> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/getting-started-with-simkl/basic-navigation/anime-tracking/anime-seasons/anime-relations/quick-question-is-it-a-season-part-sequel-ova-or-movie.md).

# Quick Question: Is It a Season, Part, Sequel, OVA, or Movie?

Anime Seasons, Parts, Sequels & Movies: How Should They Be Counted?

One of the most common sources of confusion when tracking anime is how different parts of the same franchise are organized.

You may watch an anime on a streaming service and see:

> Season 1\
> Season 2\
> Season 3

But when you open the same franchise on SIMKL, you may find several separate entries instead:

> Original Series → Sequel Series → Movie → OVA → Another Sequel

## So which way is correct? Is it on SIMKL or TMDB or IMDB?

#### 1. Attack On Titan: <https://simkl.com/5743957/list/12209/anime-guide-watch-order-attack-on-titan>&#x20;

Attack on Titan demonstrates just how complicated the word "season" can become.

The franchise contains entries representing:

* Main television seasons
* Later parts of seasons
* OVAs
* Side stories
* Compilation movies
* Specials
* Final-story presentations

For example, you may encounter titles such as:

> Attack on Titan\
> Attack on Titan OAD\
> Attack on Titan: No Regrets\
> Attack on Titan: Junior High\
> Attack on Titan: Wings of Freedom\
> Attack on Titan Season 2\
> Attack on Titan Season 3 (Part 1)\
> Attack on Titan: Lost Girls\
> Attack on Titan Season 3 (Part 2)\
> Attack on Titan: Chronicle\
> Attack on Titan Final Season\
> Attack on Titan: The Last Attack

Trying to force every one of these entries into a single "Season 1–5" structure would lose useful information about what each production actually is.

Some entries continue the central story, some retell existing material, and others are side stories or alternative productions.

This is precisely where **Anime Relations** becomes valuable.

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FANI7HI2xWxZn7whd1pAH%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=3b6e86c8-8324-40bf-b8f1-96376516be15" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FBvPnijD9XZwLd5TG2sJ5%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=6cc87570-6e15-4938-9625-911444d2ce18" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

> Where is The Last Attack? on TMDB?

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FTgv1QAN0FNY60fSm4LK9%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=b58856a7-7582-4774-9d4c-f1d7691bdd35" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FQAcbeKQZCZrOcuyhcvot%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=bc325ad8-ce75-42a2-bbee-fd9cf9d53ad4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### 2. Demon Slayer: <https://simkl.com/5743957/list/180157/anime-guide-watch-order-demon-slayer>

Demon Slayer is an excellent example of why anime cannot always be represented cleanly as one conventional television show.

A viewer may think of the franchise simply as:

> Season 1 → Season 2 → Season 3 → Season 4...

However, its anime releases include television series, separately named story arcs, specials and theatrical movies.

You may therefore encounter entries such as:

* **Demon Slayer**
* **Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc**
* **Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc**
* **Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc**
* **Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc**
* **Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle**
* OVAs, specials and related productions

Some of these continue the main storyline directly even though they do not all share the same media format.

For example, a **Movie** can be the next major canonical chapter after a **TV series**.

That means:

> **Different entry does not necessarily mean unrelated story.**

And:

> **Different format does not necessarily mean optional content.**

The **Anime Relations** system is therefore important for understanding how these individual entries connect.

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FbIJZTUUyMnSURRC1QegB%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=e74fd57f-4174-49d1-a93a-e7acf78f1367" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FR2ken5A2uWkDOI4Eeu7H%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=b23ff162-b970-4c39-a51d-d83d1f183c1d" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

> Where is Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle 3 Movies? on TMDB.

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FmIL0HBLu1w03wh4DGMtW%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=64174aa5-0e45-4f86-808d-fd29e20aaa92" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FM6gDahLFIQj17pWdKHyY%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=d6ff20ef-ea25-4947-b919-4aefe039501a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### 3. Solo Leveling: <https://simkl.com/5743957/list/180567/anime-guide-watch-order-solo-leveling>

A franchise can also appear much simpler while still being represented as separate anime productions.

For example:

1. **Solo Leveling**
2. **Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow**
3. A later sequel or movie

Even though viewers naturally refer to the first two as "Season 1" and "Season 2," each can have its own anime entry.

SIMKL can still identify their relationship and, where applicable, display corresponding season information.

This allows users to preserve the anime's individual metadata while still understanding its position within the larger franchise.

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FmtVcKtT3qtVu4SSSzU9v%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=c57b64ee-0e10-471f-a9e1-941b69e1dcb4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2F9mC2JlxbZuihYed70rLP%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=fceac2a1-78c4-4817-9cf4-c602293df0be" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

> Where is Solo Leveling Season 2? and Part 3 Movie? on TMDB.

