Shorter anime series have actually always been around, for example, the 13 episode City Hunter 3 from 1989, the 23 episode first Lupin III TV series from 1971, and the 22 episode Endless Road SSX from 1982. The 12-13 episode series, though, essentially originated in 1997 with Eat-Man and Elf o Karu Monotachi (Those Who Hunt Elves), the first "late night" anime programs. These series were originally short because they were produced on a shoe-string budget, intended to be easily replaced and appeal to only the small percentage of viewers that would watch broadcast anime at 1 in the morning on a weeknight. This sudden trend in creating short series was followed up the next year with Anime Complex introducing the 10-15 minute long anime series that would sometimes run for as many as 48 episodes, in the case of Neoranga and Ah! Megami-sama; and then evolved again with the introduction of the variety program Wonderful, which broadcast anime ranging from full series of 5 minute long anime episodes to Petshop of Horrors, which had only 4 full length, 25 minute long episodes. Many of the series with short episodes, including Neoranga, A!MG, Kotetsu Tenshi Kurumi, Ippatsu Kikimusume, Momoiro Sisters, Taihou Shichaouzo Special, DiGi Charat, Iketeru Futari, Hanaukyo Maid Tai, and Maico 2010 were all part of longer programs- either Wonderful or one of the variations of Anime Complex. In the case of anime series that have a relatively small number of episodes, ranging from the 10 episode Hand Maid May to the 13 episode Legend of Basara, shorter shows allow for greater variety of programming within a single TV season. Studios can keep series fresh and maintain higher novelty appeal when the production lasts half as long, and in the case of series like Chikyu Shoujo Arjuna, Chikyu Bouei Kazoku, and Kotetsu Tenshi Kurumi, the shorter series length allows for higher production values per episode. Anime fandom in Japan especially is well known for being dominated by trends and fads, so shorter shows allow studios and commercial sponsors greater chance to capture and hold the interest of viewers and consumers. That's not to say, though, that the OAV market is on the way out, or there's any lack of long anime TV series. Current OAV releases including Alien 9, R.O.D., Happy Lesson, Shin Getter Robot VS Neo Getter, eX-Driver, Mezzo Forte, the new La Blue Girl and Nekojiro-So suggest that the OAV industry isn't dying, but merely weeding out the inferior, cheaply made productions. If anything, the release of the psychedelic Nekojiro-So OAV suggests that the OAV/anime industry is doing well enough to support the release of "artsy" OAVs with limited commercial potential. Current anime TV series such as Inuyasha, Daa! Daa! Daa!, Hajime no Ippo, and Devichil provide evidence that recent shows can still run for more than the typical 26 episodes, and programs including Noir, Super GALS Kotobuki Ran, Angelic Layer, Grappler Baki, Sister Princess, Star Ocean EX, Mahou Senshi Riui, and Project Arms appear well on their way to living out full 25-26 episode seasons, if not more. Many of the more "high profile" and more, shall I say, "high concept" series of the past few years, including Lain, Boogiepop Phantom, Yami no Matsuei, Soul Taker, Vandread, and Sekai no Monsho have been short, but for each of them to come and go, there's also been a full length Love Hina, Trizenon, Argent Soma, One Piece or Hunter X Hunter that's lasted 26 or more episodes. I think that the Japanese industry has simply entered into a new evolution of more experimentation and diversity with technical anime production to coincide with the increasing use of digital animation and new animation techniques in anime. The increase in number of short anime series has actually come without a significant decrease in the number of more "traditional" styled anime series. It's only now that these short series are becoming more recognized in America that Western fans are beginning to notice the trend. I don't anticipate that the trend of short anime series is anything to worry about. Japanese fans love anime even more than American fans do. That explains why there's so much anime in Japan. As long as that remains constant, we won't see the OAV genre or the traditional 26 episode series disappear. Now after all that mates, stop by the anime review section to see what animes can tickle your fancy.
KrIsPy

"Akira the original anime"

The setting is Neo-Tokyo after World War III. A dark and sinster city it is, infested with crime at every corner. When Akira was created it was better to depict the story that was to be told through a futuristic, end-of-the-world type setting. There are two main characters that lead the plot, Tetsuo and Keneda, two childhood friends who are totally inseperable. These two kids are dispatched on a military mission to retrieve a missing subject that was a expirement. Tetsuo himself is taken in by the military for experimental purposes. From that point on he grows into a deformed, pyscho-pathetic who uleashes his hate for the world. For so long Tetsuo was picked on, and teased by society, and finally all that anger is realesed. Its a good story that has a great moral point behind and still ranks highly in any sci fi freak's book. Akira still stands tall in the world of modern anime. While some cartoons manage to make a mark, like Akira, Escaflowne, CardCaptor Sakura, Neon Genesis Evangelion Ghost in the Shell,and Perfect Blue, many fail to innovate, out of all of them Akira is the most important. The limited edition DVD will be worth the investment for fans all over. Not only will the sound and picture be digitally remastered, but extras like commentaries by the producers, music composers, and anyone else associated with the creation of the film. An A-Z glossary will be included as well as a exclusive never before seen art gallery. All for $39.99, you can't beat it and do keep in mind that it will be shipped to the masses in limited stock. This gives the possiblity that it might have some value. Akira is a work of art, and all anime fans should appreciate it for the single fact that it paved the way for Japan to unleash all its anime to America.
KrIsPy

The Right Stuff or Not

Does America as in the home of brave only license popular anime??? This is something I can't really answer. Animage Magazine runs a monthly fan poll of whats "in" in Japan, I don't know what the list is based on so I can't tell how much of it can be taken as definite, scientific resource. Since I am not directly in the licensing of anime(If I was I wouldn't be here) I can't get too in detail but I surely can maybe give some insight. We all know that whats a hit in Japan, then these companies that license will take the chance of translating and get it all ready to come stateside. It is a expensive process and its hard for companies to see alot of these anime shows and movies with a enthusiastic look because there might be no money invovled...aww that word again. The companies have to take into consideration the content of the series, the focus of the domestic company, and Japanese licensing restrictions. Take for example AD Vision who chose not to pursue the rights to the extended versions of Evangelion or the Evangelion movies because the licensing fees would be too much. This is the most commonly cited reason the Katushiro Otomo film Memories have never been released in America. Think about some shows are really long like Fushigi Yuugi, and these mainstream audience customers do not want to go and run to their local video store to buy volume 37 of a particular show. The final reason could be the differences between our two countries' cultures. What might make sense there, may seem too strange here, we can barely comprehend Tenchi Muyo. What may be cool here is too old there, like Dragonball, Sailor Moon, Gundamn Wing, Tenchi Muyo and Ranma and vice versa. Only time and sells will determine if we will see a sudden surge of popularity of anime here, till then just enjoy that we get some here. Check this place out if you want some anime to see from your computer, just ask me want you want and I'll stream it to you, oh and you must open an account, for free if you want to be a freeloader. Well like always take it easy. :)