Ask John: Why Are Anime Opening Sequences So Long?

Question:
I don’t watch a lot of US TV, but anime OP is quite often significantly longer. It always annoys me, and I can’t think of any purpose for the OPs. Is there any reason why anime OPs are so long?

Answer:
A typical anime opening animation sequence lasts roughly 90 seconds. That length has been consistent since at least the 1970s. Some of the earliest anime television series openings ran approximately 60 seconds. In fact, 90 second openings aren’t just typical for anime. Typical contemporary American animated television series also have 90 second opening animation sequences. Since I’m not an animation artist, I don’t know if there are technical circumstances that prompt a pre-determined length for opening sequences. It’s possible that the amount of staff necessary to produce a professional quality contemporary anime episode needs 90 seconds to properly credit. I also have a few unverified theories about why anime opening animation sequences are as long as they are.

Typical anime television episodes broadcast on network Japanese television have commercial breaks after the opening animation, in the middle of the episode, and just before the ending credits. With this broadcast pattern, a 90 second opening puts more content between commercial breaks than a 30 or 60 second opening, which may be less annoying for viewers to watch.

Because an opening animation sequence is used on new episodes broadcast each week, the opening only needs to be animated once. A longer opening animation sequence reduces the amount of interior, original animation footage than has to be completed for each week’s new episode. So a lengthy opening animation sequence can save money for the production budget, and reduces the amount of work that animators have to do.

Opening animation sequences serve as record company advertisements. A popular opening animation sequence like that of the Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu or Lucky Star television series can make their series opening theme songs turn into overnight smash hits. A longer opening animation sequence provides time for the theme song to get exposure and gain popularity.

Finally, opening animation sequences are often small works of art in addition to being just introductions to the series they proceed. Opening animation sequences establish the tone of the program to follow, so a longer opening has more time to impact viewers. Opening animation sequences also show off the talent of their creators, who are not always the same staff that produce the weekly episodes. Short opening sequences for average American live action programs may be common because the opening, in these cases, is merely intended to identify the program and get viewers to the original, weekly content quickly. Anime openings are an artistic, integral component of anime. They’re relatively long in order to give them enough time and substance to achieve their multiple purposes.