diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Select/Carousel/DrawableCarouselBeatmap.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Select/Carousel/DrawableCarouselBeatmap.cs
index 43ddfc79b1..a3483aa60a 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Select/Carousel/DrawableCarouselBeatmap.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Select/Carousel/DrawableCarouselBeatmap.cs
@@ -71,6 +71,9 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select.Carousel
         {
             beatmapInfo = panel.BeatmapInfo;
             Item = panel;
+
+            // Difficulty panels should start hidden for a better initial effect.
+            Hide();
         }
 
         [BackgroundDependencyLoader(true)]
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Select/Carousel/DrawableCarouselItem.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Select/Carousel/DrawableCarouselItem.cs
index 8b38bb9a96..4a23faa650 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Select/Carousel/DrawableCarouselItem.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Select/Carousel/DrawableCarouselItem.cs
@@ -64,8 +64,6 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select.Carousel
         {
             RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.X;
 
-            Alpha = 0;
-
             InternalChildren = new Drawable[]
             {
                 MovementContainer = new Container
@@ -119,29 +117,56 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select.Carousel
 
         private void onStateChange(ValueChangedEvent<bool> _) => Scheduler.AddOnce(ApplyState);
 
+        private CarouselItemState? lastAppliedState;
+
         protected virtual void ApplyState()
         {
-            // Use the fact that we know the precise height of the item from the model to avoid the need for AutoSize overhead.
-            // Additionally, AutoSize doesn't work well due to content starting off-screen and being masked away.
-            Height = Item.TotalHeight;
-
             Debug.Assert(Item != null);
 
-            switch (Item.State.Value)
+            if (lastAppliedState != Item.State.Value)
             {
-                case CarouselItemState.NotSelected:
-                    Deselected();
-                    break;
+                lastAppliedState = Item.State.Value;
 
-                case CarouselItemState.Selected:
-                    Selected();
-                    break;
+                // Use the fact that we know the precise height of the item from the model to avoid the need for AutoSize overhead.
+                // Additionally, AutoSize doesn't work well due to content starting off-screen and being masked away.
+                Height = Item.TotalHeight;
+
+                switch (lastAppliedState)
+                {
+                    case CarouselItemState.NotSelected:
+                        Deselected();
+                        break;
+
+                    case CarouselItemState.Selected:
+                        Selected();
+                        break;
+                }
             }
 
             if (!Item.Visible)
-                this.FadeOut(300, Easing.OutQuint);
+                Hide();
             else
-                this.FadeIn(250);
+                Show();
+        }
+
+        private bool isVisible = true;
+
+        public override void Show()
+        {
+            if (isVisible)
+                return;
+
+            isVisible = true;
+            this.FadeIn(250);
+        }
+
+        public override void Hide()
+        {
+            if (!isVisible)
+                return;
+
+            isVisible = false;
+            this.FadeOut(300, Easing.OutQuint);
         }
 
         protected virtual void Selected()