Difference between revisions of "WikiMoon:Canon policy"

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"Canon" refers to any person, term, event or so on that is regarded as an official part of the ''Sailor Moon'' universe. Or indeed ''universes'', because there are many different versions of ''Sailor Moon'', all bearing similarities but also showing many differences. So, which of these is regarded as "official"? Well, they all are, but it's important to keep them separate. This guide explains how to separate them appropriately.
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"Canon" refers to any person, term, event or so on that is regarded as an official part of the [[Sailor Moon (series)|''Sailor Moon'']] universe. Or indeed ''universes'', because there are many different versions of ''Sailor Moon'', all bearing similarities but also showing many differences. So, which of these is regarded as "official"? Well, they all are, but it's important to keep them separate. This guide explains how to separate them appropriately.
  
==Things that are canon==
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==Things That Are Canon==
 
Some versions of ''Sailor Moon'' contain not one, but multiple continuities.
 
Some versions of ''Sailor Moon'' contain not one, but multiple continuities.
  
 
===Anime===
 
===Anime===
All of the anime occurs within a single continuity, and all of it is regarded as canon, including the movies and specials. The only exception is [[Usagi and the Girls' Resolve! Prelude to a New Battle|Episode 89]], which occurs outside normal continuity, as it involves the girls speaking directly to the viewers, acknowledging the fictitious nature of the series. Material printed in official anime guides can usually be regarded as canon too, although its use should be noted to avoid confusion.
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All of the [[Sailor Moon (anime)|anime]] occurs within a single continuity, and all of it is regarded as canon, including the [[Sailor Moon (anime)#Sailor Moon Films|movies]] and [[Sailor Moon (anime)#Sailor Moon Specials|specials]]. The only exception is [[Usagi and the Girls' Resolve! Prelude to a New Battle|episode 89]], which occurs outside normal continuity, as it involves the girls speaking directly to the viewers, acknowledging the fictitious nature of the series. Material printed in [[:Category:Nakayoshi Anime Albums|official anime guides]] can usually be regarded as canon too, although its use should be noted to avoid confusion.
  
 
===Manga===
 
===Manga===
The main story of the manga occurs within a single continuity, although there are a few micro-continuities. [[Kaguya-hime no Koibito]], the manga version of the Sailor Moon S movie, is one of them. The other is [[Parallel Sailor Moon]]. Note that [[Codename: Sailor V]], as well as the Chibiusa Picture Diary stories are all generally regarded as occurring within the main storyline.
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The main story of the [[Sailor Moon (manga)|manga]] occurs within a single continuity, although there are a few micro-continuities. "[[Kaguya-hime no Koibito]]," the manga version of the [[Sailor Moon S movie]], is one of them, and the other is "[[Parallel Sailor Moon]]." Note that ''[[Codename: Sailor V]]'', as well as the [[Sailor Moon (manga)#Side Stories|side stories]] (such as the Chibiusa's Picture Diary or Exam Battle stories) are all generally regarded as occurring within the main storyline.
  
 
===Live Action===
 
===Live Action===
[[Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon]] has the simplest continuity of all. All episodes, including the [[Special Act]] and [[Act Zero]], occur within the same continuity.
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[[Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon]] has the simplest continuity of all. All episodes, including the [[Special Act - We're Getting Married!|Special Act]] and [[Act Zero - The Birth of Sailor V|Act Zero]], occur within the same continuity.
  
 
===Musicals===
 
===Musicals===
Each of the [[Sera Myu|musicals]] effectively occurs within its own little continuity. All of these are canon, but be sure to list them separately to avoid confusion.
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Each of the [[Sera Myu|musicals]] effectively occurs within its own continuity (with the exception of the musicals of the Dracul arc, which are collectively one continuity). All of these are canon, but be sure to list them separately to avoid confusion.
  
===North American dub===
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===English Dub===
The changes made to the anime in North America mean that it has developed a continuity of its own. Thus, all events from the dub are considered canon. However, given that these events are usually near-identical to the original, it is generally not necessary to include a 'North American dub' section within articles. Mentioning any differences in the notes section will usually suffice, unless there have been any particularly huge changes.
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The changes made to the anime in the [[Sailor Moon in North America#English Dub|English dub]] mean that it has developed a continuity of its own. Thus, all events from the dub are considered canon. However, given that these events are usually near-identical to the original, it is generally not necessary to include an "English dub" section within articles. Mentioning any differences in the notes section will usually suffice, unless there have been any particularly huge changes.
  
