Ask John: Do OAVs Have a Standard Length?

Question:
Do you have any idea how long an OAV is supposed to be? Some, like Macross Plus, are only four parts, but there are some like Ranma 1/2 that have around twelve. Is there a set amount of episodes (and length of those episodes) for it to be considered an OAV or just the fact that it was released to video?

Answer:
By definition, an OAV or OVA (Original Animation Video) is an animation created specifically for release on home video. Therefore, as long as a program is released directly to home video, it’s an OAV, regardless of its running time, quality or series length. For example, Legend of the Galactic Heroes has literally hundreds of OAVs while First Kiss Story, Plastic Little, and Amon Devilman are single, stand alone OAVs. Running time also has no standardization as each of the early Key the Metal Idol OAVs and each of the Crown Knights Ja Ja Uma Quartet OAVs (known as Wild Cardz in the US) was released in Japan as a separate 25 minute long OAV while feature length movies like Megazone 23, Leda: Fantastic Adventure of Yohko and the Irresponsible Captain Tylor movie were also released directly to home video.