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Nov 9, 2012 4:48 AM
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Anime Database Guidelines

The following guidelines were written as a reference document for both moderators and general users as a standard for anime database entries. For the general user, it should provide both an idea of which edits/additions will be approved and denied, and how to help speed up the approval process from a user's perspective.

Please note these have been written as general guidelines only. The site administrator, database administrators and anime moderators reserve the right to append, remove and change the following rules as they see fit to maintain an orderly and consistent database.

You are encouraged to report any entries that do not meet the following criteria here.


0. What is "Anime"?
There are two common ways to define "anime" in the community. One is based on country of origin. One is based on character design/style. Since the word anime is currently a hot topic, some services prefer to go the "style" route because it offers them more flexibility with marketing. However, from a database perspective, style is extremely hard to define when each service has their own ideas about what should be labeled as anime.

On MyAnimeList, a work is considered to be an "anime" if it meets all of the following:
    ✔️ It's animated.
    • Works with minimal-to-no animated scenes do not count. This includes manga panels or visual novel style stills with and without voice acting.
    • An exception is made for picture drama specials created for existing anime franchises (see Section II.6)
    • Stop-motion works using clay or cut-outs (claymation, cut-out animation) are allowed. Stop-motion using live actors or regular objects do not count since they lack character and background creation.

    ✔️ It's created by professional staff in Japan for the Japanese market.
    • Joint productions, independent/doujinshi anime, aeni, and donghua are also allowed under certain conditions (see Sections I.1 & I.2)

    ✔️ It's meant to be an animated work.
    • Animated cut-scenes or opening movies for games, live-action shows, or other media are not eligible.
    • Animated music videos and commercials are allowed under specific conditions (see Sections II.8 & II.9)
    • Some live-action scenes can be mixed with animation, so long as they are less than half of the episode (e.g. Dimension High School, Gal & Kouryuu)
    • VTuber content does not count as animation since the avatar is a virtual layer on top of recorded content, not a sequence created by an animator.

    ✔️ It's not an edit, cut, or promo of another animated work.
    • Foreign edits/cut versions of anime are not eligible (e.g. Robotech)
    • Recaps or promo episodes with voice actor commentary over the animation do not count. Normal story recaps are allowed (see Section II.6)
    • Trailers/PVs, music videos, or commercials using animation from upcoming or aired anime should not receive their own entry.
    • Remasters are not allowed except under very strict conditions (see Section II.3.4)
    • Some reformats are allowed (see Section II.2)


I. Anime Additions
Additions to MyAnimeList's Anime DB must fit within the following scope:

I.1 Country of Origin
Animated works must be created:
  • in Japan for the Japanese market (anime)
  • in Korea for the Korean market (aeni)
  • in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan for their respective markets (donghua)
  • as a joint production between Japan/Korea/China/Taiwan and another country, for both markets

I.2 Production Staff
Works must be produced:
    I.2.1 By reputable animation companies with professional animation creators in the country of origin.

    I.2.2 Joint productions must have at least one professional animation creator from I.1 in a key position with creative control over the production; e.g. director, script, storyboard, character design.
    • If only the animation is outsourced to Japan/Korea/China, the animation is not eligible.
    • If the professional animation creator shares the key position with multiple other members from the joint country or an outsourced animation company, it will be assumed the professional creator was not given creative control (e.g. Neo Yokio, Pacific Rim)

    I.2.3 Independent/Doujinshi will be allowed if:
    • it has been acquired and released by a reputable company in the country of origin
    • the creator has won one of the following significant anime awards: Tokyo International Anime Award, Mainichi Film Award or Japan Media Arts Festival award
    • at least one staff member is a professional Japanese anime/manga creator. Note that works can be added retroactively after an independent creator has been credited in a professional work (e.g. Fumiko no Kokuhaku, Rain Town)
    • the cast consists of highly-experienced, notable seiyuu (e.g. Touhou)

I.3 Submissions Etiquette
Please observe the following when adding new anime to the database. It will help your submissions be approved faster.
    I.3.1 Complete as many fields as possible. The less hunting we have to do to complete an entry, the faster it will get approved.

