Why do openings and endings change so often nowadays?

[Master Moron]

I remember that animes used to change their openings and endings less often. I mean, Dragonball Z kept the same ending for about 200 episodes. I actually thought it was really bad that we were still seeing toddler Gohan and Kami in the ending during the Cell Games. But, I think some shows go overboard nowadays. I mean, it seems like most of the One Piece endings last less than ten episodes. I mean, you barely get into an ending and then it's gone. It seems like animes almost never go more than 13 episodes without changing an opening or ending nowadays. Why do they have to change them so often?

[Rolling Cloud]

It's probably due to the artists wanting to promote their new album.. or it could be due to changes in the storyline.

[Will Sturnick]

It's probably due to the artists wanting to promote their new album.. or it could be due to changes in the storyline.


I think it's more record companies wanting to promote their artists, since traditionally, at least with less established artists, singles attached to an anime do better on the charts. Hitomi Takahashi is a good example. Most of her non-anime related singles do rather poorly on the charts, but the tracks being used in an anime at least make it into the top 20 (if not top 10).
Additionally, I think anime companies wanting to rake in some more money from associated single sales. I'm sure they at least get a cut of the profit from single sales. It also might work to draw in some viewers. If fans hear their favorite band's new single is being used as the opening theme for an anime, they are likely to tune in for atleast for the OP, and they might even stick around to watch the of show. But how much affect this change in themes has on the ratings, I am not totally sure. A fairly minimal affect I imagine.

ETA: Oh, I didn't vote on the poll as there isn't an option that best suits my opinion. I personally think OP's should be around longer than ED's. I like how Inuyasha did it. A new ED every 20 episodes-or so, and a new OP every 30 episodes or so. I feel Bleach handles it nicely too. New OP every 6 months (usually 24-26 episodes) and a new ED every 3 (11-13 episodes). If an anime could find a balance between that, I'd be happy. So a new ED every 15-18 episodes and new OP every 25-28 episodes.

[Vallen Valiant]

There are three types of OP/ED animation changes; entirely new ones with new animation and song, frequent minor tweaks in the animation to fit changes in the story as the plot progresses, or just regular alterations to fill in background information.

The first type is as people said; there are money to be made if a singer/band gets to do the music on a popular show and the CD sales improve. (As usual, the record company will get most of the profits rather than artists, but that's not the point of this thread.:sweat: )

The second type is my favourite, but require much work on the side of the animation studio. Thanks to the digital age, it is now possible to alter OP and ED sequences slightly without redoing too much of it. As such one can tailor the OP to whatever is happening at that point in the story. You can hide the appearance of a future regular character by not putting him/her into the OP until later (or hiding a special-move like in the recent OP of Naruto), altering dramatic changes of hairstyle (Vandread), or removing people when they die off. This is good for preventing spoilers and also keep the OP animation relevant.
(An example when they didn't change is the OP of My-Hime. It stayed the same tone all the way through the series, even though most of the happy-tune and art don't match the show after the half-way mark. An example when they DO change is Scryed, where they change the focus of the main character depending on the POV and put in the latest powerups and grey-out deaths, while not changing the song.)

The third type is mostly for Ending animations; anime often have character background that couldn't fit into the actual show without slowing down the pacing, so a collage of side events and hinted past character interactions when they were younger can be used to tell us things the animation wouldn't. The Bleach ED of the Captains are sort of like that, but the example I like would be Code Geass ED.

Of course, it is often an anime OP/ED change can incorporate more than 1 purpose at once.

[Duke]

An example when they DO change is Scryed, where they change the focus of the main character depending on the POV and put in the latest powerups and grey-out deaths, while not changing the song.
Eh, I'd argue Planetes was more effective. They didn't have as many different versions as s-CRY-ed did, but it did have 11 different opening animations, all effectively showing what plot is going on at that moment.

[Naruto D.Luffy]

You know, One Piece hasn't used an ending since the epidsodes in the 270's.

[Vallen Valiant]

Eh, I'd argue Planetes was more effective. They didn't have as many different versions as s-CRY-ed did, but it did have 11 different opening animations, all effectively showing what plot is going on at that moment.
Oh, I certainly wasn't trying to make an exaustive list, but rather just named a few personal favourites. :)

Vandread was one of the first to change its OP animation when the plot required it, and I believe the fact that it was also one of the few digital animation shows back then had something to do with it.

