Episode titles

[LightningTopaz]

So I'm just about ready to begin writing "Pokemon: Melody of Indigo (well, technically, Episode 1 is in a file in various bits and pieces and I have to put all the pieces together), but I'm not sure how I want to title the episodes:

Should I write them like:

"Pun or Pop Culture Reference That Hints at the Episode's Events" (US style)

or

"Basic gist of the episode! Major event that happens in this episode!" (anime style)

I like my fics to have a TV show like feel, but I'm not sure how I should title the episodes

 

[matt0044]

Personally, you should keep the short but simple. Like with Robotech/Macross's first episode, "Boobytrap" where the alien spacecraft, SDF-1 (Macross), fires its main gun at an unsuspecting enemy. Hence, the name Boobytrap. Or the first Gundam series where the first episode title is "Gundam Rising" and sums up the episode.

You don't have to reference something or make it lengthy like in some Anime. Just make sure it fits the events in the chapter and sounds good to you.

 

[Misheard Whisper]

Personally, I can't stand the English dub episode titles. With a few exceptions, they sound contrived, forced and trite. The Japanese way of doing it seemed much better, and it seems they've finally woken up to that with the English dub of Best Wishes.

 

[Karamazov]

Personally, you should keep the short but simple. Like with Robotech/Macross's first episode, "Boobytrap" where the alien spacecraft, SDF-1 (Macross), fires its main gun at an unsuspecting enemy. Hence, the name Boobytrap. Or the first Gundam series where the first episode title is "Gundam Rising" and sums up the episode.

You don't have to reference something or make it lengthy like in some Anime. Just make sure it fits the events in the chapter and sounds good to you.

I'd say this is a pretty good idea. I love the English puns, but they'll probably come off as tacky. The Japanese version does have something distinguishing about it, but lack creativity.

But since you're going for a TV feel, and you only want one of the two, I'd say the pop culture references.

 

[LightningTopaz]

I'm leaning towards the anime style titles to mimic the actual Pokemon anime.

 

[Joshawott]

When I write chapter titles, I usually do so once I've written the chapter myself. I read through it again and then choose something that fits the overall feel. With Bright World though, from around chapter 3 I've gone a step further and made them chess related (not sure why, but now I can't stop!).

Out of the two, I'd say go for the Japanese-style (just not the ones with spoilers in their names 9.9). Only use puns if you think of them on the fly and think they're actually funny - it's obvious when a joke is forced.

 

[LightningTopaz]

With me, thinking of the titles first usually helps spur a plot

 

[Candyshepherd]

I think the US style would be nice

 

[Kihote]

Personally I make my titles something short and quick, but this is about which one you prefer. I think that the pun would be nice, as long as the puns are either clever or amusing since the other alternative gives too many spoilers which sort of makes reading the chapter redundant if you specialize in cliff hangers.

 

[The Dude]

I like using a naming theme. I've always wanted to do a TV-series-esque fanfic where all the episode titles are song titles. Or movie titles.