Content:Episodes: Difference between revisions

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=Where can I add new Episodes?!=
=Where can I add new Episodes?!=
At the bottom of every anime entry is a link names "Add Episode". Once you click it you're on the "Add Episode" page. There's a lot of info you can input here.
At the bottom of every anime entry is a link named "Add Episode". Once you click it you're on the "Add Episode" page. There's a lot of info you can input here.


=Basic info you should include when adding an episode=
=Basic Episode Information=
==Episode number==
==Episode Number==
Be careful with different episode orders here. For the moment the Japanese "how it was supposed to be shown" order is our standard.
Be careful with different episode orders here. For the moment the Japanese "how it was supposed to be shown" order is our standard.
==="Prologue" and "Episode 0" Episodes===
"Prologue" and "episode 0" episodes represent a deviation from standard episode numbering, where the first episode aired for an anime is numbered and/or classified as something other than episode #1. For AniDB purposes, we try to match the intent of the publisher in how we record the episodes in AniDB.
'''Classification'''
# By default, when it comes to episodes that are numbered as "Prologue" or "00", an "episode 0" will be considered an S episode on AniDB.
# However, if there is a "clear indication" that an "episode 0" SHOULD be considered as the first episode of the regular airing sequence, then only on those exceptions would we number the "episode 0" as the first episode (i.e. episode 1) of the regular airing sequence.
'''Documentation'''
# For both S episode and regular episode classifications, always add an episode note to provide a brief description if "Episode 0" is not already in the title.  The note can be as simple as "Episode 0" -- more detail is always appreciated if available.
# For exceptions where the "episode 0" is treated as the first episode of the regular airing sequence, we will explicitly indicate in the episode title that this episode is an "episode 0" -- see the [[Content:Titles#"Prologue"_and_"Episode_0"_Episodes_(For_English_Titles)|exception titling policy]] for detail.
'''Examples'''</br>
Examples of common "episode 0" instances where we enter the "episode 0" as an S episode:
# [http://anidb.net/a10569 Macross Delta] -- episode S1, ''Battlefield Prologue'', this is essentially a trailer of the first episode
# [http://anidb.net/a11166 Chaos;Child] -- episode S1, ''Chaos;Head'', this is a recap episode of the prequel series
For reference, this policy is confirmed {{short|c17625940|here}}.


