docs: define alpha animation system architecture

ROADMAP.md

@@ -140,6 +140,11 @@ Recommended views:
   #178, defining Unity 6000.5 Humanoid Avatar checks, semantic action coverage,
   weapon visibility, root-motion safety, scale, nameplate readability, and
   candidate body evidence requirements.
+- [x] Alpha animation architecture documented, deciding that the project-owned
+  semantic action/profile layer is the source of truth; ExplosiveLLC remains a
+  prototype adapter and clip source, Opsive UCC is a later authority spike, and
+  BR200-style custom Playables animation is deferred until measured evidence
+  requires tick accuracy or performance work.
 - [x] Alpha art direction and asset buying guide documented, defining
   Anime-Ready Semi-Real as the buying target, clean PBR guardrails, medieval
   asset limits, character and environment reject criteria, Unity 6.5 URP import
@@ -197,6 +202,10 @@ Recommended views:
 - [ ] Evaluate installing Unity Animation Rigging for Ida Faber and future
   semi-real bodies, then add authored look-at, weapon aim, two-bone hand IK,
   and foot IK constraints as a focused animation-import lane. Track in #263.
+- [ ] Convert the prototype animation registry into explicit body, weapon, and
+  timing profile assets or structured catalogs, then add a missing-action smoke
+  matrix before importing another major character animation framework. Track in
+  #278.
 - [x] Prototype combat visuals now distinguish dual-swords from one-hand sword
   semantics and recover from one-shot attack, cast, dodge, pickup, gather, and
   hit-react poses back into body-aware idle states.

docs/ARCHITECTURE.md

@@ -482,6 +482,13 @@ Unity owns visual animation presentation only. Fusion owns movement and combat
 authority, while Nakama owns durable stats and profile data. The current shared
 humanoid contract is split into two layers:
 
+The alpha animation architecture decision lives in
+[design/58-alpha-animation-system-architecture.md](design/58-alpha-animation-system-architecture.md).
+That document keeps ExplosiveLLC as a prototype adapter and clip source,
+keeps Opsive UCC as a later authority spike, and defers a BR200-style custom
+Playables controller until evidence shows tick accuracy or performance requires
+it.
+
 - Gameplay and AI request `CharacterActionId` values such as `Talk`, `Attack`,
   `HitReact`, `Death`, or `Gather`.
 - `CharacterAnimationRegistry` maps those semantic action ids to the active

docs/SUMMARY.md

@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@
 - [Alpha Visual Budget](design/42-alpha-visual-budget.md)
 - [Alpha Material and Shader Recipe](design/43-alpha-material-shader-recipe.md)
 - [Alpha Body Rig and Action Compatibility](design/44-alpha-body-rig-action-compatibility.md)
+- [Alpha Animation System Architecture](design/58-alpha-animation-system-architecture.md)
 - [Art Direction and Asset Buying Guide](design/48-art-direction-and-asset-buying-guide.md)
 
