Band of Brothers is perhaps the most famous mini-series there is and that one is 10 episodes, 700 minutes or so. I usually set the limit at 12 episodes. Above that and it's no longer a mini-series. From your surprise I sense some special rule about anime that I'm not aware of.
Maybe it should be coupled with actual producer statements that a show is a mini-series? At least for anime it's not often the case that the amount of episodes are known at release (usually the number of BD/DVD volumes release dates reveal that early). A single cour (one season) show is usually 12-13 episodes long which by any other approach would make a majority also mini-series (just taking the last season as an example http://anichart.net/winter)...
Even anime aside, most shows are just released with maybe a second season if it doesn't bomb making even regular shows mini-series until they reached a certain point (with odd amount of shows canceled before airing completely).
There should also be a clear end to the story for it to be considered a mini-series. And since that is usually hard to determine, we tend to be generous with the mini-series designation. I remember seeing a lot of similar entries in the movie section but maybe those were different. When a second season is added it is no longer a mini-series (Fargo is a notable such example).
As long as it is ended that shouldn't matter. But if there are clear indications that a second season is coming, then maybe it does matter. For example, mayor plot points that goes unresolved, cliffhangers or similar.
But that isn't any indication for a show. Free cliffhanger if cancled... it isn't a mini-series just because of that.
As for anime: they can flop and still be a success, manga adaptations are usually not about making a big buck with them but more to increase the sales of the source material (be it incomplete stories, pre air hype or other). Shows can get sequels years after first airing.
My final post on this topic. We have had the mini-series exception since the beginning of time (on site). If we suddenly started to go from keeping an open mind about the definition to the opposite users would likely get even more confused than they are today. If some other moderator feel differently I won't oppose deleting the entry, but my personal policy is clear. 12 episodes or less without a second season: should be good to go most of the time. Another judgement call, but I guess we can survive that. :)
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Reply by lineker
on March 30, 2016 at 9:28 AM
Since it's a mini-series both entries can co-exist. Hopefully someone will add more info eventually to the entry in the movie section.
Reply by sp1ti
on March 30, 2016 at 9:33 AM
Woot... a 10 episode anime series is considered a mini-series??
Reply by lineker
on March 30, 2016 at 12:07 PM
Band of Brothers is perhaps the most famous mini-series there is and that one is 10 episodes, 700 minutes or so. I usually set the limit at 12 episodes. Above that and it's no longer a mini-series. From your surprise I sense some special rule about anime that I'm not aware of.
Reply by sp1ti
on March 30, 2016 at 6:06 PM
Well, I'm not fan of that legacy ruling anyways.
Maybe it should be coupled with actual producer statements that a show is a mini-series? At least for anime it's not often the case that the amount of episodes are known at release (usually the number of BD/DVD volumes release dates reveal that early). A single cour (one season) show is usually 12-13 episodes long which by any other approach would make a majority also mini-series (just taking the last season as an example http://anichart.net/winter)... Even anime aside, most shows are just released with maybe a second season if it doesn't bomb making even regular shows mini-series until they reached a certain point (with odd amount of shows canceled before airing completely).
Reply by lineker
on March 30, 2016 at 6:46 PM
There should also be a clear end to the story for it to be considered a mini-series. And since that is usually hard to determine, we tend to be generous with the mini-series designation. I remember seeing a lot of similar entries in the movie section but maybe those were different. When a second season is added it is no longer a mini-series (Fargo is a notable such example).
Reply by sp1ti
on April 1, 2016 at 3:57 PM
Yeah but then this isn't a mini-series :)... It adapted only parts of the whole story.
Reply by lineker
on April 1, 2016 at 4:06 PM
As long as it is ended that shouldn't matter. But if there are clear indications that a second season is coming, then maybe it does matter. For example, mayor plot points that goes unresolved, cliffhangers or similar.
Reply by sp1ti
on April 1, 2016 at 4:29 PM
But that isn't any indication for a show. Free cliffhanger if cancled... it isn't a mini-series just because of that.
As for anime: they can flop and still be a success, manga adaptations are usually not about making a big buck with them but more to increase the sales of the source material (be it incomplete stories, pre air hype or other). Shows can get sequels years after first airing.
Reply by lineker
on April 1, 2016 at 5:10 PM
My final post on this topic. We have had the mini-series exception since the beginning of time (on site). If we suddenly started to go from keeping an open mind about the definition to the opposite users would likely get even more confused than they are today. If some other moderator feel differently I won't oppose deleting the entry, but my personal policy is clear. 12 episodes or less without a second season: should be good to go most of the time. Another judgement call, but I guess we can survive that. :)