==Type==
==Type==
*Normal Episode
*Normal Episode
*Special/Extra Episode ''(DVD Specials, Bonus eps)'' ''(S1, S2, ...)''
*Special/Extra Episode ''(BD/DVD Specials, Bonus eps)'' ''(S1, S2, ...)''
** Default rule: something presented on the BD/DVD disk as "bonus content" would generally count as an S episode.
*** No Credit Openings / Endings (NCOP / NCED) are classified as C episodes.
*** Trailers/Promos/Commercials are classified as T episodes.
** BD/DVD exclusive episodes are classified as S episodes.
** Bonus material, such as clean video extracts from main episodes (e.g. eyecatches, transformation sequences, etc) are classified as S episodes.
**Live-action bonus material included with a BD/DVD release are classified as S episodes.
**Live-action bonus material included with a BD/DVD release are classified as S episodes.
**Live-action material that was released standalone should not be added; rare exceptions may apply.
**Live-action material that was released standalone should not be added; rare exceptions may apply.
**Do '''not''' add BD/DVD menus.
**Do '''not''' add advertisements / commercials that do not advertise the anime itself. For example, do not add commercials for Gundam Wing figurines as an S episode to the Gundam Wing anime entry.
***Advertisements / commercials for the anime itself are added to T episodes.
*Opening/Ending Episode ''(C1, C2, ...)''
*Opening/Ending Episode ''(C1, C2, ...)''
{{eyecatch|Note|Do '''NOT''' add a separate episode for creditless openings/endings. Set the creditless flag in the video track of the '''file''' instead. We don't want creditless and non-creditless as separate episode entries.<br>The '''ONLY VALID''' naming template is Opening (1,2,...,n), Ending (1,2,...,n). In case if the same song is used with a significantly different video or the same video is used with a different song, append letters after the numbers e.g. Opening 1a, Opening 1b. For foreign OP/ED episodes, if they differ from the original Japanese versions, append the country name before Opening (1,2,...,n), Ending (1,2,...,n).<br>PVs (music video for the song) go under Other episodes, but only if they were released as part of the anime DVD/BD.<br>"Long/full" versions of the OP or ED should be added under Special episode unless they were actually used within a regular episode.<br>If the OP/ED song is played and credits are shown, but the video is still that of the regular episode, then it's NOT an OP/ED episode (rather common in last episodes as sort of an epilogue).<br>OP/ED episode's display name will be automatically changed to the song played in that OP/ED if the song has the appropriate OP/ED episode number relation added. It will also automatically display the episode range the OP/ED is played in if the song has those episode ranges added.<br>OP/ED episodes, like any other episode, should have the air date, which would be the air date of the episode they were first played in.}}
**Refer to our [[Content:C_Episode_Guidance|C Episode Guidance]] page for details.
*Trailer/Promo/Commercial ''(T1, T2, ...)''
*Trailer/Promo/Commercial ''(T1, T2, ...)''
*Parody Episode ''(P1, P2, ...)''
*Parody Episode ''(P1, P2, ...)''
*Other Episode ''(US Chopjobs & certain supportfiles (AC3 modpacks, fontpacks).)'' ''(O1, O2, ...)''
*Other Episode ''(official repackages such as the {{short|a9127|Psycho-Pass New Edit}}, US Chopjobs, certain supportfiles (AC3 modpacks, fontpacks).)'' ''(O1, O2, ...)''
{{eyecatch|Note|"Other" is NOT meant for OST's, Manga, AMV's or any other not official Special!<br>Disc menu animations are also not welcome in AniDB. Please do not add them.}}
{{eyecatch|Note|"Other" is '''not''' meant for OST's, Manga, AMV's or any other not official Special!<br>Disc menu animations are also not welcome in AniDB. Please do not add them.}}


==Episode Title==
==Episode Title==
===General Episode Titling Policies===
Refer to our [[Content:Titles#Episode_Titles|Episode Title]] page for details.
These basic principles apply to all episode titles of all languages and all episode types:
* Do not include the anime title in the episode title. The anime title is an "anime title", and therefore not an "episode title" and not to be included as any portion of any episode title; anime titles are stored in the anime entry.  This applies to all episode types, and all languages.


===Non-Production Language Episode Titling Policies===
==Play Length==
These basic principles apply to any language titles other than the original production lanague (e.g. English, French, Spanish titles, etc.):
The play length of this episode. If over 10 minutes, round '''UP''' to the nearest multiple of 5 minutes (The only acceptable case to round down would be if it's just a few seconds over the gap. You can file that under ''cornercase.''). If under 10 minutes, rounds '''UP''' to the nearest minute.
# Check these sources, in order, to see if there is an official title available for the language in question:
## The video from an official licensed source for that language.
## The official website, if any.
## The tertiary official sources like the DVD/Blu-ray back cover, if any.
# If there is no official title for that language, use a translation of the official title from the production language (JP/KO/ZH).
# '''For English language main titles only''': If there is also no official title in the production language, use the following scheme:
## TV series main episodes: use "Episode XX" where XX is the number of the episode.
## OVA and OAD main episodes: use "OVA"/"OAD" if there is only one volume, otherwise use "Volume XX".
## Movies main episodes: "Complete Movie" if there is only one, "Movie XX" if there are more than one.
## Web series main episodes: Use "Web" if there is only one episode, otherwise use "Episode XX". "Short Movie", "Complete Movie", can also be used for Web releases as appropriate.
## Music Videos main episodes: Use "Music Video" if there is only one episode, otherwise use "Episode XX".
## S episodes: Use the default "Special XX" format title.
## C/T episodes: See the type-specific section for in-depth guidance.
 
