In the world of anime, the first few episodes are often a window into the plot, characters, and world a series has to offer. However, as of late, we've seen an interesting trend: the first episodes of some anime series are opting for a longer running time than what used to be the standard. In this article, we will look at these changes in the world of anime and explore why some viewers only give the first episode of an anime a chance to prove itself.
The “Three Episode Method” is a common
practice among anime fans. It consists of watching the first three
episodes of a series before deciding whether to continue or abandon it. Why
three episodes? According to Entame Next, the common structure of early
anime episodes may help explain this. The first episode usually
introduces the main characters, the second focuses on interpersonal
relationships, and the third usually features a significant event. This
structure provides viewers with a good amount of information to make an
informed decision about whether to continue with the series.
Until recently, the typical length of an anime episode
was no longer than 30 minutes. This length was popularized by Tezuka
Osamu's “ Astro Boy ” in 1963. However, in recent years, we
have seen an increase in episode lengths, especially in their first
broadcasts. For example, the director's cut of “ Re:Zero –
Starting Life in Another World ” in 2020 had a running time of 60
minutes, and “ Oshi
no Ko ” in 2023 tripled the standard length of an anime episode
with a premiere of 90 minutes. Even more surprising, “ Frieren: Beyond
Journey's End ” featured a 120-minute first episode. This
unusual length may seem like a risk, but it has actually proven to be an
efficient way to present the story to viewers.
The Entame Next article suggests that longer episodes in premieres allow the narrative to develop more effectively. For example, “Frieren: Beyond Journey's End” begins its journey in the second episode, and if the first episode had ended in 30 minutes, many viewers might not have understood the direction of the story, which could have led them to abandon the series. This strategy of dense, long episodes has contributed to the current popularity of this series and others like it.
As the anime market has become more saturated due to the
widespread adoption of production committees , which involve multiple
companies collaborating to finance, produce, and market anime projects, a
demand has been created for faster episode releases. . In such a
fast-paced world, some anime enthusiasts prefer not to invest in multiple
episodes or wait for weekly broadcasts to determine their interest in a series.
Additionally, increasing competition among the growing
number of anime series available on television and streaming services has made
viewers less patient. Therefore, longer first episodes have become an
effective way to showcase a series' appeal. Thanks to modern streaming
services, anime producers have more flexibility in how they tell a story. Unlike
television shows, streaming services are not limited by fixed time slots,
allowing for more flexible release times and longer episodes.
In a recent survey, approximately 59.0% of participants
reported that they make their decision on whether to continue a series after
watching the first episode, while only 13.6% reported following the
three-episode rule. This reflects a shift in the way viewers consume
anime and the importance of longer, denser first episodes.
In short, the trend of longer episodes, especially in
anime series premieres, is changing the way viewers evaluate and choose which
series to follow. Market competition and the availability of streaming
services have driven this evolution, and it seems that long, content-rich first
episodes are the new norm for capturing viewers' attention in an increasingly
fast-paced world.
Source: Automaton Media
