Line #96 Main/TitleOnlyOpening


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8	[[quoteright:349:[[Series/TheGoodPlace https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tgp_opening_1_8.png]]]]
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10	->'''Mitchell:''' Okay, for starters, I think you need a strong opening title sequence.\
11	'''Martin:''' Are you serious? Nobody does that anymore; you just throw up the title and get on with it.
12	-->-- ''Series/StargateSG1'', "[[Recap/StargateSG1S10E6200 200]]"
13
14	A television program with a Title-Only Opening has no TitleSequence. Instead, it has a title card bearing the program's name, and perhaps a creator credit. The remaining credits are superimposed over the first few minutes of program, just as is done with many theatrical films. (And many, if not most theatrical films produced in recent years also eschew title sequences, with actor and production credits usually only shown at the end.)
15
16	In some cases, the title card is shown ''twice'', once before the Teaser, and again several minutes into the program, after the credits. Other programs omit the title card altogether, and the program's name is superimposed over the program along with the credits.
17
18	A program's original Title Sequence may be replaced with a Title-Only Opening when it goes into syndication. It is becoming increasingly common for first-run network programs to have Title-Only Openings, as well. Their popularity probably comes from the fact that they free up a minute or more of runtime, which can be used for the rest of the episode (due to less storytelling time being available due to the need for advertisements), or for additional commercials. The downside, in most TV viewers' eyes at least, is that it kills some of the excitement of the show since openings are meant to get you pumped up for the episode; also, title sequences and theme tunes are considered part of the cultural identity of a series. This is often seen as a personal preference, however, it is noted that as commercial TV moved away from title sequences, non-commercial broadcasters such as HBO and Netflix have embraced it, with openings for shows such as ''Series/GameOfThrones'' becoming iconic.
19
20	It is also common for a show with a Title Sequence to invoke a Title-Only Opening for two types of episodes:
21	* The first episode, in order to avert SpoilerOpening. Though in this case, the following episode's title sequence has a tendency to get tacked on in reruns and/or video collections anyway, leading to LateArrivalSpoiler. Especially in cases with a FirstEpisodeTwist.
22	* Those of a very serious nature that would have their tone [[MoodDissonance thrown off by a jaunty little title sequence]].
23
24	Because using a Title-Only Opening usually precludes the possibility of having an opening theme song, anime programs do not use them very much: the Theme Song CD is one of the major pieces of ancillary merchandise for anime. If a Title-Only Opening ''does'' appear, it will usually just be for the final episode.
25
26	If the show lacks a theme music in the opening as well as anywhere else, it is also an example of NoThemeTune. If a work ''has'' an intro, but it's very short, then it's an ExtremelyShortIntroSequence. If a show has an intro sequence, but later finds itself making use of this, then you have TruncatedThemeTune. If only one or few certain special episodes of a show feature only the title, then it's a ThemeTunelessEpisode.
27	----
28	!!Examples
29
30	[[foldercontrol]]
31
32	[[folder:Anime]]
33	* It wasn't uncommon for Cartoon Network to completely excise openings in this fashion, not to mention eyecatches and next episode teasers; ending credits typically fared only marginally better, either sped up, cut down or both. Of course, now ''all'' the anime on Cartoon Network find time to air full opening credits; ''Manga/DeathNote'' is notable for also keeping its eyecatches and episode teasers for most of its run.
34	** [[ZigZaggedTrope Zig-Zagged]] with ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}'': sometimes the ending credits are cut, sometimes they aren't.
35	----
36	* ''Anime/APlaceFurtherThanTheUniverse'' forgoes the rather lighthearted opening theme for the penultimate episode, the emotional climax of the work in which [[spoiler:Shirase is forced to come to terms with her mother's death.]]
37	* The German dub of ''Manga/CardcaptorSakura'' where the title was cued over the episode card. And it's opening music? The episode card sting.
38	* Exactly the same thing happens in the related ''VideoGame/LaCordaDOro -- Primo Passo''.
39	* Ditto with ''Anime/CowboyBebop'''s last episode.
40	* ''Literature/FromTheNewWorld'' has no opening sequence at all, making it fairly unique among anime.
41	* Likewise ''Manga/FruitsBasket'' skips its for dramatic mood during the final storyline with Kyo.