===Stylized Episode Numbers===
Episode "titles" such as "Operation 9", "File #002" or "XYZ第一話" or "ABCの第三話" etc. are considered to be stylised episode numbers rather than episode titles.
* When they prepend the main episode title, do not add them or their transcriptions/translations to the title.
* When they appear standalone as the only thing in the episode title, use the default "Episode XX" or "Volume XX" naming convention instead.
 
==="Prologue" and "00" Episodes (For English Titles)===
When it comes to episodes that are numbered as "Prologue" or "00", unless there is a "clear indication" that an "episode 0" should NOT be considered as the first episode of the regular airing sequence, an episode 0 will be considered episode 1 on AniDB, as it is the first aired episode.
 
Examples of "clear indications" for what "episode 0" entries should NOT be considered as the first episode of the regular airing sequence:
* [http://anidb.net/a10569 Macross Delta] -- episode S1, ''Battlefield Prologue'', this is essentially a trailer of the first episode
* [http://anidb.net/a11166 Chaos;Child] -- episode S1, ''Chaos;Head'', this is a recap episode of the prequel series
 
For reference, the original discussion on AniDB's moderator IRC channel can be found [http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=creq&creq.show=1&creq.id=8033071#msg16237416 here], along with follow-up comments [http://anidb.net/c8470932 here].
 
====In Summary: when an "episode 0" is considered as episode 1 on AniDB====
* An episode note should be added to provide a brief description. For example: "Listed as Episode 00"
* We will apply the following episode title naming convention, to make it explicit that it is an "episode 0":
<pre>-- "Episode 0: xxxxx: yyyyy - zzzzz",
-- "Episode 00: xxxxx: yyyyy - zzzzz",
-- "Prologue 00: xxxxx: yyyyy - zzzzz",


Etc, where:
=What non-regular episodes (S, C, T, O) are allowed in AniDB? The "remote control test"=
xxxxx: yyyyy - zzzzzz
As a general rule on this topic, AniDB prefers to avoid making arbitrary decisions and prefers instead to follow what the producers have decided (Japan, China, or Korea); AniDB would only make our own decision when the producer's choice is clearly unreasonable.
Represents our general title naming convention of:
Main_ep_title: sub_title - sub_sub_title</pre>


===Guidance for T episodes===
When it comes to bonus material, the closest definition to "producer's intention" is the '''remote control test''': "what has the producer defined as standalone selectable content on a BD/DVD menu, that the home viewer can select with a remote control on a BD/DVD set-top box for your TV?"
T episodes include PV (promotional video), CM (commercial), Preview, Trailer, etc. (non-exhaustive list); essentially, anything that generally serves the purpose of promoting an anime is a T episode. Generally, T episode naming guidance is as follows:
* If available, provide the Japanese T episode title '''in full'''.
** For example: A PV posted on the official website (directly embedded, linked to YouTube or some other video service, etc.) would have an official title from the producer/distributor as written on the website (preferred) or as provided in the video's name or title card.
** For example: A web PV posted on the official YouTube would have an official title from the producer/distributor.
** Do not include extraneous bits in the title, such as "- Netflix", "TVアニメ" ("TV Anime"), that are metadata, but not part of the actual functional title of the PV.
* If a Japanese title is given, transcribe it '''in full'''.
* For the English title, the general naming convention is as follows: <<Type>> <<#>> (<<Length>>): <<Description>> - <<Sub-description>>
** Type: type of T episode, e.g. PV, CM, trailer, web PV, BD/DVD CM, etc. (non-exhaustive list). More descriptive terms are preferred, but terms should still be kept as short as practicable (e.g. do not expand "BD/DVD CM" to "blu-ray and DVD commercial").
** #: number the various T episodes based on airing order, for each type.  For example, if the anime has 3 PV and 4 CM, number them PV 1, PV 2, PV 3, CM 1, CM 2, CM 3, CM 4.
** Length: provide the length in (m:ss) format. For example (1:36), (12:35). Given that most T episodes do not have formal titles, the exact length helps to track the T episodes, as it is otherwise very difficult to tell the T episodes apart.
* Whenever possible, try to add a short and uniquely identifiable description of the shown content to the Note field of the episode, especially if that trailer or commercial is not available on the Internet. Good descriptions help immensely with identifying files from different releases whose labeling and ordering does not match with other releases or our episodes.


