

[Episode 101](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Gotta_See!_Gotta_Know!_Kakashi-
Sensei%27s_True_Face!) of Naruto is a joke episode; it is set in between major
plot events and revolves around trying to figure out what is under Kakashi's
mask. It's also [based](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/At_the_Ichiraku%E2%80%A6)
off of an [omake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omake), which are often meant
to be funny.

Is it common to have entire episodes dedicated to just a joke, or to have them
based off of omake? While omake are relatively inexpensive to make, episodes
are expensive, so it seems like this wouldn't be particularly common.
Alternatively, it could be a useful way to fill up space in fillers in long
anime, many of which I haven't seen. So, is this a common practice?


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tropes
Are joke episodes common in anime?


It depends on the series.

For series who have a guided plot and who have a specific direction they're
going in, like _Bleach_ or _Naruto_ , having a comedic episode appear once in
a while serves as filler, and something light-hearted for the audience to
enjoy. For instance, non-plot-related episodes of Bleach involving Don
Kanon'ji were often joke episodes at intent, and Bleach even did an Arabian
Nights' episode in the middle of the major Hueco Mundo plotline.

(I would argue, though, that Kakashi's true face became an ascended meme
within the Naruto franchise due to the pervasive curiosity that Naruto and
Sakura have when they go to visit him in the hospital, and come _this_ close
to actually seeing it.)

Less guided shows like _Hayate the Combat Butler_ have joke episodes embedded
and running alongside actual episodes to the extent that it becomes tough to
filter out the noise from the signal. However, with it being a gag anime, and
it not getting ever serious (in animation), this is not only par for the
course, but to be expected.

I would say that it's not _common_ , but it largely depends on what
demographic the show is trying to hit, and how they're portraying themselves -
either as a story, plot and resolution-style show, or as a gag show.


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Joke episodes or Fillers are quite common in anime which have many episodes
like Naruto, Bleach, One Piece etc. Usually the fillers are put after a long
battle or something substantially epic that has been happening over a number
of episodes. There are few to no fillers in anime having less number of
episodes (20-24 ep per season). I recommend finding out all the fillers ep and
skipping them to get to the man plot. I believe you are are watching Naruto so
here is the fillers list

<http://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto>

<http://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden>


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