Episode Title Card: Difference between revisions

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After the [[Title Sequence]], but before the first act, many shows will put in an intertitle displaying the episode's title. For some shows, the title will be animated and a character from the series will read the title to the audience (mostly prevalent in anime, while western cartoons that use this are usually aimed at preschoolers). On the other hand, some shows might have the title be on-screen text displayed with the opening credits over the beginning of the first act. It is also common for the title to [[Title Please|never be shown]] and the name of the episodes only found from episode guides.
After the [[Title Sequence]], but before the first act, many shows will put in an intertitle displaying the episode's title. For some shows, the title will be animated and a character from the series will read the title to the audience (mostly prevalent in anime, while western cartoons that use this are usually aimed at preschoolers). On the other hand, some shows might have the title be on-screen text displayed with the opening credits over the beginning of the first act. It is also common for the title to [[Title Please|never be shown]] and the name of the episodes only found from episode guides.


These days, one tends to see episode titles only on non-primetime animated programming, although even then there are many exceptions to this. (For example, [[4Kids! Entertainment|4Kids]]' Saturday morning block doesn't use episode titles on screen at all, regardless of whether the original versions of the shows had them.) Most other kinds of programming eschew from explicitly titling the episode on screen, with most exceptions being [[Dramatic Hour Long|hourlong]] sci-fi (''[[Heroes (TV)|Heroes]]'', ''[[Star Trek (Franchise)|Star Trek]]'', ''[[Doctor Who]]'') or (for some reason) the [[Aaron Sorkin]] dramas ''[[The West Wing (TV)|The West Wing]]'' and ''[[Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip]]''.
These days, one tends to see episode titles only on non-primetime animated programming, although even then there are many exceptions to this. (For example, [[4Kids! Entertainment|4Kids]]' Saturday morning block doesn't use episode titles on screen at all, regardless of whether the original versions of the shows had them.) Most other kinds of programming eschew from explicitly titling the episode on screen, with most exceptions being [[Dramatic Hour Long|hourlong]] sci-fi (''[[Heroes (TV series)|Heroes]]'', ''[[Star Trek]]'', ''[[Doctor Who]]'') or (for some reason) the [[Aaron Sorkin]] dramas ''[[The West Wing]]'' and ''[[Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip]]''.
{{examples}}
{{examples}}
* ''[[Police Camera Action]]'', a co-production of [[ITV]] and [[Optomen]], had no title cards for the first two episodes ''Danger Drivers Ahead!'' (mid-1994) and the generically titled ''Police Camera Action'' (late 1994/early 1995), then a background of thermal-imaging camera footage with the episode title in BLOCK CAPITALS between 1995 and 1996. No episode title cards were used for the 1996 special ''The Man Who Shot O.J'' about the OJ Simpson trial. From 1997, the title cards were a blue background and white text, with text Like This (capitalised beginning of sentence).
* ''[[Police Camera Action]]'', a co-production of [[ITV]] and [[Optomen]], had no title cards for the first two episodes ''Danger Drivers Ahead!'' (mid-1994) and the generically titled ''Police Camera Action'' (late 1994/early 1995), then a background of thermal-imaging camera footage with the episode title in BLOCK CAPITALS between 1995 and 1996. No episode title cards were used for the 1996 special ''The Man Who Shot O.J'' about the OJ Simpson trial. From 1997, the title cards were a blue background and white text, with text Like This (capitalised beginning of sentence).
** From 1999 onwards, a stylized background with BLOCK CAPITALS was used. The title cards were not used for the 2000 special episodes ''Crash Test Racers'' or ''Highway of Tomorrow''. The background was changed in 2002 to police footage, and then again in 2007 for the new series presented by Alastair Stewart and Adrian Simpson. The 2008 special episode, listed as "Drink Driving Special" had no title card, but the new 2009-2010 season is likely to have them again.
