Black Clover is a fast-paced, action-packed shonen anime based on Yūki Tabata’s manga of the same name. Produced by Studio Pierrot, the anime first aired in 2017 and quickly gained popularity for its intense battles, magical setting, and never-give-up protagonist, Asta. In a world where magic is everything, Asta is born without any magical powers — a rarity that makes him an outcast. Alongside his childhood rival and friend, Yuno, Asta vows to become the Wizard King, the strongest mage in the Clover Kingdom.
The anime delivers an exciting mix of adventure, friendship, and rivalries, but like many long-running shonen series, it also includes filler episodes. While Black Clover has far fewer fillers compared to series like Naruto or Bleach, there are still episodes that don’t contribute directly to the manga’s main storyline. This guide is here to help you identify which episodes you can skip if you want to follow only the core plot.
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Quick Answer
Black Clover’s original 170-episode run (2017-2021) has just 11 true filler episodes — a low ratio for a long-running shonen. Big news: after a 5-year hiatus, Season 2 returns October 2026 on Crunchyroll, from the same studio and voice cast, adapting the manga’s ending — which finished completely in May 2026.
What is Filler and Canon in Anime?
Canon Episode (Watch) : In anime, canon episodes are those that follow the original storyline from the manga or light novel — they are directly adapted from the source material and are essential to the main plot.
Filler Episode (Skip) : These episodes are anime-original content that does not appear in the manga. These episodes are often created to give the manga time to progress ahead of the anime, and while some fillers offer fun side stories or extra character moments, others can feel disconnected from the main narrative. Knowing which episodes are canon and which are filler helps viewers decide whether to watch everything or skip directly to the core storyline.
Why did Black Clover’s anime go on hiatus for so long?
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The anime had caught up to the manga’s pace by 2021. Rather than continue with heavy filler, production paused entirely, with only a theatrical film (“Sword of the Wizard King,” 2023) bridging the gap until the new season was confirmed.
Is the Black Clover manga finished now?
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Yes — creator Yuki Tabata completed the manga in May 2026, meaning the returning anime has the entire story mapped out ahead of time, with far less risk of catching up and needing filler again.
Do I need to rewatch the original 170 episodes before Season 2?
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Given the five-year gap, a refresher is a good idea — the new season is expected to pick up exactly where Episode 170 left off, with the Spade Kingdom war and Zeno’s arc still in progress.
Why Black Clover Went Quiet for Five Years
By early 2021, the anime had caught up to the manga’s ongoing pace, and rather than pad the schedule with heavy filler the way earlier long-running shonen series did, Studio Pierrot simply paused production entirely. The only content bridging the gap was a theatrical film, Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King, released in 2023, which told a standalone story rather than continuing the main plot. For five years, the anime effectively went dormant while the manga kept moving forward.
Season 2 Is Officially Confirmed
That wait ends in October 2026. Black Clover’s new season was confirmed at the Jump Festa 2026 stage event with a teaser trailer, and Crunchyroll has confirmed it will stream the series when it returns. Studio Pierrot is back handling animation, and the original voice cast is confirmed to reprise their roles — a meaningful continuity signal after such a long gap. Ayataka Tanemura, who previously directed Episodes 153 through 170 (widely considered some of the strongest episodes of the original run) and also directed the 2023 film, has been confirmed as the new season’s director.
Perhaps the most significant piece of news: creator Yuki Tabata finished the Black Clover manga entirely in May 2026. That means the returning anime team has the complete story to work from, with no risk of catching up to an unfinished source and needing to insert filler to compensate — a problem that plagued the original run’s final stretch and effectively caused the hiatus in the first place.
What to Expect From the New Black Clover Season
While full plot details haven’t been revealed, the new season is expected to pick up directly from where Episode 170 left off — the Spade Kingdom war in full swing and Zeno’s power looming as the next major threat. Given that the manga is now complete, there’s real reason to expect this new season (or seasons) could carry the story all the way to its actual conclusion, something the anime hasn’t had the chance to do until now.
Should You Rewatch Before October?
Given the five-year gap, a refresher is worth considering, especially since the original series ended mid-arc rather than at a natural stopping point. Following this filler guide for a canon-only rewatch would let you get back up to speed efficiently without wading through all 170 episodes again in full.
Unlike some long shonen series, Black Clover has minimal filler content, which means most of its episodes are worth watching for the main story. However, if you’re rewatching or binge-watching for the first time and want to stick strictly to the manga’s events, you can easily skip the filler episodes without losing key plot points. Notably, some filler episodes still contain entertaining character interactions and light-hearted moments, so they’re worth checking out if you enjoy extra content beyond the main arc.
Black Clover is a relatively filler-light shonen anime, making it perfect for binge-watching without too many interruptions. While its filler episodes may not advance the main plot, they still offer lighthearted moments and fun interactions between characters. With this guide, you can decide whether to watch every episode or skip directly to the canon arcs for a more streamlined experience. Whether you’re here for Asta’s journey to become Wizard King or for the magical battles, Black Clover offers an exciting ride from start to finish.
Are you planning a full rewatch of Black Clover before October, or diving straight into the new season when it drops? Let us know in the comments.
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FAQ’s
How many filler episodes are in Black Clover?
There are 18 filler episodes, making up about 10% of the anime.
Which Black Clover filler episodes are worth watching?
Episodes like 29 and 68 offer fun side stories and extra humor, which some fans enjoy despite not being part of the main manga plot.
Is Black Clover still ongoing?
Yes – After a 5-year hiatus, Season 2 returns October 2026 on Crunchyroll.
1 thought on “Ultimate Black Clover Filler Guide – Skip or Watch”
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