While browsing the site MAL (My Anime List), it is common to find several acronyms after the names of the animes. Among them, we can mention the famous OVAs, and we also have the acronym TV. The latter is easy to deduce; however, there are some others that are less known, among which we can mention ONA and OAD. Few people know what they mean or have a rough idea of what they are.
Anyway, in this article, we will provide explanations and some other information about these acronyms that accompany the lives of otakus. Or at least those who are more interested in these details. If you haven’t seen these acronyms yet, I advise you to visit the My Anime List website.
But before we start, everyone needs to know that these acronyms are not popular and do not change anything, knowing or not knowing their meanings. We are providing this information merely as a means of information and curiosities about this great anime industry. The summary below will help you navigate:
When an anime has the acronym TV
This, despite being obvious, will still have its meaning explained here. After all, nowadays, there is no one who does not know what the acronym TV means; that’s right, TELEVISION. It is common to find this acronym in animes that are broadcast on TV. This already explains why this acronym is found.
When an anime is made to be shown on TV, it gets such an acronym. An interesting example is the anime Black Clover, which is currently being released; it is made for TV. If you watch animes on streaming sites with subscriptions or fansubs, you will not notice any difference between these and other animes. This happens because they get this acronym back in Japan. The broadcasters buy the rights to these animes to be able to show them.
This scheme is similar to movies here in Brazil. Here, broadcasters buy the rights to a movie to be able to show it in their programming. This guarantees the right to show such a movie, and as compensation, they gain the audience, which may or may not be subscription-based (Subscription channels).
When a video has the acronym PV
English acronym for “Promotional video,” or in Portuguese “Vídeos Promocionais.” It refers to some short videos with some elements of the anime (characters, scenarios, or some other genre element), often accompanied by a background narration, with the aim of promoting.
The videos that fall under this acronym are disseminated in the media in general to promote an anime, movie, OVA, ONA, or others of the genre. Generally, these videos are released to promote the premiere of animes and movies also related to animes, but they may also be released during or at the end of the series to encourage the purchase of related products.
We may not refer to them by their correct name, as PVs are often confused with Trailers. If you are wondering, “Is there a difference?” we will explain what a trailer is. A trailer is a short video with parts of the movie, series, or soap opera combined with the aim of announcing the work before its release. In other words, it is a video advertisement, while PVs are videos to promote. The difference lies in the freedom that both have. Anyway, whether you agree or disagree is up to each person.
Meaning of the acronym OVA – Original Video Animation
Following the logic from the most known to the least known, we have the acronym OVA. This acronym refers to the term in English “Original Video Animation,” which means in Portuguese “Original Anime Video” [OAV] that is also used as an acronym in some countries. This acronym refers to animes or episodes of animes exclusive to video media such as Blu-ray and DVD.
They are released suddenly, without any kind of warning, as is normally done for animes and anime movies (the famous trailers or previews). There are exceptions, but they are rare cases; most people only know when it has already been released. Despite being released without prior notice, OVAs have much more time for their development, which often surpasses the quality of the main product.
Despite these characteristics, OVAs are just stories that complement a story or follow a different route from the original work, which are the main animes. In other words, this acronym usually accompanies episodes of animes that often do not matter to the anime.
Animes with this acronym do not contain any type of cuts or censorship; this is an implicit rule that is of great importance to the industry. Animes and episodes of animes made in OVAs have a single volume of DVD or other media of the genre for each episode produced. This is one of the ways how animes generate income.
Animes of the genre Hentai (with pornographic content) are usually released in the OVA format.
Meaning of the acronym ONA – Original Net Animation
Less known than the previous two, the acronym ONA is also an English acronym that refers to the expression “Original Net Animation,” which means in free translation to Portuguese “Anime Original Net” or “Anime Original from the Net.” This acronym refers to productions that were made originally for the internet or Net, as you prefer.
The mode of production to which this acronym refers is relatively new. This is when distribution via the Net is compared with distribution through video media. With the advent of the internet, information and content spread rapidly. To keep up with this evolution, the anime market had to create a method of production and distribution specifically for the internet.
This market is growing more and more each day. However, the main source of income is by far the products in video media. This may change over time, but the industry carries the main motto “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and tends to invest little in this area.
Understanding the acronym OAD – Original Animation DVD
To explain this acronym, I must inform you that it is of total uselessness for otakus who only watch animes. But if you are an otaku who likes to buy mangas, animes on Blu-ray and DVD, you will identify with it. The term comes from the expression in English “Original Animation DVD,” which in free translation means in Portuguese “Original Animation DVD” or “Original Anime from DVD.”
For general explanation, this acronym refers to an OVA on DVD, with some additional details compared to the OVAs already mentioned. The difference between the latter and the OADs is that when you buy this product, you will also receive the original product of the work, that is, a manga. Basically, it is not relevant at all, and if we reflect on this, we will see that it does not affect those otakus who only watch the animes.
As Blu-rays are more popular nowadays, will they adapt the name to Original Animation Disc or will they invent the OAB? (笑).
The acronym OST – Original Sound Track
Acronym for the expression “Original Sound Track” or in Portuguese “faixa de músicas originais,” it refers to the songs that are included in the anime, whether they are opening themes, closing themes, background music, etc. Basically, all the songs that are in the anime.
This is another known method for the industry to generate income. Because the OST is often sold as a distinct part of the anime. I believe that not only in animes but also in almost all types of media of this genre, such as movies, soap operas, series, etc.
Extra acronym – MC
MC stands for “Main Character” or in Portuguese “Personagem Principal.” It is what we know as the protagonist, the character who plays the main role in the anime. And he is always surrounded by looks and clichés around him. The cliché of “the protagonist never dies” is a cliché that few animes have broken. There is always a miracle that saves the MC when he needs it the most.
I personally have only watched one anime that broke this cliché, Akame Ga Kill, and its popularity was formed from both praise and criticism. To this day, this anime is a topic of discussion, and it is always mentioned when the subject is breaking clichés.
Extra acronym – OP
It can refer to two terms. The first is “OverPower” or in free translation to Portuguese “Dominar,” this term refers to some character in the anime who is extremely powerful in various senses, meaning they can be extremely intelligent, strong, skilled, etc.
To summarize, some ability capable of dominating others in terms of power. It is not a rule for the protagonist to be OP; this term can be used for any character in the anime that fits the standards. I think it is unnecessary to mention END for endings (ending), which is the same thing but at the end.
The other term is “Opening” or its translation to Portuguese “Abrindo,” which refers to the openings of the animes. Normally, the opening contains certain series of images that may or may not include the main characters, spoilers, and hints about the plot, etc. Always accompanied by a theme song that may or may not be sung.
What do I think about the acronyms?
Well, I believe that the misinformation about these acronyms will not significantly affect the lives of otakus. But just as the spirit of a curious person is always to snoop, that of an otaku is always to learn more about this universe of animes. And speaking personally, information and knowledge are always good to have accumulated.
There are certainly more acronyms; if you know some or want to clarify doubts about any, just comment. Just to clarify, this article is exclusive to acronyms. For information about things like clichés and terms used in animes, we have other articles right here on the site.
This is all we have for this article. Thank you, dear reader, for reading this far, and for suggestions, doubts, criticisms, or additional information, just comment. We will be looking and responding to everyone.
Leave a Reply