    I.3.2 Include links to any supporting evidence for the entry information in the "Additional Info" field.
    For example, link to official news sources (PR Times, Comic Natalie, Anime Anime, etc.), creator's blog/Twitter, etc. No leaks or secondary sources that do not link an official source. For specials or ONAs released alongside a series, BD/DVD volume content or the official YouTube/Twitter video links should be provided if possible.

    I.3.3 Censor NSFW images following guides detailed in Section IV.4. Uncensored images may result in an automatic denial.

    I.3.4 Do not submit the same addition more than once. This will only serve to slow the rate of acceptance rather than improve it.
    If you received an image error upon submission, don't worry, it has been submitted.



II. Anime Entry Type & Division
The following determine an entry's type and when entries are split or combined:

II.1 Multiple Concurrent Releases
    II.1.1 The first release is the most important one, as long as most episodes were released that way. For example, if the first episode was aired online and the other eleven were broadcast on TV, the type would be TV.

    II.1.2 Limited release screenings (e.g. in one theater only, for three days only, etc.) prior to regular distribution will be considered pre-airing events and the anime will not have the Movie type.

    As the anime industry often trials new marketing methods, it is not always immediately apparent whether a theatrical release is a pre-release or not. This means that an anime may be added to the database with the Movie type, but then later be changed to TV or OVA.
    II.1.3 Anime which broadcast simultaneously on television and on subscription-based distribution platforms (e.g. Netflix, Amazon Prime) will retain the TV type. (e.g. Rikei ga Koi ni Ochita no de Shoumei shitemita.)

    II.1.4 If episodes are batch-released online while airing weekly on television, the anime will retain the TV type if:
    • the anime is branded with a named TV programming block (e.g. +Ultra, noitaminA)
    • the production committee includes TV stations which are airing the anime (e.g. Fuji TV, Tokyo MX)
    • TV broadcasting stations were announced before or with the online distribution method

    II.1.5 If the online version of the anime is R18 while the TV version is censored, then the subscription-based platform will be deemed the intended release and the anime will retain the ONA type. (See IV.8.4)

II.2 Re-release Edits and Format Changes
    II.2.1 OVA series that are released in their entirety and later broadcast on television will have an additional entry for the TV version if the OVA episode durations are incompatible with TV broadcast and require recompilation. (e.g. Magi: Sinbad no Bouken (TV), Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096)

    II.2.2 Movie series that premiere in theaters only a few months before television broadcast will have an additional entry for the TV version if BD/DVD discs are sold including both Movie & TV versions. (e.g. Wave!!: Surfing Yappe!!, Chain Chronicle: Haecceitas no Hikari)

    II.2.3 Series that are released in their entirety in one format (TV/OVA/ONA) and later compiled for a subsequent theatrical release will have an additional entry for the movie.

    II.2.4 Re-releases of the same format will be added only if there's a significant amount of new material added to the story. (e.g. Kono Sekai no (Sara ni Ikutsumo no) Katasumi ni)
    • Psycho-Pass Extended Edition is not eligible since it is a re-cut version with extra monologue and transitions between the first and second part of each episode.
    • Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu: Shin Henshuu-ban is not eligible since the only new content, which is a 4-minute scene at the very end of the last episode, is included in the first episode of the second season.

II.3 TV
    II.3.1 If a TV series is split into two parts and at least one season (~12 weeks) falls between the last episode of the first part and the first episode of the second part, the second part will be treated as a second season and the anime will have two entries.

    This is done to organize currently airing series that have large gaps between seasons so entries are not left as currently airing for months on users' lists (e.g. White Album, Asura Cryin). Thus, if a similar gap occurred with a series that has already finished airing, that entry will not be split now (e.g. Cardcaptor Sakura, Big O).

