Content:C Episode Guidance

NOTE	This article is still under construction.

Framework for OP and ED Episodes - C and S Episode Guidance

This framework describes how OP and ED episodes are identified and classified within AniDB's C and S episode types. Refer to discussion on the AniDB Adv. User forum here for further detail.

The following rule cascade shall apply. Higher ranking rules take precedence over lower ranking rules. For example, Rule 2 will have greater precedence than Rule 4.

General Principles

1. Within the rules, all references to "BD" are also references to "DVD". However, when used in notes, spell out in full for all applicable instances.
2. Within the rules, all references to "TV" are also references to "HDTV" and "www". However, when used in notes, spell out in full for all applicable instances.
3. Spell out "Episode" and "Volume" in full; no exceptions.
4. Short episodes, given their significantly compressed duration relative to standard 20+ minute episodes, are to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. This Framework may be used as a guide, but should not be applied directly to a strict standard without use of discretion.

Rule Framework

1. Default Rule, non-OP/ED =/= C ep

1. Default Rule, non-OP/ED =/= C ep: In general, anything not credited as an OP/ED song is never a C ep; always add as S ep.

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Rule 1.1: Missing OP/ED song credits

1.1. Missing OP/ED song credits: In the absence of any songs being tagged OP/ED at all, which is more often the case in pre-modern era (90s and older) TV shows, and also frequently the case for movies:

1.1.1. No songs credited OP/ED at all: We look through the credits and see what songs are used functionally as an OP/ED, and if they should be recognized as such. For example, absent any formally credited OP/ED, a song credited "theme song" but used as an OP/ED shall be considered an OP/ED.

1.1.2. Fully credited OP/ED: In the modern era, Japan (thankfully) consistently remembers to explicitly label songs as OP and ED, at least for TV shows. In such an environment, any songs not credited as OP/ED are never considered as OP/ED and are therefore not C eps, unless an ad hoc exception for that specific case applies. To legislate all the possible exceptions is insanity; professional judgement should be used.

1.1.3. Partially complete credits for OP/ED: Where the anime credits for OP/ED songs are partially complete, i.e. some hybrid between nothing credited OP/ED and something credited OP/ED (e.g. OP/ED song was credited for episodes 1-6, but the credits do not provide an OP/ED song for episodes 7-12), we would need to assess on a case-by-case basis; professional judgement should be used. This is exceedingly rare.

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Rule 1.2: Credits not prescriptively identifying a specific song version

1.2. Credits not prescriptively identifying a specific song version: The credits tell us which song to look at, and specify that the song is an OP/ED, so that is what matters. Japan cannot (always) be trusted to be more prescriptive and credit (in the video) the specific version of a song if multiple versions exist, therefore we should do the identification where we can identify/distinguish it. For example, if the same song has multiple variants (e.g. regular, acapella, falsetto, etc) and the credits do not specify which variant is used:

1.2.1. Identify audibly which variant is played: If we are able to identify audibly which song variant is played, we should credit that variant to the C/S ep.

1.2.2. Identify via external reference which variant is played: If we are able to identify via external reference (such as Anison) which song variant is played, we should credit that variant to the C/S ep.

2. Default Rule, OP/ED = C ep

2. Default Rule, OP/ED = C ep: Anything credited as OP/ED is a C ep, unless an exception applies.

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Rule 2.1: "BD/DVD lookthrough" rule

2.1. "BD/DVD lookthrough" rule: If the original airing did not include an OP/ED sequence at the end of the episode, but the BD release does include one ("BD exclusive OP/ED"), and the song was credited as OP/ED, this can be added as a C ep.

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Rule 2.2: Ordering of C eps (also applicable to S eps)

2.2. Ordering of C eps (also applicable to S eps): BD exclusive OP/ED are ordered in the listing secondary to original airing OP/ED. ALL foreign language OP/ED would occur after the original language OP/ED. If there are multiple groups of foreign language OP/ED, group them together. More specifically: all original airing OP, all BD exclusive OP, all original airing ED, all BD exclusive ED, all foreign language #1's OP, all foreign language #1's ED, all foreign language #2's OP, all foreign language #2's ED. Within each grouping of C/S eps, order by air date.

