Review guideline: Difference between revisions

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The first section that you are able to rate in a review is animation. A common misconception when rating animation is comparing two different styles from two different periods. For instance, I currently use [http://anidb.info/a1217 Tokyo Godfathers] or [http://anidb.info/a890 Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence] as a reference point for "high quality modern animation". They are clear examples of superb animation seamlessly blending 2D with 3D animation. Now the problem arises when I compare that type of animation from a decade ago (1990s). Animation, like any art, progresses indefinitely through time. Tastes change, styles change, and potential audience changes with time. In 1999, [http://anidb.info/a73 Rurouni Kenshin - Meiji Kenkaku Roumandan - Tsuiokuhen], was considered the pinnacle of animation at the time. Comparing two differing styles like [http://anidb.info/a73 Rurouni Kenshin - Meiji Kenkaku Roumandan - Tsuiokuhen] with something modern like [http://anidb.info/a1217 Tokyo Godfathers] is unfair and too subjective. Rather than comparing one anime to another, it would be better to think about whether the anime effectively conveyed a unique style of animation.  

It is not always about if the anime can produce the best special effects or computer generated graphics. Raising questions like:

:"Is the animation’s style unique?"

:"Does it break away or goes beyond the time period’s typical animation?"

:"Can the anime be immediately recognized simply by looking at its animation?"

:"What level of realism or zaniness was depicted?"

This sort of thinking can be applied to backgrounds, opening or ending sequences, character designs, and special effects. These are all good areas to comment on in the animation section.<br>

As for numerical values for rating animation, here are some guidelines:<br>

:<b>10</b> – The animation is superb, effectively conveying its own sense of style. Many times the animation goes beyond the modern trend of animation at the time. The animation is easily recognizable. Character design, background, and special effects are well done. It is apparent to see the high level of thought that goes into every detail or design.<br>

:<b>9</b> – The animation is great, effectively conveying a clear sense of style. However, what keeps the animation from receiving a 10 is that maybe the animation builds upon a previous style. The style is presented well and may even give a refreshing look on an old or current style of animation. The animation maybe superb in most areas, but maybe lacking a bit in one or two areas like character designs and backgrounds.<br>

:<b>8</b> – The animation is good, usually good enough for the animation to be clearly recognizable. The animation may have its own sense of style, but is lacking in many areas. For example, character designs may have received great thought, but backgrounds and special effects were average.<br>

:<b>7</b> – The animation is decent and easily recognizable to most otaku. However, the problem with the animation is that it does not have a good sense of original style. It follows a previous trend or animation, and offers little in uniqueness.<br>

:<b>6</b> – The animation is just fine. Its animation style has been done before and the animation does not show much in the way of improving it. This does not mean the animation is bad; there just is not anything special about the animation.<br>

:<b>5</b> – The animation’s style is passable. It uses a previous style of animation, and does not make any effort improve on it.<br>

:<b>4</b> – The animation’s style is almost passable, but on the borderline of being bad. It uses a previous style of animation, and instead of sticking with it, may even make the style worse. Areas such as character design and backgrounds are in adequate, and they maybe painful to watch throughout the ova/movie/series.<br>

:<b>3</b> – The animation style is clearly bad. It looks like very low budget animation and reuses many frames. Character design and backgrounds received barely any thought whatsoever.<br>

:<b>2</b> – The animation is very bad. Character designs and backgrounds received no thought at all, and the animation has no distinguishing traits.<br>

:<b>1</b> – The animation can cause eye cancer. It is just drop down bad; there are no qualities that can receive any positive regard.<br>

The other popular way to comment on animation is to use an exemplarly anime of realistic animation as a gauge.  An anime such as Innocence or Macross Zero are popular guages.  Because an anime like Innocence or Macross Zero aims to be highly realistic and uses cutting edge animation techniques, this way of reviewing animation helps readers differentiate between the "typical" 2D animation style and the more "realistic" 3D animation style.