How Long Does It Take You to Remember Character Names?

[AutoGyro]

When you start a new series that you are relatively unfamiliar with, or when a new character is introduced, how long does it take you to remember character names?

For me, it varies from series to series. Average is around 2-3 episodes for regular characters. It also depends on how much time there is between watching each episode. I'm the 4th disk of Haruhi Suzumiya and I still don't know the names of two regular characters in there :sd:

[Puppet Master]

Depends on the series in some cases I never remember any of the characters names with the exception of maybe one or two.

[Suwako Moriya]

For me, it varies from series to series.

Probably the same answer for most people. Actually it's more dependent on the character than the show. Some characters make a strong enough impression be it negative or positive that you notice them right away and keep them in mind. Other are barely on the radar due things like possibly lack of focus or just being at best barely there.

[Orihimes_Boyfriend]

Oh neat question.

Sometimes it take a while. Example when I first started watching InuYasha I kept saying in my mind the characters names as they showed up on screen. When I read the Bleach manga I latter found out I was mispronouncing a lot of the names. So I had to re memorize them when I saw the anime. EX: Orininaly
I thought it was promounced RU-KAI-A instead of RU-KEY-A.

[something]

Since I post about everything I watch, that forces me to get the names down. Also, given how much I'm on tagging-based imageboards, I can often remember full names for all the characters in short order, assuming there's art of them being posted. I also constantly check ANN and wiki and official sites to confirm names as well.

[HitokiriShadow]

It varies depending on my interest in the series, the character and the impression they make on me, and how much that character shows up. If they only show up once every four episodes and I'm already trying to keep track of a large cast, I could easily forget their name. After watching all of StrikerS, I still couldn't remember most of the characters names outside the core cast.

[ZhenJi]

It depends on the show...

I never learned the names in Hakkenden or Boogiebop Phantom. I think the art/character design had a lot to do with it.

Other shows, it depends on how easy, common or weird the name is. Sakura and Nenene are names I can remember fairly easy.

On average I would have to say 2-3 episodes for main chracters (if they are fairly easy to pronounce) and 5-6 for the ones that are more difficult.

Also, I can nevember remember names in movies (animated or live actions) :sd:

[Gatts]

For me it really depends. I can remember pretty much every character's name from things like Initial D, Dragonball/Z/GT, Bleach, etc, but I'll find my self forgetting one or two characters in something like Negima.

For some reason, even though One Piece (and many shonen Action/Adventure series) has more than twice the number of characters of Negima I don't have a problem remembering them. Then again with One Piece, each character is pretty unique in their own way. Even the anime only ones that people tend to hate like say... Apis... :)

[Suwako Moriya]

I can often remember full names for all the characters in short order, assuming there's art of them being posted. I also constantly check ANN and wiki and official sites to confirm names as well.

Speaking of full names, I don't know why, but I find there's a certain level of satisfaction to typing out the full name of characters rather than just using only the given name. Granted that requires remembering the full name and/or double checking on the name if possible as well being willing to put in a bit of extra effort to type some more letters. So there are times I'm typing full names like no tomorrow and times I'm just winging it with just the given names.

[EmperorBrandon]

I tend to remember character names right after they're introduced in the show usually usually. It's part of my habit to look up voice actors beforehand, so I tend to know what the names are at least before I even watch.

[Busaiku]

Depends really.
I can get the main cast (assuming it's like up to 6-7 people) down fast, but if there are lots of side characters as well, I tend to get some names confused.
For the side characters really, it's not about how often they appear, but what they do if they appear. If they do something more notable, I'll get them down, despite them only appearing once or twice as opposed to a character that appears more, but doesn't do quite as much.

[joelgundam01]

Depends on the series in some cases I never remember any of the characters names with the exception of maybe one or two.

Same here! I not really good at remembering names.

[Crystallized]

A long time, oftentimes it will take the entire series or I end up never remembering them at all. However, it depends on how much of an impression the characters made on me and how quickly I watch the series (for example, I watched Haibane Renmei over the course of three days and loved it so I remembered the main cast's names easily).

[Lego]

Depends on the series in some cases I never remember any of the characters names with the exception of maybe one or two.

Pretty much the same for me. Of course for certain series I can name most of the main characters, others I have to look them up.

[Lain Of The Net]

Like a lot of others. Depends. If there are a lot ...I stop and call up a list or I make notes at the end of the episode. I usually don't need notes for long and writing a bit about the people in the series helps me really get them down in my head.

But continuing series are a bit like a soap (nope don't like soaps but understand the format) in that usually they are weekly and thought is given to people tuning in each week/day. So it is not usually hard to get back on track. Having a set and going through it makes it easier for me too. Focus is the thing for me!!

[ADC]

For me it's not a matter of how long it takes to remember, but how quickly I forget. Taking your Haruhi example, I can see in my mind the chick with the mole on her sweet bouncy bosom, but I couldn't tell you what she's called. This may have more to do with the fact that I seem to have paid attention to the boobs at the expense of the character, but still.

