History Main / CommitmentAnxiety

* The ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' franchise is notorious for being rather unwelcoming to newcomers. The Universal Century timeline has been around since 1979, new installments of it are still being made to this ''very day'', and it's necessary to at least watch some of the earliest shows to really understand all the history, and the character dynamics in later parts. This can be a problem, since Gundam practically invented [[RealRobot Real Robots]] and the earlier series are seen as dated by today's standards, which means OnceOriginalNowOverdone is in full effect. Couple this with the fact that Gundam shows usually run up to 50 episodes, and it makes even the standalone AlternateUniverse shows a lot to commit to.

* ''Manga/The100GirlfriendsWhoReallyReallyReallyReallyReallyLoveYou'': As a lot of fans have pointed out, by the current pacing the manga is going, it will take at least 600 chapters for the manga to reach the promised goal of 100 girlfriends which would translate to at a run of at least 17 years. While to many fans this is the reason [[DancingBear they read it in the first place]], other, more casual viewers simply don't wanna get invested in a series that would take so long to reach his potential conclusion.

* ''Manga/The100GirlfriendsWhoReallyReallyReallyReallyReallyLoveYou'': As a lot of fans have pointed out (see ArcFatigue and ArchivePanic), by the current pacing the manga is going, it will take at least 600 chapters for the manga to reach the promised goal of 100 girlfriends which would translate to at a run of at least 17 years. While to many fans this is the reason [[DancingBear they read it in the first place]], other, more casual viewers simply don't wanna get invested in a series that would take so long to reach his potential conclusion.

* The ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' franchise is notorious for being rather unwelcoming to newcomers. The Universal Century timeline has been around since 1979, new installments of it are still being made to this ''very day'', and it's necessary to at least watch some of the earliest shows to really understand all the history, and the character dynamics in later parts. This can be a problem, since Gundam practically invented [[RealRobot Real Robots]] and the earlier series are seen as dated by today's standards, which means SeinfeldIsUnfunny is in full effect. Couple this with the fact that Gundam shows usually run up to 50 episodes, and it makes even the standalone AlternateUniverse shows a lot to commit to.

* The ''Franchise/StarWars'' [[Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse exapnded universe]] of shows get this a lot, particularly the animated works in ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' and ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'', both [[AnimationAgeGhetto kids shows]] that happen to have compelling stories. Not helping is that the main numbered films never acknowledge these works or make them important to the stories they tell, diminishing the need to watch them for many viewers. Much of this has been mitigated by all these works being included on Creator/DisneyPlus.

* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': A complex plot and LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters means that you've at least got to read some summaries of the earlier seasons if you start watching the show at a later date. It's based on ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', so reading the books also works - though [[DoorStopper each book ranges from 700-1000 pages long.]]
* ''Series/{{Heroes}}'', with its LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters and an infamous SeasonalRot reputation.

* This is regarded as one of the reasons why Franchise/{{LEGO}} canceled ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}''. Little kids that got into the toys just couldn't be expected to read up on the preceding 8-9 years worth of continuous backstory and [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters characters]]. Especially since it was told through several different media, [[NoExportForYou most of which weren't even made available everywhere]].

See also EndingAversion and ArchivePanic. For reluctance to commit to a new show lest it be ScrewedByTheNetwork, see TheFireflyEffect.

* ''Manga/DetectiveConan'': decades worth of murder mysteries, and few episodes in between that deal with the main plot. If one just wanted the plot-based episodes and important scenes, it would cut the mysteries down by half; but considering the 900+ episode count, that's not saying much. Even reading the manga will take long to catch up.

* ''Manga/OnePiece'' is infamous for having well over 900 chapters and episodes, making it very daunting to get into. Seriously, you'll likely end up debating with yourself whether the sheer amount of time you'll have to wait for the end of the story (which is about two thirds of the way done) and the time it takes to tie up loose ends is worth the emotional investment. Take note: Toei is fully aware of this and puts out as many recap episodes and specials as it can to get new viewers up to speed, and that's not getting into the times where they put out reels of all the iconic moments to shorten ''that'' length as well. But even those get new content occasionally, which ironically just adds them to the overall episode count to understand the context.

* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': A complex plot and LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters means that you've at least got to read some summaries of the earlier seasons if you start watching the show at a later date. It's based on ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', so reading the books also works - though [[DoorStopper each book ranges from 800-1000 pages long.]]

* ''Series/TheShield'' due to it's relentless pace (where literally every scene moves the plot along in some way) can make it intimidating to follow along with as there are many "blink and you'll miss it" moments where you have to be paying close attention to understand certain things.

* Pretty much most {{Anime}} series that aren't [[TwelveEpisodeAnime kinda short]]. Many {{Shonen}} shows are notorious for this.
** Especially ''Manga/OnePiece''. Seriously, you'll likely end up debating with yourself whether the sheer amount of time you'll have to wait for the end of the story (which is about two thirds of the way done) and the time it takes to tie up loose ends is worth the emotional investment. Take note: Toei is fully aware of this and puts out as many recap episodes and specials as it can to get new viewers up to speed, and that's not getting into the times where they put out reels of all the iconic moments to shorten ''that'' length as well. But even those get new content occasionally, which ironically just adds them to the overall episode count to understand the context.
** ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' is a funny instance. Sure, the series pre-timeskip is about 200 episodes long... but barely over half of them are actually canon. This is an example where it's faster to just read the manga to get caught up on the main plot. And there's a good reason many fans referred to the second half of the first series as the {{Filler}} Hell.
** For a non-''Jump'' series, see ''Manga/DetectiveConan'': decades worth of murder mysteries, and few episodes in between that deal with the main plot. If one just wanted the plot-based episodes and important scenes, it would cut the mysteries down by half; but considering the 900+ episode count, that's not saying much. Even reading the manga will take long to catch up.

