Original Video Animation

Original Video Animation (OVA) is an acronym used in Japan for anime that are released directly to video, without being first broadcast on TV or released in theaters. As a general rule, OVA animation tends to be of high quality, approaching that of movies. Titles often tend to have a very regular, continuous plot which is best enjoyed if all episodes are viewed in sequence.

Related Topics:
Acronym - Japan - Anime - TV - Movies

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Probably the longest OVA series ever made is Legend of the Galactic Heroes, which spanned 110 main episodes, and 52 gaiden episodes as well as several movies.

Related Topics:
Legend of the Galactic Heroes - Gaiden

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According to source 1 the abbreviation OAV was similar to AV ("Adult Video") causing OAV to be misinterpretated as Original Adult Video, causing a shift towards the OVA abbreviation.

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