    II.3.2 If there is no gap between seasons, but the continuation of the series is indicated as a separate season with a new title, it will get a second entry. (e.g. Shugo Chara, Shikabane Hime)

    II.3.3 TV anime which are planned for more episodes than 1 cours but less than 2 cours will often need to distribute the final episodes online due to seasonal programming block schedules. These extra episodes will be included in the main entry. (e.g. Bakemonogatari, Satsuriku no Tenshi) This does not apply to bonus episodes included in Blu-rays/DVDs.

    II.3.4 Extra unnumbered episodes broadcast at the end of a TV series to fill out the programming block schedule will be included in the main entry. (e.g. Clannad: After Story)

    II.3.5 TV series which are later re-edited or remastered for a subsequent TV broadcast will not have a new entry. (e.g. Psycho-Pass, Gundam SEED) However, if the TV series is re-edited with fewer episodes and overall less duration, they may be added. (e.g. Kyojin no Hoshi Tokubetsu-hen Hanagata Mitsuru, Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Special Edition)

II.4 Movies
    Theatrical releases will have separate entries unless:
    • all chapters are aired together. (e.g. 5 cm/s, Memories)
    • the gaps between subsequent movie premieres for all parts of an original or unadapted series are less than 3 months. (e.g. Wave!!: Surfing Yappe!!)
II.5 OVA
    The OVA type is reserved for episodes that are distributed on Blu-ray/DVD discs separately from other anime episodes. For example, OVA can be sent by mail order, bundled with manga volumes, or given for free at events.

    OVA episodes will be combined into one entry unless:
    • The franchise is OVA-only and it is indicated the new episodes are a sequel.
    • A new TV/ONA season for the franchise airs between the OVA episodes. (e.g. Seitokai Yakuindomo OVA, Seitokai Yakuindomo* OVA)
    In cases of ambiguity (e.g. an OVA episode is released while the new season is airing), the OP/ED themes will be used to determine division.

II.6 Specials
    The Specials type is reserved for episodes that are released alongside TV series, movies or OVA.

    TV specials include:
     • Episode 0 airs the week before the TV series begins.
     • Episode 8.5 airs between episodes 8 & 9, summarizing the story so far (recap).
     • 2+ episodes are compiled into a 1+ hour special broadcast.
     • Full length features that aired on TV. (e.g. Aya to Majo)

    DVD specials include:
     • Unaired episode 13 included on the final BD/DVD volume of the TV series.
     • Short animation specials included in the main series' BD/DVD volumes.
     • Picture dramas included in BD/DVD volumes.

    Other specials include:
     • Short animations or episodes shown at special events and distributed later under the event title (e.g. Jump Festa, Ribon Festa).


    II.6.1 Recaps are only considered specials if the episode numbers are not whole and/or sequential. For example, if Episode 14 is a recap and Episode 13/15 airs before/after it, then the recap will not receive its own entry.

    II.6.2 Recaps associated with one anime entry will be combined into one entry (e.g. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 5: Ougon no Kaze Recaps).

    II.6.3 DVD specials associated with one anime entry will be combined into one entry, so long as they are the same type. For example, an unaired episode 13 would not be combined with 3 min. shorts (e.g. Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!: Kirameki no... Slapstick Noel, Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!: Depth of Field - Ai to Nikushimi Gekijou).

    II.6.4 Furthemore, if the sequel has a new entry, its associated specials will also have a new entry, even if the format/title continues (e.g. Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Ren Specials).

II.7 ONA
    The ONA type is reserved for anime which were released online. See II.1.1, II.1.3-5 for more details.
II.8 Music
    The Music type is reserved for music videos which are professionally produced, contain new animation, and contain the full version of the song that is featured in the video.
II.9 CMs
    Animated commercials produced for the Japanese market will be allowed only if they are of decent length and have substantial plot.
    Specifics to be decided at a later date.


III. Anime Titles
The following describes how the title fields are to be utilized on Anime entries:

III.1 Main Title
[url=soon]MAL's romanization[/url] of the official title, including subtitles.