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Rule 2.3: Eptitle of C eps

2.3. Eptitle of C eps: The default naming convention for eptitle of C eps is: Opening 1, Opening 2, Ending 1, Ending 2, etc. If there is only 1 opening and/or 1 ending, drop the numeral from the name. If there are foreign language OP/ED, pre-pend the name with the language. For example: "German Opening 1".

2.3.1. Major numbering: The major numbering is linked to a song. Each time a new song is introduced to the OP/ED listing, the number is incremented (1, 2, 3, 4). The numbering is counted separately for OP and ED.

2.3.1.1. One major number per song: If a song was previously used, and its usage returns, the number does not increment. For example, if Song A was used in ep 1 ED, then Songs B and C for eps 2-6 ED, and Song A returns in ep 7 ED, Song A is major numbered Ending 1 in both appearances.

2.3.1.2. Song variants are considered major versions: If a song is used multiple times, but a different variant is used each time (e.g. regular, acapella, falsetto, different singer, etc), we denote this with major numbering; each variant is treated as if it was an entirely different song. For clarity, different variant = different song ID, and, different implementation version (normal, instrumental, etc) = different variant, even though the song ID is the same.

2.3.2. Minor numbering to track changing video sequences: Songs are often linked to multiple OP/ED videos. The song remains the same, but the OP/ED sequence evolves as the anime progresses; for example, more characters may be added to the OP/ED as they are introduced in the main episodes. Where multiple C ep video sequences exist for the same song, we denote this with minor numbering as such: Opening 1a, Opening 1b, Opening 1c, Ending 1a, Ending 1b, Ending 1c, etc.

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Rule 2.4: Episode notes for C eps

2.4. Episode notes for C eps: Episode notes for C eps are used to document differences in the video sequences when multiple C eps for the same song exist, due to multiple OP/ED video sequences. If a song only has 1 associated C/S ep, a note is generally not needed for this purpose.

2.4.1. Episode range of video: Document the episode range of the video, and specify TV vs BD/DVD ranges if they are different.

2.4.2. Identifying attributes of the video: Document any attributes that can help users differentiate the various video files within each song.

EXAMPLES OF 2.4.1 RANGE STATEMENTS:
Episode 1. Description for single ep range for all sources here.
Episodes 2-3. Description for two ep range here.
Episodes 3-6. Description for longer range here.
Episodes 3-6, 8. Description for multi-range here.
Where the BD contains both a censored and uncensored version of the OP/ED:
> Episodes 1-4 (TV/www) / Episodes 1-4 (BD/DVD Censored). Description here.
> Episodes 1-4 (BD/DVD Uncensored). Description here.
Episodes 7-11 (TV/www) / 7-10 (BD/DVD). Description for range with source differences here.
Episodes 7-11 (TV) / 7-9 (www) / 7-10 (BD/DVD). Description for range with source differences here.
Episode 11 (BD/DVD only). Description with source not applicable at all to some sources here.
Episodes 12, 14, 16, 18-20. Description for more complexly split range here.
Episodes 12, 14, 16, 18-20 (HDTV/www) / 12-14, 16, 18-20 (BD/DVD). Description for more complexly split range with source differences here. The description is also complex, so it spans multiple sentences.

EXAMPLES OF 2.4.2 VIDEO ATTRIBUTE STATEMENTS:
Sung with duet vocals.
Image of Hanekawa with short hair.
Kirito appears at 0:43.

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Rule 2.5: "Regular OP used as Episode 1 ED" rule

2.5. "Regular OP used as Episode 1 ED" rule: if the OP song and video is played as the ending of episode 1, but then reverts to normal OP usage for the remainder of the season/arc, we credit the song as ED for episode 1, and as OP for episode 2 and onwards.

2.5.1. Both are C eps: It is still a "C episode" for both episode 1 and episode 2+, however:

2.5.2. No C ep for ep 1 ED: We do not create an actual C ep entry for ep 1 ED, since in practice this was an exception, and the song + video is really the ordinary OP. We create a C ep for ep 2 OP instead. However, the air date of this C episode is the air date of episode 1, since the "OP video segment" was actually first played in episode 1. This rule is a "sleight of hand" so that we don't end up having 2 C episodes for the identical segments.

