I'm working on building a somewhat full bio, and the rating system is just one part of a few that I plan to detail. Per usual, hopefully soon :d


How I Rate

Ratings are based on two interlinked factors: Likeability and Respectability. How well a work is executed, the depth and clarity of what it aims to convey, and whether it demonstrates a genuine understanding of its themes, all contribute to Respectability. When it succeeds in these areas, my sense of attachment to it naturally grows.
The pursuit of complete objectivity is a fool's errand. However, I firmly believe that cultivating a diverse frame of reference allows for a wider range of emotional and intellectual responses, whether positive, negative, mixed, or neutral.

10–9.5Peerless. Works that are truly irreplicable regardless of medium. Every aspect supports the others, creating an experience that is unforgettable. They reshape my understanding of their genre and the medium as a whole, and they challenge my perspective on life and art. They are the reason I've fallen down this rabbit hole and care as deeply as I do about it.
The difference between a 10 and a 9.5 is subtle; a 9.5 may have one, at most two, moments that cannot quite be overlooked, but this does not detract from its brilliance.

9.0 → Very close to the above tier, except a character arc, pacing, or the choice and handling of certain narrative devices may feel less strong or less distinct. Even so, these consistently stay with me and continue to unfold in reflection.

8.5–7.5 → Works that have the makings of favourites, and in the case of 8.5s, some do become favourites. They often bring a fresh perspective to their subject matter, explore it thoroughly, and sometimes offer imaginative worlds or concepts. Whether they succeed fully tends to depend on emotional resonance — how much they moved me, alongside the initial and sustained awe that comes with their ingenuity.

7.0–6.0 → I usually enjoy at least half of their runtime, but these tend to fall short in staying power. They might be dated, lean too heavily on unpleasant tropes, lack convincing characterisation, or end in ways that are abrupt or unsatisfying. These are titles I often wish I liked more, but certain shortcomings prevent deeper resonance.

5.5–4.5 → Simply unremarkable. Although there is often a decent foundation, it does not make full use of it, or its presentation undermines its own thematic aims.

4.0–3.0 → Utterly tiring; if I finished any of these, it was usually through effort rather than genuine engagement. They often begin with promising atmosphere or ideas, but the development and framing of those ideas is unengaging. At the lower end of this range, the supposed chain of cause and effect is hollow, resulting in something that comes across as artificial and without heart.

2.5–1.0 → The least-used part of the scale these days, as I've become far more willing to drop anything this rough within the first episode or volume. These titles possess little to no redeeming quality, whether technically or thematically. The difference between each score here comes down to the degree to which I abhor the experience.

A few more things worth noting:

The breakdown is based on reviewing my list and reflecting on why I gave a particular score to each entry. It is not intended as a fixed set of rules, but rather as a tool to help me recognise my thinking patterns and understand my tastes. It, in turn, has been useful for selecting series I feel are worth my time. It may also be temporary; I have shifted my approach to rating many times over the years, and this is the first time I've put in a real effort to explore it in detail.

Dropped titles are not scored unless I have completed at least half of them.

If a series requires me to do my own research (historical, political, social) I don't mind at all, especially if it contains intriguing set pieces. This doesn't affect my scoring. After all, as a non-Japanese consumer, I feel partially responsible for filling in that context.
Beyond that, however, no outside influence shapes my experience. I do not care about lables or community ratings. While I find reading other enthusiasts' written thoughts valuable and enjoy discussing series with friends, ultimately the scores (and write-ups) should reflect what was genuinely felt when engaging with a material.

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Pub: 09 Nov 2025 07:12 UTC

Edit: 29 Apr 2026 05:32 UTC

Views: 227