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While it seems to have calmed down a bit, for a while there a few years back it seemed like anime creators were having a little competition to create an anime series with the most ridiculously long title. You know the ones, those anime series where you know them by an easy one-word shortened version of their true name because you wouldn’t be able to recall the full Japanese title.
However, have you ever wondered why such long anime titles are so prevalent?
In reality, it is the fault of the light novels, or perhaps, light novel readers.
As you might know, anime, manga, and light novel sales are not always super strong even in Japan. If you have a small amount of fame and established a reputation with fans, you can have a little more creative freedom. However, if you are publishing your first series, you need to be eye-catching. You need to get the attention of people who might not bother to read the description on the back cover. So you need to be both eye-catching and concise in what your series is about in title alone.
That is how such long titles came around. They (usually) tell anyone just reading titles what they are getting into. Of course, if that light novel gets popular enough to be adapted into an anime series, the long title comes with it. This is why almost always any anime series with a ridiculous title is not based on a manga or an original creation, but is rather adapted from a light novel.
Now that you know the why of it all, which anime series (or rather, their light novel sources) are guilty of having the most ridiculously long names?
This is actually one of the rare examples of ridiculously long titles coming from manga instead of light novels. Based off a 4-koma manga, there really isn’t much of a reason for this title to be so long, but it does accurately describe the series.
This title is a little more of a hard sell, but if you gave the anime a chance, you’ll find something that is pretty hilarious. Plot-wise and character-wise it is nothing special, but this is a show you watch for the choice scenes where the choices are both horrible and it results in pure, unadulterated comedy gold.
This title barely describes the plot, which explains why this anime is often looked over. However, it does present and semi-interesting isekai story that is part Re:Zero and part No Game No Life.
Watamote takes a completely different route than usual with its title by blaming the reader of it for the problems within. It is a sassy strategy, but one that worked. Despite the anime series occasionally being too cringe-y to watch, it does tell an excellent otaku story.
This is popular among anime fans because the title is so damn intriguing. Many anime fans like to imagine themselves a hero, but everyone does need to grow up and go get a job eventually. This series isn’t exactly that, but the title is alluring enough to invite people in.
For most fans, all you need to say is “Anohana” and they will know what you mean, but it actually has a much longer title than people often know. Its English translation actually does well to convey the melancholy that hangs about the entire series. It is the perfect eye grab for those not interested in comedy, but rather tragedy.
You can probably imagine why this light novel flew off the shelves. It was released during a good time when the imouto craze was just starting to get crazy.
Light novels are meant for a younger crowd, and everyone wants to have that youthful school romance. Of course, things often don’t go in such an idyllic way. This was naturally an allure to all those who didn’t get the youthful dalliances that they wanted.
This is another anime series that most people don’t know has a super long title. Most anime fans know it as Oreshura, but the title is actually more complex. However, it is also extremely descriptive, and fairly alluring for those that like some fun romance themes.
KonoSuba’s full title is somewhat short compared to other long anime titles, but still quite long as titles go. However, it is not particularly descriptive, but luckily word of mouth likely made KonoSuba soar in popularity among isekai light novel fans.
This one long sentence that makes up the title is…Pretty much what Shomin Sample is about. It does manage to leave out some of the finer details on why in particular the main character is chosen, but a more descriptive long title there never was.
Another genius title because you just know that it sets up for hundreds of dirty jokes that the characters don’t get, but you do. The anime in particular has spawned some quality screenshots, at very least.
Got any more ridiculously long anime series titles? Let us know. Obviously we neglected shounen special series titles for shows like Naruto, Detective Conan, and DBZ, because those title s are so long and there are so many of them. So if you are looking for which series has the longest title, it is probably hidden in one of those. Unfortunately, the topic on which anime series has the longest title is still up to much debate.