The television equivalent of the illustration on a book cover. This is a sequence at the beginning of the show (but generally after The Teaser). It serves to let the viewers know what show they are watching. The title sequence is also called the "Opening Credits" or "Opening Sequence", though, strictly speaking, they do not have to include any actual credits. They do, however, always display the title of the program, usually in the form of a series logo (except in rare cases such as Batman: The Animated Series which never displays the title). For most shows, a Theme Tune is played during the sequence.
In syndication, the title sequence is often abbreviated to leave more time for commercials. This is increasingly the case for first-run shows as well.
Although most shows modify the Title Sequence to reflect the current cast lineup, anime is especially known for doing it at least once and sometimes more within a 26-episode run, complete with a new theme song each time.
It may be of interest to note that title sequences are usually made by a separate, specialist, production company from the one that's actually making the show. Babylon 5 is a rare exception whose production crew created the show's five Title Sequences entirely in-house.
Major types and tropes of the Title Sequence include:
- Action-Hogging Opening: The title sequence is more action-oriented than the actual show.
- And Starring
- Animated Credits Opening: A live-action work uses an animated title sequence.
- Artistic Title
- Automobile Opening
- Bait-and-Switch Credits
- Character in the Logo
- Couch Gag: A recurring gag where something different happens during this particular part of the opening.
- Credits Running Sequence
- Dancing Theme
- Extremely Short Intro Sequence
- Evolving Credits: The opening sequence changes between episodes and/or seasons to reflect new characters being added and other major developments and changes made to the series.
- Eye Open
- Fake Guest Star
- Five Man Band Concert
- Inverted Portrait
- Music Video Credits Sequence
- Opening Credits Cast Party
- Opening Narration: The beginning has a voice-over describing the work's premise.
- Opening Scroll
- Placeholder Titles
- Promotion to Opening Titles
- Pull the Plug on the Title
- Soundtrack Dissonance
- Special Edition Title
- Spoiler Opening
- Theme Tune: The work has its own theme song.
- Theme Tune Roll Call: The theme song mentions the names of the main characters.
- Title Theme Tune: The theme song repeatedly mentions the show's title.
- The Teaser
- Through-the-Years Credits
- Title Montage
- Title-Only Opening
- Title Sequence Replacement
- Unique Pilot Title Sequence: The pilot episode's title sequence is different from the one used for the rest of the series.
- Variations on a Theme Song
- Welcome Titles
- Whooshing Credits
