Are OP/ED worth it for series?

[Sosseres]

I just wanted to create a topic where I wanted to see a discussion if OP/ED fills enough purpose to warrant a repeating 3 minute content in each episode with unusually high quality. Wouldn't this producer time be better spent developing characters and the plot instead of having content that (in most series) doesn't add anything to the overall storytelling.

My reason for wondering if most people actually do want OP/ED is that I tend to watch  95% of all OP/EDs once and then skip them for the rest of the series. Only watching the first 2 seconds to see if it is the same one or a new one. In a few series where they use the same OP/ED many times you could cut an entire episode of the series away without losing a single minute of unique content.

So what are the arguments for OP/ED that doesn't do anything new or special. What value do they add to a series (except reducing costs in many cases due to repeating content)? Is showing the cast value?

[Arveene]

I really like some of the songs and animation in some of them. There really aren't too many OP/EDs that I skip. I suppose the real question is this: If they didn't put the OP/ED in every episode would you really get more per episode or would it just be more commercials?

[Sosseres]

I really like some of the songs and animation in some of them. There really aren't too many OP/EDs that I skip. I suppose the real question is this: If they didn't put the OP/ED in every episode would you really get more per episode or would it just be more commercials?

Ah but since I don't watch anything at all on TV that doesn't apply. ^^ It is true they might simply cut content though.

[relic2279]

I think op/eds do serve some purpose. While I'm too lazy to think of more more then 1 right now, I list the first one that comes to mind.

It sets the tone for the entire show/season. A lot of us just download episodes or whole shows and watch them all at once, but they're meant to be watched a week at a time. It's almost a reminder of what's to come or how to feel about a show since you just went 7 days before watching the last episode.

[ant900]

Overall I enjoy OP/EDs, even though I usually just watch them on the first and last episode of a series.  Overall I would have to say it doesn't hurt the series in anyway.  I doubt we would get any noticeable bonus if they got rid of them.

[zherok]

I suppose the real question is this: If they didn't put the OP/ED in every episode would you really get more per episode or would it just be more commercials?

Probably depend on the show. Something like Bleach already wastes several minutes recapping the previous episode, so you wouldn't get anything more anyway. Shows that constantly bite at the heels of the manga would just end up with like 8-10 minute recaps per episode. That'd be horrible. =/

I can't think of any show off the top of my head that doesn't use an opener. The use of outros is less common outside of anime, but intros are near universal. Even if you got an abbreviated ED you'd only have a minute and a half tops more content. To be honest, I think the bigger deal would be to have more episodes than marginally longer ones. Particularly since so many animes are based on a manga or the like anyway. Having to finish off at 13/26 (or even odder numbers) is probably what makes them so abrupt, rather than a minute and half less an episode eaten by the ED.

[Sosseres]

I can't think of any show off the top of my head that doesn't use an opener. The use of outros is less common outside of anime, but intros are near universal. Even if you got an abbreviated ED you'd only have a minute and a half tops more content. To be honest, I think the bigger deal would be to have more episodes than marginally longer ones. Particularly since so many animes are based on a manga or the like anyway. Having to finish off at 13/26 (or even odder numbers) is probably what makes them so abrupt, rather than a minute and half less an episode eaten by the ED.

Well the ED adds up to almost an entire episode over 13 episodes (19.5 minutes). So it isn't little time. They also sometimes use unique art for OP/ED which could have been used in the series (unless it is in the ed/op due to being cut out but already made).

[Zalis116]

OP/ED is a good way to fill broadcast time with footage that only has to be animated once -- if they filled that time with more content, the average overall quality would go down. Plus, anime OP/ED are a way for production companies to promote singers and bands. Just look at how many shows have sponsorship or other involvement from Lantis, Starchild Records, King Records, Aniplex (Sony Music), Avex Mode, and others.

[zherok]

The outro would still need to exist in some form for credits, so it probably wouldn't quite add up to an episode's worth even at 13 episodes. I still think when animes feel abrupt it's less an issue of, "if only there were less time spent on the intro and outro," and more "there needs to be more episodes." Regardless of how long they take, you're still talking about time divided across every episode. You can add more to a series with a minute and a half each episode, but it's not really the same thing as an extra episode.

To be honest though, I read more manga than I watch anime. With so many animes being based on manga it's hard for me to watch them cut short at an arbitrary point in the series because that's how many episodes fit into a given season.

[Sosseres]

OP/ED is a good way to fill broadcast time with footage that only has to be animated once -- if they filled that time with more content, the average overall quality would go down. Plus, anime OP/ED are a way for production companies to promote singers and bands. Just look at how many shows have sponsorship or other involvement from Lantis, Starchild Records, King Records, Aniplex (Sony Music), Avex Mode, and others.

That is a very good point that I didn't consider. They would lose sponsors.

The main reason I started this series is because a series used the wonderful formula of:
Content
OP
Content
Mid break
Content
ED
Content
Preview

Forcing me to see the first few seconds of the preview (I hate spoilers). That is another problem with the OP/ED, how they fit into an episode. So normally ED serves a purpose, it stops them from using minor spoilers. Found a use. ^^

[Tatsujin]

I just wanted to create a topic where I wanted to see a discussion if OP/ED fills enough purpose to warrant a repeating 3 minute content in each episode with unusually high quality. Wouldn't this producer time be better spent developing characters and the plot instead of having content that (in most series) doesn't add anything to the overall storytelling.

My reason for wondering if most people actually do want OP/ED is that I tend to watch  95% of all OP/EDs once and then skip them for the rest of the series. Only watching the first 2 seconds to see if it is the same one or a new one. In a few series where they use the same OP/ED many times you could cut an entire episode of the series away without losing a single minute of unique content.

