History AllThereInTheManual / AnimeAndManga

** There are [[LightNovel/PocketMonstersTheAnimation two novels]] by Takeshi Shudo, a major writer for the anime, that give [[http://cindysuke.tumblr.com/post/34817930237/the-facts-about-pokemon-world-lol insight into]] [[http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/f313/world-according-takeshi-shudo-15688/ the world.]] It tells us stuff like what happened to Ash's father, Brock's siblings are only his half-siblings, and that ten-year-olds are legal adults (they can get arrested, they have to pay taxes, [[{{Squick}} they can get married...]]). A lot of the info isn't canon nowadays but it does make sense in the Kanto days, like how Officer Jenny was able to jail a bunch of kids so easily.

** There are two novels by Takeshi Shudo, a major writer for the anime, that give [[http://cindysuke.tumblr.com/post/34817930237/the-facts-about-pokemon-world-lol insight into]] [[http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/f313/world-according-takeshi-shudo-15688/ the world.]] It tells us stuff like what happened to Ash's father, Brock's siblings are only his half-siblings, and that ten-year-olds are legal adults (they can get arrested, they have to pay taxes, [[{{Squick}} they can get married...]]). A lot of the info isn't canon nowadays but it does make sense in the Kanto days, like how Officer Jenny was able to jail a bunch of kids so easily.

* The ''VideoGame/SakuraWars'' {{OAV}}s and movie are based on (and mostly continuations of) the games. Somehow America got the former without the latter.

*** Curiously, though the new Chronicles share many major points of info with the PS2 Game, they curiously completely ignore all references to a certain group of Secret Benefactors that don't ever show up within the Anime at all. In combination with Gainax's OFFICIAL stance on the Game being that "All plot details were made specifically" for the Game, it's possible we got Retconning Manuals on our hands here.

** Essentially the only way to even ''try'' to make sense of ''NGE'''s plot is to look at the "classified files" in the spin-off game for the {{PlayStation 2}}, which was coincidentally [[NoExportForYou never released in the States]].

* The supplementary manga and Sound Stages of ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'' explains how Nanoha learned the Bind spell during her battle with Fate, who that Linith woman was in the LotusEaterMachine, what the heck happened to Arf in the third season and what that gift from Reinforce that Vita was talking about was.
** The supplementary files also contain a fair amount of information on the plot. Not only does the ''AudioPlay/StrikerSSoundStageX'' explain how many of the spells work, but it also provides information such as how the [=N2R=] [[SiblingTeam squad]] [[LineOfSightName got its name]], and specific information on the long-standing consequences of [[spoiler:Teana's partner [[DetectiveMole being outed as the real killer]] in the Mariage case]].

** ''Anime/TheLastNarutoTheMovie'', unlike the other films, holds relevance to the overall plot as it's events take place between the last two chapters of the mange, even being regarded as Chapter 699.5

** ''VideoGame/PuellaMagiMadokaMagicaPortable'' is shaping up to be full of this.

* In ''Anime/CuteHighEarthDefenseClubLove'', this is downplayed with Tazawa's first name (Masuya), and Tazawa only comes into the story at episode 5 of 12. The manga plays this straight regarding some of the villainous trio backstory (e.g. how Kinshiro and Arima met).

** There was actually another manual that was released later, then basically overtook the previous manual in canonicity. No one had translated that into English yet. This is technically the third time it happened, since the Spin-Off Game decanonized the first manual called the ''Red Cross Book''. It's likely they'll continue making new manuals with mildly and noticeable different interpretations of what's going on until they finally go Bankrupt.

* ''Anime/SenkiZesshouSymphogear often has large amounts of information about the mechanics of the Symphogears and Noise hidden away in keywords (such as the Symphogear system having over 3,000,000 limiters as well as how the sync ratio-enhancing drug [=LiNKER=] works), and it also detailed [[GenkiGirl Hibiki's]] DarkAndTroubledPast and DisappearedDad before those issues came to the forefront in the third season, GX.

