Summary
Anime eye catches fulfill numerous functions such as recapturing attention after a pause, mirroring the overall ambiance of the series, and offering a glimpse into the personalities and universe of the characters.
The finest eye-catching moments are defined by their superb and profound artistic selections. For instance, in Haikyu!!, the endearing volleyball scenes, and in Hunter x Hunter, the incorporation of vocabulary within the series creates an impactful introduction.
In long-standing series like One Piece and Yu Yu Hakusho, eye catches undergo gradual transformations, illustrating shifts in animation style and character portrayal. Meanwhile, All Saints Street and Pokémon present distinctive and delightful visuals that connect with the preceding scene's events.
Anime eye catches are the brief animations or title cards that appear during intermissions or commercial breaks in an anime. These eye-catching sequences are characterized by their accompanying music or sounds, visual imagery and animations, and the series' logo or name. Eye catches serve various purposes, from recapturing attention after a break to maintaining the overall tone of the series and providing insights into the characters and world. Given these multifaceted functions, the creation of anime eye catches involves significant deliberation.
While some anime may not give much consideration to their eye catches, others seize the opportunity to make use of these short animations in a impactful way. The most exceptional anime eye catches are distinguished by their exceptional and thoughtful artistic choices throughout their creation.
10. Haikyu!!
9. Hunter x Hunter (Both Versions)
Haikyu!!'s eye catches are delightful, brief scenes that evolve throughout the seasons. In the beginning, they showcase various characters attempting to serve a volleyball over the net, aiming to hit a plastic bottle on the opposite side. These sequences sometimes highlight a single character or interactions between multiple characters. However, as the anime progresses, the eye catches take on a different form and depict adorable animal versions of the characters engaging with one another. An example of this includes a small, round crow version of Hinata soaring across the screen or cat versions of Kenma and Kuro. These scenes possess an undeniable cuteness that harmonizes with the series' tone and themes flawlessly, solidifying Haikyu!!'s eye-catches as some of the best in the history of anime.
The anime adaptations of Hunter x Hunter feature captivating commercial break images and animations. The 1999 version often showcases vibrant concept art of characters and creatures from the series. On the other hand, the 2011 version presents a character who acquaints the viewers with the vocabulary of the Hunter x Hunter universe, including character names. These scenes effectively utilize the Hunter x Hunter alphabet, which incorporates symbols inspired by Japanese hiragana and katakana. Despite their brevity, these interludes effectively educate fans about the intricacies of the world and its characters.
8. One Piece
As a result of its lengthy run, One Piece incorporates multiple eye-catching animations. Among the more frequently seen ones are shots of the crew and scenes displaying their updated wanted posters fluttering by. The series also includes specific intermissions for certain episode specials, such as the collaboration between One Piece, Toriko, and Dragon Ball Z. Notably, the wanted poster animations have become iconic, spanning the entire series and reflecting both the evolving animation style and the changing depictions of the characters.
7. Yu Yu Hakusho
The intermission in the Yu Yu Hakusho anime is a beloved classic that showcases the main cast in an adorable chibi-style. During the Beasts of Maze Castle arc, small eye bats flutter onto the screen, signaling the arrival of Yusuke and his friends. Defeating the bats, they transform into the characters, forming the series' title. Yusuke skillfully straightens the characters with mini spirit guns, while Botan enters the scene and Koenma playfully lands on top of Kuwabara (sorry, buddy). These charming scenes perfectly capture the essence of the series' iconic characters, making them some of the most delightful anime eye-catches.
6. All Saints Street
5. Pokémon
All Saints Street is an animated series that originates from a Chinese webcomic. This delightful show can be found on Crunchyroll and is well-known for its incredibly adorable eye-catches, which hold a special place in anime history. These eye-catches change with each episode and cleverly tie into the events of the preceding scene. They may feature one of the main characters in a standalone moment or in the midst of interacting with others, but they always manage to captivate viewers and enhance the overall charm of the show.
The 'Who's That Pokémon?' section in the Pokémon series is a prime example of a captivating eye-catching moment. It showcases a silhouette of a Pokémon accompanied by a voiceover asking the question "Who's that Pokémon?". The subsequent segment reveals the full image of the Pokémon, provides the answer, and even incorporates the audio of the Pokémon's sound from the show. This eye-catching feature, reminiscent of other similar instances, offers audiences valuable insights into the series' universe. Undoubtedly, those who have watched the Pokémon anime will instantly recognize and appreciate these iconic anime eye-catches.
4. Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer's eye-catching visuals captivate viewers with close-ups and dynamic shots of the show's characters. These captivating moments often take the form of relevant scenes that highlight the stunning artistry of the Demon Slayer anime. The composition of these intermissions varies, with some featuring characters prominently displayed while others encompass the entire screen. The diverse range of captivating choices made in these eye-catches ensures that they capture the attention of viewers in unique and compelling ways.
3. Gekkan Shojo Nozaki-kun
In Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun, just like in many other series, intermission sections often feature an image that relates to recent events in the anime, along with the show's logo. The image above is taken from episode 4 and showcases a character from the game that Mikoto and Nozaki played together. Other imagery in these sections includes the cast members engaging in silly antics and various character interactions, all accompanied by one of the show's characters exclaiming "Gekkan-Shoujo Nozaki-kun!"
2. Cowboy Bebop
Like many other eye-catching moments in anime, the eye-catches in Cowboy Bebop effectively capture the show's overall tone. These intermissions employ various font styles to showcase the show's name alongside occasional black and white or limited color images. Despite the ever-changing font layouts and graphic designs from episode to episode, they consistently contribute to the cohesive aesthetic of the series.
1. Cardcaptor Sakura
Cardcaptor Sakura serves as a prime illustration of an anime eye-catch that truly captivates attention. During a pause in the show, a vibrant backdrop with a circular frame emerges, featuring the series' name. Not only that, but the viewer is treated to a rotating image of the reverse side of a Clow Card, unveiling one of the central characters. This delightful eye-catch exudes cuteness, incorporates unmistakable iconography, and seamlessly aligns with the overall tone of the series.
Anime eye catches are an effective means of recapturing the audience's focus after a commercial break and providing further insight into the anime's world. They can showcase entertaining character interactions, inject graphic and striking illustrations to create drama, or present adorable animations that leave a lasting impact. The meticulous attention given to crafting these eye-catching moments truly elevates them as an inspired element within the creation of an animated series.