A quick anime gripe.
So.
One thing that you'll notice when watching an anime that has changing opening sequences (Anything like Bleach, Naruto, Fairy Tail) is that the images shown in the opening sequences are generally related to the current/upcoming arc. I like it when this happens because, for me, it acts a signifier for the new arc and also builds a little hype as to what's coming. Showing a few bad guys to give you a taste of what they might face, a few subtle hints, stuff like that.
And then there are times when they outright spoil plot elements...
Fairy Tail is pretty bad for this. The opening sequence changes from the Phantom Lord Arc to the Tower of Heaven arc on episode 25. The Tower of Heaven Arc features Juvia, a baddie from the previous arc. The opening sequences show her clearly fighting with the good guys. The kicker? Episode 25 is the second time we see Juvia properly and this is the episode where we are given any slight indication as to why she would want to join the good guys (her infatuation with Gray). Before that however, when the opening credits rool round, I imagine people were slightly confused. (I remember I was) Apart from that, it also blatantly points out that Juvia will eventually repent her ways, making her decision to leave Phantom and join Fairy Tail less impactuous (I have no idea if that's a word)
Nothing against Juvia of course, she's one of my favourite characters from the show.
The second instance (that I can remember off the top of my head) is in the latest opening sequence. It shows Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Erza and a beefed up Elfman standing together as a team, ready to compete in the Grand Magic Games. So clearly, in the build up to this episode, you assume that's the team they send to compete right? Nope, the original team had Wendy instead of Elfman, which (due to the opening sequence) makes it perfectly clear that Wendy will get switched out for whatever reason and Elfman will step in. Again, Elfman stepping up to the plate and being badass seems less important because it was already pointed out he would be there in the opening sequence.
It's just a minor thing, those little plot points being spoiled if you read between the lines of the story a bit, but I'd still rather be surprised at the twist.
I mean, even the latest Bleach opening sequence spoils Soi-fon's Bankai before she pulls it out. If I hadn't already read the manga, I'd be a little pissed my favourite character's mysterious Bankai was just spoiled for a cool looking shot.
Grr. That's all.
One thing that you'll notice when watching an anime that has changing opening sequences (Anything like Bleach, Naruto, Fairy Tail) is that the images shown in the opening sequences are generally related to the current/upcoming arc. I like it when this happens because, for me, it acts a signifier for the new arc and also builds a little hype as to what's coming. Showing a few bad guys to give you a taste of what they might face, a few subtle hints, stuff like that.
And then there are times when they outright spoil plot elements...
Fairy Tail is pretty bad for this. The opening sequence changes from the Phantom Lord Arc to the Tower of Heaven arc on episode 25. The Tower of Heaven Arc features Juvia, a baddie from the previous arc. The opening sequences show her clearly fighting with the good guys. The kicker? Episode 25 is the second time we see Juvia properly and this is the episode where we are given any slight indication as to why she would want to join the good guys (her infatuation with Gray). Before that however, when the opening credits rool round, I imagine people were slightly confused. (I remember I was) Apart from that, it also blatantly points out that Juvia will eventually repent her ways, making her decision to leave Phantom and join Fairy Tail less impactuous (I have no idea if that's a word)
Nothing against Juvia of course, she's one of my favourite characters from the show.
The second instance (that I can remember off the top of my head) is in the latest opening sequence. It shows Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Erza and a beefed up Elfman standing together as a team, ready to compete in the Grand Magic Games. So clearly, in the build up to this episode, you assume that's the team they send to compete right? Nope, the original team had Wendy instead of Elfman, which (due to the opening sequence) makes it perfectly clear that Wendy will get switched out for whatever reason and Elfman will step in. Again, Elfman stepping up to the plate and being badass seems less important because it was already pointed out he would be there in the opening sequence.
It's just a minor thing, those little plot points being spoiled if you read between the lines of the story a bit, but I'd still rather be surprised at the twist.
I mean, even the latest Bleach opening sequence spoils Soi-fon's Bankai before she pulls it out. If I hadn't already read the manga, I'd be a little pissed my favourite character's mysterious Bankai was just spoiled for a cool looking shot.
Grr. That's all.