* The ''{{Mazinger}}'' franchise (''Anime/MazingerZ'', ''Anime/GreatMazinger'', ''Anime/UFORoboGrendizer'', ''Anime/GodMazinger'', ''Manga/NewMazinger'', ''Anime/{{Mazinkaiser}}'', ''Manga/MazingerAngels'', ''Anime/ShinMazinger'', ''Manga/ShinMazingerZero''...) has seen released supplementary manuals and books (such like the ''Mazinbible'') providing with additional information and backstory about the series and the worlds where they happen, their characters, blueprints of mechas and bases...

* ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure''. The first OVA series not only started in the third story arc of the manga, it starts HALF-WAY THROUGH IT. The entire thing presumed you knew exactly what was going on, which, unless you read the manga, you didn't.\\
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Eventually the Studio A.P.P.P. solved this problem by creating a prequel OVA series that cover the first half of that story arc (with skips, of course) specifically so it would be more salable overseas. The English adaptation of the anime combines both series, showing the episodes in chronological order, while adding a narrated summary of the first two story arcs.

** The ''Renewal of Evangelion'' DVD contains the director's cut editions of episodes 21-24. New footage was added in order to make the plot more comprehensible and answer a few lingering questions (such as Kaworu's origin).

* In ''Manga/DeathNote'', you never do find out L's real name. Unless, of course, you get the book with all the supplemental information in it or watch the [[Film/LChangeTheWorld last life action film]]. It's [[spoiler:L Lawliet]].

* In ''Manga/DeathNote'', you never do find out L's real name. Unless, of course, you get the book with all the supplemental information in it. It's [[spoiler:L Lawliet]].

* ''Anime/PokemonTheFirstMovie'' could not be fully understood without the CD drama ''Birth of Mewtwo'' to accompany it. It doesn't help that the partial animated adaptation of that CD Drama, which was basically new scenes added to the beginning of later Japanese releases of the first movie and treated as new parts of the film, was cut out from the dub (an English adaptation was available, but only on the bilingual Japanese DVD releases). Fortunately, 4Kids later included this for American fans in the ''Anime/PokemonMewtwoReturns'' DVD.

* ''Anime/PokemonTheFirstMovie'' could not be fully understood without the CD drama ''Birth of Mewtwo'' to accompany it. It doesn't help that the animated adaptation of that CD Drama, which was basically new scenes added to the beginning of later Japanese releases of the first movie, was cut out from the dub (an English adaptation was available, but only on the bilingual Japanese DVD releases). Fortunately, 4Kids later included this for American fans in the ''Anime/PokemonMewtwoReturns'' DVD.

* ''Anime/PokemonTheFirstMovie'' could not be fully understood without the CD drama ''Birth of Mewtwo'' to accompany it. It doesn't help that the animated adaptation of that CD Drama, which was basically new scenes added to the beginning of later Japanese releases of the first movie, was cut out from the dub (an English adaptation was available, but only on the bilingual Japanese DVD releases). Fortunately, it was later included for American fans in the ''Anime/PokemonMewtwoReturns'' DVD.

* ''Anime/PokemonTheFirstMovie'' could not be fully understood without the CD drama ''Birth of Mewtwo'' to accompany it. It doesn't help that the animated adaptation of that CD Drama, which was basically new scenes added to the beginning of later Japanese releases of the first movie, was cut out from the dub (an English adaptation was available, but only on the bilingual Japanese DVDs). Fortunately, it was later included for American fans in the ''Anime/PokemonMewtwoReturns'' DVD.

* ''Anime/PokemonTheFirstMovie'' could not be fully understood without the CD drama ''Birth of Mewtwo'' to accompany it. It doesn't help that the animated adaptation of that CD Drama, which was basically new scenes added to the beginning of later Japanese releases of the first movie, was cut out from the dub (an English adaptation was availablem, but only on the bilingual Japanese DVD). Fortunately, it was later included for American fans in the ''Anime/PokemonMewtwoReturns'' DVD.

