Syk3 Posted November 30, 2002 Share Posted November 30, 2002 Has anyone noticed lately that a lot of animes are being created with 26 episodes in their series? I'm not sure whether this is a new fad for Japanese animes, but over the past couple years I've been seeing different animes with 26 episodes. This includes, that I know of, Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, Trigun, Neon Genesis Evangelion, .hack//SIGN, and Love Hina. Does anyone know any other animes like this? And does anyone know, if there is a reason, why so many animes are doing this? I'm not complaining, not at all. In fact, I think animes with 26 episodes are the coolest ones. They get the point across, but not so much as to drag along boring episodes (remember DBZ's 270 eps?!). Ah, well, just a curious person wanting some answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike speigel Posted November 30, 2002 Share Posted November 30, 2002 I've been wondering a bout that, too. Why do a lot of animes have 26 episodes? It's weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amibasuki Posted November 30, 2002 Share Posted November 30, 2002 [FONT=arial]maybe that's just the standard episode number for anime series or something. but yeah, there are quite a few anime that have 26 episodes. a lot of anime series also have only 12 episodes, too.[/FONT] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted November 30, 2002 Share Posted November 30, 2002 [color=#507AAC]I haven't seen an anime series in so long. It makes me wonder; in 26-episide animes...generally, are the episodes all half an hour or an hour? Or do their times vary? That must sound incredibly ignorant, so please excuse me. :blush:[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syk3 Posted November 30, 2002 Author Share Posted November 30, 2002 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by James [/i] [B][color=#507AAC]I haven't seen an anime series in so long. It makes me wonder; in 26-episide animes...generally, are the episodes all half an hour or an hour? Or do their times vary? That must sound incredibly ignorant, so please excuse me. :blush:[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] It's okay James :p. However, usually the episodes are all standard time -- more or less 20 minutes. I can't say that I've ever timed an episode before, but I'm sure the ones I've seen wern't anything over 25 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted November 30, 2002 Share Posted November 30, 2002 [color=#507AAC]Oh, that's kind of sad. Only 26 episodes for an entire series. :bawl: [/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syk3 Posted November 30, 2002 Author Share Posted November 30, 2002 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by James [/i] [B][color=#507AAC]Oh, that's kind of sad. Only 26 episodes for an entire series. :bawl: [/color] [/B][/QUOTE] Heh, yeah, you don't get as much out of it as a longer series. But then, with a shorter series, it will be easier and faster to get more action out of it, rather than a longer series where the action comes in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted November 30, 2002 Share Posted November 30, 2002 [color=#507AAC]You're right. Sometimes you don't want to ease into a series and have it take forever for something to happen. Also, 26 episodes is a whole lot easier for theOtaku.com to cover. lol But yeah, I definitely see your point. I think 26 episodes is probably better than 260. :drunk:[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shy Posted November 30, 2002 Share Posted November 30, 2002 [size=1]It seems that even a series with 26 episodes can have a lot of "filler". It seems that some episodes are put in a series just to take up space, which is probably why my favorite anime series are so short (less filler). Sailor Moon is 200 episodes long, and 150 episodes of the show are crap. -Shy[/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted November 30, 2002 Share Posted November 30, 2002 [color=#507AAC]Wow, that's interesting. I didn't know that about Sailor Moon (though I haven't really ever watched it, outside of a five minute glance). I find the filler aspect annoying in almost any series. You know...those episodes that are there just for the sake of existing. [/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kent Posted November 30, 2002 Share Posted November 30, 2002 I'm willing to bet that it has to do with several factors, but the over riding one is one I have no evidence to support. I propose that it has to do with the length of a "season" on t.v. and 26 might just be the magic number for any show that wishes to be aired on a once-a-week basis. I figure there are 52 weeks in an "american" year and 26 is half that. That makes for a coincedence wouldnt you say... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syk3 Posted November 30, 2002 Author Share Posted November 30, 2002 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by gokents [/i] [B]I'm willing to bet that it has to do with several factors, but the over riding one is one I have no evidence to support. I propose that it has to do with the length of a "season" on t.v. and 26 might just be the magic number for any show that wishes to be aired on a once-a-week basis. I figure there are 52 weeks in an "american" year and 26 is half that. That makes for a coincedence wouldnt you say... [/B][/QUOTE] Wow, that's excellent thinking. I hadn't even thought of that aspect, but it makes perfect sense. They would show it either once every two weeks, or weekly over one half of a year. As for the filler episodes, I really cannot stand them, since their sole purpose is just to take up space. Longer series may actually have less filler episodes, because they arn't trying to go for a specific limit. They would have a continuing series that doesn't have time for anything else. I suppose this is why shorter animes with 26 episodes have more fillers. They are trying to reach a certian ammount for a season, so when they run out of ideas, they conveniently devote a whole episode to reviewing what has happened in the series thus far, or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryuujin Posted November 30, 2002 Share Posted November 30, 2002 Yeah it mostly likely the average season in Japan. Althougth Syk3 Love Hina has more than 26 if you consider Again and the movies. Hmmm... So shows that aren't 26 episodes were most likely canceled, right? So those series aren't wworth watching??? What do you think? Lataz -OD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syk3 Posted November 30, 2002 Author Share Posted November 30, 2002 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by OutlawDragon [/i] [B]Yeah it mostly likely the average season in Japan. Althougth Syk3 Love Hina has more than 26 if you consider Again and the movies. Hmmm... So shows that aren't 26 episodes were most likely canceled, right? So those series aren't wworth watching??? What do you think? Lataz -OD [/B][/QUOTE] Heh, I'm taking 26 episodes from what Rick Hunter said in a previous forum. ;) But if it's movies, it doesn't really affect the number of episodes in the series. The shows that wern't 26 episodes, if more, may have been taken into multiple seasons. Ones that were lower, yes, they were probably cancelled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hikaru Ichijyo Posted December 1, 2002 Share Posted December 1, 2002 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Syk3 [/i] [B]Heh, I'm taking 26 episodes from what Rick Hunter said in a previous forum. ;) But if it's movies, it doesn't really affect the number of episodes in the series. The shows that wern't 26 episodes, if more, may have been taken into multiple seasons. Ones that were lower, yes, they were probably cancelled. [/B][/QUOTE] Wow O_O so many questions about this, I'm going to try and explain this as best as I can and it's going to be rather long so please bear with me all you can with it. First off the general standard for animes is 26 episodes the reason being that most Japanese directors don't like to milk a series for more then its worth. Also a major issue in how long an anime last is based on fan interest. Shows like Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon are 250 plus episodes for the fact the fan interest was much stronger then in other series. Dragon Ball Z in paticular was suppose to end at the very end of Cell Saga. But do to the fact fans wouldn't accept the whole Goku passing to torch Gohan thing they extended the series just to cash in on the merchandising licenses. The same goes with Sailor Moon. The problem I have with these type of shows is that most of the time a plot is drawn out way to long like with Majin Buu saga or better yet Frieza. Another thing the depends on how long an anime show last is the company that makes it. Bandai for example with the Gundam Franchise almost always uses it's standard 49 episode trademark. Sure there are some exceptions like the ones made by former Macross writers and creators but thats why. Another factor is the director himself certain guys like Shoji Kawamori are well known to do the 26 or 49 episode standards. Now for the other half of the questions regarding to shows that are less then 26 episodes usually they are based off of OVA's or were just OVA's but on a few occassions anime shows have been cancelled before being finished... As for the Love Hina OVA being counted as part of the show please don't count them as that. An OVA's main purpose is to test out the idea of making a new series or finishing up a series storyline a couple of years or months later. Whatever you do please don't go to an anime convention and tell someone that you count an OVA as part of the same series. Hardcore fans, and various others will rip you apart for saying that it's sort of an anime don't...^_^; *Not trying to be rude just honest about that please don't take offense* I hope this pretty much explained what defines how long a series runs for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike speigel Posted December 4, 2002 Share Posted December 4, 2002 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Rick Hunter [/i] [B]Wow O_O so many questions about this, I'm going to try and explain this as best as I can and it's going to be rather long so please bear with me all you can with it. First off the general standard for animes is 26 episodes the reason being that most Japanese directors don't like to milk a series for more then its worth. Also a major issue in how long an anime last is based on fan interest. Shows like Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon are 250 plus episodes for the fact the fan interest was much stronger then in other series. Dragon Ball Z in paticular was suppose to end at the very end of Cell Saga. But do to the fact fans wouldn't accept the whole Goku passing to torch Gohan thing they extended the series just to cash in on the merchandising licenses. The same goes with Sailor Moon. The problem I have with these type of shows is that most of the time a plot is drawn out way to long like with Majin Buu saga or better yet Frieza. Another thing the depends on how long an anime show last is the company that makes it. Bandai for example with the Gundam Franchise almost always uses it's standard 49 episode trademark. Sure there are some exceptions like the ones made by former Macross writers and creators but thats why. Another factor is the director himself certain guys like Shoji Kawamori are well known to do the 26 or 49 episode standards. Now for the other half of the questions regarding to shows that are less then 26 episodes usually they are based off of OVA's or were just OVA's but on a few occassions anime shows have been cancelled before being finished... As for the Love Hina OVA being counted as part of the show please don't count them as that. An OVA's main purpose is to test out the idea of making a new series or finishing up a series storyline a couple of years or months later. Whatever you do please don't go to an anime convention and tell someone that you count an OVA as part of the same series. Hardcore fans, and various others will rip you apart for saying that it's sort of an anime don't...^_^; *Not trying to be rude just honest about that please don't take offense* I hope this pretty much explained what defines how long a series runs for. [/B][/QUOTE] :eek: It sure did clear things up. It cleared a lot up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genkai Posted December 4, 2002 Share Posted December 4, 2002 well, there's Angelic Layer, and several others. I agree with Kent, good chance it's because that's how many weeks a season is. About the same fo a season in US, becuase, combined w/summer, repeats, etc., well, you get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omar Harris Posted December 6, 2002 Share Posted December 6, 2002 Well, when I thought about it, besides not trying to milk the show past its limit, and fan reaction, there's also the fact that alot of these show actually tell an ongoing story. American series usually don't end for a good while because they don't have such a plot. They'll usually make up a concept and the characters follow through with it until the series is no longer popular and then either cancel the show without a definite ending, or just make a definite ending out of nowhere. Usually that is the worst route to go as far as endings are concerned, just look at the ending to Seinfield. Dragonball Z and Sailor Moon, even as long as they lasted, would have had earlier definite endings had it not been for fans. Even Pokemon tells an ongoing story, not a very well thought out one in my opinion, but an ongoing story nonetheless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegeta rocker Posted December 6, 2002 Share Posted December 6, 2002 I personally have no problem with that number, I think Db overdid it. But then again it depends on how good the filler episodes are. For example, Inuyasha's filler episodes I could watch into oblivion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeroBlade Posted December 7, 2002 Share Posted December 7, 2002 -__- Crap... Hunter got here first. Anyway, if there is one thing Hunter forgot to mention is that some anime comes from comics too. Trigun is one of them. So usually whenever a comic is being turned into a tv series, depending on its popularity it would get that 26 episode standard. Its really no biggie though since most of the time the best series are usually the long ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkey Posted December 8, 2002 Share Posted December 8, 2002 I like series to have a few filler episodes, if they are used to develop the characters. I've found a quite a few 26-episode series to have this setup: -First 10-12 episodes are filler, with some foreshadowing, and maybe one plot episode. -The next 2-4 episodes heavily develop the story. This phase usually has a plot twist. -Now, a smaller set of "fillers" lasts about until the last 2-6 episodes. These episodes have lots of foreshadowing, and the characters usually reflect on events from the last phase. -Tensions high, the last few episodes hurry up the series until the finale. Character development takes a back seat, and plot twists abound. -The last episode is an epilogue, which either concludes the story, or leaves it ready for fanfics or a second season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BunnyBunny05 Posted December 31, 2002 Share Posted December 31, 2002 Come to think of it, Tenchi has had mostly 26-28 episodes, and so has Outlaw Star. You know, that has really made me mad. Why can't we have more? WE WANT MORE! WE WANT MORE! lol. :tasty: :demon: :ball: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted December 31, 2002 Share Posted December 31, 2002 [color=#507AAC]I think that .hack//SIGN has quite a few "fillers". I found the first six or seven episodes to be rather boring and full of non-events. Their main purpose was to establish the characters and their respective roles. But when you start hitting episode 8 and 9, the story really starts to move forward...and you start learning a lot more about the characters.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mako Posted January 1, 2003 Share Posted January 1, 2003 26 eps is just "standard" i guess. ^^ There's a few series with 13 episodes too. More than 26 eps leads to mass filler, and that tends to be no fun after you're not obsessed with the series. Look at Pocket Monsters. Kenshin is a great series, but too many of the episodes in the middle are filler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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