With the airing of Shippuuden episode 54, the series featured a new opening which revealed 5 new filler characters. Episode 54 ended with the start of this new filler arc. Before one has an aneurism, note that we don’t know how long this filler will last or how involved it will be. It appears some portion of the canon material will continue in the episodes. It could be 7-8 episodes or a lot longer. Originally in the manga, there was a period here where it was a natural fit for filler. So it’s no surprise Studio Pierrot is using this opportunity. It’s also unclear what this filler will exactly deal with, however, manga only readers will know that certain events transpire which could be addressed in the filler to answer issues about an unknown Jinchuuriki (See Unknown Jinchuuriki Three in our Jinchuuriki Guide if you don’t mind the spoilers) or highlight a certain character before he disappears from the series. Whether the arc will feature these two things is unclear, here’s hoping for the best though. Also, the filler portions may be about something else entirely and not a Jinchuuriki, so don’t get your hopes up.

Feel free to use the Comments area for discussion on both the anime and manga related issues on this topic. So spoilers are allowed. Do not use the episode 53 and 54 topic to discuss manga spoilers. Thank you.

As requested in the comments, let’s get Zabuza’s take:

I’m not surprised, that’s always Zabuza’s take.

Sasuke has shown he has no interest in returning to Konoha, can Naruto convince him or is the mission a failure?… Episode 053 is titled Title and 54 is titled Nightmare.

Click For Episode 054 Spoiler Preview Image:

The Wrath of Sakura

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Newsrama just posted a new interview with Maile Flanagan, Liam O’Brien and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. The group discusses Naruto’s popularity, the recording process and casting actors for all those filler characters… while still keeping in mind the right actor for big characters like Yamato(!) and Pain(!) way down the road when they finally dub Shippuuden. Definately an interesting read, if only to learn how aware series director Mary Elizabeth McGlynn about characters way down the line.