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FRfmZuStOCOiNq4dPMUUI%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=5651c971-00c5-462b-a803-ff32b2f34efa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FdPXRuCFzG2A0BXSNlIYU%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=324c16b4-8f28-4b0b-9c43-467c424c811b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

The difference comes from how anime is produced, released, marketed, and cataloged in Japan compared with conventional Western television.

SIMKL's Anime section is designed around **anime-native metadata and relationships**. This means an anime's next chapter does not automatically have to be stored as "Season 2" underneath the first title.

Instead, a continuation can exist as its own anime entry and be connected to the previous entry as a **Sequel**, **Prequel**, **Side Story**, or another relationship.

This becomes particularly important for franchises where the main storyline moves between:

* TV series
* Numbered seasons
* Named sequel series
* Split cours
* Movies
* OVAs
* ONAs
* Specials
* Side stories
* Recap movies
* Alternative versions

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2F3Ztp2HygPbfFb1xWuMfu%2FPokemon%20Storyline.png?alt=media&amp;token=38da3494-9985-4eb4-b33c-9dad8f1aa96b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**The important thing to remember:** Anime should not always be interpreted as one Western-style TV series divided into numbered seasons.

A franchise can contain multiple separately released anime works that are connected through relationships.

***

## Why Doesn't SIMKL Simply Put Everything Under Season 1, Season 2, Season 3?

Because doing that can hide how the anime was actually released.

A streaming service may group several productions together for convenience. Another service may separate the exact same productions into multiple seasons, parts, or movies.

Anime databases instead need to account for the identity of each production.

A sequel may have:

* Its own official title
* A separate release period
* A separate production cycle
* Different episode numbering
* Different promotional material
* Its own poster and artwork
* A separate rating
* Its own popularity and ranking
* A different format
* A separate database entry

For this reason, SIMKL may display these productions individually while connecting them through **Anime Relations**.

***

## Anime Franchises Can Mix Multiple Formats

Some anime franchises cannot be accurately followed by watching "Season 1, Season 2, Season 3" alone.

The story may instead look like:

> **TV Series → Movie → TV Sequel → OVA → Movie → TV Sequel**

or:

> **Season 1 → Season 2 Part 1 → Season 2 Part 2 → Movie → Season 3**

This is one of the main reasons Anime Relations are so useful.

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FNBrWwNCpC5KbhEOpJdQb%2Fchrome_tEFYxWdK48.gif?alt=media&amp;token=5a4dd379-5c27-4646-ac23-eaa23a8a1396" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Rather than assuming that everything belongs inside a single numbered TV season structure, relations allow individual anime works to remain separate while showing how they connect.

{% hint style="warning" %}

## Why Not Just Use the Western TV Structure Everywhere?

A single Western-style structure can certainly be convenient:

> Show → Season → Episode

However, convenience comes with trade-offs when applied to anime.

Consider a franchise where the canonical story is:

> TV Season → Movie → TV Sequel

If the movie contains an essential chapter, calling the next television production simply "Season 2" does not tell the whole story.

Similarly, two productions marketed under completely different titles may be direct sequels even though neither uses "Season 2" in its official title.

Anime Relations preserve those connections without requiring every production to be forced into one naming system.
{% endhint %}

## Examples of Anime With Mixed Series, Seasons, Movies, OVAs, or Specials

Here are some well-known franchises where understanding the individual entries and their relationships can be particularly useful:

| **Demon Slayer**                            | TV series, named arcs, movies and specials                                  |
| ------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Attack on Titan**                         | Multiple TV entries/seasons, OVAs, compilation movies and specials          |
| **Made in Abyss**                           | TV series, movies and sequel seasons                                        |
| **Rascal Does Not Dream**                   | TV series followed by multiple movies                                       |
| **Fate**                                    | TV series, movies, OVAs, specials, alternative routes and spin-offs         |
| **Monogatari Series**                       | Multiple separately titled TV/ONA productions, movies and specials          |
| **Puella Magi Madoka Magica**               | TV series, recap movies and sequel movies                                   |
| **Violet Evergarden**                       | TV series, special/OVA and movies                                           |
| **Psycho-Pass**                             | TV seasons, theatrical movies and multi-part film projects                  |
| **Ghost in the Shell**                      | Movies, TV series, OVAs/ONAs and alternative continuities                   |
| **Code Geass**                              | TV series, OVAs, compilation movies and sequel/alternative-continuity films |
| **Steins;Gate**                             | TV series, OVA/specials, movie and related sequel/alternative story         |
| **Re**                                      | TV seasons, OVAs and theatrical releases                                    |
| **My Hero Academia**                        | TV seasons, movies, OVAs and specials                                       |
| **That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime** | TV seasons, OVAs/ONAs, movies and spin-offs                                 |
| **Sword Art Online**                        | TV series, numbered seasons, movies and specials                            |
| **Girls und Panzer**                        | TV series, OVA material and multi-part theatrical sequels                   |
| **KonoSuba**                                | TV seasons, OVAs, movie and spin-off series                                 |
| **The Ancient Magus' Bride**                | TV seasons and multi-part OVA projects                                      |
| **Mobile Suit Gundam**                      | TV series, movies, OVAs, ONAs, sequels, prequels and multiple continuities  |

