Translation guide
A story or film set before the events of an existing work. In Japanese, the most common term is 前日譚 (ぜんじつたん), but other expressions like プリクエル or descriptive phrases are also used.
The learner wants to refer to a prequel in the context of movies, books, games, etc.
The most direct and common Japanese equivalent for 'prequel'. Used for films, novels, etc. that depict events preceding an original story.
この映画は前作の前日譚です。
This movie is a prequel to the previous work.
Loanword from English, used especially among fans or in media contexts. Less formal than 前日譚.
スター・ウォーズのプリクエル三部作が好きです。
I like the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'a work depicting the past'. Useful when the term 'prequel' might not be understood.
これは主人公の過去を描いた作品です。
This is a work that depicts the protagonist's past.
Literally 'previous chapter', sometimes used for a prequel in a series, but more commonly means a preceding chapter in the same book.
前日譚 is the standard Japanese word and is understood by all. プリクエル is a loanword used mainly by younger people or in fan communities. In formal writing, prefer 前日譚.
公式サイトでは「前日譚」と表記されている。
On the official site, it is written as '前日譚'.
この物語は前章にあたります。
This story corresponds to the prequel chapter.