    III.1.1 Same Title
    • If multiple anime entries share the same title but are of a different type, the title of the most recent entry will include the type in parentheses. (e.g. Black Rock Shooter)
    • When they are of the same type, the most recent entry will include the year. (e.g. Kaibutsu-kun)
    • If the type has yet to be announced, (Unknown) will be temporarily used.

    III.1.2 TV/ONA Seasons
    • 第2期/第2シリーズ will be replaced with "2nd Season" and the exact romanization will be placed in synonyms. セカンドシーズン will be spelled out as "Second Season"
    • If the official title is "Series Title 2", the main title will not include "2nd Season".
    • If a second season is announced without a new official title, the main title will be "Series Title 2nd Season".
    • This follows for 3rd/4th/etc. seasons as well.
    • If an anime is announced as 2クール/第二部, "Part 2" will be used.

    III.1.2 Movies
    • When multiple, sequential movies are released as a series, the title will be: Series Title Movie #: Movie Title. If more than 9 movies are released, "01, 02, etc." will be used to facilitate proper sorting. (e.g. Kara no Kyoukai, Dragon Ball Z Movie 13)
    • 劇場版(Gekijouban) and 映画(eiga) used in the official title/logo will be replaced with "Movie". If it comes at the beginning of the title, it will be moved to the end.

    III.1.3 OVA/Specials
    • OAV and OAD used in the official title will be replaced with OVA.
    • 特別編 (Tokubetsuhen) used at the end of titles for specials will be replaced with Special(s). If used after the series title but before the subtitle, the "Tokubetsuhen" will be ignored.
    • If an OVA or Special:
      • is released subsequent to the series and does not have its own title, "OVA" or "Special(s)" will be added to the Series Title without parentheses or a colon.
      • has its own title, the main title will be: Series Title: OVA/Special Title.
      • is a recap labeled as 総集編 or without an episode title, the main title will be: Series Title Recap(s).

    III.1.4 Unknown sequels/spin-offs
    • If an anime is announced as a sequel 続編, it will be replaced by (Zoku-hen) in parenthesis. Since it is an unknown format, it cannot be assumed to be a second season, which is only for TV series.
    • If an anime of a pre-existing franchise is announced as a new anime project 新作アニメ, it will be replaced by (Shinsaku Anime) in parenthesis. Other variants: 新作アニメプロジェクト (Shinsaku Anime Project), アニメ新プロジェクト (Anime Shin Project), 新プロジェクト (Shin Project)
    • These titles are tentative and will be changed when the actual title of the project and/or format is released.

III.2 Japanese Title
Official title, as written on the official site's announcement news, official PVs, or official news sites. Always cross check in case of inconsistencies. Include the hiragana or katakana reading in parenthesis if applicable.
    III.2.1 If the official title is in roman characters, this field should be as well (rather than in katakana).
    III.2.2 Korean/Chinese series should have their original title, not Japanese.

III.3 English Title
Only one of the following official titles, listed by precedence where all three titles exist:
 (i) English distribution (physical release) title;
 (ii) English simulcast title;
 (iii) English version of the title, as it appears in the official logo or on the official Japanese website (urls don't count).
    III.3.1 If the English title is the same as the Main Title, it should still be included in cases (i) & (ii).
    III.3.2 Misspellings of English words in case (iii) will be corrected (e.g. Total Eclips of the Etarnal Heart → Total Eclipse of the Eternal Heart).
    III.3.3 Official English titles from the prequel will be added to the English title field of the sequel at the time of announcement, rather than waiting for the new license title.
    III.3.4 If it is not possible to identify one season from another using the English title only, then "2nd Season" will be added to the English title.