Not every movie, OVA, special, or spin-off in these franchises is necessarily required to understand the main storyline.

Use **Anime Relations** and the individual title information to determine how a particular entry connects to the rest of the franchise.

{% content-ref url="/pages/mhSkiIrCNMNqMinDqxsw" %}
[Anime Relations](/how-to-use-simkl/getting-started-with-simkl/basic-navigation/anime-tracking/anime-seasons/anime-relations.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Why Can Tracking Apps Sometimes Disagree About Anime Seasons?

This is also why you may occasionally encounter tracking differences between SIMKL and a third-party app.

For example, a media app may receive anime metadata from a TV-oriented database and represent an anime as:

> One Show\
> Season 1\
> Season 2\
> Season 3

while the anime database represents it as:

> Anime Entry A\
> → Sequel\
> Anime Entry B\
> → Sequel\
> Anime Entry C

If the third-party app maps those structures incorrectly, you could see symptoms such as:

* Season 1 being tracked correctly but Season 2 failing
* Episodes appearing unwatched
* An episode being matched to the wrong anime entry
* Previous watch history disappearing inside the third-party app
* Episode numbers being shifted
* Multiple anime seasons appearing as one season
* One anime being split differently between services

This does **not automatically mean your SIMKL watch history has been deleted**.

It may instead mean the third-party application is mapping its TV-style season and episode numbers to the wrong anime entry.

{% hint style="info" %}

### Why This Matters for Scrobbling

This distinction becomes particularly important for apps that automatically scrobble your playback to SIMKL.

Imagine that an anime has:

**SIMKL / Anime structure**

> Anime A — Episodes 1–24\
> Anime B — Sequel, Episodes 1–12

but the media player represents it as:

> One Show — Season 1 Episodes 1–24\
> One Show — Season 2 Episodes 1–12

The integration needs to correctly understand that:

> **Season 2 Episode 1 in the player**

may correspond to:

> **Episode 1 of a completely separate sequel anime entry**

on the anime side.

* Simply sending an episode number without correctly mapping the underlying anime can produce incorrect tracking.
* If an anime tracks correctly on SIMKL itself but appears incorrectly inside a third-party player, add-on, or tracking application, the problem may be related to that application's **anime season/episode mapping**.&#x20;
* Check which metadata source and numbering system the app uses and report mapping problems to the application's developer when appropriate.
  {% endhint %}

***

## How Should I Follow an Anime in the Correct Order?

When an anime has a straightforward structure, following its numbered seasons may be enough.

For more complicated franchises:

1. Open the anime you're currently watching.
2. Check its related anime entries.
3. Look for **Sequel** or other relevant relationship information.
4. Check whether the next entry is a TV series, Movie, OVA, ONA, or Special.
5. Read the title description where necessary to determine whether the entry continues the main storyline.
6. Mark and track each relevant entry individually as you progress.

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2F27SDg9D9e3nXK0l5YKvG%2Fchrome_ctHRTo1LFW.gif?alt=media&amp;token=5ea5ab10-2f90-44ff-afc7-60887a5c7d78" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

This is much safer than assuming that every movie or OVA is optional—or assuming that every separately named anime is unrelated.

## So, Does SIMKL Count Them as Seasons or Separate Anime?

Anime doesn't always follow the familiar Western television formula of:

> **Show → Season 1 → Season 2 → Season 3**

A more realistic anime franchise can look like:

> **Series → Sequel → Movie → OVA → Sequel Series → Movie**

while another service may choose to present much of that content as conventional numbered seasons.

SIMKL preserves individual anime productions and uses **Anime Relations** to show how those entries belong together. Where applicable, season mappings can additionally help integrations translate between anime-native entries and conventional TV season numbering.

So when you see several separate SIMKL entries for what you personally consider "one anime," they aren't necessarily duplicates or disconnected shows.

**They may simply be different pieces of the same anime story.**


---

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