Example: {{short|e185514|<nowiki>PV 5 (24:00): Public Anniversary Special</nowiki>}}
This way, AniDB mirrors what the producer has decided, rather than making our own decisions.


The general naming convention is not universal. Use some discretion for special cases. Examples:
However, given the impracticality of testing this rule for ourselves in most cases, we need to define data sources that we consider as sufficiently credible. They are as follows, in order of precedence:
* A lot of easily identifiable information is given: {{short|e170347|<nowiki>CM Ep 11 and 12 (aka 23 & 24) (0:19) (#23番宣CM)</nowiki>}}
# Primary source: The BD/DVD menu itself: via screenshot / picture of someone playing the BDMV, either on their TV, or through MPC-HC or some other player that can read raw BDMV.
* Feature length PV, PV with a full TV title, etc: {{short|e183603|<nowiki>Arpeggio Movie #2 "Cadenza " Public Special Commemorative Program First 20 Minutes Release!! (Gekijouban Arpeggio Dai 2 Dan "Cadenza" Koukai Kinen Tokubetsu Bangumi Boutou 20 Bundai Koukai!! / 劇場版アルペジオ第2弾『Cadenza』公開記念特別番組 冒頭20分大公開!!)</nowiki>}}
# Secondary source: The back of the BD/DVD box.
# Tertiary source: The official listing of the contents of the BD/DVD, such as on the official anime website, or on Amazon Japan's official product listing.
# If still unable to find a valid source: add using best assumptions, decided on a case by case basis.


==Play Length==
Even with this list of sources, we understand that it may still not be possible to perfectly validate the "correct" answer. As such, this information should be added to AniDB on a best efforts basis. If the facts are unclear, file a CREQ and ask a moderator for assistance, or defer adding the data to AniDB until more information is available.
The play length of this episode. If over 10 minutes, round '''UP''' to the nearest multiple of 5 minutes (The only acceptable case to round down would be if it's just a few seconds over the gap. You can file that under ''cornercase.''). If under 10 minutes, rounds '''UP''' to the nearest minute.


=Ordering of S Episodes -- GENERAL GUIDANCE=
=Ordering of S Episodes -- GENERAL GUIDANCE=
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Above all else, common sense should apply.  These are general guidelines, and each anime should be looked at on a case-by-case basis.
Above all else, common sense should apply.  These are general guidelines, and each anime should be looked at on a case-by-case basis.
=Guidance for C Episodes=
{{main|Content:C Episode Guidance}}


=Guidance for O episodes=
=Guidance for O episodes=
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==Movies subsequently redistributed in TV series format==
==Movies subsequently redistributed in TV series format==
Some anime series are distributed in both a movie and a TV series format with minimal edits between each other, except for the addition of opening and ending segments; the first airing or screening of the anime determines the anime type set on the anime entry as is usual. In case of a movie released also in an episodic format, the episodic version is to be added using a set of O (Other) episodes.
Some anime series are distributed in both a movie and a TV series format with minimal edits between each other, except for the addition of opening and ending segments; the first airing or screening of the anime determines the anime type set on the anime entry as is usual. In case of a movie released also in an episodic format, the episodic version is to be added using a set of O (Other) episodes.
: Example: {{short|a13473|Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These (2019)}}


