Mainseries

Mainseries is a term used to describe the central, canonical sequence of works within a franchise. It denotes the core installments that advance the main storyline, feature recurring characters, and establish the primary setting. The label distinguishes these entries from spin-offs, side stories, reboots, or alternative continuities. In reference works and databases, mainseries is often used to indicate a coherent, ongoing arc rather than ancillary material.

Usage across media varies but shares a common aim: to identify the principal line of development within a franchise. In video games, the main series typically refers to the primary titles that drive the franchise’s core gameplay and narrative, usually released as part of a continuous lineage. A widely cited example is the Pokémon main series, the core RPG titles that span generations. In literature and film, the main series comprises the principal novels or films that form the central narrative arc, with spin-offs or standalone works treated as separate branches.

The distinction can be fluid. Franchises may not officially label their entries as the main series, and fan communities sometimes debate which works belong to it, especially in crossovers, shared universes, or soft-reboot scenarios. As a descriptive term, mainseries helps organize understanding of a franchise’s structure, but its application may vary by context and source. See also: spin-off, canon, franchise chronology.