# Basics

#### A Google Docs version of these guidelines can be viewed [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z9G4aiP9byETptaCA1iTELUKKMWMLIPrJZkxE6l-dqk/edit?usp=sharing).

## What is it?

The "Background" section of any anime/manga contains encyclopedic information about the series, expanding upon the database entry's information.

## What exactly can be put here?

Any information **externally related** to the anime/manga that falls under the categories of Section V of the [Anime Guidelines](https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=141101) or Section VI of the [Manga Guidelines](https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=141104), respectively. Such details are informative about the series' development, relations, and/or legacy. How this is achieved will be elaborated on in the following sections.

## General Guidelines

While there is no specific way to approach writing background information, it is good to know that there are certain rules to keep in mind before adding any details. This will help maintain consistency between Background sections across all database entries.

* Before writing, double-check if the information that will be considered for background information approval is **already documented** on the **main entry page** and/or in the **More Info section** of the database entry. If it is in one of these locations, then avoid including the information.
* In the synopsis Google Docs document, **omit the template text** ("This is optional. Either the Writer or Editor...") if the Background Information section will be filled out.
* All information must be **written in full sentences** and follow the Style Guide.

{% content-ref url="<https://app.gitbook.com/o/-MiIw7q7q3zgWF8nL3Pg/s/0kTqThvC0LoFz2I19EOr/>" %}
[Style Guide](https://app.gitbook.com/o/-MiIw7q7q3zgWF8nL3Pg/s/0kTqThvC0LoFz2I19EOr/)
{% endcontent-ref %}

* **Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated.** Please do not copy/paste information or use AI to generate background information. (IV.2 and V.2 of Anime and Manga DB Guidelines, respectively.)
* **A maximum of three paragraphs can be included in the section**. The limit helps keep information concise and presentable to the reader.
* **A source must be provided**; these websites are often utilized in background information research:
  1. [English Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page) / [Japanese Wikipedia](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8)
  2. [natalie.mu](https://natalie.mu/)
  3. The official website of the anime/manga (if available)

{% hint style="info" %}
Encyclopedic websites such as AnimeNewsNetwork (ANN) and English/Japanese Wikipedia are good places to start, but they should **always** be cross-referenced with reliable Japanese sources.\
\
**Note**: Try to avoid referencing websites that allow editing access to anybody—oftentimes, information written by various users is not sourced and can potentially be false. Fandom and AniDB are some examples.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
For statements that disclose details relating to the production of the entry, they must be directly sourced back to the creators themselves. (VI.5 of Anime and Manga DB Guidelines) **No exceptions!** See the Resources section for more information.
{% endhint %}

{% content-ref url="resources" %}
[resources](https://malrewrite.gitbook.io/important-docs/important-documents/background-information/resources)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Writing Background Information

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Asterisk" %}
When the background information section is filled out, an **asterisk** (\*) **should be placed next to the synopsis link** on the Synopsis Tracker. This makes it more convenient for the database moderators to be notified if the synopsis has background information as well as double-check if such information exists on future visits.<br>

![Add an asterisk after "link" in the Google Doc column of the Synopsis Tracker. In this example, the asterisk indicates that Non Non Biyori: Okinawa e Ikukoto ni Natta has background information while Yuru Camp Season 2 does not.](https://572218570-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjrRW75OGKEh10IU0gfmV%2Fuploads%2FqI5t9vsaYc5NnF6DnDR5%2FBGInfoAsterisk.PNG?alt=media\&token=daf54baa-9d07-4b8d-8f7b-08d96d98875f)
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Sources" %}
Sources should be placed in a **Google Docs comment** rather than within the content of the background information.

![Depending on your role, highlight the appropriate position (or your username if a comment has already been made in these spots). Then click the dialog box next to Share and press the icon with a plus at the top right to create a new comment.](https://572218570-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjrRW75OGKEh10IU0gfmV%2Fuploads%2FhJAFyezwO2PM2PRjIfjN%2FSources.PNG?alt=media\&token=f70e39d7-912e-478d-bfde-07073ba19d77)
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Separate Comment" %}
**List any and all sources in this separate comment.** Specifying what is obtained from the source is not required, but it may prove helpful for organizational purposes and when double-checking gathered information.