42	* This happened with the final episode of ''Anime/HugttoPrettyCure'' as a result of [[spoiler: the theme song playing over the final scene where Hana gives birth]].
43	* The American airing of ''Manga/InuYasha'' had a ColdOpening followed by only a EpisodeTitleCard before the episode started. That was only the airing, though; the DVD uses the openings. There was ''one'' instance where an opening was used on the air, which made the fan community a little too optimistic. [[AvertedTrope Canada would air the openings in their entirety]] on {{Creator/YTV}}, due to children's TV in Canada airing fewer commercials.
44	* The last episode of the ''[[VideoGame/HarukanaruTokiNoNakaDe Harukanaru Toki no Naka de - Hachiyou Shou]]'' anime omits the opening sequence, only having the show's logo briefly appearing over an early scene. (The DVD version makes up for this by having the theme song accompany the series' ending credits, though.)
45	* The seventh episode of ''Anime/TheIdolmasterCinderellaGirls'' opens with just the title on a black background. Just as well, as the usual pop song intro and sequence would clash with the drama-heavy mood of the episode.
46	* The penultimate episode of ''Manga/KoiKaze'' does not feature the opening credits. Instead it briefly shows the title of the series and episode before getting on with the episode.
47	* As well as ''Anime/MyHime'' and ''Anime/MyOtome'' in their final episodes, instead merely superimposing the title on the footage for a few seconds. Though this didn't happen in the original runs, resulting in SoundtrackDissonance.
48	* And, apparently, in ''VideoGame/NeoAngelique - Abyss: Second Age'' as well. Seems to be one of the common tropes for the [=NeoRomance=] franchise...
49	* The Director's Cut version of [[Recap/NeonGenesisEvangelionEpisode22DontBe Episode 22]] of ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' opts to use a simple, silent EyeCatch instead of the classic "Cruel Angel's Thesis" Title Sequence. This is rather appropriate seeing how it is ADayInTheLimelight episode for Asuka, and the Title Sequence is quite centered around the main character, Shinji.
50	* Similarly, the last two episodes of ''Manga/{{Pretear}}'' have the opening sequence replaced with a static card with the show's logo. Too bad the ''ending'' sequence in episode 12 is kept, still causing some amount of MoodDissonance.
51	* ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena'''s opening in the last episode is reduced to a stark logo with no audio, since it was essentially a part two to the fairly shocking previous episode.
52	* The first two episodes of ''VisualNovel/RumblingHearts'' do this, as the opening would spoil the twist at the end of episode two if shown before that.
53	* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann''
54	** Done with the final episode. However, this was used in-context with the show, as major mecha that are featured had their descriptions and names show up during their introduction. Guess which mech showed up when the title card popped up?
55	** It also happens with episode 15, replacing the title theme with a ColdOpening showing the Dekabutsu awakening.
56	[[/folder]]
57
58	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
59	* ''Film/BlackHawkDown'' opens with several title cards describing the situation all building to the title card. Credits are saved for the end after a memorial roll of the soldiers who died during and after the mission and other post script information. The {{Vanity Plate}}s for Creator/ColumbiaPictures, Creator/RevolutionStudios, Creator/JerryBruckheimer Films, and [[Creator/RidleyScott Scott Free Productions]] also don't appear until after the credits end as well.
60	* After an opening title card explaining that all of the technology featured in the film is real and used in the United States (this ends up playing into the ParanoiaFuel of the plot) ''Film/BlueThunder'' just shows the title as the opening sequence introducing the protagonist and his peers closes, then runs the rest of the credits (plus the title) at the end.
61	%%* ''Film/{{Cocoon}}''
62	* ''Film/PearlHarbor'' skips {{Vanity Plate}}s and all other credits in favor of opening on its title, which doubles as the first shot of the movie.
63	* ''Film/Pitch2009'' opens with the title fading in with a drumroll on top of a smoky background before cutting to the opening scene.
64	[[/folder]]
65
66	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
67	* ''Series/EightSimpleRules'' used both variants: during the first season, a short scene of the family staring one by one at someone at the front door, the pan to the doormat with the show's title. Sometimes, just the doormat. The cast is then listed during the first scene following the title sequence. During the remaining two seasons, there is no opening sequence at all, and the show's title appears in the first scene following the teaser, just before the cast is listed.
