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An eyecatch (アイキャッチ, aikyatchi) or internal eyecatch is a scene or illustration used to begin and end a commercial break in a Japanese 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.
Types
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.
Examples in USA
An example in American culture is the use before and after commercials during NBC's long running Saturday Night Live.
Anime
- In One Piece, 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. From episode 517, due to the show undergoing a timeskip, the eyecatch animation was changed to a group shot of the entire crew.
- In D.N.Angel, 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 wall to acknowledge they are in a TV show.
- In the original Pokémon series, the eyecatches challenge viewers to identify one of the series' 649 fictional creatures, which is obscured in silhouette. After the commercial break, the answer is revealed and that creature's cry will be heard. Sometimes, Pikachu will come in by using electric attacks to show parts of the creature or the whole thing. The idea remained the same in the first six seasons of the English version of the anime television series with its own Who's that Pokémon? segment, until shortly into the Advanced Generation era (Advanced Challenge in America), when they switched to "Trainer's Choice", which is hosted by Ash. In addition to that, the segment also includes a bonus clue that will help the viewers identify the mystery creature, which debuted in Pokémon: Johto League Champions. Who's that Pokémon? made its return in Pokémon: Black & White. From Pokémon: Advanced Generation to Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl in Japan, the eyecatch changes to the main characters and their respective Pokémon that is involved during the episode.
- In Fruits Basket, the anime was designed to include several unique eyecatches for each episode.
- Death Note 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 Star, an eyecatch is used before and after a commercial break that shows a super deformed Sora Naegino possibly practicing moves on the trapeze and tightrope.
- In Yu Yu Hakusho, the eyecatch is super deformed-forms of the main characters attacking eyeball monsters that turn into the kanji 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!, 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 Fighter 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-Chan, 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 Pitch, 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.
- Bokurano 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 Powers, 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 Dunk, 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 Kanamemo, 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
- In Sailor Moon, the eyecatch for the first season is a circular light with stars and shines at Luna, then at Sailor Moon, in Sailor Moon R, a chibi version of the Inner Senshi and Sailor Moon jump around and say Sailor Moon and Sailor Moon says R, in Sailor Moon S, Sailor Moon winks and a rose petal drops and an S is drawn and a narrator says," Sailor Moon Super", in Sailor Moon SuperS, feathers fly from the bottom, and Sailor Moon has her hands on Sailor Chibi Moon and Sailor Chibi Moon is posed and two Pegasuses appear and the narrator says," Sailor Moon", and on Sailor Stars, a star rotates and multiple stars rotate in a circle and Stars collide together and the inner senshi are in stars about to do an attack except for Mercury and Sailor Moon.
Tokusatsu
- In Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, the eyecatch features illustrations of the Goranger team.
- In Choudenshi Bioman, 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 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.
- In Choujuu Sentai Liveman, the pre-commercial shows a spinning model of Live Robo. After the commercial, it shows the Earth in the background with the three Liveman up close in head-shot. This was later changed in episode 31 where all five Liveman up close in head-shot.
- In Choujin Sentai Jetman, 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 Kamen Rider 555, the eyecatch has the Driver System saying, "Kamen Rider Faiz...In A Flash!"
- In Kamen Rider Blade, the 4 riders stand while cards flying down to the floor. After the break, the Undead stands preparing to fight the 4 riders.
- In Kamen Rider Hibiki, a taiko drum can be heard beating faster while Hibiki, Ibuki & Zanki attacks the screen.
- In Kamen Rider Kabuto, the camera zooms into Hiyori's eye revealing Tendo. After the commercial, The ZECT Rider attacks the screen (depending on which episode they are focused on).
- In Kamen Rider Den-O,Ryotaro Nogami's and Yuto Sakurai's Imagin (in cartoon form like in Imagin Anime) did funny stunts. After the commercial, The Forms of Den-O and Zeronos attacks the screen. But totally misses and breaks the logo on the bottom left instead.
- In Kamen Rider Kiva, the Kiva symbol screams, as Wataru Kurenai (Kamen Rider Kiva), Kamen Rider Ixa, Kamen Rider Dark Kiva and Kamen Rider Saga waiting for them to attack. After the commercial, Kamen Riders Kiva, Ixa, Dark Kiva and Saga attacks the screen.
- In Kamen Rider Decade, Tsukasa Kadoya or Daiki Kaito transform themselves into Kamen Rider Decade or Diend before turning into a card. After the break, it goes reversed.
- In Kamen Rider W, Shotaro Hidari is along with his Gaia Memories. The same goes for Phillip after the break.
- In Kamen Rider OOO, the seven forms of Kamen Rider OOO and Kamen Rider Birth attacks the screen.
- In Kamen Rider Fourze, Originally before the debut of the series, Gentaro Kisaragi and Ryusei Sakuta switches on a Astro Switch along with Fourze Driver or the Meteor Driver saying the Switch's name. But during the show's premiere, the eyecatch shows Fourze and Meteor's Modules and their Base States attack the screen. But before the states's debut, the states appear in a silhouette. The logo is at the bottom right.
- In Kamen Rider Wizard, the Wizard symbol appears as Wizard in his four styles attack the screen. Fire, & Hurricane Styles slashes the screen, Water & Land shoots the screen while the Dragon do their finishers on the screen. After the commercial, Koyomi is surrounded by the Wizard rings. The logo can be seen in the bottom left.
- In Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, the first half of the eyecatch features the "dog" part of the "n" character howling before pulling back to show the logo and the five rangers in attack position. After the commercial the eyecatch features the ranger(s) of the episode shooting the screen. Later after the debut of DekaMaster and DekaBreak, the eyecatch also sported either DekaMaster slashing or DekaBreak punching the screen.
- In Engine Sentai Go-Onger, the eyecatch is the five primary Engines 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 Engine says a short catchphrase. All five Engines tie in the last episode and they say the catchphrase together.
- In Tensou Sentai Goseiger, the eyecatch involves the character(s) of the episode transforming to a Goseiger, and then changing to a Gosei Card while the show's title card appears on the bottom right of the screen. After the break, it goes in reverse.
- In Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger, the five Kyoryugers throw their ZyudenChi at the screen with the logo in the bottom right of the screen! After the break, the camera then zooms in on the Rangers posing in front of Kamitsuki Gattai Kyoryuzin's head. There were no eyecatches for Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger or Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters
