<p>In Japan, the term is called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumper_(broadcasting)#Japan" rel="noreferrer"><strong>eyecatch</strong></a>, which is also known as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumper_(broadcasting)" rel="noreferrer"><strong>bumper</strong></a>. As the question has mentioned, it's usually to indicate the start and end of the commercial break.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>In broadcasting, a <strong>commercial bumper</strong>, <strong>ident bumper</strong> or <strong>break-bumper</strong> (often shortened to <strong>bump</strong>) is a brief announcement, usually two to fifteen seconds in length that can contain a voice over, placed between a pause in the program and its commercial break, and vice versa.</p>
<hr />
<p>In Japan, an eyecatch (アイキャッチ aikyatchi) or internal eyecatch is a scene or illustration used to begin and end a commercial break in a television program, especially in anime and tokusatsu shows. The term is used, in Japan, to refer to all kinds of bumpers.</p>
<p>In many television series, eyecatches are contemporaneous into the climax of a story, leading onto speculation during the commercial break.</p>
<p>Unlike in American programs, in which bumpers are typically supplied by the network (when they have them at all), eyecatches are almost always produced by the production company and considered a part of the program itself, rather than (or also serving as) a segue into a commercial break. They are typically two to six seconds in length. Eyecatches for children's programs are often longer and more elaborate, while eyecatches for programming intended for adults may consist of nothing more than the program's logo against a black background.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-17T23:50:08.240Z
Also, if the eyecatch includes music it will often be included on the soundtrack CD (OST) with a track name of アイキャッチ (or アイキャッチA, アイキャッチ1 etc if there are multiple versions).
Simon Brady
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-18T07:29:53.687Z
Yes! Ebglish calls it a bumper, whether in audio or video. Awesome answer!
Jesse
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-17T14:02:56.710Z
2019-01-17T14:02:56.710Z
2020-06-17T09:17:53.303Z
Aki Tanaka
<p>Very often, in the middle of an anime episode, I can see some screens lasting just a few seconds.</p>

<p>They very often consist of some drawing/aesthetic element or gag element. It is very often combined with some sound. Most often it is <a href="https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/44902/what-is-that-noise-when-an-onsen-scene-opens-up/44905#44905">"the onsen sound"</a>.</p>

<p>It seems that its purpose is to separate different scenes/setups, make interrupts in long scenes or to make a place for adverts in TV series.</p>

<p>Examples:</p>

<ul>
<li>In <em>Bleach</em>: it was Kon's footprint.</li>
<li>In <em>KonoSuba</em>: it was an encircled "このすば" writing combined with the voice of seiyuu screaming loud: "KONOSUBA!" and main characters' silhouettes resembling <em>Mario Bros.</em> game mechanics.</li>
<li>In <em>KanColle</em>: it was a drawing of a newly introduced character with her name.</li>
<li>In <em>Arpeggio of Blue Steel</em>: it was a sonar screen with the sonar sound.</li>
<li>In <em>Tenjou Tenge</em>: it was two female main characters during transformation back into "adult form" and cutting sakura petals with katana.</li>
<li>In <em>One Punch Man</em>: it was a white bold "ONE PUNCH MAN" writing on a red or blue background and also some character's silhouette performing his special attack, accompanied by short electric guitar play.</li>
</ul>

<p>My question is: <strong>What is the name of this technical element?</strong></p>

<hr>

<p><a href="https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/8564/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-fast-appearing-screens">Potentially linked question</a> (I'm not sure if we are referring to the same element)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-17T16:11:41.493Z
The linked question is unrelated to an eyecatch since it's still used as a storytelling element instead of commercial break separator.
Aki Tanaka
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-18T07:52:23.640Z
Just a note : The KonoSuba is different, as there are multiple in single episode and are only single piece. normal eyecatch usually have two pieces for before and after the break. So they are just unconventional scene transitions. There acually is an eyecatch in episode 1 where Aqua spergs around and "PAUSE" shows on screen to dissapear after few seconds. https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/29372/why-did-the-show-pause-in-episode-1
Euphoric
<anime-production><terminology>
What is the name of an "interrruption screen" element in the middle of an anime episode?
# What is the name of an "interrruption screen" element in the middle of an anime episode?
Posted by: username_0 on 2019-01-17
Very often, in the middle of an anime episode, I can see some screens lasting just a few seconds.

They very often consist of some drawing/aesthetic element or gag element. It is very often combined with some sound. Most often it is ["the onsen sound"](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/44902/what-is-that-noise-when-an-onsen-scene-opens-up/44905#44905).

It seems that its purpose is to separate different scenes/setups, make interrupts in long scenes or to make a place for adverts in TV series.

Examples:

* In *Bleach*: it was Kon's footprint.
* In *KonoSuba*: it was an encircled "このすば" writing combined with the voice of seiyuu screaming loud: "KONOSUBA!" and main characters' silhouettes resembling *Mario Bros.* game mechanics.
* In *KanColle*: it was a drawing of a newly introduced character with her name.
* In *Arpeggio of Blue Steel*: it was a sonar screen with the sonar sound.
* In *Tenjou Tenge*: it was two female main characters during transformation back into "adult form" and cutting sakura petals with katana.
* In *One Punch Man*: it was a white bold "ONE PUNCH MAN" writing on a red or blue background and also some character's silhouette performing his special attack, accompanied by short electric guitar play.

My question is: **What is the name of this technical element?**

---

[Potentially linked question](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/8564/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-fast-appearing-screens) (I'm not sure if we are referring to the same element)
**Tags:** anime-production terminology
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The linked question is unrelated to an eyecatch since it's still used as a storytelling element instead of commercial break separator.  
> **username_2**: Just a note : The KonoSuba is different, as there are multiple in single episode and are only single piece. normal eyecatch usually have two pieces for before and after the break. So they are just unconventional scene transitions. There acually is an eyecatch in episode 1 where Aqua spergs around and "PAUSE" shows on screen to dissapear after few seconds. https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/29372/why-did-the-show-pause-in-episode-1  
---
## 1 answers
### Answer by username_1 on 2019-01-17. Score: 29 | Accepted answer
In Japan, the term is called [**eyecatch**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumper_(broadcasting)#Japan), which is also known as [**bumper**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumper_(broadcasting)). As the question has mentioned, it's usually to indicate the start and end of the commercial break.

> In broadcasting, a **commercial bumper**, **ident bumper** or **break-bumper** (often shortened to **bump**) is a brief announcement, usually two to fifteen seconds in length that can contain a voice over, placed between a pause in the program and its commercial break, and vice versa.
>
> ---
>
> In Japan, an eyecatch (アイキャッチ aikyatchi) or internal eyecatch is a scene or illustration used to begin and end a commercial break in a television program, especially in anime and tokusatsu shows. The term is used, in Japan, to refer to all kinds of bumpers.
>
> In many television series, eyecatches are contemporaneous into the climax of a story, leading onto speculation during the commercial break.
>
> Unlike in American programs, in which bumpers are typically supplied by the network (when they have them at all), eyecatches are almost always produced by the production company and considered a part of the program itself, rather than (or also serving as) a segue into a commercial break. They are typically two to six seconds in length. Eyecatches for children's programs are often longer and more elaborate, while eyecatches for programming intended for adults may consist of nothing more than the program's logo against a black background.
> **Comments:**
> **username_3** (2019-01-17): Also, if the eyecatch includes music it will often be included on the soundtrack CD (OST) with a track name of アイキャッチ (or アイキャッチA, アイキャッチ1 etc if there are multiple versions).  
> **username_4** (2019-01-18): Yes! Ebglish calls it a bumper, whether in audio or video. Awesome answer!  
---
