timeskips

Timeskips are a narrative device in which a period of time passes between scenes, chapters, or episodes, with little or no depiction of the intervening events. They are used to advance the timeline, show long-term character development, or shift settings without detailing every moment in between.

Signaling a timeskip can be done in several ways. Common methods include captions like “Three years later” or “Six months passed,” a montage or montage-like sequence, a fade or cut that implies a new time frame, or a summarized passage describing what happened off-screen. In different media, the techniques vary: films and television use visual transitions, while literature relies on chapter breaks, scene headings, or narrative summaries. Manga and anime frequently employ off-panel transitions and time-labeled captions to skip ahead between story arcs.

Purposes of timeskips include accelerating pacing, avoiding repetitive daily routines, revealing long-term consequences of earlier choices, and allowing characters to undergo substantial growth offscreen. They can also enable shifts in setting, social context, or political circumstances that would be awkward to show in real time.

Usage considerations include ensuring the skip is signposted clearly to avoid confusing the audience and providing enough context so viewers or readers understand the new situation. Critics sometimes view timeskips as disruptive if they erase important character moments, but when used judiciously they can sharpen storytelling and maintain momentum. Examples are common in serialized fiction, including manga and long-form television, where the gap between arcs is a routine craft device. See also: ellipsis, montage, flashforward.