Background Information

📖Manga

Below are templates for commonly found background information aspects for manga entries. It is recommended to adhere to the phrasings as close as possible for consistency, but deviations can be made if necessary to preserve flow or if certain details cannot be found.

Template phrasings in red are necessary information to include. Text in green is optional.

Awards

Phrasing: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] won PRIZE TYPE at* AWARD.

Notes: *Change to the appropriate preposition whenever it is necessary.

Major Japanese awards should be prioritized; some notable awards can be found in the MAL News Guidelines, under Section III. In some cases, recognized international awards may be included.

Some notable awards include:

  • Shougakukan Manga Awards

  • Manga Taisho Award

  • Kodansha Manga Awards

  • Japan Media Arts Festival Awards

  • Seiun Awards

  • Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Awards

Any nominations of the above may be mentioned as well.

(VI.4.1 of the Manga Guidelines)

Examples:

Rankings

Phrasing: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] ranked POSITION in the SURVEY NAME for the DIVISION/CATEGORY NAME.

Notes: Fan/community polls and reviewer opinions do not count. Significant sales achievements, such as placing high on Oricon's Yearly Manga Rankings, can be noted. Kono Manga ga Sugoi! and Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Awards are also included in this category.

(VI.4.2 and VI.4.3 of the Manga Guidelines)

Examples:

International Licenses

Phrasings:

  • Ongoing Publication: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] has been published in LANGUAGE as [i]SERIES TITLE IN SPECIFIED LANGUAGE[/i] by LICENSOR under the IMPRINT NAME imprint since DATE.

  • Completed Publication: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] was published in LANGUAGE as [i]SERIES TITLE IN SPECIFIED LANGUAGE[/i] by LICENSOR under the IMPRINT NAME imprint from DATE, to DATE.

Notes:

If the translated series title is the same as the original Japanese title, then it should not be included.

Information about digital releases should only be given if the publication precedes the print version by more than two months or the print release date is unknown.

For an ongoing publication, if the publication date of the final volume is listed to be released more than two months from the time of writing, do not use the completed publication phrasing; use the ongoing publication template. This is because such a projected release date is likely to change, and, in the case it does, it will cause the background information to present inaccurate details in the future.

Common English Licensors: Kodansha Comics USA, Seven Seas Entertainment, Tokyopop, Vertical Inc., Viz Media, Yen Press.

(VI.3 of the Manga Guidelines)

Examples:

Original Source from Web Novel Website

Phrasing: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] began as a web novel on WEB NOVEL WEBSITE under the title "ROMANIZED TITLE" (KANJI OF JP TITLE)* on DATE. PUBLISHER has released a revised and illustrated version of the series since DATE, under its LIGHT NOVEL LABEL label.

Notes: *Only use this if the web novel title differs from the light novel.

Light Novels and Novels ONLY. The use of quotation marks in this case is an exception to the Style Guide's rule, where quotation marks should only be used for titles of individual songs and albums.

(VI.6.5 of the Manga Guidelines)

Examples:

Original Source from Web Manga

Phrasing: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] is a web manga released on the author's Twitter/pixiv/etc account(s)* since DATE. Official serialization began in MAGAZINE on DATE.

Notes: *Choose which accounts are applicable.

(VI.6.5 of the Manga Guidelines)

Examples:

Original Source from Other Media

Phrasing: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] is an adaptation of TYPE OF MEDIA.

Notes:

If the source material is eligible* for the MAL database, you can mention it only in ambiguous cases, such as a manga being serialized before an anime that is an original work.

*Eligible source material refers to an anime, light novel, another manga, etc., that qualifies for its own MAL database entry.

Source materials that can be mentioned include video games, visual novels, live-action series, drama CDs, etc.

(VI.1.2 and VI.1.3 of the Manga Guidelines)

Examples:

Adaptations

Phrasing: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] was adapted into ADAPTATION TYPE.

Notes: If the manga/light novel was published after the first iteration of the franchise, no adaptation information should be included. (Ex. Lycoris Recoil)

One way to help determine if the manga is the first iteration is to check the Related section, particularly Alternative Version and Adaptation. The former may point to a light novel or another manga adaptation; the latter will refer to an anime entry. The first iteration will have the earliest release date. If the entry in question does not have this, it is likely that it is not the first iteration. Cross-check with reliable external sources to support your conclusion.

Do not mention adaptations that already have or will receive a MAL entry, most notably anime adaptations. See Q6 in the FAQ section and section VI.1 of Manga Guidelines for more information.

Examples:

Inspiration

Phrasing: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] inspired TITLE OF WORK/FRANCHISE.

Examples:

Additional Releases

Phrasing: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] was re-released in a NEW FORMAT.

Notes: Release information about tankoubon volumes should not be included; it is a common practice for publishers to release tankoubon volumes after the series' magazine serialization. This does not apply to manhwa and manhua, and such info can be placed in the BG info.

However, other special releases can be included, such as aizoubans, kanzenbans, bunkobans, etc.

For re-issue or special edition publications, their release dates are not necessary and should not be included. You may include other details about the new edition; adjust the wording accordingly to fit the entry's circumstances.

(VI.6.3 and VI.6.4 of the Manga Guidelines)

Example:

Hiatus

Phrasing:

  1. [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] was temporarily put on hiatus on DATE due to REASON. The manga continued serialization on DATE.

  2. [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] was placed on indefinite hiatus since DATE due to REASON.

Notes: Depending on the entry's circumstances, the template should be adjusted accordingly.

(VI.6.1 of the Manga Guidelines)

Examples:

Discontinuation

Phrasing: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] was discontinued due to REASON.

(VI.6.1 of the Manga Guidelines)

Examples:

Circulation

Phrasing: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] has over TOTAL COPIES SOLD in circulation as of MONTH YEAR.

Notes: Only for entries with notable cumulative sales.

(VI.4.2 of the Manga Guidelines)

Examples:

Simulpub

Phrasing:

  • Ongoing Publication: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] has been simulpub digitally in LANGUAGE as [i]SERIES IN SPECIFIED LANGUAGE[/i] by COMPANY/through NAME OF SERVICE.

  • Completed Publication: [i]SERIES TITLE[/i] was simulpub digitally in LANGUAGE as [i]SERIES IN SPECIFIED LANGUAGE[/i] by COMPANY/through NAME OF SERVICE.

Notes:

If the translated series title is the same as the original Japanese title, then it should not be included.

Simulpub refers to the simultaneous publication of the series (usually North American release) alongside the original release. For example, if the Japanese release is scheduled for Tuesdays at 12:00 AM, the NA release will coincide with it.

Examples:

Other Examples for References

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