** There are two novels by Takeshi Shudo, a major writer for the anime, that give [[http://cindysuke.tumblr.com/post/34817930237/the-facts-about-pokemon-world-lol insight into]] [[http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/f313/world-according-takeshi-shudo-15688/ the world.]] It tells us stuff like what happened to Ash's father, Brock's father is his step-father, and that ten-year-olds are legal adults (they can get arrested, they have to pay taxes, [[{{Squick}} they can get married...]]). A lot of the info isn't canon nowadays but it does make sense in the Kanto days, like how Officer Jenny was able to jail a bunch of kids so easily.

* ''Anime/PokemonTheFirstMovie'' could not be fully understood without the CD drama ''Birth of Mewtwo'' to accompany it. Fortunately, it was later included for American fans in the ''Anime/PokemonMewtwoReturns'' DVD.

* The incidents between the ''MartianSuccessorNadesico'' TV series and movie were explained in various Japanese-only video games, novels, and radio shows, leaving American fans puzzled at the movie's very different tone.
* The ''{{Mazinger}}'' franchise (''Anime/MazingerZ'', ''Anime/GreatMazinger'', ''Anime/UFORoboGrendizer'', ''Anime/GodMazinger'', ''Manga/NewMazinger'', ''Anime/{{Mazinkaiser}}'', ''Manga/MazingerAngels'', ''Anime/ShinMazinger'', ''ShinMazingerZero''...) has seen released supplementary manuals and books (such like the ''Mazinbible'') providing with additional information and backstory about the series and the worlds where they happen, their characters, blueprints of mechas and bases...
* The difference between ''{{Gatekeepers}}'' and ''Anime/GateKeepers21'' is staggering, due to novels and a video game.
* The anime ''Doomed Megalopolis'' features a confusing narrative quite difficult to follow for those who have not acquainted themselves with the cultural references or the source material 'TeitoMonogatari''. This is partly because the anime adapts only the first 1/3rd of the novel and tries to force in a conclusion to make up for it's lack of completeness.

* The ''KokoWaGreenwood'' OVA literally directs the viewer to a specific chapter of the manga to explain a reference.

* The ''[[SuperDimensionFortressMacross Macross]]'' [[TheVerse universe]] includes significant amounts of supplementary canon from books, comics, and video games in addition to the series and [=OVA=]s that were actually filmed.
** The final fate of [[SuperDimensionFortressMacross Hikaru, Misa and Minmay]] is buried in the manual for ''Macross M3'' -- They were lost with the rest of the crew and passengers of SDF-2 Megaroad after they apparently encountered a black hole.
* Masaki Kajishima, main writer for the ''TenchiMuyo'' OVA-[[TheVerse verse]], has regularly released supplemental material, such as novels and self-published doujinshi, with information about that continuity. One of the reasons for releasing the {{spinoff}} series ''TenchiMuyoGXP'' before the ''Tenchi'' OVA {{Revival}} series was to introduce some of the new characters and other elements from the novels to the audience that hadn't read (or wasn't able to read) them.

* Want to know the {{backstory}} for ''OnePieceStrongWorld'''s villain, Gold Lion Shiki? You have to either go read the supplemental "Chapter 0" or watch the OVA based on said chapter.

* The [=OVA=]s of ''{{Gravitation}}'' take place after nearly the entire manga, only obliquely hinting at its events in flashbacks; Yuki's [[DarkAndTroubledPast troubled past]] isn't even ''mentioned''.
* ''Manga/XxxHoLic'' and ''TsubasaReservoirChronicle'' have ended up so interconnected that it is nigh impossible to understand one without reading the other. And even then you wish you had the option to phone Ohkawa and demand an explanation.

* The ''SaintBeast'' anime series and [=OVAs=] are more illustration than substantial, the whole story happens in the audio dramas.
* The ''KiddyGrade'' Artbook contains a timeline for the main characters and the changes in attire as well.

