Do You Prefer Continuing Storylines Or Not?

Stelok · Newb Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Posts: 19

the original Macross series and an obscure anime called Yaiba each have a purely continuing storyline that continued until when the series ended. Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z and Rurouni Kenshin has many continuing storylines that usually last for at least 10 episodes. But in Dragon Ball Z's case, Continuing storylines, called sagas, last at least 30 episodes. Maijin Buu saga was so long, I lost count but I count at least 60 episodes.

I am strongly fond of continuing plots because they leave me with suspenseful cliffhangers and it keeps me excited until I get to see the next episode. I prefer to enjoy storylines that lasted for more than two episodes.

But I had to admit if a storyline lingers for longer than 40 episodes, I might get be annoyed or bored. That was why I was rather irritated with Maijin Buu saga of Dragon Ball Z

cstdenis · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 10:05 pm Post subject:

Shorter animes (12-26 eps, and oav series) generally have one continual plotline, but for long ones they usually either run out of plot and have to make a new one, or only plan for so many eps, then come up with another plot because its popular and they want to continue it.

Using your example, DBZ was supposed to end at the freeza saga, but due to popularity just kept going.
_________________
You will obey or molten silver will be poured into your ears.

Lexar · Forum Stalker Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 1129

Say what you want about dragging out episodes about dbz, but they had THE biggest fight ever between goku and freeza which lasted almost half a season.

Raymei · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 2:42 pm Post subject:

little single to double episode animes are fun sometimes (like Detective Conan) but I prefer story-lines ^^

silver_dreams · Elder Than Dirt Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 5102

i have to agree with Raymei

DG-sama · Moderator Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 2294

For me it depends what genre anime I'm watching, for a fatasy or action adventure I prefer a nice long plotline. But if I'm watching a humor based one I prefer the one episode varity. Say like Azumanga Daioh or Excel saga (not counting the last three episodes or so) it's hard to imagine those plot lines going on for more then one episode.
_________________
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/DG-sama/avatars/kingsig.jpg[/img]

God damn you signature WORK!

Thirteen_Black_Roses · Has No Life Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 510

Mostly I like continuing storylines, they help develop the characters. I like character development. Sometimes shorter, one or two ep. storylines can work for a show, but I like it better when there's something tying it together. Like Cowboy Bebop, there's mostly 1 ep stories, but there's a deeper underlying story between Spike and Vicious that ties the show together. I liked that. I wish they'd developed it more or and revealed more information, but it really worked for that show.

Stelok · Newb Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Posts: 19

I believe the word you all are looking for to refer to 1 episode anime is called "Episodic anime"

Episodic anime are the anime with a plotline that lasts only one episode. All American cartoons are episodic.

Thirteen_Black_Roses · Has No Life Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 510

Yes! Yes. I knew there had to be a term for it. Thanks! ^_^

KotokoPlum · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 12:17 pm Post subject:

I like storylines that continue, as long as they don't go for too long. It gets very redundant after seeing the same things happen again and again... Sometimes I like the short ones, like Case Closed (like Raymei!), but usually I prefer the continuing storylines.

Keyido · Very bored Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 134

I like both, but I mostly watch the continuing plot stories. But I haven't fully watched any short plot stories other than Witch Hunter Robin and it really made me mad when it just ended like that and you don't know what happens to Robin and Amos(sp?).

fakears · Newb Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 3

I prefer shorter story lines, just because if something goes on and on it starts to get tedious.

LunaticCrow · Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:27 pm Post subject:

I like theme of the week type things myself.
_________________
[img]http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/lunaticcrow/goodnight.jpg[/img]

DragonicFlames · Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:36 pm Post subject:

Depends on a lot of factors. If the plot is really good I want the show to continue on.

But if it's like Pokemon or DBZ with a thousand and one episodes, I really don't want to have to sit there and watch it. And then you have movies where it feels like there should be more to the story then where they left off at.

I guess it just depends...
_________________
[img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/Dragonicflamesfac/DFsig2.jpg[/img]
[u]Thank You, Layz :heart:[/u]

LunaticCrow · Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 2:06 pm Post subject:

Pokemon has Three episode substories, actually. Also, if I'm not mistaken the seasons go in 12 episode arcs. :0
_________________
[img]http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/lunaticcrow/goodnight.jpg[/img]

gamefox120 · Very bored Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 233

I love a Good long storyline But not too long like Inuyasha I mean c'mon it rivals DBZ!
Rumiko takahashi and Akira Toriyama need to give it a rest
and just end the series for the Anime's sake!!!!!!
dont get me wrong I love Inuyasha.

Trinity_Fire · Forum Stalker Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 1042

I prefer short ones. There's way less filler, more thought per episode, and usually better storyline and unique endings.

For example, Wolf's rain was 26 (or 28?) I believe episodes, and though some still ran kind of like filler, you'd miss out on the plotline unless you'd seen them all.
For this reason, I love 13-ep anime even more, but then again, I've seen pretty few anime.

There needs to be more to an anime than just cool characters and cliched roles. I like some variety and more interesting storyline, please, and I'd give up popularity any day.

I guess that humorous stuff and other forms of episodic anime I suppose, like Detective Conan, etc... But I usually prefer a set storyline over just some random humor.
That's all. :3
_________________
[url=http://www.fanart-central.net/user-Trinity_Fire.php][img]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e326/MomentaryEternity/sig3.jpg[/img][/url][url=http://www.fanart-central.net/user_stories-Trinity_Fire.php][img]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e326/MomentaryEternity/sig2.jpg[/img][/url]

sailorharmony2000 · Very bored Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 143

I prefer shows that have a longer plotline vs. episodic plots. I guess I like to get to know more about the characters as possible. Also, if something happens and it's 'to be continued', I want to know how it'll end, so I'm more likely to tune into that particular show. With shows that have mini plots per episode, I feel like I could miss 4 or 5 episodes and not really be missing anything important. I don't mind if a show has mini plots, but a larger plot that goes across the season as well; the bigger plot would keep me tuned in. About the only episodic shows that I enjoyed was Pokemon and Samurai Champloo; but keep in mind, Samurai Champloo still had an overall plot over each season. Pokemon had a few episodes that connected here and there that I liked. Even Sailor Moon had mini plots, but one larger plot over each season as well (which became the focus closer to the end of each season). Ranma 1/2 would be an example of an episodic anime that I love the characters and it's funny, but sometimes I'd lose interest just because nothing major was happening. I've also lost interest in Pokemon after the second season for the same reason.
_________________
Fools aren't born; pretty girls make them in their spare time.

http://www.fanart-central.net/user-sailorharmony2000.php

KeheiZero · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:22 pm Post subject:

Personally I don't mind long plots, only as long as the story keeps moving on at a steady pace and doesn't drag its' ass for 4 or 5 episodes. There's nothing wrong with breaking off for a laugh episode (ie. Nadesico), just get right back to things.

ZinnKid · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:03 pm Post subject:

I prefer anime in which the story continues in each episode, and don't drag it on for 100 episodes. Just 13-26-52.