Eyecatch
Encyclopedia
An or internal eyecatch is a scene or illustration used to begin and end a commercial break in a Japan
ese TV program, especially in anime
and tokusatsu
shows, similar to how "bumpers" into/out of commercial breaks are used in the United States
. The term is used, in Japan, to refer to all kinds of bumpers.
Unlike in American programs, in which bumps are typically supplied by the network (when they have them at all), eyecatches are almost always produced by the production company and considered a part of the program itself, rather than (or also serving as) a segue into a commercial break. They are typically 2–6 seconds long. Eyecatches for children's programs are often longer and more elaborate, while eyecatches for programming for adults may consist of nothing more than the program's logo against a black background.
Most programs use the same eyecatch in each episode, but a few change them every week, or rotate a stable of repeating eyecatches. The program The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is a noted exception; there is only one eyecatch in the entire series, which is contained in the first program and is meant to be a riff on anime clichés. Other anime without eyecatches include Elfen Lied
, The Big O
, Fullmetal Alchemist
(in the first series) and Naruto
.
The anime Air Gear
also makes use of humorous eyecatches, such as Agito becoming super deformed
.
Often, especially in programs aimed at children, the eyecatch has a secondary purpose: marketing
. Pokémon
is one of the examples (see below); the purpose of the eyecatch of Pokémon is to help children learn to identify the characters and thus increase brand awareness. Likewise, there is a recent trend among magical girl
anime in Japan of using the eyecatches to show the heroine having fun with some gadget or toy, such as those featured in Pretty Cure
. The item featured is then made into merchandise and sold. Thus, the eyecatch both creates a product and provides it with free advertising.
There have also been times, at least in anime, where multiple eyecatches are displayed throughout each episode that do not necessarily have to do with commercial breaks. The eyecatches in this case tend to be around five per episode. Examples of this type can be found in such anime as Rec
and Tsuyokiss
. More over, this is also seen in the anime Pani Poni Dash!
where the eyecatches often have scenes pertaining to the episode in question.
Some anime like Katekyo Hitman Reborn!
have different eyecatches for every story arc.
.
In Inazuma eleven, there are shown the FFI participating Teams' Badges saying Inazuma and then endo says Eleven
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese TV program, especially in anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
and tokusatsu
Tokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
shows, similar to how "bumpers" into/out of commercial breaks are used in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The term is used, in Japan, to refer to all kinds of bumpers.
Unlike in American programs, in which bumps are typically supplied by the network (when they have them at all), eyecatches are almost always produced by the production company and considered a part of the program itself, rather than (or also serving as) a segue into a commercial break. They are typically 2–6 seconds long. Eyecatches for children's programs are often longer and more elaborate, while eyecatches for programming for adults may consist of nothing more than the program's logo against a black background.
Types
Elfen Lied
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Lynn Okamoto. A thirteen-episode anime television series adaptation was produced by the studio ARMS and broadcast on TV Tokyo from July to October 2004. The anime was later licensed in North America on DVD by ADV Films...
, The Big O
The Big O
is a Japanese animated television series created by director Kazuyoshi Katayama and designer Keiichi Sato for Sunrise Studios. The writing staff was assembled by the series' head writer, Chiaki J. Konaka....
, Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist
, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. The world of Fullmetal Alchemist is styled after the European Industrial Revolution...
(in the first series) and Naruto
Naruto
is an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. The plot tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and aspires to become the Hokage, the ninja in his village who is acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of...
.
The anime Air Gear
Air Gear
is a shōnen manga written and illustrated by Ito "Oh Great" Ōgure. Air Gear revolves around the life of Itsuki Minami "Ikki", also known as "Baby Face", "Lil Crow", and his friends. The story follows their use of Air Treks, an in-universe invention derived from inline skates...
also makes use of humorous eyecatches, such as Agito becoming super deformed
Super deformed
Super deformed or SD is a specific style of Japanese caricature where characters are drawn in an exaggerated way, typically small and chubby, with stubby limbs and oversized heads, to make them resemble small children...
.
Often, especially in programs aimed at children, the eyecatch has a secondary purpose: marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
. Pokémon
Pokémon (anime)
, abbreviated from , is a children's TV anime series, which has since been adapted for the North and South American, Australian and European television markets...
is one of the examples (see below); the purpose of the eyecatch of Pokémon is to help children learn to identify the characters and thus increase brand awareness. Likewise, there is a recent trend among magical girl
Magical girl
belong to a sub-genre of Japanese fantasy anime and manga. Magical girl stories feature young girls with superhuman abilities, forced to fight evil and to protect the Earth. They often possess a secret identity, although the name can just refer to young girls who follow a plotline involving magic...
anime in Japan of using the eyecatches to show the heroine having fun with some gadget or toy, such as those featured in Pretty Cure
Futari wa Pretty Cure
Pretty Cure, known in Japan as , is a Japanese magical girl anime series, part of the Pretty Cure metaseries produced by Toei Animation and broadcast across Japan by Animax, TV Asahi and Asahi Broadcasting Corporation. The series is watched mostly by elementary and secondary students in Japan; it...
