Learn how to build a meaningful anime tier list — from choosing your criteria to placing shows in the right tiers — and how to share it with the WeebRate community.
What Is a Tier List?
A tier list is a ranked ordering of items — in this case, anime series — into labelled categories, usually S through F. The format originated in competitive gaming communities as a way to rank character viability, but it has become one of the internet's most popular ways to express and compare opinions.
What makes anime tier lists particularly interesting is that they're inherently subjective. Two fans who both love One Piece will tier it differently based on their preferences for pacing, power scaling, or nostalgia value. The conversation a tier list provokes is often more valuable than the tier list itself.
The Tier System Explained
Most tier lists use a six-tier system: S, A, B, C, D, and F. Here's what each tier should represent when you're being rigorous:
- S Tier — Masterpieces. Anime you would recommend to anyone, in any context, without hesitation.
- A Tier — Excellent. Great shows that stopped just short of changing your life. Worth watching by almost everyone.
- B Tier — Good. Solid, enjoyable series with notable flaws or limited appeal. Recommended with context.
- C Tier — Average. Watchable, but forgettable. Either didn't land for you or is too niche.
- D Tier — Below average. Finished it but wouldn't recommend it. Had real problems.
- F Tier — Dropped or deeply disappointing. Either couldn't finish it or actively disliked it.
Choose Your Criteria First
Before you start placing anime, decide what your tier list is measuring. Personal enjoyment? Objective quality? Animation alone? Story only? The answer shapes every placement decision.
A common mistake is mixing criteria mid-list. You might love Sword Art Online despite acknowledging its writing flaws. If your tier list is about pure enjoyment, SAO might be A tier. If it's about craft, it's probably C. Both are valid — but you need to commit to one before you start.
Give your tier list a descriptive name that signals the criteria. "My Top Anime of All Time (Enjoyment)" and "Most Technically Impressive Anime" are more useful to readers than just "Anime Rankings".
Building Your List on WeebRate
WeebRate's Tier Lists feature lets you create, share, and collaborate on tier lists with the community. Search for any anime in the AniList database and drag it into any tier. You can adjust descriptions, add notes to individual placements, and make the list public for others to view and discuss.
The collaborative feature is where things get interesting. Invite a friend to co-edit a tier list — you'll see their placements in real time and can work through disagreements together. Some of the best tier lists on the platform have come from friends who started in complete disagreement and built something worth reading in the process.