One of the most significant differences between the manga and the anime is the pacing. The manga, being a serialized publication, follows a consistent narrative flow with each chapter building upon the last. The anime, on the other hand, often had to adjust its pacing to avoid catching up to the manga's ongoing storyline. This led to the introduction of filler arcs, which were not present in the original manga. These filler episodes, while designed to give the manga more time to advance, were often met with mixed reactions from fans. Some appreciated the additional content and character development, while others found these episodes to be unnecessary and disruptive to the main plot.

Another key difference is the content itself. The manga tends to be more concise and direct, with Kubo's artwork and storytelling driving the narrative forward. The anime adaptation, while staying true to the manga's storyline, often included extended fight scenes, additional dialogue, and more detailed backgrounds to enhance the viewing experience. This adaptation process sometimes resulted in scenes being altered or expanded, which could change the tone or pacing of certain events. For example, the battles in the anime might be more visually dynamic and drawn out compared to their manga counterparts, offering a different experience to the audience.

Additionally, the anime faced controversy regarding its conclusion. The anime ended with the Fullbring Arc, leaving the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc, which is a crucial part of the manga, unanimated for many years. This abrupt ending disappointed many fans who were eager to see the manga's final arcs brought to life. It wasn't until recently that plans to adapt the remaining chapters were announced, reigniting interest and excitement among the fanbase.