68	* ''Series/TwentyFour'' does exactly this, having the eponymous number flash on the screen digital clock-style, then segueing directly into the "Previously On..." segment (except on the first episode of a season/[[IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming "day"]], which skips directly to "The following takes place between [time] and [time]", then reminds the viewers that "Events occur in real time").
69	* Two of the final three episodes of ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment''. In the original run, however, they were part of a four episode block, so it's understandable that the creators didn't bother to run the full ThemeTune; it's more jarring on DVD or cable reruns.
70	** A title-only version of the opening sequence also followed a ColdOpening on a handful of episodes, including the pilot.
71	* ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD'' starts with an audible humming sound while the logo zooms into the camera. Later series' title cards did a more traditional logo then fade instead.
72	* ''Series/TheBabysittersClub1990'' starts with a cold opening then does a freeze frame, giving the title followed by the credits, then the episode resumes with the TitleThemeTune playing for a while before fading out.
73	%%* ''Series/BetterOffTed''.
74	* ''Series/BreakingBad'' has one of these that's accompanied by a brief theme as seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEmx23LwFhI here]].
75	%%* ''Series/BrothersAndSisters''
76	* From 1982 to November 1987, the Creator/{{CBS}} Evening News used a Chyron of the name of the newscast and anchor (sometimes with a wipe transition replacing the regular anchor's name with a substitute) with the anchor reading the title with something along the lines of "Good evening, this is the CBS Evening News; Creator/DanRather reporting."
77	* ''Series/Charmed1998'': The fourth and fifth season premieres swap the usual opening credits sequence for a ten second clip of the show's title and logo set to a few bars of the theme tune. As both premieres are double-length this helps save a few minutes, and in the case of the fourth season it avoids turning the credits into a SpoilerOpening that would have given away a major plot twist.
78	* Not as dramatic as ''Series/{{Lost}}'', but ''Series/TheCloser'' uses a simple black card with the title in white type. The credits are also displayed similarly.
79	%%* ''Series/{{Columbo}}''
80	* ''Series/{{Community}}'' used this type of opening frequently during its first season. Typically this included one line of the theme song, but the [[Recap/CommunityS1E01Pilot pilot]] and "[[Recap/CommunityS1E08HomeEconomics Home Economics]]" used incidental music. This became a lot less common as the show progressed - season 2's "[[Recap/CommunityS2E08CooperativeCalligraphy Cooperative Calligraphy]]" and season 4's "[[Recap/CommunityS4E03ConventionsOfSpaceAndTime Conventions of Space and Time]]" are the only episodes after season 1 to use the short opening.
81	* The original version of the British soap ''Crossroads'', until partway through the 70s.
82	* ''Series/{{CSI}}'' has done it on a few occasions, including the episode after Warrick's death and the 200th episode.
83	* Only narrowly averted by the 1960s series ''Series/DangerMan'' which from seasons 2 to 4 eschewed a proper opening titles sequence for a brief shot of John Drake either in a still photo or walking towards the camera (the show alternated) and then the title, with just the opening bars of the show's theme, which then resumed playing over the first scene of the episode after the commercial break.
84	* ''Series/{{Decoy}}'': The title, the {{dedication}}, and Beverly Garland's credit are superimposed over the opening seconds of the episode while a fifteen-second theme song plays.
85	* The newer seasons of ''Series/DesperateHousewives''.
86	* ''Series/DoctorWho'' has done this exactly once in its 55+ year history with the FoundFootage episode [[Recap/DoctorWhoS35E9SleepNoMore "Sleep No More"]] , which eschews the opening sequence and theme song for a brief burst of visual static out of which the words "Doctor" and "Who" briefly emerge.
87	* Occurs occasionally on ''Series/TheDrewCareyShow'', particularly when the cold opening runs longer than usual.
88	* The first season of ''Series/{{Drrt}}''
89	* ''Series/{{Elementary}}'' does this for many episodes depending on the length.
90	* ''Series/{{ER}}'' does this for the last 2 seasons of the show.
91	* ''Series/{{Eureka}}'' abbreviated its opening theme starting in Season 3, showing just Sheriff Carter in the street, buildings rising around him, then panning to the sky showing the title.
92	%%* ''Series/{{Extras}}''
93	%%* ''Series/FallingSkies''
94	* Later episodes of ''Series/FamilyMatters'' either have title card + EstablishingShot or enough of the intro's footage to see the title card as originally used.