** From 1999 onwards, a stylized background with BLOCK CAPITALS was used. The title cards were not used for the 2000 special episodes ''Crash Test Racers'' or ''Highway of Tomorrow''. The background was changed in 2002 to police footage, and then again in 2007 for the new series presented by Alastair Stewart and Adrian Simpson. The 2008 special episode, listed as "Drink Driving Special" had no title card, but the new 2009-2010 season is likely to have them again.
* A subversion of the character reading it is usually done in ''[[Tokusatsu]]'' with the narrator reading it usually in a menacing voice. Toru Ohira is especially fond of this, being the voice of Darth Vader in the Japanese dub of ''[[Star Wars]]'', he sometimes likes to read titles in a villain-like manner.
* A subversion of the character reading it is usually done in ''[[Tokusatsu]]'' with the narrator reading it usually in a menacing voice. Toru Ohira is especially fond of this, being the voice of Darth Vader in the Japanese dub of ''[[Star Wars]]'', he sometimes likes to read titles in a villain-like manner.
* ''[[The Simpsons (Animation)|The Simpsons]]'' did this only 5 times in [[Long Runner|22 years]]; the most notable of these instances was "Bart Gets Hit By A Car", and a second after the title dissolved, Bart got....[[Captain Obvious|hit by a car]]. Others were "The Telltale Head", "22 Short Films About Springfield", ''The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular''(celebrating 6 years), and ''The Book Job''.
* ''[[The Simpsons (animation)|The Simpsons]]'' did this only 5 times in [[Long Runner|22 years]]; the most notable of these instances was "Bart Gets Hit By A Car", and a second after the title dissolved, Bart got....[[Captain Obvious|hit by a car]]. Others were "The Telltale Head", "22 Short Films About Springfield", ''The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular''(celebrating 6 years), and ''The Book Job''.
** The ''Treehouse of Horror'' specials as well. Each special's constituent shorts also have its own title card as well.
** The ''Treehouse of Horror'' specials as well. Each special's constituent shorts also have its own title card as well.
*** [[The Movie]] also does this.
*** [[The Movie]] also does this.
* ''[[Pokémon (Anime)|Pokémon]]'' has a character reading the episode's title.
* ''[[Pokémon (anime)|Pokémon]]'' has a character reading the episode's title.
** ...as does ''[[Inuyasha (Manga)|Inuyasha]]''.
** ...as does ''[[Inuyasha]]''.
** A lot of anime shows in general have that.
** A lot of anime shows in general have that.
* ''[[Bleach (Manga)|Bleach]]'' has an interesting variant, the episode titles are only numbers. The episodes do have titles, but those titles are only found in [[All There in the Manual|outside sources]]. In the [[Anime Theme Song|15th opening]], there is a montage of earlier title cards.
* ''[[Bleach]]'' has an interesting variant, the episode titles are only numbers. The episodes do have titles, but those titles are only found in [[All There in the Manual|outside sources]]. In the [[Anime Theme Song|15th opening]], there is a montage of earlier title cards.
* ''[[Fushigi Yuugi (Manga)|Fushigi Yuugi]]'' begs to differ. White screen, black kanji and hiragana, music. That is all.
* ''[[Fushigi Yuugi]]'' begs to differ. White screen, black kanji and hiragana, music. That is all.
* The first two ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]'' series have her reading the episode title while it's shown on a red sphere (ostensibly her Raising Heart pearl), with the same music bed used in both seasons. ''Strikers'' has a more dramatic music bed and no title read, presumably to reflect its more serious nature, with the title put over an i-ching pattern.
* The first two ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]'' series have her reading the episode title while it's shown on a red sphere (ostensibly her Raising Heart pearl), with the same music bed used in both seasons. ''Strikers'' has a more dramatic music bed and no title read, presumably to reflect its more serious nature, with the title put over an i-ching pattern.
