feature request: Manual linking of SPECIALS/OVAs to parent series for unified episode metadata retrieval

[nnotwen]

Checklist

• [x] I checked that this feature has not been requested before
• [x] I checked that this feature is not in the "Not planned" list
• [ ] This feature will benefit the majority of users

Problem Description / Use Case

Currently, Seanime retrieves general metadata (images, synopsis, banners) from AniList and episode metadata from AniDB and TMDB. However, these providers structure anime entries differently:

• AniDB groups all episodes, including SPECIALS and OVAs, under a single series entry.
• AniList separates SPECIALS and OVAs into distinct entries, apart from the main series.

Since Seanime mimics AniList’s structure, SPECIALS and OVAs appear as separate entries in the app. For these entries, the app displays the message: “Episode metadata retrieval not available for this entry.” I can only assume that this happens because AniDB has the metadata under the parent series, but the app cannot automatically reconcile AniList’s separate entries with AniDB’s unified structure.

K-on!: Ura-On on AniList vs how its episode appears on K-on! on AniDB

K-on!: Ura-On on Seanime

Surprisingly, some, if not all, special episodes also has an entry on TMDB. An example from k-on!: ura-on on TMDB. This is also a welcome addition even if retrieval is not done automatically (For episode image and synopsis, perhaps can be done via manually inputting TMDB id).

This limitation prevents users from having a unified episode list across the main series and its related content, reducing the completeness of the viewing experience.

Proposed Solution

Introduce a manual linking option that allows users to associate SPECIALS and OVAs entries from AniList with their “parent” series entry detected in AniDB. Once linked:

• The app should retrieve episode metadata from AniDB for the SPECIALS/OVAs.
• Metadata from AniList (images, synopsis, banners) should still be used for display consistency.
• For metadata from TMDB, perhaps this can be done differently through manually inputting tmdb id (under advanced options?, then manually assigning each episode from AniDB to each episode in TMDB)

This manual override would give users control to unify metadata across providers, ensuring SPECIALS and OVAs are properly integrated into the episode list of the parent series.

This feature would improve flexibility, help reduce metadata gaps, and enhance the overall user experience for series with fragmented entries across providers.

[5rahim]

Currently, Seanime retrieves general metadata (images, synopsis, banners) from AniList and episode metadata from AniDB and TMDB

Seanime's metadata API uses AniDB and TheTVDB, no TMDB.

Yes, right now the mapping system expects all Specials to be matched to the parent series so metadata is applied. Although it's already possible to implement what you suggested via plugin, I'll consider it.