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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
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 Sonic X, the eyecatch cards show the ilustration of the character and the show's logo in a yellow card on a blue background on the left part of the screen and the characters facts in white text on blue background on the right part of the screen.Cite error: A
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