. The item featured is then made into merchandise and sold. Thus, the eyecatch both creates a product and provides it with free advertising.
There have also been times, at least in anime, where multiple eyecatches are displayed throughout each episode that do not necessarily have to do with commercial breaks. The eyecatches in this case tend to be around five per episode. Examples of this type can be found in such anime as Rec
Rec (manga)
Rec is a Japanese manga about an aspiring voice actress, authored by Q-Tarou Hanamizawa. An anime adaptation has been created which consists of nine twelve-minute episodes, plus another twelve-minute original video animation episode.-Story:...
and Tsuyokiss
Tsuyokiss
is a video game that has been adapted into an anime series. The romance story is created by Takahiro and Yasutomo Yamada , and focuses on a group of students at a high school and the various romantic attachments that the characters feel for each another.Tsuyokiss originally began as an visual...
. More over, this is also seen in the anime Pani Poni Dash!
Pani Poni Dash!
, also known as through its anime adaptation , is a Japanese manga series that uses parody, frequently referencing Japanese and American pop-culture in many ways...
where the eyecatches often have scenes pertaining to the episode in question.
Some anime like Katekyo Hitman Reborn!
Reborn!
Reborn!, known in Japan as , is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Akira Amano. The plot revolves around the life of a young boy named Tsunayoshi Sawada, who finds out that he is next in line to become the boss of the most powerful Mafia organization called Vongola, the Vongola Family...
have different eyecatches for every story arc.
Examples in USA
An example in American culture is the use before and after commercials during NBC's long running Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
.
Anime
- In One PieceOne Pieceis a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since August 4, 1997; the individual chapters are being published in tankōbon volumes by Shueisha, with the first released on December 24, 1997, and the 64th volume released as...
, the eyecatches up to episode 206 consist of a series of Wanted posters, each depicting one of the show's central characters, who are all pirates and therefore wanted criminals, as well as a piece of music unique to that character. The character featured is usually central to the episode's plot. Starting with episode 207, the show switched to wide screen, so each of the main characters gained short eyecatch animation. - In D.N.AngelD.N.Angelis a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yukiru Sugisaki. The ongoing manga premiered in Japan in the Kadokawa Shoten shōjo magazine Monthly Asuka in November 1997. The series went on an extended hiatus after the August 2005 issue, returning in the April 2008 issue...
, the eyecatch consists of an animated feather with the show's logo in the corner along with dramatic music. In the fifth episode, as a joke on the phenomenon of the eyecatch itself, this animation is used not only for the commercial break, but during every major scene transition, appearing a half-dozen extra times without explanation. At the end of the episode the eyecatch appears again, causing the characters Risa Harada and Riku Harada to yell "ENOUGH ALREADY!" at which point the eyecatch music winds down like a switched-off record. This is a rare occurrence of anime characters breaking the fourth wallFourth wallThe fourth wall is the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play...
to acknowledge they are in a TV show. - In PokémonPokémonis a media franchise published and owned by the video game company Nintendo and created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996. Originally released as a pair of interlinkable Game Boy role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, Pokémon has since become the second most successful and lucrative video...
, the eyecatches challenge viewers to identify one of the series' 646 fictional creatures, which is obscured in silhouetteSilhouetteA silhouette is the image of a person, an object or scene consisting of the outline and a basically featureless interior, with the silhouetted object usually being black. Although the art form has been popular since the mid-18th century, the term “silhouette” was seldom used until the early decades...
. After the commercial break, the answer is revealed. The idea remained in the English version of the television anime with its own Who's that Pokémon? segment, until the beginning of the Advanced Generation era (Advanced Challenge in America), when they switched to "Trainer's Choice." Now, Who's that Pokémon? is back in USA. - In Fruits BasketFruits Basket, sometimes abbreviated , is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya. It was serialized in the semi-monthly Japanese magazine Hana to Yume, published by Hakusensha, from 1999 to 2006. The series was also adapted into a 26-episode anime series, directed by Akitaro...
, the anime was designed to include several unique eyecatches for each episode. - Death NoteDeath Noteis a manga created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and manga artist Takeshi Obata. The main character is Light Yagami, a high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook, the "Death Note", dropped on Earth by a god of death, or a shinigami, named Ryuk...
utilizes the eyecatch as a means to educate the viewer about the rules of the Death Note. Each eyecatch reveals a new rule, coinciding with the motives of the main character, and does not interrupt the plot itself. - In Yu-Gi-Oh GX, eyecatches are used with one or two characters which are currently dueling against each other or has the episode centered mainly on them.
- In Gurren Lagann, an eyecatch is used in the middle of each episode, displaying artwork of two characters the current episode is focusing on.
- In Kono Aozora ni Yakusoku wo the eyecatches also featured the 6 main female characters, usually shown, depending on which character the episode centers on(In Order: Rinna Sawaki, Rokujo Miyaho, Shizu Fujimura, Umi Hayama, Saeri Kirishima and Naoko Asakura).
- In the second season of Kaleido StarKaleido Staris an anime series produced by Japanese studio Gonzo Digimation Holding. The series was created by Junichi Sato, who also directed the first season, and written by Reiko Yoshida...
, an eyecatch is used before and after a commercial break that shows a super deformedSuper deformedSuper deformed or SD is a specific style of Japanese caricature where characters are drawn in an exaggerated way, typically small and chubby, with stubby limbs and oversized heads, to make them resemble small children...
Sora Naegino possibly practicing moves on the trapeze and tightrope. - In Yu Yu Hakusho, the eyecatch is super deformedSuper deformedSuper deformed or SD is a specific style of Japanese caricature where characters are drawn in an exaggerated way, typically small and chubby, with stubby limbs and oversized heads, to make them resemble small children...
-forms of the main characters attacking eyeball monsters that turn into the kanjiKanjiKanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters hanzi that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana , katakana , Indo Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet...
of the title of the show with red and black background. Yusuke also shoots the kanji with his Spirit Gun a few extra times to line them up, with the background turning light blue, and Botan subsequently appearing. Finally, Koenma falls on top of Kuwabara's head. - Some series has in each episode a different eyecatch with an exclusive artwork related to it, like in Dragonball GT, where every week a group of the show's characters are stuffed in a car driving somewhere. Some come to the extent of putting two new ones (at the start and end of the break respectively) every week. One example is Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.
- In Shuffle!Shuffle!is a Japanese visual novel developed by Navel. It was originally released as an adult game for Microsoft Windows on January 30, 2004. It was subsequently followed by an all-ages release for the PlayStation 2 and an expanded adult release for Windows...
, it uses two sets of eyecatches, one for generally comedic episodes, another for the dramatic episodes. The comedic eyecatches shows Primula's stuffed toy doing moves a la Street FighterStreet Fighter, commonly abbreviated as SF, is a series of Fighting Games developed in Japan in which the players pit the video games' competitive fighters from around the world, each with his or her own unique fighting style, against one another...
and sharing a squid with another cat; the dramatic eyecatch shows the major female characters in the nude with the censored bits cleverly hidden. - In Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-ChanBokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chanis a Japanese light novel series written by Masaki Okayu and illustrated by Torishimo. It centers on a teenage boy and a killer angel from the future who constantly gets him into trouble and kills him violently and repeatedly with a spiked club, only to resurrect him seconds later. The novels were...
, the eyecatch is (with one exception) Dokuro accidentally killing herself in one of several ways. - In GaoGaiGar, the eyecatch includes technical descriptions of GGG mechs, equipment, Gao Machines and so on with small but readable English text describing in more detail, this trend is continued in OVA sequel GaoGaiGar Final.
- In Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi PitchMermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitchis a shōjo manga and anime series created by Michiko Yokote, with artwork by Pink Hanamori. The manga was originally published in the monthly shōjo manga anthology Nakayoshi...
, Lucia flips a card and show the expression of the heroines, which character they drew. When the commercial is over in the second half of the eyecatch, they will show which character they have flipped. - In the first season of Keroro Gunsou in which Sgt. Keroro emerges from the water with a sign bearing the title of the series, the word "EYECATCH" in English can be seen printed in the background.
- BokuranoBokuranois a Japanese science fiction manga by Mohiro Kitoh that was serialized in the monthly manga magazine Ikki from 2003 to 2009; 11 tankōbon have been published by Shogakukan...
also uses this. Every episode, the chairs of the remaining pilot(s) spin inside Zearth. As the current pilot's chair is chosen, the remaining pilot/s say "Bokurano~". - In Hetalia: Axis PowersHetalia: Axis Powersis a Japanese webcomic, later adapted as a manga and an anime series, by . The series presents an allegorical trivialisation of political and historic events, particularly of the World War II era, in which the various countries are represented by stereotyped anthropomorphic characters...
