IUPACnime

IUPACnime is a proposed nomenclature system that adapts principles from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry to the naming of anime productions, including series and films. It is intended as a standardized, machine-readable convention for cataloging and indexing titles, and for encoding metadata to aid search and cross-referencing. It is not an official standard and has no formal endorsement from studios or distributors.

The system seeks to reduce ambiguity arising from translations, alternate subtitles, and localized titles, while improving consistency across catalogs and databases. Proponents argue that a unified naming framework can enhance metadata extraction, interoperability between platforms, and archival accuracy without altering the original title presented to audiences.

The proposed naming scheme defines a fixed sequence of descriptor fields that accompany a base title. A typical structure includes a genre code, a setting or era code, a key plot-element code, a release year code, and a production-country or -region code. These codes are drawn from a controlled glossary maintained by a community council or collaborative project. In use, the original title appears first, followed by a parenthesized code string, for example: "Kaze no Uta (GF-SF-QUEST-2016-JP)."

Development and reception of IUPACnime have remained largely within fan communities and metadata-focused projects. While praised by some for potential archival benefits and improved searchability, critics worry that the system could be overly complex, risks diverging from the authentic branding of titles, and may struggle with evolving licenses and translations.

See also: IUPAC, metadata standards, anime naming conventions, cataloging and information management.

References: IUPACnime Guidelines, International Anime Nomenclature Association, 2019; Nakamura, T. and Lee, S. The challenges of standardizing anime titles, Journal of Digital Media, 2021.