95	* ''Series/FellowTravelers'': Unlike the other episodes, the pilot lacks a TitleSequence; there's only a black screen with "Fellow Travelers" in white font.
96	%%* ''Series/{{Frasier}}''
97	* UK comedy-drama ''Series/GavinAndStacey'' simply shows a black title card with the series name and the creators listed.
98	%%* ''Series/GhostsUS''
99	%%* ''Series/{{Glee}}''
100	%%* ''Series/TheGoodPlace'' simply has "The Good Place" followed by "Created by Michael Schur" in a minimalist white font on a green background.
101	* Like ''Series/GreysAnatomy'', they both lost their opening theme songs (although ''Grey's'' seems to have lost the title card, too).
102	%%* ''Series/TheHandmaidsTale''
103	%%* ''Series/{{Heroes}}''
104	* ''Series/HomeAndAway'' has been doing this since 2006, showing only the last few seconds of the opening title where the words "Home and Away" show up, skipping the full opening titles (the reason given for this was that more time was required for the episodes). Has now become a permanent feature since 2010.
105	* A few ''Series/{{House}}'' episodes don't feature a theme, including the pilot and "Bombshells".
106	* ''Series/Jericho2006'' used this too, along with a morse coded couch gag (often referring to the events of the episode).
107	* The majority of recent ''Franchise/KamenRider'' seasons have eschewed their lengthy theme songs for the finale. Note that finale doesn't always mean last episode in ''Kamen Rider'' - it's not uncommon for the opening theme to be absent from the episode that represents the climax of the season, only to return for the last episode or two if they contain either an epilogue or crossover with the next rider.
108	** Also the finale of ''Series/JukenSentaiGekiranger'', the first episode of ''Series/SamuraiSentaiShinkenger'' (to avoid spoilers -- the credits and [[ThemeMusicPowerUp theme song]] played over a fight scene), the finale of ''Series/TensouSentaiGoseiger'' and the finale of ''Series/KaizokuSentaiGokaiger''.
109	** ''Series/KamenRiderExAid'' eschews its opening for the climax of the first StoryArc. Its second arc has exactly ''one'' episode ''with'' the regular opening sequence; the prior episode which opened the arc has a SpecialEditionTitle promoting a then-recently-opened movie in concordance with ''Kamen Rider'' tradition and the rest of the arc has a title-only opening so as to use an extra minute of running time. The lengthy theme song only returns for good when the third arc begins.
110	* ''Series/KateAndAllie'', sort of. Each episode starts with a wide shot of the city with the show's title being shown followed by the names of the two principal actresses. It then cuts to the title characters in the city talking about various things that may or may not have to do with the episode. All the while, the show's InstrumentalThemeTune can be heard in the background.[[note]]Although it usually fades out temporarily when it focuses on the title characters.[[/note]]
111	%%* ''Series/KyleXY''
112	* ''Series/TheLarrySandersShow''. However, the ShowWithinAShow has a full opening.
113	* First season of ''Series/{{Leverage}}''. Technically later seasons, too, although they do have Nate state the BadassCreed.
114	* The opening of ''Series/Loki2021'' is the word "Loki" in white over a black screen. The letters making up the word rapidly switch between typefaces, including a few Norse runes, to reflect the series' themes of [[AlternateSelf time-displaced Variants of the same character]].
115	* ''Series/LondonsBurning'' until series 10. From series 11 onwards it got a TitleSequence.
116	* ''Series/{{Lost}}'' does not superimpose its title over a scene, but the entire title sequence is the name of the show flying toward the audience while an eerie sound effect plays. It occurs after TheTeaser.
117	* Occasionally done on ''Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle'', depending on the length of the episode. It more and more frequently started using a very short version of its title sequence (only a few seconds long: title card and "life is unfair"), even on network premiere airings.
118	* ''Series/TheManyLovesOfDobieGillis'' (in its syndicated run; the first run episodes used {{Artistic Title}}s)
119	%%* The new ''Series/MelrosePlace''.
120	* ''Series/TheMiddle'': The two words come together from opposite sides of the screen over a still of a road by a cornfield. Then the action begins and the credits play over it.
