Not every 10 is equal to other 10s, or every 4 equal to other 4s - I rate each series independently from one another, and in consideration of what each individual title is trying to convey.
This guide applies generally but not to all titles I have rated.
All scores are my personal opinions and I do not claim to be an objective adjudicator.
The Superb
10 = Superb and immaculate. Not necessarily perfect but as good as it gets (Certain 10s are perfect for me though). Something that I enjoyed in its entirety. Has several elements that I consider to be exceptionally original, ingenious and monumental. Pinnacle of anime as a medium. Example = Perfect Blue
9 = Amazing and unforgettable. Anime that have no or very negligible negatives. Always personal favorites. Anime with this score come very close to being rated 10/10, and for me, a nine is much closer to a ten than an eight. Has at least one element that I consider to be ingenious, either in its storytelling, themes, world- and/or character-building. For most anime, this is as good as it gets, as anything above a nine is for me, a work of art and is exceptionally rare. Example = Hajime no Ippo
The Good
8 = Brilliant and noteworthy. Anime with exceptional storytelling, great characters and character development, good writing and usually satisfactory endings. Anime with this score almost always are titles that I deeply care about. Still, usually just about one, modest negative that prevents anime with this score from being rated higher. Example = JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 4: Diamond wa Kudakenai
7 = Good. Anime that I greatly enjoyed despite their downfalls. Succeeds in many aspects of good storytelling but does not excel. One or two serious negative elements. Often, anime I really liked but not to the extent that I ever think about them again. Example = Kuroko no Basket
6 = Fine - I watched it and I enjoyed it. It is very far from being perfect and it has a meaningful number of negatives, but it still is something that I genuinely liked. Very likely that it is an otherwise good anime with an ending I disliked. Example = Ballroom e Youkoso
The Neutral
5 = Dull & Lackluster. I watched it, it had its positives, its negatives, and in the end it was just OK. Absolute neutrality, it's not good or bad, it just is sort of there. Most OVAs/Specials I watch I rate a five because I find them largely unnecessary. Almost always is a forgettable experience. Example = The iDOLM@STER
The Bad
4 = Just bad - not awful, not horrible but bad. Potentially could have been ok/decent if not for lackluster storytelling and/or other issues. Not something that I would ever recommend or want to watch again, but not something I would actively rant against. Example = One Punch Man
3 = Pretty bad, although not criminally so - might just not be my cup of tea. Usually has one decent character/story aspect., although largely insignificant in light of all the negatives. Almost always a waste of time due to bad endings/nonsensical characters. Example = Dorohedoro
2 = Horrible, almost no redeeming features. Fails in almost all elements of successful storytelling. For most anime, this is as low as it gets as anything below a two has to be distressingly bad (Some do succeed though). Example = Zombieland Saga
The Detestable
1 = Atrocious, awful to the point of insult. Criminally bad, a total failure. Has zero redeeming features and in a perfect world would not have existed. Not many anime are rated this low so this score is a sort of an achievement in and of itself. Example = Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari
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