The FAQ
- What is this place?
- Exactly what the name suggests, an anime database. It's my pet project, my playground. It's the latest incarnation of a long-running project that I started in the early '90s with a Filemaker Pro file.
- Why is it here?
- Why not? It's as simple as that. I love anime, I love coding, I love databases, and I love collecting information. Why not combine them? It's also an excuse to experiment with PHP, SQL, CSS and Javascript, and show off my mad skillz.
- What will I find here?
- Information about anime. The shows themselves, the characters, the mecha, the cast members and staff, the songs. All the information I've managed to gather. I can't guarantee it's complete, but it's always growing.
- What won't I find here?
-
To put it simply, anything that isn't anime. Specifically:
- Manga, etc.
It's common for anime to be based on a manga, video game, book, etc., and sometimes vice versa. However, even in these cases, the anime and manga are separate, distinct entities, and don't always match. This DB is only concerned with the anime. - Animation that isn't anime
Anime-style != anime. Anime is, by definition, Japanese animation, so you won't find Chinese, Korean or Western stuff here, even if it's done in an anime-like style.
Stuff produced in Japan for the Western market, like the old show Mighty Orbots (does anyone but me remember that? Anyone?) and collaborative efforts, like the Shunmao stuff, are a bit of a grey area, and I haven't decided what to do with them. - Any version other than the original japanese
Yes, that means dubs. I'm only interested in the genuine article, not the imitations. Regardless of your opinion of the previous statement, it's a fact that makers of dub versions, and sometimes even subtitled versions*, have the annoying habit of changing things- Names, episode titles, sometimes even major plot points. Directors like to "make it their own", rather than stay true to the original. This DB is only concerned with the original, and I don't want my DB cluttered up with inaccurate or unreliable information.
I include the US-release titles (if they changed them) for the sake of those who aren't familiar with the Japanese release, but that's all.
- Manga, etc.
- How do you determine what does/doesn't go in here?
-
Most of this is self-explanatory, but you never know who might ask.
- Anime:
An animated show/video produced by a Japanese company for the Japanese market. - Characters:
- They must have appeared onscreen in an anime. It doesn't matter if they never spoke. It doesn't matter if it was only for ten seconds. They just have to stay onscreen long enough to be identified.
- They must have a name. This probably sounds like a no-brainer, but there are a ton of characters that are only identified as "The Principal", "So-and-so's mother", etc. Nameless characters are listed in the cast list for the anime they're in, but do not have their own character records. - Mecha:
Pretty much the same as characters. They must have appeared onscreen, and have some sort of unique name/serial number/identifier. Sentient mechs have both mecha and character records. - Seiyuu:
They must have had a speaking role (named character or not) in an anime. These aren't all necessarily voice actors. It's not unheard of for a film actor, singer, etc. (and at least one pro-wrestler!) to have a cameo part. In these cases, the DB is only concerned with the anime roles. - Staff:
They must be listed in the credits as having a production role in an anime. - Song:
The song must have have been played during an anime (e.g. opening/ending), or be included on a CD associated with an anime (e.g. image songs).
- Anime:
- Where do you get all the information?
- Everywhere I can. The anime itself, magazines like Animedia and Anime-V, artbooks, other websites, etc.
- Why isn't there a page on [insert anime here]?
- Probably because I don't have any information on it. Do you have some? Gimme.
- Can I add or edit information?
- No. This is not a wiki, it's one person's pet project. My project, mine mine mine, and you can't have any.
- I noticed a mistake or typo, or I have information that you're missing.
- Gimme. Especially if you have the kanji for names that are missing them.
- Why are some OAV series listed in one record, and some listed individually?
- It depends on how the series episodes are named. Series that have episode numbers are listed in a single record. Series that only have episode names are listed individually. In the case of anthology-type series or where there's a significant enough difference in the cast or staff to warrant it, episodes are listed individually, even if episode numbers are used. It just boils down to what makes the most sense at the time.
- What do you mean by "long title" vs. "short title"?
- The best way to explain this is with an example. Take the anime Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon, for example. That is the complete title, but it's usually only referred to as Sailor Moon. If you were looking for this, most people would look in the "S" section, rather than the "B". In this DB, "long title" refers to the complete title and "short title" refers to the part that actually gets used. In many cases, they're the same.
- What is "ecchi"?
- As far this DB goes, "Ecchi" refers to anime that don't quite have enough sexual content to qualify as "Adult". Generally, it means they revolve around nudity and titillation (e.g. bare boobs and underwear shots) but do not contain graphic sex acts. It's a bit of a subjective judgment, I admit, and there are probably anime that could fall into either category.
- Why do you call them "seiyuu" instead of "voice actors"?
- Because I like it.