121	* ''Series/MimpiMetropolitan'': The opening sequence (after a teaser or PreviouslyOn) is a diorama of a city and the show title. The exception is episode 2 which has IntroductoryOpeningCredits instead.
122	%%* ''Series/MrRobot''
123	* This had been done as early as the '80s with ''Series/MurphyBrown''.
124	%%* ''Series/MyWifeAndKids''
125	* ''Series/TheNanny'': A ColdOpening saw Fran depressed at not being pregnant, so to avoid SoundtrackDissonance with the cheerful opening, a still from it was shown instead.
126	%%* ''Series/TheNewNormal''
127	* ''Series/TheNewsreader'': It's a title card with "The Newsreader" in white font over a black background.
128	* ''Series/{{Numb3rs}}'' usually uses a title with OpeningNarration over it, but in season 2's "Harvest" (the one with the Indian lady and the kidney-stealing stuff), the teaser ended with the titletype appearing on a blank black screen, with the credits shown over the first scene.
129	* ''Series/ParkerLewisCantLose'' episodes begin with four short teaser scenes each followed by the series' title card (partial at first, complete for the final one).
130	* As is common with ''[[SoapOpera telenovelas]]'', ''Series/LaReinaDelSur'' has a lengthy 1-minute intro with its own theme song. The American remake ''Series/QueenOfTheSouth'' doesn't even have a proper intro. It only shows the title.
131	* ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'' just shows the title X-ray when the ColdOpening runs long.
132	* ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'' has no title sequence, just the series name in the corner followed by the rest of the opening credits over a standup routine or cold opening. Exceptions are the clip shows, which do have title sequences, and some occasional oddness like the title-card version in the first episode.
133	* ''Series/SisterSister'' omits the opening credits in the first episode of the series and replaces it with just the logo, [[SpoilerOpening since the theme song spoils how Tia and Tamera reunited and forced their adoptive parents to live under one roof]].
134	* The final episode of ''Series/SlingsAndArrows'' omits the opening song in favor of this.
135	* The Starz ''[[Series/SpartacusBloodAndSand Spartacus]]'' series are an example of a cable show doing this.
136	%%* ''Series/SportsNight''
137	* ''Franchise/{{Stargate\|Verse}}'':
138	** The first half of the ninth season of ''Series/StargateSG1'' used a considerably shortened version of the theme sequence, though not a true TitleOnlyOpening. The full theme was restored due to fan pressure. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] later, in the WhoWouldWantToWatchUs episode, "200"; at the beginning, Mitchell suggests adding a "snazzy opening sequence" to the script, only to be told, "Nobody does that anymore! It's just, 'throw up the title and be done with it!'" On cue, an ''extremely'' shortened version of the theme song is aired.
139	** ''Series/StargateUniverse'' does this.
140	* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'': In place of a title sequence, it has a recap, then TheTeaser, followed by the title card (which changes every season to match the season's current theme). A handful of special episodes, however, do have unique title sequences, which can be as long as a minute.
141	* The first season of ''Series/TeenWolf''. Averted from season 2 onward.
142	* After a while, season 2 of ''Series/TerminatorTheSarahConnorChronicles'' fell into this, abandoning its expository background info for the title and repeated 5-note theme.
143	* Subverted with ''Series/That70sShow''. Each episode begins by a TitleOnlyOpening accompanied by the final chord of the theme song, then follows the teaser, and then goes another opening, this time with everything ''but'' the title. In some episodes (for instance, the series finale), the trope is played straight through.
144	* ''Series/TheThickOfIt'' (so as to add to the realistic InMediasRes feel) and TheMovie ''Film/InTheLoop''.
145	* ''Series/ThirdWatch''[='=]s third season incorporated the 9/11 attacks into its storylines. The episodes dealing with the attacks omitted the title sequence and used a Title-Only Opening.
146	* ''Series/UFO1970'' has a variation on this. Each episode begins with an opening sequence that only incorporates brief flashes of the title. This is ''followed'' by a teaser, which ends with an animated version of the title being superimposed.
147	* The introductions in ''Series/TheUmbrellaAcademy2019'' consist of a [[TheTeaser cold opening]] that ends with the camera focused on something that resembles an umbrella, with the title fading in afterwards. During Season 3, this changes to [[spoiler: an umbrella and a sparrow]].