* All [[Nicktoons]] use this: ''[[Danny Phantom (Animation)|Danny Phantom]]'', ''[[My Life As a Teenage Robot (Animation)|My Life As a Teenage Robot]]'', ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants (Animation)|SpongeBob SquarePants]]'', ''[[The Fairly Odd Parents (Animation)|The Fairly Odd Parents]]'', ''[[Rocko's Modern Life (Animation)|Rocko's Modern Life]]'', ''[[The Angry Beavers (Animation)|The Angry Beavers]]'', ''[[Cat Dog]]'', etc.
* All [[Nicktoons]] use this: ''[[Danny Phantom]]'', ''[[My Life as a Teenage Robot]]'', ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'', ''[[The Fairly Odd Parents]]'', ''[[Rocko's Modern Life]]'', ''[[The Angry Beavers]]'', ''[[Cat Dog]]'', etc.
** In fact, ''[[Ka Blam! (Animation)|Ka Blam]]!'' has its title cards shown at the END of an episode (minus episode 8 and 29)
** In fact, ''[[Ka Blam!|Ka Blam]]!'' has its title cards shown at the END of an episode (minus episode 8 and 29)
*** Likewise for ''[[Fairly Oddparents]]'', ''[[Danny Phantom]]'', and ''[[Tuff Puppy (Animation)|Tuff Puppy]]''.
*** Likewise for ''[[Fairly Oddparents]]'', ''[[Danny Phantom]]'', and ''[[Tuff Puppy]]''.
* Parodied in ''[[Police Squad!]]'', where the Episode Title Card never agrees with the spoken episode title.
* Parodied in ''[[Police Squad!]]'', where the Episode Title Card never agrees with the spoken episode title.
* ''[[Batman: The Animated Series (Animation)|Batman the Animated Series]]'' had [http://www.toonzone.net/anbat/galleries/index0.html gorgeously painted] ones for the first 85 episodes, often paired with the episode's villain's [[Leitmotif]].
* ''[[Batman: The Animated Series|Batman the Animated Series]]'' had [http://www.toonzone.net/anbat/galleries/index0.html gorgeously painted] ones for the first 85 episodes, often paired with the episode's villain's [[Leitmotif]].
* ''[[Batman the Brave And The Bold (Animation)|Batman the Brave And The Bold]]'' made [http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/821/1263059941168.png hilarious] [http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8025/1263060671605.png use] of this trope in the episode "Aquaman's Outrageous Adventure" Culminating with the image on [http://sharetv.org/shows/batman_the_brave_and_the_bold/episodes/509021 this page].
* ''[[Batman: The Brave And The Bold|Batman the Brave And The Bold]]'' made [http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/821/1263059941168.png hilarious] [http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8025/1263060671605.png use] of this trope in the episode "Aquaman's Outrageous Adventure" Culminating with the image on [http://sharetv.org/shows/batman_the_brave_and_the_bold/episodes/509021 this page].
* ''[[Arthur (Animation)|Arthur]]'' has been known for creative title cards featuring not only the titles of the stories but also the writer and storyboard artist, as well as a clever bit of animation. These have included D.W. interrupting Arthur in his bath and Arthur's dog, Pal, finding the title card circle empty and howling. Starting in the 5th season, fans lamented the appearance of the "slot machine" title card, in which the slots landed on a particular character's face. Since ''Follow the Bouncing Ball'' , there's now a short clip from the episode instead.
* ''[[Arthur (animation)|Arthur]]'' has been known for creative title cards featuring not only the titles of the stories but also the writer and storyboard artist, as well as a clever bit of animation. These have included D.W. interrupting Arthur in his bath and Arthur's dog, Pal, finding the title card circle empty and howling. Starting in the 5th season, fans lamented the appearance of the "slot machine" title card, in which the slots landed on a particular character's face. Since ''Follow the Bouncing Ball'' , there's now a short clip from the episode instead.
