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Weekly vs. binge: If you do both, how do you decide?

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Oct 11, 5:34 PM
#1

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Mar 2017
2852
A frequent topic here is whether you watch current seasonals weekly, or binge once the season ends. For many viewers, the answer is some of both. This question is directed at those viewers.

If you watch both ways (even if it's mostly one or the other), how do you decide which shows to watch weekly and which to binge later? What are your criteria?

To answer my own question, genre is a factor. Slice of life, comedy, romance are shows I might be more likely to watch weekly. If it has sports, action, fighting, suspense, or mystery elements, I'm more likely to wait and binge it. Episodic shows are easier to watch weekly, where those with longer story arcs are better to binge, especially if there's a lot to keep track of between episodes. Anything likely to have cliffhangers goes in the binge column. Finally, and perhaps overriding all of the above, if I've read the source material or it's a reboot of a show I've watched, I'm much more likely to watch weekly. An example of the latter was Spice and Wolf (2024), which would normally be a 'binge later' show for me but since I had both read the light novels and watched the 2008-09 version of the show, I watched it weekly.
A møøse once bit my sister...
Oct 11, 7:30 PM
#2

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Jul 2021
1532
Shows that I'm more interested in, I watch weekly. Shows that I'm on the fence about, I make a mental note and may or may not come back later to binge it.

I get that certain genres flow better when binged, but I've been watching anime more and more slowly recently, anyway. And it's difficult for me to wait 3 months purely for a "better watching experience."
perseiiOct 11, 7:45 PM
Oct 11, 7:35 PM
#3

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Jan 2021
1775
I watch them weekly regardless of the genre or anything else.
Oct 11, 7:46 PM
#4

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Aug 2012
452
I've not watched an anime weekly since Danganronpa 3 tbh. I don't have a set plan for it, I am late to catching up on things like MHA for example. Still also need to watch the JJK anime, Demon Slayer...and other anime.. I just got back into watching anime but not to an excessive level.
Oct 11, 7:52 PM
#5

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Aug 2016
4526
I don't do weekly since that's excessive. I do in 3,4,6 episodes at once or multiples depending on the denominator of the total episodes while it's airing. I generally don't straight up binge from beginning to end (all in one day or watch back to back days) even when unless it has been on my list for a while just sitting there.

If I don't want to decide and the quality of expectation in the show is not relevant then I do it in airing order. Otherwise I tend to look at my free time available, how tired I am, chances of being interrupted, weekday vs weekend, what show I watched previously (would I want something different in genre/themes) and then based on that pick a show that would fit the circumstance (weekend I'm more prone to selecting shows I have higher expectation along with less chance of interruption)
MechKingKillbotOct 11, 8:00 PM
Oct 11, 7:59 PM
#6

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Dec 2012
9647
I do both. Usually the reason I'm waiting is because I watched the previous shows in the franchise dubbed and want to continue doing that.
"The name's Gambit. Remember it."
-Gambit "X-Men '97"

Oct 11, 8:18 PM
#7
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Apr 2023
58
I only watch weekly when it's an episodic like Detective Conan (though I don't even watch that one "truly" weekly because it's mostly filler now and all the canon cases are almost always 2 parts or more now. It's still the closest thing to a "weekly" anime for me though). If it's arc based like 95% of anime or anything where there's a decent chance the episode will end in the middle of a fight or something important I'm waiting for the season to complete.

I know this thread wasn't really aimed towards people like me but I figured I'd chime in since there is actually that one anime I can think of where I don't wait for a bunch of episodes to release before watching because it's episodic - if I get into any other anime like it that's airing at that time I'd probably watch that weekly too, so I do actually have an answer for the thread.
Oct 11, 8:22 PM
#8
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Aug 2012
10
Immersion, in my view, is the key. Some works deliberately break immersion to prompt reflection on your own life, or simply to evoke laughter or fear. Without watching the show, though, how could you know? Take Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, for example—my favorite series. It's widely recognized as an action-packed battle shōnen, but it's also deeply rooted in the horror genre. Araki intentionally wants us to think, “what if this existed in real life?” This layer of the show can often be overlooked when binge-watched, and may even detract from the experience. Forcing yourself to continue when the immersion was meant to be interrupted can diminish its impact.

My primary factor for deciding how to approach ongoing series is the genre, as you mentioned. The genre is usually chosen based on the story's flow, but without prior knowledge of the author, it can be hard to predict. A series like Gintama, which I’m currently watching, exemplifies this perfectly. There are many episodes that are best enjoyed with breaks between them, but frequently, you'll find clusters of episodes that work beautifully together.