III.4 Synonyms
Only the following will be included, listed by precedence in the case where the field runs out of characters (max. 225):
 • Official English title given by the creators or streaming sites when superseded in the English title field
 • Official shortenings/acronyms of the title
 • Included episode names for compiled specials/OVA
 • Series Title OVA or Series Title Special(s) or Series Title Recap(s) in the case of unique titles
 • Traditional title readings if any kanji include unconventional furigana (e.g. Ao no Exorcist)
 • Alternate romanizations of the title used by fansubbers (excluding special characters with macrons and circumflexes)


IV. Anime Information
  • The following fields can be changed through the Anime Edit option (top-right corner):

    IV.1 Synopsis

      IV.1.1 English synopses only.
      IV.1.2 Synopses taken from other sites must be credited in the format: (Source: source)
      IV.1.3 Major edits (rewriting/adding sentences) to a sourced synopses should be credited as: (Source: source, edited)
         Minor edits (changing romanizations, fixing typos or adjusting punctuation) should be sourced normally.
      IV.1.4 Translations of official website text should be credited as: (Source: Official site, translated)
      IV.1.5 If you write your own synopsis without using any other materials, you may credit yourself as [Written by username].
         No plagiarism! Please note if MAL Rewrite creates a synopsis for this entry, yours will be replaced.
      IV.1.6 Factual sentences should not be credited. For example, "A story about a high school girl who draws manga." If said statement is taken from another site, please attempt to re-word it and/or add additional information.
      IV.1.7 All synopsis credits should be one double-spaced line away from the synopsis text.
      IV.1.8 No external urls.

    IV.2 Background

      IV.2.1 No copy-pasted or rephrased/plagiarized text; everything must be original.
      IV.2.2 Titles (e.g. series, book, franchise, game) should be italicized.
      IV.2.3 All sentences should be in past tense and not require future updates/edits to be current information.
      IV.2.4 For a non-exhaustive list of points which should (not) be included, please see Section V.

    IV.3 Alternative Titles
    Please see Section III.

    IV.4 Picture
    No pornographic images. These include, but are not limited to, images showing genitalia, nipples, or obvious outlines of both through "clothing". Please place rectangular censorship bars (generous in size, white in colour) over any questionable parts of the image. You may not edit these features out (e.g. brush/smudge/blur), they must be censored.

    Adult images containing sexual acts will be removed when a more appropriate image becomes available. Loli/shota hentai images portraying sexual acts will not be tolerated, censored or not. Other loli/shota images containing nudity must be censored severely, covering the entire chest and pelvis area. Sexual objects and provocative fluids (e.g. semen, saliva) must not be present on the image.

      IV.4.1 Maximum height (portrait) and width (landscape): 600px. Please scale down high resolution images using advanced image editing software (e.g. Photoshop, GIMP); MAL compresses the images badly otherwise.
      IV.4.2 Minimum height (portrait) or width (landscape): 600px, unless no other image is available.
      IV.4.3 Do not modify images. This includes cropping the image to fit 225x350px ratios, adding or removing borders, stretching images, etc.
      IV.4.4 Please upload the best quality image you can. Compare other versions of the image on Google to ensure your source is high quality, the correct contrast levels, and the final version (e.g. some images on Amazon can be low-quality scans and/or preliminary designs used for promotional purposes).
      IV.4.5 Of 20 available images, a maximum of 10 may be DVD volume covers; at least 10 slots must be reserved for official art.
      IV.4.6 No screenshots, unless no other image is available. Likewise, Manga/novel images belong in their entries.
      IV.4.7 Where a gallery image exists both with and without the logo, the one with the logo and/or copyright will be preferred. Duplicates should be deleted.
      IV.4.8 One image with the English logo may be added; preferably, the main image.
      IV.4.9 The newest key visual of the series will be used as the entry's main image, as long as it contains:
      • the logo
      • all or most of the main characters
      • no spoilers
      • the theatrical premiere date (movies only)
      IV.4.10 If there is no official key visual at the time of announcement, adaptation announcement images by the source creator or volume cover with the news may be added. These will be removed later.

    IV.5 Airing Dates/Broadcast
    Please enter both the airing start and end dates when updating, even when the start date is already in the entry.

      IV.5.1 Airing dates and Broadcast slots follow Japanese Standard Time (JST), while converting 24+ hour days into 24 hour days. E.g. a TV series reported to begin at 25:40 JST on the 5th will have a start date on the 6th and a broadcast slot of 1:40am.

      IV.5.2 Anime that receive preview airings (including limited previews in theaters or online) will have the preview date recorded in the Preview field.