* [[Filmation]] had a number of series with title cards, including ''[[He Man and The Masters of The Universe]]'', ''[[She Ra Princess of Power (Animation)|She Ra Princess of Power]]'', ''[[Bravestarr (Animation)|Bravestarr]]'', ''[[Filmations Ghostbusters (Animation)|Filmations Ghostbusters]]'', and ''[[Blackstar]]''. These title cards were invariably accompanied by a particular musical snippet plucked from the in-series soundtrack.
* [[Filmation]] had a number of series with title cards, including ''[[He-Man and the Masters of the Universe]]'', ''[[She-Ra: Princess of Power|She Ra Princess of Power]]'', ''[[Bravestarr]]'', ''[[Filmation's Ghostbusters|Filmations Ghostbusters]]'', and ''[[Blackstar]]''. These title cards were invariably accompanied by a particular musical snippet plucked from the in-series soundtrack.
** Similarly, [[Ruby Spears]] used title cards in practically all of its series.
** Similarly, [[Ruby-Spears]] used title cards in practically all of its series.
* ''[[Heroes (TV)|Heroes]]'' is well known for working in the titles in creative and sometimes bizarre ways.
* ''[[Heroes (TV series)|Heroes]]'' is well known for working in the titles in creative and sometimes bizarre ways.
** e.g. Sylar slicing the words 'I AM SYLAR' into his own arm.
** e.g. Sylar slicing the words 'I AM SYLAR' into his own arm.
* ''[[It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (TV)|Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia]]'' does this in every episode, as a [[Hilarity Ensues|hilarious]] transition from the [[Cold Open]]. It usually plays out either like this:
* ''[[It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia|Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia]]'' does this in every episode, as a [[Hilarity Ensues|hilarious]] transition from the [[Cold Open]]. It usually plays out either like this:
{{quote| '''Charlie:''' We're gonna go America all over their asses!!<br />
{{quote| '''Charlie:''' We're gonna go America all over their asses!!<br />
'''Title card:''' ''[[Captain Obvious|Charlie Goes America All Over Everybody's Ass]]'' }}
'''Title card:''' ''[[Captain Obvious|Charlie Goes America All Over Everybody's Ass]]'' }}
Line 39: Line 39:
'''Title card:''' ''[[Foregone Conclusion|Dennis and Dee Go On Welfare]]'' }}
'''Title card:''' ''[[Foregone Conclusion|Dennis and Dee Go On Welfare]]'' }}
* ''[[Kamichama Karin]]'' has the episode title cards read by [[Talking Animal|Shii-chan]], complete with her [[Verbal Tic|Verbal Tics]] added to the title.
* ''[[Kamichama Karin]]'' has the episode title cards read by [[Talking Animal|Shii-chan]], complete with her [[Verbal Tic|Verbal Tics]] added to the title.
* In ''[[The West Wing (TV)|The West Wing]]'', instead of coming after the title sequence, the title card comes right after [["Previously On..."]]. It is followed the [[The Teaser]], ''then'' the [[Title Sequence]].
* In ''[[The West Wing]]'', instead of coming after the title sequence, the title card comes right after [["Previously On..."]]. It is followed the [[The Teaser]], ''then'' the [[Title Sequence]].
* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender (Animation)|Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'' uses a white background with text reading "Book One:Water/Two:Earth/Three:Fire Chapter (Episode #):Title"
* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'' uses a white background with text reading "Book One:Water/Two:Earth/Three:Fire Chapter (Episode #):Title"
* The Australian drama ''love is a four letter word'' played with this as part of its style: we would begin with a cold open, which ended with a [[Whip Pan]] and fast zoom over to the word, [[Idiosyncratic Episode Naming|which was (usually) four letters long]]. Other such pans in the series would have captions telling us that the word either was or was not a four-letter word.
* The Australian drama ''love is a four letter word'' played with this as part of its style: we would begin with a cold open, which ended with a [[Whip Pan]] and fast zoom over to the word, [[Idiosyncratic Episode Naming|which was (usually) four letters long]]. Other such pans in the series would have captions telling us that the word either was or was not a four-letter word.