[Umino]

I don't really think a series should change it's opening or ending. Maybe some slight changes in animation over the course of the series. (ala Sailor Moon, or Dragon Ball Z) I do think a last episode of a series should have a different ending, to make the series finale stand out more. (ala Tokimeki Tonight)

[Weatherman]

The joys of an integrated production company or a production where a record company is funding it. It's not about selling the show, it's about selling the music.:shrug:

[DBZNarutoWarrior]

I think more than 20 less than 50. Then you can get used to it better. I remember FMA had 4 different openings/endings in 51 episodes. That was pretty crazy.

[KuwabaraTheMan]

I like getting new openings and endings every so often, because they can usually make things feel fresh again, not to mention if the song or visuals are good, it's nice.

At the same time, some shows do it too often, like the 50ish episode shows having 4 openings now(the SEED/FMA timeslot shows).

Ideally, I'd say change an opening no more oftne than every 26 episodes or so (24-25 episodes is acceptable, it's close enough). Endings can change every 13 episodes if you so desire.

Now there is something to say for a show like Yu Yu Hakusho or DBZ that keeps an opening for a very long time. Different shows work differently. We still do get situations these days like One Piece keeping Believe as the opening for 69 episodes.

[Kuroba]

At the same time, some shows do it too often, like the 50ish episode shows having 4 openings now(the SEED/FMA timeslot show)
You think that's a lot, the anime Pani Poni Dash had 3 openings and it's only 26 episodes.

[Master Moron]

You know, One Piece hasn't used an ending since the epidsodes in the 270's.

So, what do they do for the credits now? Just lay them over the last scene of the episode?

[J'onn J'onzz]

So, what do they do for the credits now? Just lay them over the last scene of the episode?
I'd imagine they stick them all in the opening.

I don't know, it depends on the length of the series. I don't mind long series changing songs often, it helps keep things interesting, I think, but I think shows that are within 26 episodes should keep the same opening and ending the whole time. I don't mind small changes in the opening or ending. S-cry-ed's opening's minor changes, for example, I liked.

[livingfruitvirus]

As others have pointed out, payola changes them.

[Space Cadet]

As others have pointed out, payola changes them.

Exactly. Just ask Clear Channel.

[beren]

In gasaraki no two openings are exactly alike iirc, they all had the same music but the scnese shown from episode to episode are all slightly diffrent from the others. I really liked it like that, it looked like it took alot of work.

I like an op change every major change in arc or major event, defining moments. Also I concur money is the reason they change so often.

[bigddan11]

For longer stories like One Piece, it makes sense o change the intro by the arc. I prefer the 13 episode format though that Gundam SEED and Destiny used. Some shows never change their intros, such as Tenchi Muyo! GXP (I don't consider unveiling characters as they are introduced to be changing the intro) and Final Fantasy Unlimited, but sometimes that's fine if it's a great song. I like having new and fresh intros though, but i would prefer some intros to be shown later so we don't have spoilers (such as the Gundam SEED intro 3).

[RAINMAN]

I hard naruto has lots of different opening&cloesing. How many does it have?

[HellCat]

For longer stories like One Piece, it makes sense o change the intro by the arc. I prefer the 13 episode format though that Gundam SEED and Destiny used. Some shows never change their intros, such as Tenchi Muyo! GXP (I don't consider unveiling characters as they are introduced to be changing the intro) and Final Fantasy Unlimited, but sometimes that's fine if it's a great song. I like having new and fresh intros though, but i would prefer some intros to be shown later so we don't have spoilers (such as the Gundam SEED intro 3).

I think the CE Gundam shows actually did a bad job. They basically whored themselves to the music labels and there wasn't much difference between the OPs visually. Maybe if they'd given us something more exciting. I love the 3D pan of Murrue aiming the gun at Neo, but half the time we just get characters floating across the screen diagonally in slow motion.

[GWOtaku]

posted by HellCat:

I think the CE Gundam shows actually did a bad job. They basically whored themselves to the music labels and there wasn't much difference between the OPs visually. Maybe if they'd given us something more exciting. I love the 3D pan of Murrue aiming the gun at Neo, but half the time we just get characters floating across the screen diagonally in slow motion.

Although, the SEED and GS Destiny endings were all different and flat out awesome. I'll agree OP's were hit or miss as far as fresh footage goes, but they did all look good. At least with GSD OP's 1 and 2 were visually fairly different from OP's 3 and 4.

[HellCat]

Although, the SEED and GS Destiny endings were all different and flat out awesome. I'll agree OP's were hit or miss as far as fresh footage goes, but they did all look good. At least with GSD OP's 1 and 2 were visually fairly different from OP's 3 and 4.

Most of the EDs were good. SEED's first ED is classic, both song and visuals. I would like to know why though why in the Destiny one where EVERYONE is shown, why Miri gets to angst whilst everyone else gets their dead lovers.