      Include the text in More Info:
      • Episode _ was streamed in advance on [date], on [streaming service]. Regular broadcasting began on [date].
      • Episode _ was previewed at a screening at [location] on [date]. Regular broadcasting began on [date].
      • Each episode was streamed [time period] in advance of the TV broadcast starting on [date], on [streaming service]. Regular broadcasting began on [date].
      • Examples: Violet Evergarden, Island, Infinite Dendogram

      IV.5.3 Incomplete OVA and ONA series will be set to Finished Airing after 18 months of inactivity (e.g. no new information or releases). If a new episode is subsequently released, the entry will be reopened.

    IV.6 Producers/Studio

      IV.6.1 Producers listed under the production committee as well as sound producers (e.g. DAX Production, Glovision) and music producers (e.g. Lantis, Avex Pictures) can be linked to the entry.
      IV.6.2 Only the animation studio(s) credited for animation work can be labeled under Studio. This means animation assistance or companies listed under other staff roles will not be credited in this field.
      e.g. While Kamikaze Douga produced the opening animation for Jojo no Kimyou Bouken TV series, David Production was the animation studio in charge of the series. Only David Production is credited as the studio.

    IV.7 Relations

      IV.7.1 The "Adaptation" relation may only be used between the Anime and Manga Databases.
      IV.7.2 Summary/recap anime episodes should only be linked to their parent anime entry, not the Manga Database.
      IV.7.3 Anime adaptations of manga or light novels should only be linked to the original source (not both); multimedia franchises based on a different source may be linked together.
      IV.7.4 If a new anime adaptation or project related to a pre-existing entry is announced with no information regarding the relation, it will be set as "Other" relation, vice versa. Do not make assumptions as to whether or not it's a sequel or a remake/reboot.

    IV.8 Rating

      IV.8.1 The R+ rating is reserved for non-hentai anime with exposed female nipples. If there is uncensored nudity in the BD/DVD release, then the entry will change to the R+ rating.
      IV.8.2 The Rx rating is reserved for erotica and hentai anime (containing exposed and mosaic-censored genitalia).
      IV.8.3 Sex scenes alone don't make an anime have an R+ or Rx rating.
      IV.8.4 If the online version of the anime is R18 while the TV version is censored, then the subscription-based platform will be deemed the intended release and the anime will retain the Rx rating. (See II.1.5) (e.g. AnimeFesta shorts)

    IV.9 Duration

      IV.8.1 If the first episode of a series is longer than the rest of the episodes, the time will be reflected into the Average Duration and mentioned under More Info. (e.g. Tantei wa Mou, Shindeiru)
      IV.8.2 If the BD/DVD release has additional footage, this will also be reflected (e.g. Miyakawa-ke no Kuufuku).

    IV.10 Source
    The source refers to what the anime is directly adapted from. For example, Sword Art Online began as a web novel, however, it was released as a light novel later, and the anime is adapted from the light novel version.

      IV.10.1 Original is only for entries which are announced as original anime.
      • If the project has manga chapters released prior to the first episode of the anime, it should still retain the Original source.
      • Movies in which the main characters are from the same franchise will not have the Original source, even if the story itself is original and not written by the creator. (e.g. Pokemon Movies, Meitantei Conan Movies)

      IV.10.2 Web Manga refers to manga that are originally published online or digitally.
      IV.10.3 Web Novels refers to novels that were first released online, and may or may not be published in print later on. This is almost always only used for donghua adaptations and not for anime, which will be based on the official print version (light novel).
      IV.10.4 Anime simultaneously announced with other media such as manga, light novel, game, drama CD, etc., will have the Mixed Media source, even if anime is the first type of media to be released in the project.
      IV.10.5 Card Game refers to physical trading card games (TCG). Mobile card collecting games do not count.


