“What’s in an OP?”: Narrative, KonoSuba, and the 3/4 Prechorus

Sam Falotico (Eastman School of Music)

SMT 2024 (Jacksonville, FL) | November 7–10, 2024

Useful Links:

KonoSuba Links

• KonoSuba (S1) OP (“fantastic dreamer”)

• Machico: “fantastic dreamer” (full album version)

• Watch KonoSuba, S1/E1 for free!! (Japanese with English subtitles)

• Watch KonoSuba, S1/E1 for free!! (English dub)

Other Anime 3/4 Prechoruses

• Akame Ga Kill! OP (“Liar Mask”)

• Rika Mayama: “Liar Mask” (full version)

• My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! OP (“Shoujo no Route wa Hitotsu Janai!”)

• angela: “Shoujo no Route wa Hitotsu Janai!” (full version)

If you have any questions, would like to see my script or slides, or would simply like to discuss any aspect of my presentation further, feel free to reach out to me!

The title, “What’s in an OP?,” is borrowed from the popular anime YouTuber Mother’s Basement’s series of the same name. In his series, he dives deep into anime OPs from perspectives of animation, fandom & popular culture, the larger series, and character. You can check out all of the OPs he’s analyzed here!

I am indebted to those who have helped me with this project—whether it be simply talking through ideas formally or informally; offering their time for me to do practice runs; assisting me with the Japanese language; talking about anime and anime music; exchanging email correspondences with; and the alike—I thank you. Such amazing people include but are not limited to Matt BaileyShea, Alyssa Barna, Joanne Bernardi, Poundie Burstein, Brandon Kam, Naomy Martinez, James Morris, Drew Nobile, Philip Stoecker, and Yuki Taguchi.

A previous version of this paper was presented at the MTSE/SCSMT joint-annual conference back in March 2024: thank you to those who sparked thoughtful questions and provided early feedback.

Slideshow Statistics (made in Apple Keynote)

• 133 primary slides (167 total)

• 348 animations on primary slides (no meaningful animations on Q&A slides)