Files for a TV distribution like this are expected to be added into said O episodes. However, to make mylist statistics for said anime to work correctly, it is '''mandatory''' to also assign the file to the episode entry of the relevant movie, using an additional file-episode relation; there is no difference in treatment from the general guidance.
Files for a TV distribution like this are expected to be added into said O episodes. However, to make mylist statistics for said anime to work correctly, it is '''mandatory''' to also assign the file to the episode entry of the relevant movie, using an additional file-episode relation; there is no difference in treatment from the general guidance.
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The start and end positions saved into this relation also make the part number inside the movie entry explicit. Therefore, notes such as  "Part X of Y" are generally considered both duplication of information and an unwelcome complexity. Use of these types of notes are discouraged, especially given that the average user usually only cares about the TV edit episode number in these circumstances. These notes can be allowed if their use clearly adds clarity to the case, but always ask a mod first before adding such notes.
The start and end positions saved into this relation also make the part number inside the movie entry explicit. Therefore, notes such as  "Part X of Y" are generally considered both duplication of information and an unwelcome complexity. Use of these types of notes are discouraged, especially given that the average user usually only cares about the TV edit episode number in these circumstances. These notes can be allowed if their use clearly adds clarity to the case, but always ask a mod first before adding such notes.


=Optional Info=
=Other Info=
We'd like you to add this info sooner or later to the episode since some other users will benefit from your work.
 
==Episode Name (Romaji)==
Please check our [[Kanji & Romaji Guideline]] for further assistance with this.
*''For OVA (complete ep#=1)''<br>If there is no real ep title (aka when the ep title = anime title) just leave the field blank
*''For Movies''<br>Just leave the field blank.
 
==Episode Name (Kanji)==
Please check our [[Kanji & Romaji Guideline]] for further assistance with this.
[http://www.allcinema.net allcinema] is a reliable source for this.
*''For OVA (complete ep#=1)''<br>If there is no real ep title (aka when the ep title = anime title) just leave the field blank
*''For Movies''<br>Just leave the field blank.
 
==Episode Name (Other languages)==
Please check:
* The dub itself (if any)
* The DVD cover (if any)
* The official website (if any)
 
==First Aired/Released Date==
==First Aired/Released Date==
{{main|Content:Anime#General Guidance}}
{{main|Content:Anime#General Guidance}}
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''Such an episode would be added as "first aired on '''25'''.03.2005"''.
''Such an episode would be added as "first aired on '''25'''.03.2005"''.


==Recap==
==Recap Episodes==
This field should only get used for pure recaps!
The recap flag should only get used for pure recaps!
 
For anime where a sequel is released, recap episodes are often published to summarize what occurred in the prequel, for the benefit of the sequel viewer to refresh their memory (for those that watched the prequel) or gain some baseline understanding of the previous plot (for those that have not watched the prequel). When this happens, there is a practical question: which anime entry on AniDB should be assigned the recap episode? Does the recap episode go with the prequel entry or sequel entry?
 
The following general criteria, ranked in order of importance, should be considered when deciding which anime entry to place the recap episode:
# Does the recap episode cover the prequel's content with little to no alteration, (place with prequel) or does it introduce significant new content (place with sequel)?
# Does [https://cal.syoboi.jp/ syoboi] group the recap episode with the prequel anime or sequel anime?
# Is the air date of the recap episode closer to the prequel (e.g. 2 months after the prequel ended, and a year before sequel starts), or closer to the sequel (e.g. a year after the prequel ended, and 1 month before the sequel starts)?
# Does the BD/DVD home release group the recap episode with the prequel anime or sequel anime?
 
As a general principle, if both #1 and #2 agree on placement, that is where the recap episode should be placed. Discretion should be applied by moderators on a case by case basis.
Further, #3 will generally override #4; only consider #4 if syoboi is ambiguous.
 
This policy was confirmed {{short|c13866576|here}}.


==Note==
==Notes==
Extra information about the episode, such as unusual airing arrangements, etc.
Extra information about the episode, such as unusual airing arrangements, etc.