[Rolling Cloud]

I hard naruto has lots of different opening&cloesing. How many does it have?

Ummm, Naruto has:

9 openings & 15 endings!

[ShadowGUN]

I been wondering have any other series has had their opening change after they have ended? I ask since Big O has a 2007 opening called "Big O! Show Must Go On" made from clips of the 2 seasons right now in Japan.

[silvanoir]

I think a new opening/ending per season is fine, but more than that is too much.

[Master Moron]

I been wondering have any other series has had their opening change after they have ended? I ask since Big O has a 2007 opening called "Big O! Show Must Go On" made from clips of the 2 seasons right now in Japan.

I think Ghost in the Shell received different openings when it was rerun in Japan. Personally, I think the idea of giving a show a different opening for reruns is kind of lame.

[Beefy]

So, what do they do for the credits now? Just lay them over the last scene of the episode?
They made the intro longer. It's now 2min 30sec.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

For short series', like a typical Gundam series, you only need one.

I know Dragonball, at 153 episodes, never changed its opening song or ending song, from what I have heard, at least.

[Naruto D.Luffy]

So, what do they do for the credits now? Just lay them over the last scene of the episode?

No that's for advertisement.:sweat:

[Duke]

For short series', like a typical Gundam series, you only need one.
Since when is a typical Gundam series "short"? "Short" is under 26 episodes.

I think the shortest Gundam series (i.e. non-OAV) is 43 episodes.

[KuwabaraTheMan]

Since when is a typical Gundam series "short"? "Short" is under 26 episodes.

I think the shortest Gundam series (i.e. non-OAV) is 43 episodes.

What about the 39 episode After War Gundam X?

[HellCat]

I think a Gundam series deserves at least 2 openings. With CE's track record, I'll be happy if 00 gets 2 or 3.

[GWOtaku]

Most anime these days is 26 episodes or less, a show longer than that = not short in my view.

I'm betting on 3-4 OP's for Gundam 00 just because there's too much financial incentive not to do it for really big series. SEED did it, Full Metal Alchemist did it, etc.

[Gokou Ruri]

I don't care at all about the opening or ending. All they do for me is take up valuable air-time the show could be using, but since they have to have them to fund the show unlike the rest of the world, I can accept it. So to me, I don't care how often or how little they change it, whatever works for them so they can get the money they need to make the show. I usually skip the intro because it has nothing to do with the show at all. The exceptions being shows backed up by big names like Pokemon Diamond and Pearl who's songs are actually made for the show, since they're being funded by Nintendo and everything. They don't need to sell their OP/ED slots to bands.

The only time I get annoyed is when they lengthen the OP/ED for the sole purpose of wasting time so don't they don't have to work hard on the show itself, like in One Piece

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Most Gundam shows last one year. That's not very long.

[HellCat]

Most Gundam shows last one year. That's not very long.

It's long enough that a single opening isn't going to be relevant for very long.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

It's long enough that a single opening isn't going to be relevant for very long.

But do you really need three or four? Two tops.

[HellCat]

But do you really need three or four? Two tops.

As I said above, I do believe 4 is too many. Especially for CE, where the 4th OP is always a bad choice audio wise whilst the 3rd OP comes out sounding perfect for finale build up. This is why I propose 3 for 00:

1- Introduction OP
2- We're now familiar with stuff
3- Finale, here we come!

[EscaflownePilot]

Hate to go against the crowd, but in most cases I think the more OPs and EDs, the better. So long as the show is either meant for the anime or very well chosen, I like the variety moreso than I like growing an attachment for one theme or the other. Of course, there are some exceptions where a certain theme fits the show so well it deserves to be the only opening/ending for the show (Outlaw Star, Cowboy Bebop, and Wolf's Rain come to mind, among many others).


The only time I get annoyed is when they lengthen the OP/ED for the sole purpose of wasting time so don't they don't have to work hard on the show itself, like in One PieceOne Piece actually has less opening/ending theme time now than it has ever had, and less than most other Japanese shows have.

2:30 opening < 3:00 for opening + ending

[Neo Ultra Mike]

Originally posted by EscaflownePilot
Of course, there are some exceptions where a certain theme fits the show so well it deserves to be the only opening/ending for the show (Outlaw Star, Cowboy Bebop, and Wolf's Rain come to mind, among many others).

Would the "among many others" include just other 26 episode or so shows? Because really there's no point for a second intro for a one season show since you could pretty much put all that happens in one intro.