    IV.11 Theme Songs

      IV.11.1 Theme songs are labeled depending on their placement and not what they are credited as.
      • Kaguya-sama's ED2 is labeled as 劇中曲 (insert song), but is placed at the end of the episode.
      • 86's official opening song is placed at the end of the episode 1, but is labeled as オープニングテーマ (opening theme). It is labeled as ED1 on MAL.
      • The song "von" in Zankyou no Terror is not shown in the ending credits, however the song plays during the credits roll of episode 11 and is part of the soundtrack.

      IV.11.2 Movie theme song announcements will default to ending theme, unless specified.
      IV.11.3 Romanize native words in the song title while keeping the stylization of any accents, punctuation, or capitalization of roman letters. If romanized, include the native language title in parenthesis. (e.g. Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2)
      IV.11.4 Character and voice actor names will be in First Name Last Name order.
      • If the singer is credited as the character and the character's voice actor, put it as Character Name (CV: Voice Actor).
      • If the singer is credited with a group name and voice actors, put it as Group Name [Character Name (CV: Voice Actor), Character Name (CV: Voice Actor)]. (e.g. Love Live! Superstar!!)
      • If only the group name is credited, do not include the voice actors. (e.g. Ensemble Stars!)

      IV.11.5 Theme Song Changes
      • Remaster or rebroadcast theme songs will be labeled as R1, R2, ... (e.g. Gintama)
      • BD/DVD differences should be noted as (eps TV Broadcast: #-#, BD/DVD: #-#) (e.g. Bakemonogatari)
      • Japanese dub theme songs for aeni/donghua will be labeled as J1, J2, ... (e.g. Tian Guan Ci Fu)
      • All other dub theme songs will not be listed.


  • Edits to the following fields may be requested here.

    IV.12 Episodes

      IV.12.1 Episode counts are taken from official information. When this is unavailable, number of airing slots will be used in lieu of. If ambiguity still remains, the episode count will be at the discretion of the moderating team. (Also see Section II.3.4)
      IV.12.2 Broadcast episode counts will be used when there is conflict between broadcast and BD/DVD numbering (e.g. Princess Tutu). For multiple broadcasts, the first release will be used (e.g. Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan). These discrepancies should be listed in the background section and more info tab.

    IV.13 Genres

      IV.13.1 Demographics (josei/seinen/shoujo/shounen) are given to entries:
      • which are adaptations of a manga/light novel source and have a demographic in MAL's manga database. Please request any demographic changes to the manga side first in the Manga DB Modifications Thread.
      • where the project is noted to be targeted toward a specific demographic, such as in a news article or an interview.

      IV.13.2 The Kids demographic will be given to entries:
      • with a Picture Book or juvenile literature (児童文学, jidou bungaku) source.
      • which air during a children's TV program such Kinder TV.

      IV.13.3 Genres and themes should apply to at least 70-80% of the series. A few jokes to relieve tension is not comedy. A few emotional scenes is not drama. For more information on Genres/Themes, please check the Genres/Themes Review.

    IV.14 More Info

      IV.14.1 Any other information describing how MyAnimeList handles the entry information should be noted here.
      IV.14.2 Release info with special circumstances (e.g. Girls & Panzer Heartful Tank Disc: Fushou Akiyama Yukari no Sensha Kouza)
      IV.14.3 For entries with multiple specials, the episode titles and durations may be included using this format: Romanized Title (JP Title, EN Title) Duration.
      IV.14.4 License expirations

    IV.15 External Links

      V.13.1 Official site links should prioritize the Japanese official site in cases where an English version is also available. Preference will be given to an official domain over the broadcast station's page (e.g. TV Tokyo, TV Asahi)
      V.13.2 Preference will be given to EN Wikipedia.


V. Anime Background Information
This section is for encyclopedic information on the entry, written in full sentences, which expands upon the existing database information. Data which is better suited for tables, lists, and/or point-form notes should be added to More Info.