![Including clarifications can help you keep track of information, especially when citing multiple sources.](https://572218570-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjrRW75OGKEh10IU0gfmV%2Fuploads%2FoQjQp7aEc0UE3030nF5q%2FSourcesCommentExample.PNG?alt=media\&token=77d4a46f-fe35-4760-a30e-fd2f98a68b36)
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Existing Info" %}
If an entry already contains background information and you would like to add more to it, **ensure that the existing content is incorporated**. In addition, **remark in the separate comment** that you retrieved it from the current MAL entry. You can also simply edit the existing background info as well and insert the updated version in the document.<br>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip**: While it can be assumed that existing background information has been reviewed by database moderators, it is a good practice to verify the information yourself. If you find any errors with the content and/or formatting, note them and any changes you made to address the issues in the separate comment.
{% endhint %}

![The first paragraph of the Noir background information was already present before writing; adjustments were made by the writer when they added new information.
](https://572218570-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjrRW75OGKEh10IU0gfmV%2Fuploads%2FbnstvgZ3qocD16VQR6jB%2FExistingBGInfo1.PNG?alt=media\&token=c3151c64-eeea-4072-8d29-fd92e7a9fbd4)

![The accompanying separate comment addressing the changes.](https://572218570-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjrRW75OGKEh10IU0gfmV%2Fuploads%2FQFHnHtB5Um8U59b2uKe5%2FExistingBGInfo2.PNG?alt=media\&token=1e404070-e40a-4402-9a1c-454101a609f5)
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Editing Background Information

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Review" %}
Whether it is the writer of the synopsis or any editors that author the background information, it is recommended that it be **proofread and considered for edits in tandem with the main synopsis**. If for any reason it is not, the reviewing coordinator will fulfill this part.<br>

![When the Background Information section is edited by someone other than the author, write your username to indicate changes have been made.](https://572218570-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjrRW75OGKEh10IU0gfmV%2Fuploads%2FtcXmt4TFS6VtPh18Geha%2FReviewBGInfo.PNG?alt=media\&token=d6cd5b66-bba7-4559-a680-4e57f46035e9)
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Edits" %}
If any edits are done to the background information section, **changes should be made directly instead of using the Suggestions tool**. It makes it easier for the database moderators to copy/paste the information straight into the database entry.\
\
Furthermore, **briefly document what edits have been made** to inform everyone in the editing process. This can be done as a separate comment or as a reply to the comment containing the sources (only if you are the author of the background information or the one who provided the sources).<br>

![|
v](https://572218570-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjrRW75OGKEh10IU0gfmV%2Fuploads%2FEnIXwZQcY7wVotCWcgEr%2FEditBGInfo.PNG?alt=media\&token=f7f63a26-e306-4f57-9913-45293491434b)

![Edits were noted in the separate comment.](https://572218570-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjrRW75OGKEh10IU0gfmV%2Fuploads%2FMehId70Z32MSbigGH5NZ%2FEditBGInfoComment.PNG?alt=media\&token=d639459e-794e-49e6-acb8-5c4cd6c95570)
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Structure

When including multiple information types for an entry, it may be difficult to decide how to organize it. For certain types of information, the Anime and Manga DB Guidelines specify where they belong (ex: [Kanojo, Okarishimasu 3rd Season](https://myanimelist.net/anime/53050/), for V.2.1 of the Anime DB Guidelines). However, in most cases, there is no clear indication. In order to make your task easier, see below for a general outline of organizing the information based on the most frequent scenarios.