148	* The pilot episode of ''Series/UnbreakableKimmySchmidt'' does this as part of its EarlyInstallmentWeirdness. It's the only episode to do so, as the rest of the series has a normal intro.
149	* Later seasons of ''Series/{{Wings}}'' trim out the opening all together and show only a title.
150	* The pilot of ''Series/TheXFiles'', presumably because the theme song had not been finished yet.
151	[[/folder]]
152
153	[[folder:New Media]]
154	* There are practical benefits for this, too. Since most online streaming services allow viewers to skip ahead, a shortened opening means online viewers don't skip the credits (assuming they play over the episode instead).
155	[[/folder]]
156
157	[[folder:Radio]]
158	* During certain episodes of ''Radio/AdventuresInOdyssey'', the introduction is pared down to [[{{Narrator}} Chris]] saying, "And now, ''Adventures in Odyssey''!" over light music.
159	[[/folder]]
160
161	[[folder:Video Games]]
162	The rule, rather than the exception, for video games. After the publisher/developer {{vanity plate}}s, logos for middleware used and/or copyright disclaimers, the player is taken directly to a simple title screen if not the main menu. On frequent occasion there will be a several minutes long (and skippable) sequence before the title screen which would be more accurately described as an attract video or trailer, due to its length and lacking credits. On selecting a new game (or loading a game), the game gets straight to the point with an opening cutscene delivering a bit of exposition, particularly who the player will be controlling.
163
164	* A notable exception: the ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' series. Each game has an extended opening sequence, complete with theme song, prominently displaying the game's logo and introducing the player characters.
165	* ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' and its sequel are particularly blatant about it. The game boots up directly to about six seconds of its title screen before transitioning to attract demos.
166	* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid''[='=]s title sequence is popped up during a playable segment.
167	* ''VideoGame/TheWalkingDeadTelltale'' did this for the majority of [[VideoGame/TheWalkingDeadSeasonOne Season One]] and [[VideoGame/TheWalkingDeadSeasonTwo Season Two]]'s episode intros.
168	[[/folder]]
169
170	[[folder:Web Animation]]
171	* The intro to ''WebAnimation/RoboSplaat'' is nothing but the name of the show with the episode title on the corner.
172	* The final season of ''WebAnimation/MetaRunner'' shortens the opening to just the title card and initial credits, lasting only ten seconds.
173	[[/folder]]
174
175	[[folder:Western Animation]]
176	* North American airings of ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball'' reduces the 20-second opening to just the title card and creator credit. International and DVD/digital versions of episodes retain the full sequence, and certain episodes do air this sequence in the United States.
177	* Several ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'' episodes[[note]]"Bullocks To Stan", "Stan of Arabia: Part 1", "Stan of Arabia: Part 2", "Haylias", and "A Piñata Named Desire".[[/note]] do this to accommodate the longer running time.
178	* Though ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'' has a full theme song, the more serious episodes ("Toad Tax"/"Prison Break", "Reunion", "The First Temple", "True Colors", "The New Normal", "Escape to Amphibia", "The Root of Evil"/"The Core & the King") omit the theme entirely and only show the title along with a five-second rendition of Anne's Theme, giving the saved runtime towards the episode proper.
179	* Downplayed with ''WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButthead''. The intro only shows the title, but it features the titular charaters saying their [[VerbalTic verbal tics]] in the logo and laughing.
180	* ''WesternAnimation/BigCityGreens'': The ChristmasEpisode skips the theme entirely and the title appears after the opening number.
181	* The [[WesternAnimation/TheSpooktacularNewAdventuresOfCasper 1990s Casper the Friendly Ghost cartoon]] just had the logo and a musical sting, and [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] this in an episode where [[AnimatedActors Casper]] [[BreakingTheFourthWall sits down with]] [[MediumAwareness network executives]] trying to negotiate a new theme song. In the end, they decide to stick with the old one.
182	* ''WesternAnimation/DanVs'' has a cold opening for every episode that ends with the show's title and then the episode title over the screen.
183	* Syndicated reruns and the DVD version of ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'''s "Brian & Stewie" omits the opening for a black title card of the show's name.
184	* ''WesternAnimation/HomeMovies''. Two of the first season episodes had a short opening, but it was quickly abandoned in favor of this.