 ## Technical Design

docs/design/03-systems-index.md

@@ -93,11 +93,15 @@ The first alpha execution spine is:
 18. [44-alpha-body-rig-action-compatibility.md](44-alpha-body-rig-action-compatibility.md)
     for the Unity 6000.5 Humanoid Avatar, action registry, weapon visibility,
     root motion, scale, nameplate, and candidate body evidence checklist.
-19. [48-art-direction-and-asset-buying-guide.md](48-art-direction-and-asset-buying-guide.md)
+19. [58-alpha-animation-system-architecture.md](58-alpha-animation-system-architecture.md)
+    for the alpha animation architecture decision, Explosive/Opsive/BR200
+    evaluation, semantic action layer, body and weapon profiles, network
+    authority split, and AI-agent-friendly implementation plan.
+20. [48-art-direction-and-asset-buying-guide.md](48-art-direction-and-asset-buying-guide.md)
     for Anime-Ready Semi-Real asset-buying guardrails, medieval asset limits,
     character and environment requirements, reject criteria, and Unity 6.5 URP
     import evaluation.
-20. [45-inventory-and-equipment-system.md](45-inventory-and-equipment-system.md)
+21. [45-inventory-and-equipment-system.md](45-inventory-and-equipment-system.md)
     for body carry inventory, account/soul stash, Garden stash, temporary Gate
     loot, equipment slots, custody lifecycle states, hostile / monster / boss
     body equipment rules, starter item definitions, death loss rules, UI flows,
@@ -117,7 +121,7 @@ blockout tasks for the alpha.
 | 3 | Camera (top-down ARPG) | Core | MVP | Prototype | (TDD pending) | Player Controller |
 | 4 | Input system (Unity Input System) | Core | MVP | Prototype | - | Player Controller |
 | 5 | Zone scene management (1 zone vertical slice) | Core | MVP | Prototype | (TDD pending) | NetworkRunner |
-| 6 | Combat (ARPG action) | Gameplay | MVP | Not started | [39-alpha-stats-and-skills-design.md](39-alpha-stats-and-skills-design.md), [26-alpha-game-design-document.md](26-alpha-game-design-document.md), [27-alpha-level-design.md](27-alpha-level-design.md) | Player Controller, Networked state |
+| 6 | Combat (ARPG action) | Gameplay | MVP | Not started | [39-alpha-stats-and-skills-design.md](39-alpha-stats-and-skills-design.md), [58-alpha-animation-system-architecture.md](58-alpha-animation-system-architecture.md), [26-alpha-game-design-document.md](26-alpha-game-design-document.md), [27-alpha-level-design.md](27-alpha-level-design.md) | Player Controller, Networked state |
 | 7 | NPC dialogue and human-believable NPC agent model | Gameplay | MVP | Design | [13-human-believable-npc-agent-model.md](13-human-believable-npc-agent-model.md), [16-npc-society-multi-agent-architecture.md](16-npc-society-multi-agent-architecture.md), [21-permanent-npc-story-characteristics.md](21-permanent-npc-story-characteristics.md), [36-ai-npc-research-anchor-map.md](36-ai-npc-research-anchor-map.md), [37-ai-npc-backend-client-roadmap.md](37-ai-npc-backend-client-roadmap.md) | api.dos.ai model service (phase 2 ready), Profile persistence |
 | 8 | Quest system (linear, 3-5 quests slice scope) | Gameplay | VS | Not started | [35-alpha-content-and-copy-pack.md](35-alpha-content-and-copy-pack.md), [29-alpha-questline-and-encounter-design.md](29-alpha-questline-and-encounter-design.md), [26-alpha-game-design-document.md](26-alpha-game-design-document.md), [27-alpha-level-design.md](27-alpha-level-design.md) | NPC dialogue, persistence |
 | 9 | Dungeon instance (1 dungeon, 1 boss) | Gameplay | VS | Not started | [27-alpha-level-design.md](27-alpha-level-design.md), [29-alpha-questline-and-encounter-design.md](29-alpha-questline-and-encounter-design.md), [15-gate-dungeon-pioneer-charter-system.md](15-gate-dungeon-pioneer-charter-system.md) | Combat, NPC dialogue, Photon |

docs/design/38-alpha-design-decision-register.md

@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ first playable alpha.
 | Alpha starter kit | Sentinel or balanced contractor is still the recommended first playable kit. | `39-alpha-stats-and-skills-design.md` |
 | Alpha skill origin | Skill data must distinguish origin from slot and animation intent. The minimum useful origins are soul, body imprint, body physical, weapon, profession, agent routine, and anomaly. | `39-alpha-stats-and-skills-design.md` |
 | Skill carryover | Learned soul skills may survive body loss, but actual execution remains limited by current body stats, equipment, injury, policy, and soul-body sync. Body imprint and physical body skills are lost with the body by default. | `40-soul-skill-carryover-and-sync.md` |
+| Animation architecture | Alpha uses a project-owned semantic animation intent layer plus body, weapon, and timing profiles. ExplosiveLLC remains a prototype adapter and clip source, Opsive UCC is a later authority spike, and a BR200-style custom Playables controller is deferred until evidence proves tick accuracy or performance requires it. | `58-alpha-animation-system-architecture.md` |
 | Art look-dev target | Prove Anime-Ready Semi-Real through one small look-dev scene before buying or importing a large asset family. | `32-alpha-art-audio-and-content-direction.md` |
 
 ---
@@ -154,3 +155,4 @@ When a design question appears during implementation:
 | `38-alpha-design-decision-register.md` | Decision state and scope control. |
 | `39-alpha-stats-and-skills-design.md` | Alpha stat scale, skill origin, starter kits, and validation rules. |
 | `40-soul-skill-carryover-and-sync.md` | Learned skill carryover, body imprint loss, soul-body sync, and execution limits. |
+| `58-alpha-animation-system-architecture.md` | Semantic animation architecture, Explosive/Opsive/BR200 evaluation, body/weapon/timing profiles, and authority split. |

docs/design/44-alpha-body-rig-action-compatibility.md

@@ -3,8 +3,11 @@
 *Status: Alpha validation protocol for issue #178*
 *Created: 2026-05-23*
 *Source of truth level: Candidate body rig, scale, weapon, and animation
-compatibility validation for Unity `6000.5.0b9`. This is not a final animation
-controller rebuild plan.*
+compatibility validation for Unity `6000.5.0b9`. This is not the alpha
+animation architecture decision. Use
+[58-alpha-animation-system-architecture.md](58-alpha-animation-system-architecture.md)
+for the animation controller, vendor adapter, authority, and AI-agent
+development direction.*
 
 ---