* ''[[Ghost in The Shell Stand Alone Complex (Anime)|Ghost in The Shell Stand Alone Complex]]'' Has a short screen with the episode title in English, a secondary title in vertical Japanese, and a novel like description of whatever action happened right after that episodes opening scrolling up the left in (usually) decent English.
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex|Ghost in The Shell Stand Alone Complex]]'' Has a short screen with the episode title in English, a secondary title in vertical Japanese, and a novel like description of whatever action happened right after that episodes opening scrolling up the left in (usually) decent English.
** In the first season, these title cards also mention whether the episode is "Stand Alone" or "Complex" (aka, part of the [[Myth Arc]])
** In the first season, these title cards also mention whether the episode is "Stand Alone" or "Complex" (aka, part of the [[Myth Arc]])
* ''[[The Venture Brothers (Animation)|The Venture Brothers]]'' has a title card show up at the end of the episode, right before the closing credits.
* ''[[The Venture Brothers]]'' has a title card show up at the end of the episode, right before the closing credits.
* Unusually for a [[Talk Show|talk show]], [[Conan O Brien|Conan O'Brien's]] new show ''Conan'' has episode title cards, though they're fake titles ("Baa Baa Blackmail," "Murder, She Tweeted").
* Unusually for a [[Talk Show]], [[Conan O'Brien|Conan O'Brien's]] new show ''Conan'' has episode title cards, though they're fake titles ("Baa Baa Blackmail," "Murder, She Tweeted").
* In ''[[The Beiderbecke Trilogy]]'' the episode title is always the first line of dialogue, and appears on screen when the line is spoken.
* In ''[[The Beiderbecke Trilogy]]'' the episode title is always the first line of dialogue, and appears on screen when the line is spoken.
* All ''[[Skins]]'' episodes are named after [[Rotating Protagonist|their featured character(s)]]; the character featured in any given episode is always the very last person highlighted in the title sequence.
* All ''[[Skins]]'' episodes are named after [[Rotating Protagonist|their featured character(s)]]; the character featured in any given episode is always the very last person highlighted in the title sequence.
* Each episode of ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion (Anime)|Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' has two episode title cards: one with a Japanese title, usually shown near the beginning of the episode, and one with an English title, shown after the commercial break. This tradition has even carried over to the movies.
* Each episode of ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' has two episode title cards: one with a Japanese title, usually shown near the beginning of the episode, and one with an English title, shown after the commercial break. This tradition has even carried over to the movies.
* ''[[Almost Naked Animals (Animation)|Almost Naked Animals]]'' pairs this with [[Art Shift]], using a highly-detailed art style to depict a random moment from the episode.
* ''[[Almost Naked Animals]]'' pairs this with [[Art Shift]], using a highly-detailed art style to depict a random moment from the episode.
* ''[[Krypto the Superdog (Animation)|Krypto the Superdog]]'' has an unusual one where Krypto announces not only the title of each episode, but also the production credits following the title card!
* ''[[Krypto the Superdog (animation)|Krypto the Superdog]]'' has an unusual one where Krypto announces not only the title of each episode, but also the production credits following the title card!
* ''[[Dan Vs (Animation)|Dan Vs]]'' has this (paired with [[Episode Completes The Title]]) after [[The Teaser]], ''instead'' of a [[Title Sequence]].
* ''[[Dan Vs.|Dan Vs]]'' has this (paired with [[Episode Completes The Title]]) after [[The Teaser]], ''instead'' of a [[Title Sequence]].
* Every episode of ''[[NCIS (TV)|NCIS]]'' goes [[Cold Open]], [[Title Sequence]], then the action continues while the name of the episode is briefly displayed at the bottom of the screen.
* Every episode of ''[[NCIS]]'' goes [[Cold Open]], [[Title Sequence]], then the action continues while the name of the episode is briefly displayed at the bottom of the screen.


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Episode_Title_Card"