Ultimately, I believe the best approach is to wait until a series is completed before diving in. This way, you can decide whether to space out the episodes or not, based on how they unfold. It also helps avoid wasting time on overly hyped series that might lack long-term impact, get cancelled, or simply never live up to expectations.
raviweOct 11, 8:32 PM
Oct 11, 8:33 PM
#9
♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

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Nov 2015
54
‎I'm a binge watcher! ‎‎ㅤㅤㅤ
Oct 11, 8:41 PM
🍅 Tomato 🍅

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Feb 2020
102267
Depends on the week and how much time I have.
Oct 11, 9:25 PM

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Oct 2013
7313
I do neither. I watch a random number of episodes from each series I'm currently watching until I feel like taking a break. Then I take said break and repeat the cycle.
Oct 11, 11:36 PM

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Mar 2023
57
I cant watch/read anime/manga weekly ngl. I usually wait for it to complete so i can binge watch it :)
Oct 11, 11:52 PM

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Jun 2024
1692
I don't really have a specific reason. I could binge watch or watch weekly, depending on whatever reason comes up.
Oct 12, 12:55 AM
Call me Oniichan

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Jan 2007
1731
Never watching weekly. It's a torture having to wait a whole week to see what happens next. I don't understand people who do this.
Oct 12, 1:49 AM

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Dec 2014
1512
Watch weekly the shows I am most interested in. I usally start a bunch and then others might stop watching and then I will just pick them up as and when I feel like it
Oct 12, 2:08 AM

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May 2021
1582
Any slice of life I would watch weekly. Anything with a continuous story I would binge
Oct 12, 2:40 AM

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Sep 2016
11015
Currently airing: weekly

Finished airing: binge
DesuMaiden said:
Nobody resembles me physically because I don't even physically exist.
Oct 12, 2:44 AM

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Sep 2016
460
I rarely manage to stick to a show weekly these days, often dropping off at some point and coming back to binge it when it's done
It's what you wanted to see, it's who you wanted to be.
Oct 12, 2:45 AM

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Feb 2021
7645
If I have time, I watch every week, if not I watch all at once.
Oct 12, 2:49 PM

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Sep 2019
3415
There really isn't any criteria, I just watch whatever interests me at the start of a new season. On the occasion I pick up something that is currently airing I just watch till I catch up to latest episode and then proceed to watch it weekly like the rest, this happened with Dungeon Meshi for me this year for example.
Oct 12, 4:09 PM

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Dec 2020
511
I always prefer to binge. I hate watching weekly.
Oct 12, 4:24 PM

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May 2021
703
I make a solid attempt at watching weekly every season as it better suits my schedule but unless it’s something I’ve been anticipating for awhile I fall off dramatically within the first few weeks

Oct 12, 4:43 PM

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Jul 2021
8443
Always binge, like who even remembers what happened a week ago in a 20 minute episode...
Cucumber ice cream is the best!
Oct 12, 5:45 PM

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Jul 2024
1978
Binge-watching when I have a good chunk of free time, while weekly watching fits into my daily routine because they take lesser time while maintaining regularity
Sometimes i prefer to immerse myself in the story all at once, while other times I enjoy the anticipation and discussion that builds with weekly episodes of airing ongoing anime.

Also Watching weekly allows me real-time discussions with anime communities. Binge-watching is more of a solo experience.

To avoid spoilers, some might binge-watch when all episodes are out at once like with Netflix productions, but I don't mind spoilers, feel free to give me spoilers .
Oct 12, 10:20 PM

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Dec 2016
40
i primarily do weekly anime nowadays, rarely find the time to sit and binge something. i dont really pick and choose what i'm watching tho lol i just watch them all, like over 20 usually every season

Oct 12, 11:11 PM

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Aug 2018
2165
Seasonal = weekly for me, except a show that I missed. It's easier to digest a bad show for me, and if the show is good, I feel the hype for the next episode.

Another plus is that is harder to get spoiled, social media is awful with this.
Oct 13, 12:23 AM

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Jul 2017
155
I was watching weekly for a few years, at first it was good like 8 anime weekly XD then my tastes expanded and it quickly became over 20 anime every season to watch weekly, so I stopped, and now I wait for the seasonals to end so I can binge them [like at least 150+ anime from 2024 that I need to slowly start watching XD]
Oct 13, 12:29 PM
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Jul 2024
1448
This is easy. If it is an older, completed series on CR say & I have the time I will binge it. I did that with KS: Love Is War back in the Summer of 2022. Over a weekend. Did the Sub, kind of liked it. Then did the dub & loved it.
If it is a new show, I'll watch it weekly.

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