, eyecatches are often used to switch scenes. A Hetalia eyecatch consists of the Hetalia logo and a character popping out from behind the logo, saying "Hetalia" in a high (but not too high) pitched version of that character's normal voice. The character can pop out anywhere from behind the Hetalia logo. - In Slam DunkSlam dunkA slam dunk is a type of basketball shot that is performed when a player jumps in the air and manually powers the ball downward through the basket with one or both hands over the rim. This is considered a normal field goal attempt; if successful it is worth two points. The term "slam dunk" was...
, several different eyecatches are commonly used for comedic effect, usually featuring Sakuragi, Rukawa and Haruko, or Sakuragi being disciplined by Akagi. Kainan High School Player Kyota Nobunaga also appears in one eyecatch making him the only Non-Shohoku Player to appear in the eyecatches - In KanamemoKanamemois a Japanese four-panel comic strip written and illustrated by . The strip has been serialized in Houbunsha's seinen manga magazine Manga Time Kirara Max since June 19, 2007...
, there are different eyecatches for each episode. It features any of the main characters with one saying "Kana" and the other saying "Memo"
In Inazuma eleven, there are shown the FFI participating Teams' Badges saying Inazuma and then endo says Eleven
Tokusatsu
- In Kamen Rider Faiz, the eyecatch has the Driver System saying, "Kamen Rider Faiz...In A Flash!"
- In Tokusou Sentai DekarangerTokusou Sentai Dekarangeris the twenty-eighth production of the Super Sentai television series produced by Toei. The action footage from the show was used for the American series Power Rangers S.P.D..The opening catchphrase of the series is .-Story:...
, the eyecatch features the ranger(s) of the episode shooting the screen, while DekaMaster slashes the screen and DekaBreak punches it.
- In Tensou Sentai GoseigerTensou Sentai Goseigeris the title of Toei Company's thirty-fourth entry in its long-running Super Sentai Series of Japanese tokusatsu television series. It joined Kamen Rider W as a program featured in TV Asahi's Super Hero Time programming block, until the premiere of Kamen Rider OOO...
, the eyecatch involves the character(s) of the episode transforming to a Goseiger, and then changing to a Gosei Card while the title card appears on the bottom right of the screen. When the break ends, it goes in reverse.
- In Engine Sentai Go-OngerEngine Sentai Go-ongeris the title of Toei Company's thirty-second Super Sentai series of Japanese tokusatsu television series. It premiered on February 17, 2008, a week following the finale of Juken Sentai Gekiranger, and ended on February 8, 2009. It aired as part of TV Asahi's 2008 Super Hero Time block alongside...
, the eyecatch is the five primary mecha shown in a race and BOMPER as the referee, with the viewers told to make a guess who wins. After the break, the winner is shown and that mecha says a short catchphrase. All five mecha tie in the eyecatch for the finale.
- In Choudenshi BiomanChoudenshi Biomanis Toei Company's eighth installment in the Super Sentai series. It was aired on TV Asahi from February 4, 1984 to January 26, 1985, with a total of 51 episodes, as well as a movie. Its international English title as listed by Toei is simply Bioman.-Plot:...
, the eyecatch features a normal version of Red one and small versions of (Clockwise from bottom left) Blue 3 that seems to be sliding from Red one's Right shoulder, Pink 5 that seems to be performing a superkick, Green 2 who seems to be levitating from red one's left shoulder and yellow 4. The title card is also seen in the bottom right of the screen. After the break, Bio Robo is shown who seems to be running and holding the bio sword. The Title Card can be seen on the bottom left of the screen.
- In Choujin Sentai JetmanChoujin Sentai Jetmanwas the fifteenth entry of the Super Sentai television series. Produced by the Toei Company and Bandai, the series aired on TV Asahi on February 15, 1991 to February 14, 1992, with a total of 51 episodes...
, the eyecatch before the break features the jetman team (in their suits) posing somewhere in a side of a mountain. Their positions from left to right(from the viewer's view) featured Black condor seating with his right leg over his left leg, white swan stands behind him, Red Hawk is at the center, Yellow Owl is in a side view, and sitting beside him is Blue swallow.. the end of the commercial break features the Jetman team in their Human forms in the same positions
- In Zyuranger, the eyecatch before the break features the main 5 zyurangers in their vehicles and stopping in front of the camera. The title card can be seen on the bottom right of the screen. After the break, the eyecatch features the main 5 mecha
- In Maskman, the eyecatch before the break features the Maskman team shown.. the end of the commercial break features Great Five poses with Photo Electron Riser and the Five Shield