{{eyecatch|Note|Do NOT use this field to mark "filler" episodes or write general episode summaries!}}
{{eyecatch|Note|Do '''not''' use this field to mark "filler" episodes or write general episode summaries!}}


=How to Remove bad entries=
=How to Remove Bad Entries=
If you added a bad entry yourself you can remove it as long as no one added a file to this entry.  Otherwise, please post the [[ID:eid|eid]] of and a link to the entry to be removed here: {{ForumLink|21|Change Requests forum}}
If you added a bad entry yourself you can remove it as long as no one added a file to this entry.  Otherwise, please post the [[ID:eid|eid]] of and a link to the entry to be removed here: {{ForumLink|21|Change Requests forum}}


[[Category:Animeentries]]
[[Category:Animeentries]]
[[Category: Guidelines]]
[[Category: Guidelines]]

Latest revision as of 01:54, 6 June 2024

You know an Episode for an Anime that's not listed...

AniDB is a user-driven database and every user can add new episodes. So if you know an episode for an existing Anime-title that's not yet in AniDB we encourage you to add it. We also ask you to include as much info as possible when adding a new episode, it's for all users' benefit.

Where can I add new Episodes?!

At the bottom of every anime entry is a link named "Add Episode". Once you click it you're on the "Add Episode" page. There's a lot of info you can input here.

Basic Episode Information

Episode Number

Be careful with different episode orders here. For the moment the Japanese "how it was supposed to be shown" order is our standard.

"Prologue" and "Episode 0" Episodes

"Prologue" and "episode 0" episodes represent a deviation from standard episode numbering, where the first episode aired for an anime is numbered and/or classified as something other than episode #1. For AniDB purposes, we try to match the intent of the publisher in how we record the episodes in AniDB.

Classification

  1. By default, when it comes to episodes that are numbered as "Prologue" or "00", an "episode 0" will be considered an S episode on AniDB.
  2. However, if there is a "clear indication" that an "episode 0" SHOULD be considered as the first episode of the regular airing sequence, then only on those exceptions would we number the "episode 0" as the first episode (i.e. episode 1) of the regular airing sequence.

Documentation

  1. For both S episode and regular episode classifications, always add an episode note to provide a brief description if "Episode 0" is not already in the title. The note can be as simple as "Episode 0" -- more detail is always appreciated if available.
  2. For exceptions where the "episode 0" is treated as the first episode of the regular airing sequence, we will explicitly indicate in the episode title that this episode is an "episode 0" -- see the exception titling policy for detail.

Examples
Examples of common "episode 0" instances where we enter the "episode 0" as an S episode:

  1. Macross Delta -- episode S1, Battlefield Prologue, this is essentially a trailer of the first episode
  2. Chaos;Child -- episode S1, Chaos;Head, this is a recap episode of the prequel series

For reference, this policy is confirmed here .

Type

  • Normal Episode
  • Special/Extra Episode (BD/DVD Specials, Bonus eps) (S1, S2, ...)
    • Default rule: something presented on the BD/DVD disk as "bonus content" would generally count as an S episode.
      • No Credit Openings / Endings (NCOP / NCED) are classified as C episodes.
      • Trailers/Promos/Commercials are classified as T episodes.
    • BD/DVD exclusive episodes are classified as S episodes.
    • Bonus material, such as clean video extracts from main episodes (e.g. eyecatches, transformation sequences, etc) are classified as S episodes.
    • Live-action bonus material included with a BD/DVD release are classified as S episodes.
    • Live-action material that was released standalone should not be added; rare exceptions may apply.
    • Do not add BD/DVD menus.
    • Do not add advertisements / commercials that do not advertise the anime itself. For example, do not add commercials for Gundam Wing figurines as an S episode to the Gundam Wing anime entry.
      • Advertisements / commercials for the anime itself are added to T episodes.
  • Opening/Ending Episode (C1, C2, ...)
  • Trailer/Promo/Commercial (T1, T2, ...)
  • Parody Episode (P1, P2, ...)
  • Other Episode (official repackages such as the Psycho-Pass New Edit , US Chopjobs, certain supportfiles (AC3 modpacks, fontpacks).) (O1, O2, ...)
Note "Other" is not meant for OST's, Manga, AMV's or any other not official Special!
Disc menu animations are also not welcome in AniDB. Please do not add them.

