Specials
Specials on SIMKL (Episode Page Feature)
Specials on SIMKL are a dedicated episode-type feature designed to properly represent non-standard episodes such as specials, OVAs, bonus content, behind-the-scenes material, and related extras without breaking your main watch progress.
Still in works: This feature exists for both TV shows and anime and is currently part of SIMKL’s v2 beta development.
What Are “Specials” on SIMKL?
Specials are officially released episodes or content that do not belong to the regular episode numbering of a season.
Common examples include:
TV specials (holiday episodes, bonus episodes)
Behind-the-scenes episodes
Featurettes and making-of content
Anime OVAs and ONAs
Special broadcast episodes
Promotional or recap specials
Side stories and bonus arcs
SIMKL groups all of these under a single, clearly labeled Specials section.
Where to Find Specials
Specials appear directly on the Episodes tab of a title page.
Key characteristics:
Available on TV shows and anime
Displayed as a dedicated “Specials” row or section
Separate from standard seasons
Clearly labeled to avoid confusion with regular episodes
There is no separate series page for specials everything is surfaced contextually within the main title.
Why Specials Are Handled Separately
Special episodes behave very differently from regular episodes:
They may release at irregular times
They may not follow strict chronology
Their numbering can change frequently
New specials may be added retroactively
Because of this, SIMKL intentionally treats specials as non-progress-affecting content.
Specials Do NOT Affect Your Progress
This is a key design decision.
On SIMKL:
Specials are not counted as regular episodes
They do not affect season completion
They do not change your watch progress
They do not impact stats, streaks, or completion percentages
You can track specials independently without worrying about breaking your main series progress.
This is especially important for anime, where OVAs and specials are often optional.
Specials Are Part of the Anime / Show Universe
Although they do not count toward progress:
Specials are still part of the same title
They are associated with the main show or anime
They appear alongside seasons for context and discovery
For anime in particular:
Specials, OVAs, movies, and related arcs are closely linked
SIMKL keeps them connected while preserving clean progress tracking
Notifications for New Specials and Related Content
When new related content is added such as:
A new anime season
A special episode
An OVA, ONA, or movie
A continuation arc or sequel
SIMKL will:
Send you a notification
Keep your library up to date automatically
This ensures you never miss newly released bonus or related material.
Current Limitations for Specials (v2 Beta, Still on to-do)
The Specials feature is actively evolving and currently has some intentional limitations.
a) No Dedicated Details Page (Yet)
Specials do not have individual detail pages
Clicking on a special currently redirects to:
A VIP / v2 placeholder page
Or a to-do v2 development page
This behavior is expected and part of the beta.
Why?
Specials:
Change frequently
Are often re-ordered, renamed, or expanded
May be added years after the original release
b) Ongoing Improvements
SIMKL is actively improving how specials are displayed and recognized.
Current Improvements in Progress
Titles are being added directly to special checkmarks
Clearer labeling to distinguish specials from regular episodes
Improved visual recognition in the episode row
These changes make it easier to:
Identify what each special represents
Avoid confusion with numbered episodes
Understand context at a glance
Further refinements are planned as part of the v2 rollout.
c) Why SIMKL Took This Approach
Many trackers struggle with specials because they try to force them into:
Regular seasons
Episode counts
Completion logic
Instead, SIMKL prioritizes:
Clean progress tracking
Long-term data stability
Flexibility for changing metadata
Clear separation between core episodes and optional content
This approach scales better for:
Long-running shows
Anime franchises
Series with extensive bonus material
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