2.5.3. Exception for Ep 1 ED with different video: We would only create a C ep for ep 1 ED in the unlikely event it has a video segment different from the regular ep 2+ OP. In this case, the ep 1 ED C ep uses the episode 1 air date, and the ep 2+ OP C ep uses the episode 2 air date.

2.5.3.1. It will most likely be numbered "Ending 1", since the OP song used in episode 1 ED is the first ED in the series (major numbering), and the OP song is usually only used as an ED once (no need for minor numbering). This is a non-prescriptive rule and is only stated as a suggestion; regular numbering rules still apply and can modify the numbering as appropriate.

3. Insufficient video =/= C ep

3. Insufficient video =/= C ep: If there is "insufficient video", including a completely black screen during the credit roll, or a single colour gradient background, it is not a C ep (and perhaps not even an S ep).

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Rule 3.1: Simple graphics are still C eps

3.1. Simple graphics are still C eps: More specifically, for ease of use we will apply a simplifying rule: simple graphics or graphical animations on a black or coloured background, or a single static image (for example an artist's drawing of the characters), for the purposes of these rules, are "sufficient" video, and therefore shall be added as a C ep. Example #1, Example #2.

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Rule 3.2: Instances of "recap and non-recap screenshots/still-images/boxed-animations" count as sufficient video

3.2. Instances of "recap and non-recap screenshots/still-images/boxed-animations" count as sufficient video: Refer to Rule 4.1. Example #1, example #2.

4. No opening/ending segment

4. No opening/ending segment: If in the opening/ending, "instead of an opening/ending segment showing up, the main body of the episode plays" (aka, "does the main episode bleed into the OP/ED?"), it is not a C ep and therefore should be added as an S ep; this is known as "no opening/ending segment" and we have tags for it: t6301 -- no opening segment and t6300 -- no ending segment.

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Rule 4.1: Recap screenshots and new-content screenshots do not count as "main episode bleeding" ("deemed C episode")

4.1. Recap screenshots and new-content screenshots do not count as "main episode bleeding" ("deemed C episode"): Instances of "recap screenshots/still-images/boxed-animations" =/= no opening/ending segment (they are deemed not to count as "episode bleed"). Instances of "non-recap (new content) screenshots/still-images/boxed-animations" also =/= no opening/ending segment (they are deemed not to count as "episode bleed"). For both of these, it is deemed to be a C ep. The intent of this rule is to screen out only instances where the "actual" main episode bleeds into the OP/ED, making it an S ep; this rule deems that "recap screenshots/animations" and "non-recap (new content) screens" do not count as main episode content bleeding.

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Rule 4.2: Split OP/ED between main ep and OP/ED sequence ("round up" rule)

4.2. Split OP/ED between main ep and OP/ED sequence ("round up" rule): In the case of a split opening/ending segment, where a portion is regular episode, the other portion is OP/ED sequence, and the credits roll over both halves: to simplify, we will "round up", and consider these instances the same as a full opening/ending sequence; it will be considered a C ep.

4.2.1. No fixed proportions when applying the "round up" rule: In terms of the proportions of the "episode" vs "OP/ED" sequence portions, there is no fixed ratio; for example, an OP/ED with 30% "episode" + 70% "OP/ED (both real and deemed OP/ED)" is rounded up, and likewise an OP/ED with 80% "episode" + 20% "OP/ED (both real OP/ED and deemed OP/ED via rules)" is also rounded up.

4.2.2. Split OP/ED between main ep and OP/ED sequence... with differing cuts of the same OP/ED sequence between C eps: If the same video sequence is being used by multiple C eps, but the C eps all take different cuts of that video sequence by clipping it at differing timestamps, we still round up, but we consider each cut "as its own video" and therefore each cut gets its own C episode. Illustrative example:

ED2a (normal): XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
ED2b (ep. 11): ------XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-------
ED2c (ep. 16): ----------------------XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Examples

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