<table><thead><tr><th width="104">Type</th><th width="195">Paragraph 1</th><th width="153">Paragraph 2</th><th width="156">Paragraph 3</th><th>Example</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Anime</strong></td><td><p></p><ul><li>Awards/Nominations/Rankings</li><li>Broadcast/Re-master</li><li>Production/Concept</li><li>Source</li></ul></td><td><p></p><ul><li>Blu-ray/DVD Release Info</li><li>Licenses</li></ul></td><td><p></p><ul><li>Adaptations</li><li>Source Material Coverage</li></ul></td><td><a href="https://myanimelist.net/anime/9756/Mahou_Shoujo_Madoka%E2%98%85Magica">Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Manga</strong></td><td><p></p><ul><li>Awards/Nominations/Rankings</li><li>Circulation</li><li>Web release information (dates, platform)</li><li>Hiatus/Discontinuation</li><li>Source<mark style="color:red;">*</mark></li></ul></td><td><p></p><ul><li>International Licenses</li><li>Re-issues/Special Editions</li></ul></td><td><p></p><ul><li>Adaptations</li><li>Production/Concept</li><li>Source Material Coverage<mark style="color:red;">*</mark></li></ul></td><td><a href="https://myanimelist.net/manga/130231/">Chitose-kun wa Ramune Bin no Naka</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

<mark style="color:red;">\*</mark>Generally, manga entries are original, so cases when they adapt other works are relatively rare.

The above outline should help guide you in writing your background information; **it is not mandatory to follow it closely**. The order of the background information section can and will differ depending on the entry, such as [Ni no Kuni](https://myanimelist.net/anime/39235/Ni_no_Kuni), [Shoujo Kakumei Utena](https://myanimelist.net/manga/772/), and [Save Me](https://myanimelist.net/manga/137309/). Ultimately, structure your text according to the entry's circumstances.

## More Info Section

Be aware of the More Info section, which appears as the last tab if the database entry has one. This section is reserved for details that are more technical in nature and thus it would not be appropriate to put them in the Background section.

![If the database entry has a More Info section, it will appear as the last tab.](https://572218570-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjrRW75OGKEh10IU0gfmV%2Fuploads%2FqRq4s675Y6DtzpT3vROX%2FKimiNoNaWaMoreInfoTab.PNG?alt=media\&token=7efb91ae-7eea-4ddb-9815-6e8602cf10d2)

![In the Kimi no Na Wa More Info section, information about a preview screening is listed.](https://572218570-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjrRW75OGKEh10IU0gfmV%2Fuploads%2FCoi8FDqWKWtLUMQT0Vs8%2FKimiNoNaWaMoreInfo.PNG?alt=media\&token=92b0346d-2d74-4c0d-b3a3-567b4d8fc213)

You will want to avoid repeating information that is already present in this section. If you find information that you want to include in the More Info section, follow the same writing process as described earlier in this section and leave a Google Docs comment about it. However, you must also follow the [Manga](https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=515955) (Section V.11) and [Anime](https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=141101) (Section IV.14) database guidelines relating to the More Info section.

In cases where details are written for both the Background and More Info sections, clearly label what information will be included for the latter. It is preferred that details for the More Info sections go after the listed background information.

<figure><img src="https://572218570-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjrRW75OGKEh10IU0gfmV%2Fuploads%2FPzZTRd6h4EsgTP4nl9jS%2FRegaliaMoreInfo.PNG?alt=media&#x26;token=32fd952a-c0a2-40ba-a50d-7a7a4efdddb0" alt=""><figcaption><p>Background Information and More Info sections for <em>Regalia: The Three Sacred Stars</em>.</p></figcaption></figure>

Follow a similar procedure if the included information is only intended for the More Info section.

<figure><img src="https://572218570-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjrRW75OGKEh10IU0gfmV%2Fuploads%2FFt137LVZYkuj5NRETKIb%2FTeppenMoreInfo.PNG?alt=media&#x26;token=380b3a09-4e73-4f74-ac49-27afaaaeb843" alt=""><figcaption><p>More Info for <em>Teppen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</em>.</p></figcaption></figure>

**For additional questions, feel free to contact** [**KTGita22**](https://myanimelist.net/profile/KTGita22)**.**