diff --git a/static/player/episodes/metadata.ts b/static/player/episodes/metadata.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6129afea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/player/episodes/metadata.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+import { state } from "../state";
+
+/** Fetches episode metadata from API and updates episode-card titles. */
+export const setupEpisodeMetadata = (): void => {
+  const { episodeList } = state.elements;
+  if (!episodeList) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  fetch(`/api/watch/episodes/${state.episode.malID}/metadata`)
+    .then((res) => res.json())
+    .then((data: Array<{ mal_id: number; title?: string }>) => {
+      data.forEach((item) => {
+        const card = episodeList.querySelector(`[data-episode-id="${item.mal_id}"]`);
+        if (!card) {
+          return;
+        }
+
+        if (item.title) {
+          const titleEl = card.querySelector("[data-episode-title]");
+          if (titleEl) {
+            titleEl.textContent = item.title;
+          }
+        }
+      });
+    })
+    .catch((error) => {
+      window.showToast?.({ message: "Failed to load episode metadata." });
+      console.error("failed to load episode metadata:", error);
+    });
+};
diff --git a/static/player/episodes/thumbnails.ts b/static/player/episodes/thumbnails.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 24c57f7f..00000000
--- a/static/player/episodes/thumbnails.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,56 +0,0 @@
-import { state } from "../state";
-
-/**
- * Fetches episode thumbnails and titles from API. Injects images into episode cards, replaces
- * placeholder.
- */
-export const setupThumbnails = (): void => {
-  const { episodeList } = state.elements;
-  if (!episodeList) {
-    return;
-  }
-
-  fetch(`/api/watch/thumbnails/${state.episode.malID}`)
-    .then((res) => res.json())
-    .then((data: Array<{ mal_id: number; url: string; title?: string }>) => {
-      data.forEach((item) => {
-        const card = episodeList.querySelector(`[data-episode-id="${item.mal_id}"]`);
-        if (!card) {
-          return;
-        }
-
-        // inject thumbnail image
-        if (item.url) {
-          const imgContainer = card.querySelector(".relative.aspect-video");
-          if (imgContainer) {
-            let img = imgContainer.querySelector("img");
-            if (!img) {
-              // replace placeholder with actual image
-              img = document.createElement("img");
-              img.className =
-                "h-full w-full object-cover transition-transform group-hover:scale-105";
-              img.loading = "lazy";
-              imgContainer
-                .querySelector(".flex.h-full.w-full.items-center.justify-center")
-                ?.remove();
-              imgContainer.prepend(img);
-            }
-            img.src = item.url;
-            img.alt = item.title ?? `Episode ${item.mal_id}`;
-          }
-        }
-
-        // inject title text
-        if (item.title) {
-          const titleEl = card.querySelector("[data-episode-title]");
-          if (titleEl) {
-            titleEl.textContent = item.title;
-          }
-        }
-      });
-    })
-    .catch((error) => {
-      window.showToast?.({ message: "Failed to load episode thumbnails." });
-      console.error("failed to load episode thumbnails:", error);
-    });
-};
diff --git a/static/player/main.ts b/static/player/main.ts
index 94dfd894..579f052a 100644
--- a/static/player/main.ts
+++ b/static/player/main.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import { onHtmxLoad, onReady } from "../utils";
 import { setupControls, showControls } from "./controls";
 import { formatTime } from "./controls";
+import { setupEpisodeMetadata } from "./episodes/metadata";
 import { goToNextEpisode } from "./episodes/nav";
-import { setupThumbnails } from "./episodes/thumbnails";
 import { setupAutoplayButton, updateEpisodeHighlight, switchEpisodeRange } from "./episodes/ui";
 import { setupKeyboard } from "./keyboard";
 import {
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ const initPlayer = async (): Promise<void> => {
     switchEpisodeRange(Math.floor((Number.parseInt(state.episode.current, 10) - 1) / 100));
   }
 
-  setupThumbnails();
+  setupEpisodeMetadata();
   window.setTimeout(() => {
     if (!signal.aborted) {
       hydrateAlternateMode(signal).catch((error) => {