(Everything is split into +/ /- to define quality within groups; a '+' indicates that it was close to the above number whereas a '-' indicates the opposite)
10: The best of the best -- an experience I enjoyed enough that I don't care about any flaws.
(Something here usually will either capture something I find special and/or impress me with how well it's put together.)
[In grading terms, this would be an A+.]
9: A great experience, but falls a little short of one I can call the best.
(At this level I still notice things that bother me about the show, but they’re not omnipresent or enough of gripes to tarnish much about the experience.)
[In grading terms, this would be an A or A-.]
8: A very good experience, but one that had at least one crippling flaw dragging it down.
(I first and foremost respect something about these shows, and if I think others will feel the same way I'll happily recommend anything here or higher. That being said, they still have a pretty clear issue that I can't ignore.)
[In grading terms, this would be a B or B+.]
7: A good experience, but a pretty noticeably flawed one.
(These are shows that I enjoyed comfortably overall, but also shows I can tear into and criticize a lot about. I'm mostly indifferent on recommending these; I will only do so if I think it'll match the person's taste.)
[In grading terms, this would be a B- or C+.]
6: A positive experience, but not significantly so.
(This is where I start to think shows aren't very good -- I enjoyed these more than not, but it was close. A lot of hot messes and mostly forgettable experiences go here.)
[In grading terms, this would be a C or C-.]
5: A negative experience, but not significantly so.
(This is about where I start considering shows 'a waste of time' if watched for unironic enjoyment; I definitely don't hate these, but they were not good. Shows where my enjoyment was ~neutral also go here -- if I didn't really care either way, then what was the point?)
[In grading terms, this would be a D or maybe even an F.]
4: A bad experience, but one with a few redeeming factors.
(This is where I start putting shows I found aggressively bad. There were enough things I liked about them that I don't quite hate these, but I certainly don't think those parts were enough to overcome all of the bad things.)
[In grading terms, this would be an F.]
3: A very bad experience, but one that manages to at least do a couple things right.
(This is where I start to hate shows -- I generally hate anything here or below that wasn't watched for ironic enjoyment. There’s tangible moments I liked, but they are few and far between.)
[In grading terms, this would be a rather large F. Like, the word FAILURE stamped at the top of your work.]
2: A dreadful experience, but they have something I appreciated enough to give them minimal credit.
(This might be my hardest score to achieve. I hated anything I’m putting here (outside of memes), but still found some unironic value in them — just very little.)
[In grading terms, I would simply take your assignment and put it into a paper shredder.]
1: The worst of the worst -- an experience that had no noteworthy redeeming qualities.
(The only real enjoyment I found here was ironic; I loathed watching anything here if I wasn't just laughing at it.)
[In grading terms, I would take your assignment and light it on fire in front of you. This is probably why I'm not a teacher.]
Notes:
-Shows being bad in funny ways is a lot better than them being bad in boring ways.
-I find most stories are more enjoyable than not; therefore I would argue the most average quality anime out there is somewhere around a high 6.
-Every show has flaws, so the hallmark of a 10 can't be perfection; therefore I would argue a 10 is any show the viewer enjoys enough to not want to pick at anything.
-On-Hold is a pretty useless section for anime, so I mostly use it to help sort my extensive Plan to Watch.
-If something doesn’t have a blurb, it usually means that I watched it recently and am still unpacking my thoughts on it.
-I tend to change my opinions slightly over time.
-I'm easier with my scores than most critically inclined people out there (something I'm pretty happy with, actually) but for those who think I have too many 10s or something just subtract two-thirds from my scores for a more 'conventional' scale.
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I don't drop anime because I'm not a coward. (In other words, I enjoy being a critic and also have an insatiable sense of curiosity.)
I'm also not one for milestones... but my 666th anime completion was Sono Bisque Doll and I think that's kinda funny.
I'm glad to find out I'm not the only one who can see Higurashi Gou's flaws. I love Higurashi, but Gou was a genuine disappointment to me. I agree with almost everything in your review (I actually liked Teppei redeeming himself, but I think they should have gone further with him, made him more useful somehow as we already know about looping changing people).
Came here to compliment your great choice of pic but after browsing a bit I also have to praise your solid reviews (the couple I've read) and on point notes about anime.
I also prefer a bad show to a boring show and feel like a 10 is less about having no flaws and more about having the most qualities.
I'm a bit more than halfway through Lily bouquet now and as much as I enjoy the show, the Madoka and RWBY comparison are glaring (and I haven't even seen RWBY). I also liked that you pointed out the weird, light-hearted way the show approaches even the most gruesome of situations, that and the cast of way too many characters (seriously, who has a main cast of 9 characters? More than 4 is already hard to balance) mean the show will probably never break past the "light entertainment" barrier cause I'm not that invested, I just watch the pretty colours and gay girls. while having lunch.
Most of your Higurashi GOU review points are well-explained with reflects in reality. It's a disappointment for everyone - newcomers and the fans. What do you think about SOTSU trailer? I have high expectations and hope it'll be better, because Satoko as an antagonist wasn't bad idea, but the way and everything about her... to be improved. Especially that it looks like a point when Higurashi merges with Umineko.
Thank you for Higurashi Gou review, I'm so glad that somebody feels so frustrated by the new Higurashi adaptation. I couldn't even watch it until Satoko's arc, it all fell to shit even before that, how my favorites were butchered. I can't imagine how anyone who was fan of Higurashi can appreciate the mess which is remake/sequel.
All Comments (34) Comments
I also prefer a bad show to a boring show and feel like a 10 is less about having no flaws and more about having the most qualities.
I'm a bit more than halfway through Lily bouquet now and as much as I enjoy the show, the Madoka and RWBY comparison are glaring (and I haven't even seen RWBY). I also liked that you pointed out the weird, light-hearted way the show approaches even the most gruesome of situations, that and the cast of way too many characters (seriously, who has a main cast of 9 characters? More than 4 is already hard to balance) mean the show will probably never break past the "light entertainment" barrier cause I'm not that invested, I just watch the pretty colours and gay girls. while having lunch.