Is filler as simple as just that: it's filler?

[Revolution]

I just wondered because filler episodes are usually dismissed but what if the fillers are a way to add to what the manga had already told us but they wanted to add some depth to certain bits or are they simply just filling up the gaps between crucial episodes taking in to account some contradictions too?

[Ajay]

Well, it depends very heavily on what exactly the filler contains.

Sometimes it's extra character development that really helps the show as a whole and other times, it's these poorly done scenes that do nothing but distract from the primary focus.

For example, Gohan's time in the mountains following Goku's death in the Saiyan arc is done very well. He learns of death, he learns of struggle and understands the necessity to fight when necessary. It really helps progress his character on a level that the manga never did.

Then there's the antithesis of this where we have Bulma losing a Dragon Ball on Namek resulting in her going off in her submarine to retrieve it. It's nothing but filler, it doesn't add anything to her character nor does it service the story whatsoever. The same can be said of the fake Planet Namek too. It is what it is...and that's just filler.

So yes, I think it's a bit of both depending on what parts you're looking at.

[dbzfan7]

I found the Gohan courage filler really pointless when he would just puss out against Nappa. All that filler and he pussies out. Makes it feel like he didn't get any more courageous at all.

[TheGmGoken]

I found the Gohan courage filler was really pointless when he would just puss out against Nappa. All that filler and he pussies out. Makes it feel like he didn't get any more courageous at all.

This. Though It'll be more understandably if he was nervous and not full on scarred.

[DBZAOTA482]

I found the Gohan courage filler really pointless when he would just puss out against Nappa. All that filler and he pussies out. Makes it feel like he didn't get any more courageous at all.

There's a difference between training for war and actually being in war.

[dbzfan7]

I found the Gohan courage filler really pointless when he would just puss out against Nappa. All that filler and he pussies out. Makes it feel like he didn't get any more courageous at all.

There's a difference between training for war and actually being in war.

I don't see the point in building up courage for it to be entirely pointless. Would make more sense that Gohan didn't get all that courage boosting and that Piccolo didn't pay much attention to it. The manga didn't need any of that and neither did the anime.

[Kid Buu]

I think the reason he pussied out was because he did not expect Nappa to be that strong. Dude's first display of power is punching Tenshinan's arm off.

[dbzfan7]

I think the reason he pussied out was because he did not expect Nappa to be that strong. Dude's first display of power is punching Tenshinan's arm off.

He wusses out on a free shot. I can see him getting frightened when Nappa tanks it, but he has a free opening, and pusses out. Yet for some reason against Vegeta he doesn't completely wuss out.

[Kid Buu]

He choose to fight Vegeta because he sensed his dad was in danger, plus I'm pretty sure Goku had to mentally guide him anyway.

[dbzfan7]

He choose to fight Vegeta because he sensed his dad was in danger, plus I'm pretty sure Goku had to mentally guide him anyway.

So his friends being in danger is A okay as long as it isn't daddy. The filler does nothing for Gohan as it doesn't pay off. What does pay off is when he learns from his mistake in the Saiyan saga and does much better in the Freeza saga.

[Kid Buu]

But they weren't his friends, at that point he barely knew who Krillin, Yamcha, and Tenshinan were. On the other hand he spent five years with Goku, so I'm sure he was more emotionally attached to his father.

[dbzfan7]

But they weren't his friends, at that point he barely knew who Krillin, Yamcha, and Tenshinan were. On the other hand he spent five years with Goku, so I'm sure he was more emotionally attached to his father.

Of course they were his friends. Hell he fails Piccolo for being to much of a wuss. The filler did nothing for Gohan. What did do something for Gohan was accepting his failure in the Saiyan Saga and no longer being a sniveling coward in the Freeza arc. That alone was a bigger change and greater development moment for Gohan than the stupid filler crap.

[TheGmGoken]

But they weren't his friends, at that point he barely knew who Krillin, Yamcha, and Tenshinan were. On the other hand he spent five years with Goku, so I'm sure he was more emotionally attached to his father.

Of course they were his friends. Hell he fails Piccolo for being to much of a wuss. The filler did nothing for Gohan. What did do something for Gohan was accepting his failure in the Saiyan Saga and no longer being a sniveling coward in the Freeza arc. That alone was a bigger change and greater development moment for Gohan than the stupid filler crap.

How was they friends? Just curious. Gohan met Krillin once for like 3 seconds and was taken away. Then 11 months later he sees him again. I'm shocked he remember his name. I would't call that a "friend". You could tell they bonded on the Namek ship.

[rereboy]

I don't see the point in building up courage for it to be entirely pointless. Would make more sense that Gohan didn't get all that courage boosting and that Piccolo didn't pay much attention to it. The manga didn't need any of that and neither did the anime.

Gohan was 5 years old.

And he was facing an adversary far stronger and dangerous than anything he faced in the mountains.

[dbzfan7]

I don't see the point in building up courage for it to be entirely pointless. Would make more sense that Gohan didn't get all that courage boosting and that Piccolo didn't pay much attention to it. The manga didn't need any of that and neither did the anime.

Gohan was 5 years old.

And he was facing an adversary far stronger and dangerous than anything he faced in the mountains.

Exactly. That's why the filler was pointless. Why bother showing a build up of courage if it falls flat on it's face. The manga view makes a lot more sense and in my opinion is much better.

How was they friends? Just curious. Gohan met Krillin once for like 3 seconds and was taken away. Then 11 months later he sees him again. I'm shocked he remember his name. I would't call that a "friend". You could tell they bonded on the Namek ship.

Because they fight along side him and would die for him. If I had a bunch of random guys who showed up to help me out and would die for me, I consider them friends.

[Saiga]

Gohan was already scared even by the Saibaiman who were close to his suppressed power. The filler making him look like he had built up his courage was bullshit, he clearly didn't have any going into that fight. It makes more sense that he was just trained by someone who wouldn't take that into account and as such didn't get any better about his fear until after the battle.

[Kid Buu]

The filler doesn't really build up any courage though.

Robot Episode? Fails to save robot
Dinousar Episode? Fails to save dinosaur
Orphans Episode? Fails to save orphans.

If anything it just shows what a failure he'll be through the series, lol.

The only part I remember him being courages about is when he fought that dinosaur and chopped off its tail, which is in the manga too.

[dbzfan7]

Gohan was already scared even by the Saibaiman who were close to his suppressed power. The filler making him look like he had built up his courage was bullshit, he clearly didn't have any going into that fight. It makes more sense that he was just trained by someone who wouldn't take that into account and as such didn't get any better about his fear until after the battle.

Thank you. That's exactly what I think.

[KentalSSJ6]

I didnt mind the Princess Snake filler. I mean it takes Goku 6 months to cross Snake Way, it would've have hurt to have some interesting events happen during his run.

I also enjoyed the scene where Gohan fights Vegeta after they get off Namek when Vegeta was insulting Goku. Thought it added to Gohan's character a lot.

I do consider the Otherworld Tournament saga canon, seeing as Grand Kai is mentioned in the manga and his appearance in the anime was suggested by Toriyama himself (Someone confirm that). He could have likely intended to have Grand Kai in the manga and forgot maybe and used the anime to fix it? Just get rid of the bits concerning Goku and Pikkon going to Hell and I think it works fine.

[Saiga]

Paikuhan's existence also contradicts Goku not finding anyone strong in the afterlife.