The question of what is special in anime is asked sooner or later by any fan of Japanese animated series. This industry is very developed and popular not only in home country but all over the world. Beginners will benefit from knowing about additional series, as well as why the authors create them.
Term Explanation
About what a special in anime is, we can conclude by reviewing several series from this publisher. The term originated from English word Special, which means "special" in translation. In the industry Japanese animation so denote an additional series or several to the main series. Usually they are made to coincide with some significant event. It could be a global holiday or a special day in Japan.
You can also wait for the special if the series turns a round date. The same term refers to feature film, which also came out separately from the entire narrative of the main plot. Often, such additional episodes are limited editions and go to those fans who have previously purchased the entire season, made a certain subscription, or are simply in the draw.
Why make a special edition
You can understand what a special is in anime even without revisiting such series. The authors make special editions and do not let fans forget about themselves. Often they have difficulty shooting the second season of the animated series, which everyone is looking forward to. It depends a lot on the manga - Japanese comics which are incredibly popular in the country. It is she who becomes the basis for each film adaptation. It is released gradually, and therefore the developers have to wait for the full storyline.
At this time, they replenish the list of specials in anime with their work. Fans are pleased to plunge into the atmosphere of their favorite setting once again, after which the wait no longer seems so tedious. This is very common in this industry and is not a separate exception for some works. Basically, from 1 to 3 special series or a full-length film can come out, depending on the popularization of the main anime.
What they talk about in the special
To better understand what an anime special is, you need to understand the plot of these additional episodes. It would seem that to interest the viewer in a separate 20-minute work is not an easy task, but Japanese authors know how to do it. In most cases, the special is created in a comedy style with all the main characters from the main storyline. It can be an ordinary adventure at school, organizing some kind of celebration and the like. A prime example can serve as a special in the anime Freestyle.
It tells how the members of the Iwatobi Swimming Club decide to go to a cultural festival in their city. They organize a kiosk where guys dressed as maids serve drinks and food to everyone. One episode contains many comedic moments that fans of the main series will enjoy watching. Those wishing to watch such limited editions should look at specialized sites where anime is posted. There will definitely be a lot of stuff like this.
many words foreign origin so often used in Russian language that some use them without always knowing their true meaning. For example, English adjective special (special). What is it, let's find out, and also consider the most famous expressions with him.
Etymology of the word
Before you find out lexical meaning words special, it is worth learning about the origin of this term.
Like most English words, "special" comes from Latin. IN time immemorial, when Rome seemed an indestructible state, its inhabitants used the noun species in their speech, which meant " appearance».
After the fall of the empire, Latin reigned in Europe for many centuries, due to the fact that most scientific and theological works were written in it. At the same time, although she actively influenced the formation of almost all languages in European states, she herself was exposed to them. Thus, the so-called "medieval Latin" arose. In it, the term species evolved to the word specialis, which, with minimal changes, was borrowed by Old English (species) and Old French (especial) languages.
The modern appearance and meaning of the word "special" acquired in the Middle English period, retaining it to this day.
What is special (special)
Having dealt with the etymology, is it worth it to finally find out what is special?
This adjective is translated from the British language as "special", "remarkable", "unusual" or even "unique".
As a rule, the word special is used in speech when they want to emphasize the exclusivity of some thing, moment, event, action or object.
Also considered adjective in official names used in the sense of "special".
Translation and meaning of the expression "special edition"
The above phrase can often be found on the covers of books, comics, manga, music CDs, games, movies and television series. What does it mean?
The literal translation of "special edition" is a special / special edition. However, in the Russian language it is more often replaced by the expression “collector's edition”, which is similar in meaning.
As a rule, such a mark indicates the uniqueness of this product: 
- If these are recordings of music, films or television series, then the discs with them will contain some Additional materials. Usually this is either a documentary about the creation process or a set of cut scenes. If the picture on the disc is in 3D format, the special edition usually comes with 3D glasses as a gift.
- When we are talking about games, which means that they will definitely have bonus levels and tasks.
- Books marked like this often have more expensive designs and are well suited as a luxurious gift. They may also contain information about the author or the history of the creation of the work. In addition to all of the above, draft versions of the book may be attached to the special edition. If it is a dictionary or encyclopedia, the Collector's Edition may contain additional articles or a CD with the digital version of the book.
All this is done in order to maintain the interest of buyers in products and force them to purchase new copies, despite the presence of old ones.
The word "special" in episode titles
Considering the question "What is special?" it is worth noting that in the names of some series or games it is used by itself. What is it for?
