How long does it take to make an animated series?

When a new anime series is released, fans eagerly await the episodes, but few people think about how much work and time goes into making it. An animated series can take months or even years to produce, depending on how long it is, how detailed it is, and which studio is working on it.

1. Preparation (6 months – 2 years)

Anime production begins long before anything is animated. This is where:

• Developing the basic idea : If the anime is based on a manga, light novel, or original story, the writers and producers will rework the story to fit the animation format. For original ideas, it may take longer to develop and approve the concept.

• Writing the script : Writers develop the story episode by episode, considering the plot arc and character development.

• Character and world design : Character designers and artists design the characters and settings, defining the visual style of the anime. This process is particularly important in creating unique and memorable characters.

2. Storyboard and animatics (1-3 months)

A storyboard helps to establish the visual structure of the entire episode. An animatic is a moving storyboard, often with sound, allowing you to control the timing and rhythm of the scenes. This step is crucial to ensuring the continuity of the storytelling.

3. Animation Production (4-6 weeks per episode)

One of the most time-consuming parts of animation is creating keyframes and in-between animations. Keyframes are drawn by experienced animators, while in-betweens are often created by less experienced artists or outside studios. Anime studios often outsource this work to foreign teams to meet tight deadlines.

4. Post-production: Sound, VFX and editing (1-2 months)

Once the animation is complete, there are still a few important steps left:

• Dubbing and sound mixing : Actors record the voices of the characters and add sound effects and music to the episode.

• Cutting and Editing : Finished episodes are finalized, with effects and visual enhancements, ensuring high quality and coherent storytelling.

5. Appearance and promotion

Before the anime is released, they conduct a marketing campaign, create trailers and posters to arouse the audience's interest. The anime premieres during a key period of the given season (spring, summer, autumn, winter), optimizing viewership.

So how long does it take to make an anime?

• Making an episode : On average, 3-6 months, although production often overlaps, so a new episode can air every week.

• Making a full 12-13 episode season : Approximately 1.5-2 years, including pre-production and post-production.

• Big budget films : They can take up to 3-4 years to make, as the expectations for detail and quality are higher.

Making an anime is an incredibly complex process that requires a lot of creativity and work. The next time you watch an episode, it's worth thinking about how much time and energy went into making each scene.