* For ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSeed Gundam SEED]]'' there is, in addition to 10 Drama [=CDs=] (six of which are set before the series starts, three set during the series, and one post-series), 10 novels that go into more detail about the characters and events, several Manga series (''[[Manga/MobileSuitGundamSEEDAstray Gundam SEED Astray]]''), and a few [=OVAs=] and TV specials, an official website that has a lot of extra information about the Cosmic Era...including a highly detailed [[http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/ce/background/timeline.html Timeline]] that goes back about 100 years before the start of the series.
** Not to mention at least one plot point from SEED (Kira surviving the Aegis' self-destruction) was explained in the Astray manga.

** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing'' has a backstory that was supposed to be placed into episode 27 and 28 - but was shafted due to internal politics. Thus, the explains-a-lot backstory was put into a sidestory manga that, while released in the USA, wasn't released with a high profile...and isn't in print anymore. There's also another pair of sidestories that explains some events between the two Wing works, with the same release problem in America. The fact that there was a third one released that barely amounted to a fan work published by a company trying to cash-in on the phenomenon in America didn't help things at all.
** ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundam00 Gundam 00]]'' took the concept of All There in the Manual and ran with it from the very beginning of its airing. ''Manga/Gundam00Sidestories'' include 00P, a photo novel type series that covered events before the series proper and dealt heavily with the development of the Gundams, 00V, a series of documents on variations of existing MS from the series with accounts of said machines told from a historical perspective, and 00F, an Astray style manga that took place at the same time as the series and did its best to fill in certain gaps. But it doesn't end there, there's also 00V Senki, the follow up to 00V that elaborates on some of the machines from 00V and features stories from all over the timeline, including AFTER the conclusion of the series, 00N, a new series of documents, and 00I, the follow up to 00F that gives way more insight into the Innovades from the show and covers events that took place between the two seasons. On top of that you have your usual novels, sourcebooks, audio dramas, and model kit manuals, and Gundam 00 is certainly making an effort to take the crown of AllThereInTheManual king. Only 00F has been released in the US.
** ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamF91 Gundam F91]]'' may be the biggest example of this in the MSG franchise. As a result of originally being a TV series that was cut down and compressed to a movie partway through production, most of the story is completely dropped from the movie. The movie does not show how Seabrook and his friends defeat Cosmo Babylonia and the Crossbone Vanguard. So, to actually finish the movie's story as well as find out various things that happened within the movie but were skipped because of time constraints, you have to read the manga or novels. Which have never been officially released in the US.
** ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Gundam]]'' in general does this in the form of various magazines and Gunpla infosheets. Yes, you heard me right, many of the debates among fans will often end up with one side pulling out the supplemental info shipped with various Gunplas. And just like any of the highly-controversal ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED Gundam SEED]] [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny (Destiny)]]'' canon info, these are known for being ''extremely'' prone to ''Retconning over and over'', with MG and PG Gunpla infosheets often outright contradicting their earlier HG counterparts, and [[UpToEleven MGs of different mechas don't tend to treat other very well either...]]
* See also ''{{Zoids}}'', whose ''main continuity'' (Battle Story) is almost entirely told in the model kits. None of this information ever gets translated.

* ''TheFiveStarStories'' by Mamoru Nagano contains some of the most ambitious worldbuilding in anime and manga history, a lot of which gets little exposure in the series proper. Fortunately, the English editions come with sections from the sourcebooks printed in the back of each issue, including full-colour illustrations.
* ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry [[DevilMayCryTheAnimatedSeries The Animated Series]]'' doesn't bother to fully explain Dante's connection to Trish or Lady, their respective histories being found in the first and third game. Amongst others.

* The hosts for Papillon's homunculi in ''BusouRenkin'' were all humans that pissed him off for one reason or another, as detailed in their character bios in the tankobons. Good luck understanding Papillon's hallucination without reading the bios first.
* The entire ''{{Gungrave}}'' anime isn't just a prequel, it's The Old Testament Bible of the video game's history. Unfortunately, many game fans were be bewildered by [[GenreShift the complete change of narrative from the action-based medium]], and many who would appreciate it for its own merits were put off by an over-the-top zombie shoot-em-up the show began with.

