This is definitely a part of the formula at this point. The Strawhats have a big party at the end of the arc, meanwhile, a couple of characters have vague shadowy conversations that actually give you information about what's really going on in the world. It's happened like a half a dozen times now, and it's when I've come to expect all of the cool reveals to happen.

Anyway, I really love that Luffy is just planning to defeat all of the Four Emperors. He even plans to beat Shanks, just not as the first one. I wonder if someone planted the idea in his head that it's something he'd have to do to become the Pirate King.


Quote Originally Posted by Kraco View Post
That's why I took a shortcut and simply called it filler.
"Padded out" is probably a better way to put it, what with the term "filler" having specific connotations when it comes to anime.