“When you’re searching for good anime to watch, you might come across terms like ‘seasons’ and ‘single cour’ on anime forums, social media, or streaming sites. You might wonder why some anime shows only have twelve episodes while others go on for a long time.
If you’re new to anime, these terms can be confusing. So, let’s break it down and understand what ‘cour’ and ‘seasons’ mean.”
What is Cour and Season?
“Usually, one ‘cour’ means an anime has around 10 to 14 episodes, and it airs over about three months. These three months match up with the different seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall.
The word ‘cour’ actually comes from the Japanese word ‘kuuru,’ but it’s inspired by the French word ‘cour.’ Anime fans around the world have been using this term since 2007.”
- Winter: January, February, March
- Spring: April, May, June
- Summer: July, August, September
- Fall: October, November, and December
Regarding the season, anime is usually broadcast in several options cour:
- Single Cour: 10-14 episodes
- Double Cour: 24-26 episodes broadcast continuously in two adjacent seasons, for example, from Spring-Summer.
- Split Cour: 24-26 episodes split across two seasons. The second course is broadcast between other seasons, for example, Summer-Winter.
Example:
- Tower of God is an anime single course which airs in Spring 2020
- Kill la Kill is an anime double cour. Aired 24 episodes from Fall 2013 to Winter 2014.
- Fate/Zero is an anime split cour. The first cour premiered in Fall 2011, with the second cour premiered in Spring 2012.
What is the difference between Cour and Season?
The issue with using “seasons” and “cour” is mostly about being precise. “Seasons” is more common and often refers to the regular seasons like Spring 2019.
On the other hand, “cour” is more specific. It means a three-month period, and you can use it like “Spring Anime” or “Winter 2019.”
These terms matter when you’re discussing different anime series airing at different times of the year.
However, once an anime finishes airing, these terms don’t really matter. Who remembers which season Code Geass came out or how many “cours” Death Note or Fullmetal Alchemist had?
Why is Anime Aired Based on Cour and Season?
Making anime in “cours” instead of doing a full 24 episodes or more has some good reasons. It gives the companies making the anime more flexibility.
For example, they can start with one “cour” and see how fans like it. If it’s a hit, they can do a second “cour.” If fans like it but have some complaints, they can take a break and improve things before the next “cour.”
But if the anime doesn’t do well, they can stop and work on something new. This is why the 12-episode “cour” format is often used. It helps companies avoid big losses if the anime isn’t a hit.