Episode Title

Refer to our Episode Title page for details.

Play Length

The play length of this episode. If over 10 minutes, round UP to the nearest multiple of 5 minutes (The only acceptable case to round down would be if it's just a few seconds over the gap. You can file that under cornercase.). If under 10 minutes, rounds UP to the nearest minute.

What non-regular episodes (S, C, T, O) are allowed in AniDB? The "remote control test"

As a general rule on this topic, AniDB prefers to avoid making arbitrary decisions and prefers instead to follow what the producers have decided (Japan, China, or Korea); AniDB would only make our own decision when the producer's choice is clearly unreasonable.

When it comes to bonus material, the closest definition to "producer's intention" is the remote control test: "what has the producer defined as standalone selectable content on a BD/DVD menu, that the home viewer can select with a remote control on a BD/DVD set-top box for your TV?"

This way, AniDB mirrors what the producer has decided, rather than making our own decisions.

However, given the impracticality of testing this rule for ourselves in most cases, we need to define data sources that we consider as sufficiently credible. They are as follows, in order of precedence:

  1. Primary source: The BD/DVD menu itself: via screenshot / picture of someone playing the BDMV, either on their TV, or through MPC-HC or some other player that can read raw BDMV.
  2. Secondary source: The back of the BD/DVD box.
  3. Tertiary source: The official listing of the contents of the BD/DVD, such as on the official anime website, or on Amazon Japan's official product listing.
  4. If still unable to find a valid source: add using best assumptions, decided on a case by case basis.

Even with this list of sources, we understand that it may still not be possible to perfectly validate the "correct" answer. As such, this information should be added to AniDB on a best efforts basis. If the facts are unclear, file a CREQ and ask a moderator for assistance, or defer adding the data to AniDB until more information is available.

Ordering of S Episodes -- GENERAL GUIDANCE

There are no hard rules regarding the ordering of S episodes. However, the following general rules of thumb should be applied:

  1. "Actual episodes" should come first before recaps. Example: Bakemonogatari episodes 13 to 15 (S1 to S3)
  2. "Recaps" should come first before "specials". Example: 91 Days episode S2
  3. "Specials" Specials (e.g. web streamed specials, DVD and BD bonus content, etc) should come first before live action entries.

Further to the above, the following overall guidance should be used to group and order the above subgroups:

  • Internally within the above categories, group like items together. Example: Girls und Panzer specials, similar specials are grouped together (e.g. the "War" BD specials, Tank Courses, Character Pictures, etc)
  • Internally within the above grouped like items, sort episodes by release date

Above all else, common sense should apply. These are general guidelines, and each anime should be looked at on a case-by-case basis.

Guidance for C Episodes

Main article: Content:C Episode Guidance

Guidance for O episodes

General Guidance

O episodes are not intended as proper episode entries. O episodes are used as a placeholder for entries that are a chopjob, re-cut, or other combination of regular (R), special (S), Opening/Closing (C), and/or Trailer/Promo (T) episode types.

  1. To ensure that mylist statistics work correctly, it is mandatory that all files contained in O episodes are also assigned other episodes using file-episode relations.
    1. Use file-episode relations to mark which episode(s) the O episode covers.
    2. Assign percentages based on how much of the target episode this file covers. For example, if an O episode covers time timestamps from 20% to 40% of episode 1, and timestamps from 65% to 90% of episode 2, add these as the percentages in the file-episode relations.
  2. If an O episode covers multiple regular episodes, for example a single release covers episode 1, 2, and 3 of the main series, THIS IS NOT AN O EPISODE. Instead, add the file to episode 1, and create file-episode relations to episode 2 and 3.