I don't really think it matters too much how often the openings/endings change (so long as they each are the same amount of time and don't give away major spoilers about upcoming episodes) since even if you do really love an opening, chances are you can find it really easy nowadays apart from the show. Not to mention a new opening can help attract more people in if they were put off by the last intro and could hook them into the show by being different then before. It also seems most major shows are adopting a policy of 26-50 episodes before changing an opening if it's long term and 13-20 if it's a shorter/one year series. I think the policy works and since they'll still using it the companies making it must agree with this as well.

[Vallen Valiant]

It's long enough that a single opening isn't going to be relevant for very long.
The fact that nearly all Gundam TV series adapt a duo-arc system means it is almost essential to have at least two OPs for them.

Basically, you have a specific plot-direction in Gundam at the start that gathers the heroes and villains together, develop them as characters, and then some major event mid-story completely changes the rules. Characters die, change sides, or everything went nuts in an explosion or two.

The characters then come back, heroes and villains get their upgraded mecha after either passing their mount to side characters or lose them in dramatic battles, and the story ends in a climatic event that had very little to do with how the story first began.

A 2-OP method can thus work for most Gundam series, because the story is usually in two halves.

For FMA, however, I strongly disagree that 4 OP was too much. 4 OPs were perfect in FMA because despite having the same episode count as a Gundam TV series, ED and Al's adventure flowed much more quickly timewise. Multiple events in the show altered the political landscape and major players over and over again, from how Ed joined the Military, searched for tPS, meeting the Sins, finding out what they needed to do, getting what they thought they wanted, leaving the military, finding the REAL villain, and come full circle about what they really considered important.

Episode counts are not reliable for a measure of desired OP quantity; it is story progression that is important. That's why stories that flow much slower could have entire 26 eps with only one OP (e.g. nearly all harem comedies like Love Hina. Nothing EVER changes there. Or Dragonball where one story arc can take forever.).

[EscaflownePilot]

Would the "among many others" include just other 26 episode or so shows? Because really there's no point for a second intro for a one season show since you could pretty much put all that happens in one intro.That's not really what I was basing it on. There are some 26 episode series that I'm glad had multiple openings/endings to break things up (Code Geass, for example) and some 50+ episode series that worked very well with only one opening and ending (Armored Trooper VOTOMS, for example).

I'm not really basing this on whether I like the song or what the length of the series is - some shows are just very suited to having a large assortment of openings throughout the course of the show, while others work very well having one and only one theme represent the opening or ending throughout.

For example, I absolutely loved both Two-mix songs used in Gundam Wing, but I honestly think they should've switched openings every 13 episodes with Wing because I feel the Gundam series works very well with multiple openings - not just because of the constant need to update the opening animation (which can be done a-la Black Cat without changing the song) but because the Gundam franchise is just the kind of show that I think deserves different openings to represent each smaller story-arc within the show.

Something like VOTOMS or Cowboy Bebop, though, have openings so well suited to the series that it just doesn't feel right having anything else represent it.

That's why I don't think there should be some central rule somewhere so much as I think it should be determined purely on a series by series basis.

[HellCat]

Case by case is definetly valid. If you want a show that I think did fine with 2 OPs I'd point to G Gundam. It worked fine there because halfway through we got a major setting change with the move to Neo-Hong Kong and various characters growth. It also had moments which reflected on the previous OP, such as Domon standing alone looking at the ruined Shining Gundam. When I compare that to the CE openings there's no real contest. Those openings didn't even have much to say and filled space with bizarre shots of the main cast appearing naked behind Shinn. In my opinion the OP has important narrative duty. If it's not serving that you at least should give the audience something memorable like Tomino's recent OPs. I appreciate the demands of the industry but I'm personally not interested in some cheap slapped togethor attempt which is less about promoting the actual show and more about serving as cheap advertising for a song.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Case by case is definetly valid. If you want a show that I think did fine with 2 OPs I'd point to G Gundam. It worked fine there because halfway through we got a major setting change with the move to Neo-Hong Kong and various characters growth. It also had moments which reflected on the previous OP, such as Domon standing alone looking at the ruined Shining Gundam. When I compare that to the CE openings there's no real contest. Those openings didn't even have much to say and filled space with bizarre shots of the main cast appearing naked behind Shinn. In my opinion the OP has important narrative duty. If it's not serving that you at least should give the audience something memorable like Tomino's recent OPs. I appreciate the demands of the industry but I'm personally not interested in some cheap slapped togethor attempt which is less about promoting the actual show and more about serving as cheap advertising for a song.

Very much so. I've not seen any SEED openings but from the sound of it they're there just to sell a CD.

[Dudley]

i think they should have a different one for each story arc/saga.