OVAs, ONAs, and Specials
Last updated
Last updated
Reminder: OVAs cannot be claimed unless they are marked as Finished on MAL.
These types of entries can have content related to another series of the same medium (sequel, prequel, etc.) or be a standalone story. Their length and structure may also vary from single episodes to full series. Depending on the case, please consult the previous sections for more details.
A majority of OVAs, ONAs, and specials are considered side stories, which have an independent plot from the parent series. Just as for any entry related to a parent series, the main focus should be on the content of the entry in question. If necessary, refer to the parent series as vaguely as possible.
(Fictional) Examples
One morning, Hachiman Hikigaya—who joined the Volunteer Service Club as punishment from his teacher—contemplates the superfluous nature of marriage and its misleading image of happiness.
The information about why Hachiman joined the Volunteer Service Club appears in the parent series. However, this detail is not relevant to the OVA's plot.
Before Sasuke Uchiha left their squad, Naruto Uzumaki enjoys a barbecue alongside his team members; during their meal, they stumble upon a strange old bottle that houses a genie!
The detail of Sasuke leaving Konohagakure is not only irrelevant to the OVA but is also a spoiler.
At the same time, there are situations where information from the parent series is unavoidable.
Examples
However, despite living this far from her hometown of Tokyo, Hotaru Ichijou manages to find a group of friends whom she can spend quality time with. ()
This OVA centers around Hotaru. Specifying that she comes from Tokyo helps the reader understand that she is adjusting to a new life.
Upon transferring to Hyakkaou Private Academy, where a student's worth is determined by their wits through gambling, she seizes a glorious win against a classmate. ()
It is relevant to the context to highlight that Hyakkaou Private Academy promotes gambling activities.
The extremely talented siblings Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba shine bright in their own right as they start their second year at First High School, the premier institute for magicians. Seeing as the pair are inseparable, it seems unimaginable that their loving bond did not exist just four years ago. ()
The first sentence references the start of the parent series before shifting focus to describe the events that occurred four years prior.
Some entries may be better structured using the list format. This is often the case when episodes or a group of episodes within the same series are independent of each other.
Examples
However, you can still choose to write the synopsis following the standard format.
Examples
This also includes promotional videos and commercials. For commercials that fall under the Music entry type, refer to the Music Videos section for further details.
It is easy to include spoilers given their length. Do your best to be creative in describing the major events/themes. It is perfectly acceptable to have a low word count when appropriate.
Examples
For any OVA, ONA, or special that does not follow any of the above, please refer to the Other section for more information.