What are the characteristics of anime about short stories?

Anime about short stories tend to have concise yet impactful storytelling. They have to get their point across in a relatively short time, so they often cut to the chase. In 'Mushi - Shi', for instance, the stories quickly introduce the problem related to the Mushi and then resolve it in an interesting way. Another feature is that they can be more accessible. If you don't have a lot of time to commit to a long - running series, you can easily pick up and enjoy an episode of a short - story - based anime. They also usually offer a diverse set of characters. Because there are multiple stories, there's room for a lot of different types of characters to be introduced, as seen in 'Samurai Champloo' where we meet all sorts of characters in different episodic adventures.

One characteristic is variety. Since each story is short, there can be a wide range of themes, from the deeply philosophical to the light - hearted and comical. For example, in 'Kino's Journey', some stories are about the nature of war, while others are about the beauty of simple living. Another characteristic is self - containment. Each episode usually has a beginning, middle, and end within itself, so you can watch an episode here and there without feeling lost. In 'Natsume's Book of Friends', each encounter with a spirit is a complete story. Also, these types of anime often allow for more experimentation. Creators can try different art styles or narrative techniques in each short story, like in 'The Animatrix' where different directors brought their own visions to the various shorts.