* Any character in ''Manga/AxisPowersHetalia'' that might come across as a FlatCharacter probably has most of his/her personality only displayed in the profiles. Some characters can only be seen in the author's blog.

** Himaruya had a habit of this with his earlier series as well. Many characters in [[SusumeKitakouHousoubu Advance! Kitakou Broadcasting Club]] and Barjona Bombers were never really fleshed out or even got to ''appear'' in the series, although illustrations and (lost) profiles served to provide information on them.

* The canon of ''WeissKreuz'' is distributed across two anime series and an OAV, a good many drama [=CDs=], and several manga and short stories. Fortunately the first anime series is pretty well self-contained, but in the absence of the material from the drama [=CDs=] the drastic changes between it and sequel series ''Weiss Kreuz Gluhen'' make no sense at all. Naturally, [[NoExportForYou only the two anime series have been officially released to western audiences]].

* The ''SakuraTaisen'' {{OAV}}s and movie are based on (and mostly continuations of) the games. Somehow America got the former without the latter.

* Overall, the original LightNovel series of ''{{Slayers}}'' goes into detail of how the magic system and the like works better than the anime does, but not in clarity, as both forms of media tend to contradict themselves. The only true "manual" for the series is a long series of interviews by creator [[WordOfGod Hajime Kanzaka]], and he [[FlipFlopOfGod flops around]] and [[ShrugOfGod whimsily comes up with answers to questions]] to the point that he's making every potential canon fact up on the fly. The only truly solid facts are extended backstories of the main characters (especially important in regards to IdiotHero Gourry because he is the only major character whose background gets no spotlight in any media). Even then, some incidents, such as Gourry and [[ShrinkingViolet Sylphiel's]] first meeting and Lina's great fear of her [[AloofBigBrother older sister]] are never explained.

* At the end of every ''MiraiNikki'' volume, there is an {{Omake}} that may explain certain things that were not very obvious, such as how and why the 3rd, 4th and 9th were targeting each other, and how they began to focus on Yukki. It also gives a little background info on some of the other future diary holders.

* A few of ChibisanDate's characters only appear in the author's blog.

* In MaiHime, the sound dramas, specials (often characters narrating about themselves) and art books often provide more information about the characters, and the short story "Natsuki no Prelude" contains details about how Natsuki became a [=HiME=] and her friendship with Shizuru.
* Similarly, the MaiOtome sound dramas provide bits of backstory from the main series, such as how Tomoe met Shizuru, some of Yukariko's backstory (she was a Meister who had to cancel contracts due to her masters falling in love with her) and Mai and Natsuki's early days at the academy, including how Natsuki became Shizuru's room attendant.
* Much of the back stories and family life for ''RoninWarriors'' in ''Yoroiden Samurai Troopers'' can only be found in supplemental books and Drama [=CDs=].
* A lot of additional information for the ''TigerAndBunny'' series shows up in the audio dramas (which are included with the Blu-Ray releases) or in supplemental guides. Information within them ranges from [[FandomNod amusing tidbits]] (such as all the heroes' first crushes) to more plot-relevant elaborations (like who Kotetsu's wife was and how he met her).

* Supplemental materials for ''GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex'' have very detailed information about the world of the show, including the political backdrop of the story (which is only hinted at in-series) as well as plenty of weapon descriptions.

** The Little Army manga has two fairly significant revelations- that Miho actually enjoyed tankery while she was young (struggling to find people with whom she could do it, and a reason to do it) and that [[AloofBigSister Maho]] [[spoiler:loves Miho and wants her to find her own way of tankery]].

* For an example of a series where ''all'' the materials are becoming officially translated for the West, see ''DotHackSign'' and [[Franchise/DotHack its sequels]] -- to get the full story, you need to read a novel, watch a [[DotHackSign 26 episode anime series]], play four games, watch the four OVA anime episodes bundle one with each game, read four more novels, and read a three volume manga (and/or watch the 12 episode anime adapted from it, but that isn't canon so it won't really help you), preferably in that order. That's not counting the non-canon spinoffs or the sequel project, which consists of much the same combination again.