Summary
The “three-episode rule” is an important rule for anime viewers to give a series a fair chance before deciding to drop it. This rule recognizes that many cartoons take time to build their stories and introduce their characters, and judging a show solely on its early episodes can lead to potential missed out. its. The three-episode rule isn’t perfect and may not apply to every show, but it has helped many viewers discover hidden gems they might have overlooked.
With the number of new anime series increasing every year, it can be difficult to decide what to watch, which is why the tried-and-true “rule of three” is still so important despite being a relic of the movies. older period of the anime community. It’s old enough that many newer fans don’t even know what the rule is, which is unfortunate given how useful it can be.
The three-episode rule states that before watching an anime, viewers should watch three episodes to engage them. This type of idea is not unique, with the same type of advice used for stories across multiple media. Many stories take time to present or introduce characters before figuring out what makes them interesting. This is especially true for anime, which can tend to tell stories over a longer period of time, with a show like One Piece having over a thousand episodes and continuing to grow. Also, the idea of watching three episodes of a certain anime series have a very specific origin attached to it that makes it unique.
The three-episode rule allows fans to enjoy shows they might have missed
The first two episodes of Puella Magi Madoka Magica are presented like a typical magical girl show. There are hints of impending dark backstory, but for the most part, the show is hilarious and upbeat. However, the third episode ends with one of the magical girls encountering a cruel fate, which shows the audience that the show will be a bleak deconstruction of the Magic Girls shows. . If viewers only watch the first two episodes, they may completely misjudge the series and potentially stop watching, missing out on the true greatness of Madoka Magica.
The sudden change of tone at the end of the third episode of Madoka Magica is what makes three episodes the standard number to watch before deciding whether to drop a series. This principle also applies to other programs. The modern classic Vinland Saga only really begins the journey of the character Thorfinn in the third and fourth episodes, beginning his journey of grim revenge. Chainsaw Man doesn’t even introduce many of the main characters in the first episode, meaning fans who stopped watching after it premiered will miss out on the great interactions between Denji, Aki, and Power that are so central to the series. story.
The rule of three is certainly not perfect. Some shows like Steins;Gate take more than three episodes to reveal their true awesomeness. Other shows can be just as bad after three episodes as after one episode. Given the meager amount of time an average anime these days seems to have and the massive amount of new content out there, it can therefore be easy to see this rule as an outdated relic of a simpler time. But if viewers can take the time to watch the three-episode rule, many people will discover that it can help them find many great new cartoons that they might have overlooked.
