本編(ほんぺん)

ほんぺん
noun
main part; main story; this volume
media
1. main part; main story; main feature
The primary or main portion of a work, as opposed to supplementary material such as spin-offs, sequels, bonus content, or behind-the-scenes footage.
本編(ほんぺん)は来月(らいげつ)公開(こうかい)される。
The main feature will be released next month.
この映画(えいが)の本編(ほんぺん)は二時間(にじかん)ある。
The main feature of this movie is two hours long.
スピンオフが人気(にんき)だが、やはり本編(ほんぺん)のストーリーが一番(いちばん)面白(おもしろ)い。
The spin-off is popular, but the main story is still the most interesting.
2. this volume; the present work
A reference to the current book, document, or work being discussed.
詳(くわ)しくは本編(ほんぺん)第三章(だいさんしょう)を参照(さんしょう)してください。
Please refer to Chapter 3 of this volume for details.
本編(ほんぺん)の内容(ないよう)は前作(ぜんさく)の知識(ちしき)がなくても楽(たの)しめる。
You can enjoy this volume even without knowledge of the previous work.
本編(ほんぺん)では基礎的(きそてき)な理論(りろん)を解説(かいせつ)し、応用例(おうようれい)は別冊(べっさつ)に譲(ゆず)る。
This volume covers basic theory, and application examples are left to a separate volume.

A compound of 本(ほん) (main; this) and 編(ぺん) (compilation; volume). Very commonly used in entertainment media — anime, manga, movies, video games — to distinguish the main story from side stories, OVAs, bonus episodes, or behind-the-scenes content.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 番外編(ばんがいへん): side story; extra episode — content outside the main narrative
  • 外伝(がいでん): side story; spin-off — a separate story featuring secondary characters or events
  • 続編(ぞくへん): sequel; continuation — the next installment following the main story
  • 前編(ぜんぺん): first part — the first half of a work divided into parts

Related Words

Compare: 外伝(がいでん) (side story)
Compare: 続編(ぞくへん) (sequel)
general
Added 2026.4.25 23:19 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
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