# Claiming a Series

Once you have decided on a series that you want to claim, visit the Synopses Tracker and search both the Synopses in Progress and Archive sheets for the name of that series. If it exists in either sheet, then it is no longer eligible to be claimed. If the series—or that specific adaptation—is on neither sheet, then you can go ahead and claim it.

{% hint style="warning" %}
The titles of some database entries may change over time, so it may be appropriate to search both sheets with the alternative titles found in the Synonyms section as well.
{% endhint %}

In the example below, the synopsis was written when the entry was titled *Resetting Lady*; but following the manhwa's English licensing in 2023, the database title was changed to *The Crimson Lady*.

<figure><img src="https://1843305893-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FudAOxy9UG5xkLqT8SJvd%2Fuploads%2FN2rFxcf6FaPsIEViYGyQ%2FChangingTitleExample.png?alt=media&#x26;token=37b256d5-4132-4cdd-8c93-6136d3fd282a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Two examples of series with multiple adaptations that should receive a different Rewrite synopsis per title are listed below.
{% endhint %}

{% embed url="<https://myanimelist.net/anime/9756/>" %}

<figure><img src="https://1843305893-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FudAOxy9UG5xkLqT8SJvd%2Fuploads%2Fk3bDknfUS17f4tuWrpGW%2FMadokaRelatedAnime.PNG?alt=media&#x26;token=303bb461-1b06-4de3-9eb0-8d1a42a04f5b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% embed url="<https://myanimelist.net/anime/16498/>" %}

<figure><img src="https://1843305893-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FudAOxy9UG5xkLqT8SJvd%2Fuploads%2F39L0ZxVYbmPe4WHbTEZI%2FShingekiRelatedAnime.PNG?alt=media&#x26;token=c7566eb3-0936-47b2-9216-3846153afffd" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="danger" %}
Please note that **you must have personally watched at least THREE episodes or read at least THREE chapters of a series before you can claim it.**  For a series with three or fewer episodes or chapters, **you must watch or read it in its entirety**.
{% endhint %}

However, if the preliminary episodes of an anime or chapters of a manga are solely comprised of flashbacks or standalone events, then the synopsis should focus on the main events of the series. In these cases, knowledge of three episodes/chapters may be insufficient to write an apt synopsis. Ultimately, strive for accuracy while avoiding spoilers.

You cannot claim an unreleased series. Any and all series claimed before three episodes/chapters have even been released can be reported for violating our club's rules, and you will have to remove your claim.

Anthologies and OVAs are special cases, in that you cannot claim them until they are marked as Finished on MAL.

<figure><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/8tmRDUEqLm2O6IGOrfdzlS09XDNFacGE6-nMWubg348Q5qg5tetZfioV50fEpaZi8max__krJQVR4oV0JokMsn2-lQAHjBlo0h_1oKPsH_ztUsQR3NG8v3YZV1Ozlfue0V2U8YnRslGcuvdhfsm41vk__3Kmq5CeUDpNXaNGBdExRaHU_8WuKdIbpP9_OQ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://1843305893-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FudAOxy9UG5xkLqT8SJvd%2Fuploads%2FfBay8CwELpu8nX6BHeuy%2FOVA.png?alt=media&#x26;token=19452971-b6c3-4c8e-9e45-b7030c3b8d70" alt=""><figcaption><p>Status can be found under <strong>Information</strong> at the left side of the page for manga and anime on MAL.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Ongoing Seasonal Anime

{% hint style="info" %}
If you are interested in writing a synopsis for one of your favorite up-and-coming shows, consult the link below.
{% endhint %}

{% content-ref url="<https://app.gitbook.com/o/-MiIw7q7q3zgWF8nL3Pg/s/KWAri3VRjTjQpQGry1Zn/>" %}
[Ongoing Seasonal Anime](https://app.gitbook.com/o/-MiIw7q7q3zgWF8nL3Pg/s/KWAri3VRjTjQpQGry1Zn/)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Next steps

Now, read about the writing process to learn how to enter your claim into the Synopses Tracker.

{% content-ref url="filling-out-the-tracker-step-by-step" %}
[filling-out-the-tracker-step-by-step](https://malrewrite.gitbook.io/important-docs/important-documents/writer-instructions/contents/the-writing-process/filling-out-the-tracker-step-by-step)
{% endcontent-ref %}

After that, go ahead and copy the document template in which you will write your synopsis.

{% content-ref url="creating-the-synopsis-document" %}
[creating-the-synopsis-document](https://malrewrite.gitbook.io/important-docs/important-documents/writer-instructions/contents/the-writing-process/creating-the-synopsis-document)
{% endcontent-ref %}