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.

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.

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.

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