On the other hand, it's been years since I watched Mao-chan, but I can still remember Sylvie, Misora, and … er … the pink-haired girl.

[Helschadenfreude]

Depends on how awesome they are and how long or short the name is. also depends on how many characters there are. I think I'm worse at names in manga than I am at anime.

If the character is highly unique, pro and genius, I usually can remember their name baring any other character that has a similar name structure.

I remember what they look like, roughly the first letter of the name, but other than that my mind sometimes draws a complete blank.

[Draneor]

I almost never remember the names of males--I pretty much ignore them*. For females, it depends how much I love them. For favorite characters, one or two episodes (unless the name is one I haven't heard before). Given that I'm surrounded my posters, figures, and other character goods, their names stay pretty fresh in my mind (otherwise, how could I say good night or good morning). I tend to learn only the given name for most girls though. But the ones I truly love, like Asakura Nemu or Tsukimiya Ayu, I know their full name in both English and Japanese.

*For the purposes of this statement, Jun does not qualify as a male nor does Hazumu.

[The Great Bear]

Depends on the show, and the number of characters introduced in the first episode. If it's a relatively small core cast, I tend to pick up the names quickly. If there are a large number of characters introduced in a rush, I might only latch on to a few at first.

[Suwako Moriya]

and how quickly I watch the series

That's definitely a factor, but it's possible to be both too slow and too fast. Taking a long time to get around to the next episode can cause one to lose focus. However rushing too fast can make it hard to take the information in. At least for me it can.

Which is probably why I prefer to watch 0-2 DVDs of a given series at max a day rather than try to finish the whole thing in one day. Okay usually the ideal is one, but hey if I've just finished volume 5 of 6 and there's time I may feel like wrapping up 6.

Granted most of my DVD watching ends up being rewatches and thus more like refresher courses for my memories rather than creating them in the first place. So it comes down to my pace the other way which sometimes I can control and sometimes I can't. However let's just say if I'm being too slow about watching a series there might be a bigger issue going on than whether or not I'll remember names.

[Njr Scrawl]

Depends on the name. Easier if its more English or western european sounding.

Otherwise the impression a character makes can (as in real life) help me remember.

[jecca-neko]

I'm the 4th disk of Haruhi Suzumiya and I still don't know the names of two regular characters in there :sd:

There's Haruhi, Kyon, and Yuki. That's all I know. I always forget the name of the girl who is forced to dress up but I don't like her anyway. I always forget the name of the esper guy, but he has less time in the show and his name isn't said very often.

[Mateo_home]

I'm the 4th disk of Haruhi Suzumiya and I still don't know the names of two regular characters in there :sd:

There's Haruhi, Kyon, and Yuki. That's all I know. I always forget the name of the girl who is forced to dress up but I don't like her anyway. I always forget the name of the esper guy, but he has less time in the show and his name isn't said very often.


Mikuru and Koizumi?!

EDIT: Just went to ANN, and it turns out I listed a first and a last name for the two different characters. :sd:

[Mateo_home]

As stated. It depends on the character. If I really like the character, have a strong impression, one of the mains, and I have been paying attention, maybe like 5 minutes. Other than that it tends to drift. Using Haruhi, I forgot about that one girl who appeared for like one episode who appeared in the opening. Other times I go to ANN encyclopedia to refresh my memory.

But if it's a different character with a name I've heard before "Sakura" being the example. It just plain sticks.

[GrateSaiyaman]

I remember a character's name INSTANTLY . . . for about 20 seconds, if I'm lucky.

If the series is engaging enough I'll remember the names for awhile. I enjoyed the monumentally fantastic show "Green, Green" but now I couldn't guess who the character were . . . what was that show about?

What was the question again?

:grin: :grin: :grin: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[Mark]

Generally, I know the characters names by the end of the disc- so anywhere from 3 to 4 episodes.
However, some series assaults you with names, places and things in the first few episodes. The two series that really screwed me up were:
GTO- when Onizuka gets to Holy Forest, far too many characters are all introduced at the same time.
Initial D- who's who and who drives what for which team and which city was a little daunting.

[AutoGyro]

One series that I never managed to remember any names in despite it being super awesome is Twelve Kingdoms. I'm hoping reading the novels will remedy that.

Berserk falls in that category, too. The only one I remember is Guts. But then again, who wouldn't remember a character named after slimey body parts.

[Nosredna]

If I don't know people's names by the second episode, then either there are just a lot of characters and it's taking me some time to figure out who is who, or the show just sucks and didn't gain my attention like it should have.

[Whoomp]

Depends on the series but usually I just remember the name of the main cast that appears in moast episodes and if they have western-sounding namnes like for example Lemmy(To Heart) and Light (Death Note).