Have you ever been left hanging by an anime because the series is over by the time you get into it? Or, have you ever noticed that your favorite show seems to be dragging on and on even though you have been watching it for a while? Despite what you may assume, you are not alone in experiencing this. Some animations persist for a long time for reasons you might not expect, while others are canceled before they can make a mark on audiences beyond their devoted audience. Curious? Let us delve further into this matter right now!
Seasonal Broadcasting for Anime Series
According to Tatsuo, time restrictions have led to the majority of contemporary anime having roughly 12 episodes, and new animated shows are adapting to the limits of anime seasons—there are four seasons of anime annually, each lasting approximately three months; 12 episodes is an adequate length for an anime series given the standard broadcast schedule of a new episode each week.
More and more short-form anime have been hitting shelves recently since it costs cheaper to develop and has a more significant return on investment for both the studio and the audience. Initially, the studio producing the anime must obtain financial backers to cover the cost of producing the series; as a result, anime has a small budget at first, and if the studio cannot secure sufficient funding to ensure the series continues to broadcast, the show will be terminated.
The risk of disappointing fans by canceling the series due to a lack of funding is significantly reduced by committing to a 12-episode anime instead. Furthermore, most anime originates from manga, and when the manga is incomplete, there is less material to work with, so the anime typically concludes abruptly.
On the other hand, a long-running animation featuring multiple episodes is achievable for a successful series that provides an excellent return. As such, the budgets and, consequently, the production quality of multi-episode series are generally larger than those of shorter series. One of the challenges of making a long anime series is finding ways to keep the narrative interesting and compelling for quite a while. While a few worry that this could contribute to a fall in production standards as the animated series advances, some regard it as a chance for the creators and artists to hone their craft and deliver richer, deeper storylines.
Also, because of the length of the plot and the actuality that the base material is continually being updated, these anime are produced with the expectation that they will run for multiple seasons. The increasing number of episodes is also partly due to the show’s success. If an animation studio can capitalize on the current popularity of anime, it can boost revenue. Financial considerations are usually the sole determinant of an anime series longevity. Remember that Japanese animation is merely one more form of entertainment, and the earnings that come with making that entertainment are typically put toward financing even more enjoyment.
Read more: 51 Best Anime to Binge-Watch on Crunchyroll Right Now
Long Running Anime Series
When it comes to Japanese animation, do you know which series has been airing for the longest? What could it be? Even though you probably have no knowledge of this series, the fact that it has been broadcasted for decades is indisputable!
With 7920 episodes and counting, Sazae-san has more than any other anime ever made— it currently bears the Guinness World Record for the longest-running animated show on television! The series demonstrates the routine activities of Fugata—illustrating the way of life of typical Japanese households.
Sazae-san broadcast weekly on Sundays, has maintained its popularity amid the proliferation of animation over the past 53 years, currently holding the number one spot in the Japanese Animation TV Ranking with a 9.2% average household rating. It was subsequently followed by the much-anticipated Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc., and by another long-running anime, Detective Conan.
Next to Sazae-san, another beloved classic among anime fans is Doraemon. With its imaginative storytelling and endearing characters, Doraemon has left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans worldwide. Doraemon first graced the screens in 1979 and captivated audiences for an impressive span of 26 years, airing a staggering total of over 3000 episodes.
Among the ranks of anime with remarkable longevity, other notable contenders include Ninja Boy Rantaro, with over 2350 episodes, and Prince Mackaroo, which boasts an impressive 1947+ episodes. Additionally, Oyako Club holds its own with a substantial episode count of 1818. It may come as a surprise to some that Naruto, often anticipated to dominate such discussions, actually falls behind with a total of 720 episodes when considering both Naruto and Naruto Shippuden combined.
Short Running Anime Series
If you’re looking for shorter anime series, let’s explore those with a smaller number of episodes. Can you guess how short they are? Perhaps 12 episodes? Or maybe just 8 episodes? Actually, they’re even shorter than that!
With only six episodes, FLCL, sometimes known as Fooly Cooly, is a short-lived anime series. Although it is brief and could make little sense at first, it stands out owing to the depth of the characters’ development into adults and their perspectives on their surroundings. The show’s charm is in its brevity; each episode only lasts 20 minutes, and the realization that there is definitely more to the narrative makes it so compelling.
With this series, there is no need for constant explanations. Subtlety is crucial since its absence would render much outstanding art useless. The addition of filler would be detrimental to the show’s quality. Moreover, the series’ briefness makes it memorable, so filling in the blanks requires creative thinking.
Some say FLCL is like a 24-episode anime that has been compressed into a concise 6-episode original video animation (OVA). In case you’re unfamiliar with the term, OVAs (Original Video Animations) are often released directly for the video market without being aired on television or shown in theaters. Nevertheless, some producers employ a clever strategy by releasing select portions of the OVA series on TV or in theaters as a way to promote it and generate more interest from a larger audience.
Read more: 5 Reasons Why Anime Are No Longer Safe for Kids and 5 Kid-Friendly Animes