Movies subsequently redistributed in TV series format

Some anime series are distributed in both a movie and a TV series format with minimal edits between each other, except for the addition of opening and ending segments; the first airing or screening of the anime determines the anime type set on the anime entry as is usual. In case of a movie released also in an episodic format, the episodic version is to be added using a set of O (Other) episodes.

Example: Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These (2019)

Files for a TV distribution like this are expected to be added into said O episodes. However, to make mylist statistics for said anime to work correctly, it is mandatory to also assign the file to the episode entry of the relevant movie, using an additional file-episode relation; there is no difference in treatment from the general guidance.

The start and end positions saved into this relation also make the part number inside the movie entry explicit. Therefore, notes such as "Part X of Y" are generally considered both duplication of information and an unwelcome complexity. Use of these types of notes are discouraged, especially given that the average user usually only cares about the TV edit episode number in these circumstances. These notes can be allowed if their use clearly adds clarity to the case, but always ask a mod first before adding such notes.

Other Info

First Aired/Released Date

Main article: Content:Anime#General Guidance

Generally, the Japanese/Chinese/Korean/Asian air date is the first and most precise airing/release date worldwide for both individual episodes and the anime as a whole. Check the official Asian page, allcinema, the Japanese TV Guide (explained here), or other pages listed here.

The Western air date should only be used if the Western airing is materially earlier than the Asian one. Otherwise, use the air date in the home market. For example:

  • When the Western simulcast of a Japanese anime is 5 hours earlier, causing a 1-day date mismatch with Japan due to timezones, use the Japanese date.
  • When the Western TV premier is 3 months earlier than the Japanese release, use the earlier Western date. For example, FLCL Progressive first aired on US channel Adult Swim's Toonami block as a 6-episode series from 03.06.2018 till 07.07.2018. It did not air in Japan until 28.09.2018, where it was released in a movie format.

Japanese TV Schedule Timestamps

Be careful with shows that have 24:00 and later air hours - this means that show will air on the night after the specified date. For the purposes of AniDB, a show listed as airing between 00:00 and 23:59 is added with the listed date; any show airing on 24:00 or later is added with the "first aired" date of the next day.

Example:

Japanese TV schedule says: 24.03.2005 25:30
this means it aired:       25.03.2005 01:30.

Such an episode would be added as "first aired on 25.03.2005".

Recap Episodes

The recap flag should only get used for pure recaps!

For anime where a sequel is released, recap episodes are often published to summarize what occurred in the prequel, for the benefit of the sequel viewer to refresh their memory (for those that watched the prequel) or gain some baseline understanding of the previous plot (for those that have not watched the prequel). When this happens, there is a practical question: which anime entry on AniDB should be assigned the recap episode? Does the recap episode go with the prequel entry or sequel entry?

The following general criteria, ranked in order of importance, should be considered when deciding which anime entry to place the recap episode:

  1. Does the recap episode cover the prequel's content with little to no alteration, (place with prequel) or does it introduce significant new content (place with sequel)?
  2. Does syoboi group the recap episode with the prequel anime or sequel anime?
  3. Is the air date of the recap episode closer to the prequel (e.g. 2 months after the prequel ended, and a year before sequel starts), or closer to the sequel (e.g. a year after the prequel ended, and 1 month before the sequel starts)?
  4. Does the BD/DVD home release group the recap episode with the prequel anime or sequel anime?

As a general principle, if both #1 and #2 agree on placement, that is where the recap episode should be placed. Discretion should be applied by moderators on a case by case basis. Further, #3 will generally override #4; only consider #4 if syoboi is ambiguous.

This policy was confirmed here .

Notes

Extra information about the episode, such as unusual airing arrangements, etc.

Note Do not use this field to mark "filler" episodes or write general episode summaries!

How to Remove Bad Entries

If you added a bad entry yourself you can remove it as long as no one added a file to this entry. Otherwise, please post the eid of and a link to the entry to be removed here: Change Requests forum