==Things that aren't canon==
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==Things That Are Not Canon==
 
There are a few sections of the Sailor Moon multiverse that, due to authorship or technical reasons, are not considered to be canon.
 
There are a few sections of the Sailor Moon multiverse that, due to authorship or technical reasons, are not considered to be canon.
  
===Video games===
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===Video Games===
Video games are interactive and thus do not have a set storyline. In the case of a Sailor Moon puzzle game, for example, this wouldn't really matter as there is no plot anyway. However, games such as [[Sailor Moon: Another Story]] have original plots and characters. While these aren't considered canon, we do urge contributors to include them here anyway. The only real difference, as explained below, is that they can't be spoken about from an in-universe [[WikiMoon:Perspective policy|perspective]].
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[[Sailor Moon Games|Video games]] are interactive and thus do not have a set storyline. In the case of a ''Sailor Moon'' puzzle game, for example, this wouldn't really matter as there is no plot anyway. However, games such as ''[[Sailor Moon: Another Story]]'' have original plots and characters. While these are not considered canon, we do urge contributors to include them here anyway. The only real difference, as explained below, is that they can not be spoken about from an in-universe [[WikiMoon:Perspective policy|perspective]].
  
===Fan works===
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===Fan Works===
Specific details of individual fan works are currently beyond the scope of this project. Common concepts such as [[Otaku senshi]] may be included, although it sould be made clear that they are not part of canon.
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Specific details of individual fan works are beyond the scope of this project and thus should not be included in the wiki. Common ''concepts'' such as [[Otaku Senshi]] are mentioned, but it should be made clear that they are not part of canon.
  
===Production details===
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===Production Details===
All articles about actors, writers and so on involved in the production of Sailor Moon are, naturally, non-canon.
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All articles about actors, writers, and so on involved in the production of Sailor Moon are, naturally, non-canon.
  
==What this means==
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==What This Means==
 
So, what does it matter whether something is canon or not? Well, firstly, it affects what [[WikiMoon:Perspective policy|perspective]] you have to use to talk about it. Canon events require the in-universe perspective, while non-canon events should be discussed using an out-of-universe perspective.
 
So, what does it matter whether something is canon or not? Well, firstly, it affects what [[WikiMoon:Perspective policy|perspective]] you have to use to talk about it. Canon events require the in-universe perspective, while non-canon events should be discussed using an out-of-universe perspective.
  
 
Understanding the different canons is also important for structuring articles. It is not a good idea to lump all continuities into the same paragraph. A good article will be divided into separate sections, each one dealing with its subject in a different continuity.
 
Understanding the different canons is also important for structuring articles. It is not a good idea to lump all continuities into the same paragraph. A good article will be divided into separate sections, each one dealing with its subject in a different continuity.
  
==All continuities are equal...==
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==All Continuities Are Equal...==
 
But some are more equal than others.
 
But some are more equal than others.
  
 
While we welcome articles derived from every ''Sailor Moon'' continuity, there are certain continuities that, for technical reasons, must take precedence over others. This is especially important as regards the information put within infoboxes.
 
While we welcome articles derived from every ''Sailor Moon'' continuity, there are certain continuities that, for technical reasons, must take precedence over others. This is especially important as regards the information put within infoboxes.
  
===Primary and lesser continuities===
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===Primary and Lesser Continuities===
The three primary continuities here are the '''anime''', '''PGSM''' and the main continuity of the '''manga''' (incorporating '''Sailor V''', the '''Chibiusa Picture Diaries''' and '''Exam Battles'''). These are the largest and most well-recognised continuities. The lesser continuities are the '''musicals''' and the manga side-continuities ('''Kaguya-hime no Koibito''' and '''Parallel Sailor Moon'''). Whilst the musicals together account for a large proportion of series canon, they are effectively all small, unrelated sub-continuities.
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The three primary continuities here are the anime, PGSM and the main continuity of the manga (incorporating ''Sailor V'' as well as the Chibiusa's Picture Diary and Exam Battle short stories). These are the largest and most well-recognized continuities. The lesser continuities are the musicals and the manga side-continuities ("Kaguya-hime no Koibito" and "Parallel Sailor Moon"). While the musicals together account for a large proportion of series canon, they are effectively all small, unrelated sub-continuities.
  