As you know, most TV productions are released during a nine-month season lasting from September to May. The remaining three months, such projects, as a rule, are on "holidays". Sometimes such vacations can drag on for a longer period, such as with the British series Black Mirror and Sherlock (they have a season frequency of every three years). 
Due to long breaks, viewers are able to cool down to their favorite project. To prevent this from happening, the creators of television products in the off-season release special episodes marked special. As a rule, they are not associated with the main storyline, but at the same time give the audience an opportunity to better understand their favorite characters and have a good time.
An example is famous animated series one piece(based on the manga of the same name) consisting of over seven hundred episodes. Among them are full-length cartoons, as well as special editions dedicated to the holidays and off-season. The latter are called "One Piece: Special", and then a more detailed name of the episode.
What does the phrase "special pho yu" mean?
The phrase special for you is probably the second most popular phrase (after all kinds of expressions with the noun love) as an inscription on postcards and romantic desktop wallpapers. 
Its correct translation is "especially for you". This expression is used when the speaker or writer wants to emphasize that what they do or donate is not intended for everyone, but for a particular person.
Among other things, this phrase is often used in songs about love and passion.
What does S.P.E.C.I.A.L mean?
Considering the question: "What is a special?" - it is worth mentioning another way to decipher this word.
If it is written as an abbreviation with dots after each letter, this means that we are talking about a role-playing system for a popular computer fallout games. Each of the letters of this adjective is an abbreviation for a certain characteristic of the character. 
- Strength - strength.
- Perception - perception.
- Endurance - endurance.
- Charisma - charm.
- Intelligence - intelligence.
- Agility - dexterity.
- Luck - luck.
In addition to the "golden seven", all the heroes of the game S.P.E.C.I.A.L. there are other characteristics, but they play a secondary role
Having considered the meaning of the word "special", as well as the most famous expressions with it, we can conclude that in modern world it, along with the adjective "new" (new), has become one of the main tools in the field of marketing.
Today, it has gained immense popularity among young people. japanese cartoons- anime. The passion for this art is so widespread that it has literally turned into a subculture with its own specific lexical units that are far from clear to everyone.
in the anime?
One of these interesting words is "special". Who is familiar with English language aware that this concept comes from the word special, which means "additional" or "special". The term means a special series released on certain video media, most often DVD. Such episodes are not broadcast on television and are not shown in cinemas. "Special" can be abbreviated as OVA - an abbreviation for Original Video Animation. Series "special" can be produced both individually and in whole cycles. Specials are also known for 1:30 minutes, for example, a series of several OVAs for the anime "Blue Exorcist".
What are OVAs for?
Producers release OVAs in order to warm up the viewer's interest before the new anime season or to remind the viewer about this or that project again in order to raise his rating. This is a purely commercial move based on the love of anime people to collect everything related to their favorite characters. For this purpose, an entire annual exhibition is arranged in Japan, which lasts several days. During this exhibition, collectors (aka "otaku") buy up a lot of CDs, figures, posters, video games and other goodness related to their favorite anime and manga.
Anime Special "High School Demons"
A classic example of a special class series is the OVA for the 2012-2013 High School DxD anime. The first series lasts 24 minutes, like a regular anime series, however, it is not connected with the main plot, being rather an offshoot. The main characters are, of course, Issei and his company of busty demon schoolgirls. In general, the topic of sexuality is extremely popular in Japan and is somehow present in any anime. In some series, it is present in a dosed and quite digestible way, but some projects overly focus on this, indulging fans of the so-called fan service. This special is just such an example. The second series also lasts 24 minutes and is replete with rather vulgar jokes and a demonstration of female charms. Of course, such an anime cannot be called hentai, but the age limit is still indicated as 16+.
Special anime "The Last Seraph"
This example is completely opposite to the previous one. What is an anime special if there are no jokes in it? So this OVA just abounds with them. In total, for season 1, 9 short episodes of 30 seconds were released. Specials were released in 4 pieces to stretch the pleasure of the audience and maintain interest in the project until season 2. The OVA for season 2 is already 23 minutes long, like a regular episode, and has a normal plot. This separate story in which beloved characters appear before us in a new light.
What is "special" in anime is not difficult to find out, you can just watch these very episodes. All specials are completely different both in time and form of release, and in content. Someone focuses on humorous dialogues and funny situations, someone shows episodes from the past of the characters, and some focus on the sexual component. Be that as it may, it is the specials that fuel the interest of the audience in between full-fledged seasons of the series.