A non-exhaustive list of points which should (not) be included are as follows:

V.1 Sources & Adaptations
If the entry is a:
    V.1.1 Original work: all adaptations may be listed, excluding those already linked in the entry relations. Fine details about the subsequent adaptations (e.g. directors, live-action actors, awards, etc.) should not be included unless they are highly notable.
    V.1.2 Anime/Manga/Light Novel adaptation: Information about the source and subsequent adaptations should not be listed.
    V.1.3 Other adaptations (e.g. visual novel, web novel, rpg): Source information should be given, omitting irrelevant details. Other adaptations should not be listed.

V.2 Source Material Coverage
    V.2.1 The amount of the source material that was adapted should be included. If the source material was fully adapted, this may also be mentioned. This information should come last in the Background. Examples:
    • "The adaptation starts at volume __, chapter __ and ends at volume __, chapter __ of the manga/light novel."
    • "Chapters __ to __ were skipped." OR "Volume __ was skipped."
    • "The adaptation fully covers the manga/light novel."
    V.2.2 Deviations which alter the core story from the source material should be given, without event details. For example, "An original ending was written for the series."
    V.2.3 Some embellishments or omissions are expected for adaptations; these are not worth detailing and should not be included.

V.3 Licenses
North American licensing information should only be given in unusual circumstances (e.g. only a selection of episodes were licensed, not all). Worldwide licenses should not be given. Expired license will be placed in More Info.

V.4 Impact
    V.4.1 Industry awards and rankings should be included. See the News Guidelines for a selection.
    V.4.2 Significant sales achievements, such as placing 4th on Oricon's Yearly BD Rankings, are also acceptable. For movies, final box office earnings in Japan should be noted.
    V.4.3 Numerical data, such as viewership ratings or cumulative sales, may be included when highly notable.
    V.4.4 Reviewer opinions, fan/community polls, and other non-industry related rankings should be omitted.

VI.5 Concept, Production Information
Only statements which can be sourced to the creators will be accepted. Please provide links to the source(s) at the end of each background submission for easy moderator verification.

VI.6 Broadcast/Re-masters
    V.6.1 Japanese airing blocks, such as noitaminA or Super Ultra Anime Time, should be included.
    V.6.2 Unusual broadcast information, such as a series not airing chronologically, may be noted.
    V.6.3 Pre-airing information, episode delays, and other broadcasting changes should be reserved for More Info due to their commonplace and time-relevant nature.
    V.6.4 Re-masters or director cuts should be included.

VI.7 Seiyuu of Source Material
If the original seiyuu from the source material reprise their roles in the anime, this can be noted in one sentence. For example, "The original cast from the visual novel reprised their roles in the anime." If they differ, this should also be noted. Seiyuu names should be omitted.


VI. Episodes Information

VI.1 Episode Titles
    VI.1.1 An episode's main title should always be in English (where possible) instead of being romanized. Our preference order goes as: North American distribution title, licensed streaming title, English title given by the creator(s), fansub titles.
    VI.1.2 The Japanese title should be included when possible. Episode titles are often at the start of an episode and/or on the anime's official website.
    VI.1.3 Romanize the Japanese title using MAL's house style.

VI.2 Synopsis
The same rules apply here as for section IV.1 (Anime Information, Synopsis).

VI.3 Episode Type
    VI.3.1 Main type is reserved for most episodes of the entry.
    VI.3.2 Filler episodes are extra side-story episodes added to pad out the space between adapted and source content. If only half of the episode is filler, don't check this type.
    VI.3.3 Recap episodes with a full episode number (not half) should be indicated if the recap portion is more than half of the episode. See also II.6 Specials.

VI.4 Duration
Episode durations should be given exactly, using an official streaming service, its disc (DVD/BD) release, and/or official website.

VI.5 Air Dates
The same rules apply here as for section IV.5 (Anime Information, Air Dates/Broadcast).


VII. Promotional Videos

VII.1 Automatic Denial
    VII.1.1 An anime's opening (OP) or endings (ED) are not allowed here.
    VII.2.1 No music videos (MVs), anime music videos (AMVs) or whole episodes are allowed.
    VII.3.1 Promotional videos are not allowed for manga or music entries.
VII.2 Title
Specifics to be detailed at a later date.
tingySep 28, 2023 5:49 PM
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