 
===Infoboxes===
 
===Infoboxes===

Latest revision as of 22:37, 16 July 2011

"Canon" refers to any person, term, event or so on that is regarded as an official part of the Sailor Moon universe. Or indeed universes, because there are many different versions of Sailor Moon, all bearing similarities but also showing many differences. So, which of these is regarded as "official"? Well, they all are, but it's important to keep them separate. This guide explains how to separate them appropriately.

Things That Are Canon

Some versions of Sailor Moon contain not one, but multiple continuities.

Anime

All of the anime occurs within a single continuity, and all of it is regarded as canon, including the movies and specials. The only exception is episode 89, which occurs outside normal continuity, as it involves the girls speaking directly to the viewers, acknowledging the fictitious nature of the series. Material printed in official anime guides can usually be regarded as canon too, although its use should be noted to avoid confusion.

Manga

The main story of the manga occurs within a single continuity, although there are a few micro-continuities. "Kaguya-hime no Koibito," the manga version of the Sailor Moon S movie, is one of them, and the other is "Parallel Sailor Moon." Note that Codename: Sailor V, as well as the side stories (such as the Chibiusa's Picture Diary or Exam Battle stories) are all generally regarded as occurring within the main storyline.

Live Action

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon has the simplest continuity of all. All episodes, including the Special Act and Act Zero, occur within the same continuity.

Musicals

Each of the musicals effectively occurs within its own continuity (with the exception of the musicals of the Dracul arc, which are collectively one continuity). All of these are canon, but be sure to list them separately to avoid confusion.

English Dub

The changes made to the anime in the English dub mean that it has developed a continuity of its own. Thus, all events from the dub are considered canon. However, given that these events are usually near-identical to the original, it is generally not necessary to include an "English dub" section within articles. Mentioning any differences in the notes section will usually suffice, unless there have been any particularly huge changes.

Things That Are Not Canon

There are a few sections of the Sailor Moon multiverse that, due to authorship or technical reasons, are not considered to be canon.

Video Games

Video games are interactive and thus do not have a set storyline. In the case of a Sailor Moon puzzle game, for example, this wouldn't really matter as there is no plot anyway. However, games such as Sailor Moon: Another Story have original plots and characters. While these are not considered canon, we do urge contributors to include them here anyway. The only real difference, as explained below, is that they can not be spoken about from an in-universe perspective.

Fan Works

Specific details of individual fan works are beyond the scope of this project and thus should not be included in the wiki. Common concepts such as Otaku Senshi are mentioned, but it should be made clear that they are not part of canon.

Production Details

All articles about actors, writers, and so on involved in the production of Sailor Moon are, naturally, non-canon.

What This Means

So, what does it matter whether something is canon or not? Well, firstly, it affects what perspective you have to use to talk about it. Canon events require the in-universe perspective, while non-canon events should be discussed using an out-of-universe perspective.

Understanding the different canons is also important for structuring articles. It is not a good idea to lump all continuities into the same paragraph. A good article will be divided into separate sections, each one dealing with its subject in a different continuity.

All Continuities Are Equal...

But some are more equal than others.

While we welcome articles derived from every Sailor Moon continuity, there are certain continuities that, for technical reasons, must take precedence over others. This is especially important as regards the information put within infoboxes.

Primary and Lesser Continuities

The three primary continuities here are the anime, PGSM and the main continuity of the manga (incorporating Sailor V as well as the Chibiusa's Picture Diary and Exam Battle short stories). These are the largest and most well-recognized continuities. The lesser continuities are the musicals and the manga side-continuities ("Kaguya-hime no Koibito" and "Parallel Sailor Moon"). While the musicals together account for a large proportion of series canon, they are effectively all small, unrelated sub-continuities.

Infoboxes

When filling in an infobox, only include information from the three primary continuities. Information from other continuities is welcome, but restrict it to the main body of the article. The only case when information from lesser continuities should be included in an infobox is when the subject of the article occurs only within that continuity: for example, a musical-only character such as Loof Merrow.