Most anime fans know that anime usually comes in three basic formats: movies, series, and OAVs. Even within these formats, however, there is a great deal of variation on the length of an anime. This is especially true of series, which can “die early” without even reaching 13 episodes, or go on for years and years, spawning sequels and spinoffs along the way. Nor does a single anime universe have to be limited to a single format. The length of a series is an important consideration when thinking about what anime to actually watch.
It is especially useful to see anime that have first been done in one format, and then redone in another to understand how they differ. Comparing a movie and a series is similar to comparing a novel and a short story; the short story may be better or worse, but it will always be more brisk and to the point. For CLAMP’s X, both a movie and series adaptation were made; while the movie is stuffed full of action, with characters popping in and out with little explanation, and fights breaking out frequently, the series takes a slower, more in-depth approach, examining the characters and their personalities and motives in depth. The RahXephon series was completely remixed and retold in in the RahXephon movie; the movie’s ending is a secret, but unlike the series, where the past and the nature of the players is gradually revealed, the movie places these cards on the table right at the start; even if you’ve never seen the series, you’ll know 20 minutes into Pluralitas Concentio who the main players are, and what their basic backgrounds are.
As a reviewer, I prefer movies; they let me write more reviews in less time. As an anime fan, however, I would rather watch a medium-length series. There’s just something about a good series, one that keeps you wondering what will happen next, that pulls me in and makes me want to watch more. In Chrono Crusade, I wondered how things would turn out for Rosette and Chrono, and what Aion was attempting to accomplish. In NGE, I wondered what the purpose of the Angels was. In RahXephon, I wondered about the true state of the world. Series also have room for subplots. While the RahXephon movie barely touches on the relationship between Asahina and Ayato, it is the basis for a subplot which ultimately reconnects with the rest of the series when Torigai returns. On the other hand, extremely long series that go beyond 10 DVDs or so, can be expensive to watch in terms of both money and time, and can also be more difficult to follow, especially if the plot isn’t broken up into self-contained arcs.
Regardless of whether you prefer your anime long or short, the variation found among anime length is yet another indication of the flexibility of anime, and the way that it can cater to people with different tastes.
The Long and the Short of Anime
By RedWordSmith