naruto manga, I feel the filler was handled poorly. This can be caused by a number of things: time constraints; source material limitations; funding; studio decision; ect, but thats not the point of this thread. My opinion however leans towards (properly handled) filler being a good thing. I usually read a manga before I watch the anime. I enjoy when an anime will deviate from the manga enough that I don't feel I am watching an animated version of the manga panel for panel. Direct transfer from one medium to another holds little interest for me. Sure it's nice to sit back and enjoy the story in an "easier to digest" medium however being a fan of both manga and anime I don't feel that one needs to copy the other. Not to belittle anime at all, I simply don't enjoy seeing the exact same thing over again. This brings up the discussion of Canon as it applies to literature. Canon is what is considered by the fans to be the set "official" story lines/characters/ect. Some fans want to see an animated version of their favorite manga and they want it translated "faithfully" word for word, exactly the same. I'm a fan who enjoys change. If a new story line can expand the show's universe (in a good way) then I'm all for it. So what is a properly handled filler? Something that doesn't offset the timing of the show, something that doesn't feel like it's there to simply increase the episode count, something that doesn't feel "thrown together" or sloppy. There is no clear cut definition for what would be a good or bad case for filler. Some fans will always be against it, some will be for it, some will be in the middle and some simply won't care either way. Filler is, for various reasons, fact and it's up to the fan to decide if they enjoy it or not.

May 10th, 2007, 08:44 PM	#10
CrossboneGundam Astranagun Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3,852	The entire point of filler is that it's thought up on short notice to fill gaps and make time to complete the actual story. It's pretty oxymoronic to say filler could somehow be part of the main story.

May 11th, 2007, 05:47 AM	#14
Scandiadream Super cool chick Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,562	It should be kept isolated and not have a plot-altering effect on the main storyline or the characters' essences. Otherwise it would be too hard to consolidate the manga and anime events into one canonic storyline when you are daydreaming the adventures of the characters. __________________ I'm the proverbial square peg in the round hole.

May 11th, 2007, 08:13 AM	#15
Lord Timaeus Banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Kamina City, WA, kicking Renton to the curb Posts: 3,428	I thought Desslock was a college student who had watched Ranma 1/2 so many times that he became cursed himself. Or am I just spewing more plotlines than Pirates of the Caribbean 2?