185	* ''WesternAnimation/MoonGirlAndDevilDinosaur2023''
186	** The first episode, "Moon Girl Landing" has the show's logo form while a remixed version of the theme plays. The intro proper plays at the end of the episode.
187	** The season 1 finale, "OMG Issue #2" uses a shortened version of episode 1's opening with background noise instead of the usual theme.
188	* ''WesternAnimation/OverTheGardenWall'' ''does'' have a theme tune ("Into the Unknown"), but only plays it in full for the first episode's opening, instead just having a title card for every other episode with a small piece from the theme playing.
189	* Particularly lore heavy episodes in season 2B of ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'' like "Elsewhere and Elsewhen", "Hollow Mind", "Edge of the World", and "Labyrinth Runners" cut down the opening to just the title card (and in all but the first case, the final shot of four glyphs activating), in part because the series getting CutShort meant that the writers had to squeeze out every second of the show they could. And "Clouds on the Horizon" doesn't even have the opening theme playing, just showing the title with the LastNoteNightmare of the VillainOpeningScene in the background. The season 3 episodes having the show's logo in the background after their respective openings.
190	* ''WesternAnimation/RegularShow'' opens with its title card over a sustained synth string. The actual theme song plays during the end credits.
191	* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooMysteryIncorporated'': In the first two episodes of the second season, the usual opening sequence is replaced with one of these due to the gang still being apart after the events of "All Fear the Freak".
192	* '''[[WesternAnimation/SecretMountainFortAwesome SECRET MOUNTAIN FORT AWESOMMMMMMME!!!]]''' shhh!!!
193	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
194	** Two early season 1 episodes ("Bart the General" and "Life On The Fast Lane") have something like this. On these episodes, after the cloudy title card sequence and the swoop through Springfield, the front of the Simpsons' house is shown and the episode begins from there (with the "Created/Developed By" credits displaying at the bottom of the screen). The following season, this gave way to several different edits of the opening, which always at least feature the CouchGag.
195	** Unusually, some versions of the season 6 episode "Sideshow Bob Roberts" (including the season 6 DVD version) have an opening that cut directly from the clouds to the usual TV screen displaying the "Created/Developed By" credits.
196	** From Season 22's "The Great Simpsina" onward, some episodes cut directly from the clouds to the episode itself.
197	* The opening to ''WesternAnimation/SmilingFriends'' is just the title card and creator credit, with only fast and cheerful-sounding music playing in the background.
198	* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'' does this after a ColdOpening.
199	* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsResistance'', made by many of the same people as ''Rebels'', keeps the same opening structure.
200	* Similar idea: The very first episode of ''WesternAnimation/StormHawks'' had a short stab with just the titletype instead of the full opening.
201	* ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats2011'' does this, which is ironic considering [[WesternAnimation/ThunderCats1985 the original]] had one of the most memorable opening sequences in Western animation.
202	* While ''WesternAnimation/TimeSquad'' averted this trope for most of its run, some episodes skipped the intro in favor of presenting the title of the show austerely over a black background. This often occurred when reruns of the show were ran on ''Creator/CartoonCartoonFridays''.
203	%%* ''WesternAnimation/TronUprising''
204	* Some (But not all) episodes of Season 3 of ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'' has a quick title-wipe between early scenes instead of the full titles. At least one episode used both (at different times in the episode) however.
205	** As of Season 4, it dropped its opening in favor of this.
206	* The intro sequences of the Creator/MarvelAnimation shows and films since ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012'' consist only of the Marvel flipping comic book logo followed by a quick rendition of the show or film's logo.
207	* The ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'' MusicalEpisode "My Fair Hatey" is the only one to not play the theme song, instead opening on a curtain labeled with the title ala a stage play, which opens and cuts straight to the show.
208	* ''WesternAnimation/WonderPets'' is an unusual preschool example of this trope.
209	* ''WesternAnimation/KipoAndTheAgeOfWonderbeasts'' has the show's main theme tune starts playing at the end of every [[TheTeaser cold open]] as something in the environment is shown to form Kipo's name, be it the clouds, a star constellation, or scratches on a tree. At which point it hard cuts to the series logo, followed by the episode title. "Real Cats Wear Plaid" is the only exception to this, having the show title appear after zooming into a Mega-Mute's eye.
210	* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'' did this from the first half of season one to season two.
211	[[/folder]]

Context Main / TitleOnlyOpening