* ''Series/VeronicaMars'', which abandoned the season-long mystery arc in season three, but never made it to season four.

* This is regarded as one of the reasons why {{LEGO}} canceled ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}''. Little kids that got into the toys just couldn't be expected to read up on the preceding 8-9 years worth of continuous backstory and [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters characters]]. Especially since it was told through several different media, [[NoExportForYou most of which weren't even made available everywhere]].

* The ''Franchise/MobileSuitGundam'' franchise is notorious for being rather unwelcoming to newcomers. The Universal Century timeline has been around since 1979, new installments of it are still being made to this ''very day'', and it's necessary to at least watch some of the earliest shows to really understand all the history, and the character dynamics in later parts. This can be a problem, since Gundam practically invented [[RealRobot Real Robots]] and the earlier series are seen as dated by today's standards, which means SeinfeldIsUnfunny is in full effect. Couple this with the fact that Gundam shows usually run up to 50 episodes, and it makes even the standalone AlternateUniverse shows a lot to commit to.

** Especially ''Manga/OnePiece''. Seriously, you'll likely end up debating with yourself whether the sheer amount of time you'll have to wait for the end of the story (which is about two thirds of the way done) and the time it takes to tie up loose ends is worth the emotional investment.

* [[http://web.archive.org/web/20060715094615/http://www.inchoatus.com/Reviews/Review--The%20Wheel%20of%20Time,%20Robert%20Jordan.htm This old review]] of ''Literature/WheelOfTime'' argues that the book series' ridiculous length [[ArchivePanic makes it very hard for it to ever gain any new readers]].

CommitmentAnxiety can also occur as a result of ContinuityLockout and {{Continuity Snarl}}s within the work; even with the ease of availability of this material, if the writers make the continuity too impenetrable or convoluted, it can cause people to give up in frustration.

* ''Franchise/MobileSuitGundam'' is somewhat notorious for being rather unwelcoming to new viewers. The Universal Century timeline has been around since 1979, new installments of it are still being made to this ''very day'', and it's necessary to at least watch some of the earliest shows to really understand all the history, and the character dynamics in later parts. This can be a problem, since Gundam practically invented [[RealRobot Real Robots]] and the earlier series are a little dated by today's standards, which means SeinfeldIsUnfunny is in full effect. Couple this with the fact that Gundam shows usually run up to 50 episodes, and it makes even the standalone AlternateUniverse shows a lot to commit to.

* ''Franchise/MobileSuitGundam'' is somewhat notorious for being rather unwelcoming to new viewers. The Universal Century timeline has been around since 1979, new installments are still being made to this ''very day'', and it's necessary to at least watch some of the earliest shows to really understand all the history, and character dynamics in later parts. This can be a problem, since Gundam practically invented [[RealRobot Real Robots]] and the earlier series are a little dated by today's standards, which means SeinfeldIsUnfunny is in full effect. Couple this with the fact that Gundam shows usually run up to 50 episodes, and it makes even the standalone AlternateUniverse shows a lot to commit to.

Fear of [[LostInMediasRes being dropped into the middle of a plotline they'll never understand without information that's already been given]], or fear of investing their time in a series they'll [[EndingFatigue have to get through hundreds of episodes to get a satisfying ending from]] ([[TheChrisCarterEffect assuming it'll actually have one]]), can keep even the most interested hanger-on from tuning in, a risk that can keep a series with borderline UsefulNotes/{{ratings}} from reaching its full potential. Less common now in the days of DVD and Internet file sharing (and [[ComicBooks trade paperbacks]]), where back episodes are available to anyone with the time, money and/or bandwidth. Many networks are also making back episodes of their more popular shows available for viewing online. CommitmentAnxiety can occur as a result of ContinuityLockout and {{Continuity Snarl}}s within the work; even with the ease of availability of this material, if the writers make the continuity too impenetrable or convoluted, it can cause people to give up in frustration. Yet even these resources may not be enough to attract a casual fan who still has to invest money and/or time (hours or even whole days) to catch up on a given plot.

Fear of [[LostInMediasRes being dropped into the middle of a plotline they'll never understand without information that's already been given]], or fear of investing their time in a series they'll [[EndingFatigue have to get through hundreds of episodes to get a satisfying ending from]] ([[TheChrisCarterEffect assuming it'll actually have one]]), can keep even the most interested hanger-on from tuning in, a risk that can keep a series with borderline UsefulNotes/{{ratings}} from reaching its full potential. Less common now in the days of DVD and Internet file sharing (and [[ComicBooks trade paperbacks]]), where back episodes are available to anyone with the time, money and/or bandwidth. Many networks are also making back episodes of their more popular shows available for viewing online. CommitmentAnxiety can occur as a result of ContinuityLockout and {{Continuity Snarl}}s within the work; even with the ease of availability of this material, if the writers make the continuity too impenetrable or convoluted, it can cause people to give up in frustration.

* ''Series/TheXFiles''. The series is [[LongRunner nine seasons long plus two movies]], and the "arc episodes" are spread along MonsterOfTheWeek ones.

* [[http://web.archive.org/web/20060715094615/http://www.inchoatus.com/Reviews/Review--The%20Wheel%20of%20Time,%20Robert%20Jordan.htm This old review]] of ''Literature/WheelOfTime'' argues that the book series' [[LongRunner ridiculous length]] [[ArchivePanic makes it very hard for it to ever gain any new readers]].