So what are the arguments for OP/ED that doesn't do anything new or special. What value do they add to a series (except reducing costs in many cases due to repeating content)? Is showing the cast value?

What're you talking about? If they are worth watching, for example, Koukaku no Regios opening theme, I'd watch them in every new episode! And to be honest, I also have a witness; Canas, you can ask her. She wanted to skip the OP but I didn't skip it. However, she liked the ED but I didn't, I skip it and watch the previews (rarely) but she just watches the whole thing. Also, EF ~ Melodies opening theme, hands down, one of the best opening themes! Along with Kannazuki no Miko's opening and especially the closing theme (ridiculously and easily one of the best ending themes ever! Agony by KOTOKO). If it's good and worth watching. I have no problem with it. Kannagi's opening theme ... bah, I'm stopping here. Haha!

[Aneroph]

Op/ED's are a very nice way to learn about new songs, artists, and bands from Japan. Unlike in America where all of our television and cartoons have theme songs written by out of work musicians, Japan actually uses top selling artists, and almost every song released in an anime hits the top of the music charts. For me, seeing translations to lyrics in the animes is really not needed, as most Japanese songs don't make a whole lot of sense anyways, but I always enjoy easy to read romaji with the song so I can sing along with it. If I can't sing along with it then I usually just skip it.

OP's can really help set a mood for the anime if you do it correctly. If it's really fun and upbeat then it can build some excitement for the rest of the show. Likewise if it's really sad and somber then it can put your mind into a sad mood to prepare for what's to come. Endings are a little less useful, but when done correctly they can really continue the mood of the show and leave on a high/low note. Particularly notable was the ending for Gunslinger girl: Il Teatrino (Lia - Doll). The show actually flowed directly into the ED and used the song's beginning as a sort of soundtrack for the end of each episode. Those who have seen/heard this will know exactly what I'm talking about. A great OP was Pre-Parade for Toradora because it was really upbeat with an attitude that seemed to fit the show style and even Taiga's personality perfectly, so it really brought a little extra sparkle to the beginnings of the show.

[Tatsujin]

Op/ED's are a very nice way to learn about new songs, artists, and bands from Japan. Unlike in America where all of our television and cartoons have theme songs written by out of work musicians, Japan actually uses top selling artists, and almost every song released in an anime hits the top of the music charts. For me, seeing translations to lyrics in the animes is really not needed, as most Japanese songs don't make a whole lot of sense anyways, but I always enjoy easy to read romaji with the song so I can sing along with it. If I can't sing along with it then I usually just skip it.

OP's can really help set a mood for the anime if you do it correctly. If it's really fun and upbeat then it can build some excitement for the rest of the show. Likewise if it's really sad and somber then it can put your mind into a sad mood to prepare for what's to come. Endings are a little less useful, but when done correctly they can really continue the mood of the show and leave on a high/low note. Particularly notable was the ending for Gunslinger girl: Il Teatrino (Lia - Doll). The show actually flowed directly into the ED and used the song's beginning as a sort of soundtrack for the end of each episode. Those who have seen/heard this will know exactly what I'm talking about. A great OP was Pre-Parade for Toradora because it was really upbeat with an attitude that seemed to fit the show style and even Taiga's personality perfectly, so it really brought a little extra sparkle to the beginnings of the show.

+100!!! No wait ... It's over NINE THOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUU UUUUSSSSSSSSAAAAAAA NNNNNNNDDDDDDDD!

[Borror0]

I have a hate for inappropriate songs for good animes. You know, the ones that totally destroy the mood created by the anime. ED are worse at that since you get to hear them after watching the anime even if you're spacing your views or watching the episodes as they are subbed. A notoriously bad ED is the one from the second season of Clannad. OP are bad too if you are marathoning through them and they end up destroying the mood created by the previous episode.

Though, when the song is appropriate for the feel of the anime, I think they make a create addition. One very good choice was Falling Down for Eden of the East. What they did with the OP's and ED's in ef- A tale of Melodies was simply awesome.

[cubensis55]

Elfen Lied for the best OP/ED combo.

Clannad AS for worst ED...it just killed the somber mood.

[Sosseres]

Elfen Lied for the best OP/ED combo.

Clannad AS for worst ED...it just killed the somber mood.

Please don't go off and discuss the merits of individual OP/ED without tying it into a discussion. There is a thread about that in the music section of the site.

[Reape]

Some OP/ED themes are really good in amplifying the mood of the anime such as those of Ef or Higurashi no Naku Koro ni...

[anesthehero]

There are some OP/ED that have in them secrets of the serie that you don't understand at the beginning but the more you go on the more
you understand.

[Path]

Aside from artistic merits, OPs/EDs are part of the symbiosis with the entertainment industry, for better or worse; really, if they were removed entirely, the subsequent reduction in funding from the music industry would likely impair the production qualities of the series. As such, I'd say that they are certainly "worth it", regardless of any real intrinsic value. For the record, I usually skip the OP/ED as well after I've seen them once (especially if I'm watching a batch) unless they're exceptional or just plain catchy.

[darkjedi]

Some OP/ED themes are really good in amplifying the mood of the anime such as those of Ef or Higurashi no Naku Koro ni...

Yeah, Ef - aToM has awesome opening songs, and True Tears has good OP/ED also. The English version of Euphoric Field is my favorite anime OST.

Some anime discourage me right from the start with ugly openings, like in Mnemosyne and Darker Than Black... never trust amateur Japanese rockstars to make good lyrics out of Engrish.