10 Best Anime Rating Sites (2026): Rank Episodes, Characters & Find Reviews

In 2026, anime rating sites remain essential for fans deciding what to watch. While overall scores provide a quick reference, savvy viewers increasingly consider character popularity, user reviews, and community insights to gauge a title’s quality and lasting appeal. But not all platforms are built the same. Some excel in comprehensive databases and community engagement, while others shine with intuitive design, flexible scoring systems, or editorial insights. This guide breaks down the 10 best anime rating sites of 2026, comparing ratings, features, and usability—so you can find the platform that suits your anime-watching style.

What Makes a Great Anime Rating Site?

A truly effective anime rating site goes beyond assigning a single overall score. While per-episode ratings are rare, the best platforms also track character information or popularity indicators, and host user-generated reviews that reflect long-term audience impressions rather than short-term hype.

Beyond raw scores, usability and community features are equally important. A strong platform allows fans to manage personal watchlists, apply filters, track seasonal titles, and participate in discussions. Whether you prefer structured forums, social feed–style interactions, or external community engagement, the ideal site combines accurate ratings, rich databases, and an active community into a seamless, easy-to-navigate experience.

To make these comparisons more concrete, we evaluated each site based on six core criteria:

⭐ Overall Scores / Ratings：The primary user rating for the entire anime series.

👤 Character Ratings & Popularity: Character metadata, popularity indicators, or tagging features.

📝 User Reviews & Scoring System: Ability for users to write reviews, leave ratings, and use flexible scoring systems.

📚 Database Coverage: Extent of anime and manga coverage, including TV, OVA, ONA, movies, and new/upcoming seasonal titles.

💬 Community & Discussion Features: Availability and quality of forums, comment threads, social feeds, or external community links.

⚙️ Usability & Customization: User interface quality, personal lists, filtering options, mobile-friendliness, and customization features.

Top 10 Anime Rating Sites — Feature Comparison

To help you quickly assess which anime rating site suits your needs, we’ve broken down their key features into a clear comparison. From character tracking to community engagement, this overview shows where each platform excels—or falls short—so you can make an informed choice before diving in.

Legend: ✅ Excellent | ⚠️ Limited | ❌ Not available

Key Takeaways：

• Best overall ratings & reviews: MyAnimeList, AniList, Anime‑Planet, Kitsu, IMDb

• Limited or partial rating support: Crunchyroll Community, AniDB

• No user scoring/review system: Anime Corner, Anitrendz, ANN

• Most comprehensive databases: MyAnimeList, AniList, Anime‑Planet, Kitsu, AniDB

• Best community hubs: MyAnimeList, Anime‑Planet

• Social-feed style interaction: AniList, Kitsu

• External/community only: Anime Corner, Anitrendz

• Best UI/Customization: AniList, Kitsu

• Functional but dated/simple UI: MyAnimeList, Anime‑Planet, IMDb

• Minimal or technical-only UI: Crunchyroll Community, AniDB, ANN

Platform Spotlight — Detailed Reviews

Here's a deeper dive into each anime rating site, exploring what makes them unique and how they fit different viewing styles.

1. MyAnimeList (MAL)

Official Website：https://myanimelist.net/

APP Download：iOS & Android

Why It's Great: MAL remains one of the most comprehensive anime platforms in 2026. It covers TV series, OVAs, ONAs, movies, and manga, including upcoming seasonal titles. Fans can create personal watchlists, track progress, and leave detailed user reviews with flexible scoring. The site’s community features—including forums, clubs, and discussion threads—enable interaction, recommendations, and debates. Character pages include voice actor links and favorites count, providing extra insight for fans who follow specific characters. Its combination of database depth and community engagement has kept MAL relevant for over a decade.

Potential Drawbacks: While MAL offers extensive features, its interface feels somewhat dated compared to modern platforms. Navigation is functional but less intuitive, and customization options are limited. Some users may find social features like forums less dynamic than social-feed style interactions found on newer platforms.

Best For: Fans seeking a classic, community-driven experience with comprehensive coverage, detailed reviews, and active forums.

2. AniList

Official Website：https://anilist.co/

APP Download：iOS & Android

Why It's Great: AniList excels with a modern, sleek interface and social-feed style interactions. It covers an extensive library of anime and manga, including seasonal and upcoming releases. Users can create fully customizable watchlists, track their progress, and leave flexible, detailed reviews. Character pages allow tagging and following, helping fans monitor appearances and trends. Advanced users can customize the interface using CSS, and AniList is fully mobile-friendly. Its integration of ratings, reviews, and social activity makes it ideal for fans who enjoy community engagement in a modern, feed-based layout.

Potential Drawbacks: While visually appealing, AniList has limited traditional forum-style discussions compared to MAL. Some users may find the social-feed layout less structured for following long debates or detailed threads. New users might need time to fully utilize customization and navigation features.

Best For: Fans who value a modern, customizable interface, social-feed interactions, and a comprehensive, up-to-date anime and manga database.

3. Crunchyroll Community / Ratings

Official Website：https://www.crunchyroll.com/

APP Download：iOS & Android

Why It's Great: Crunchyroll Community seamlessly integrates with Crunchyroll’s streaming service, allowing users to watch licensed anime and rate series directly on the platform. Episode comment threads enable viewers to share immediate reactions and discuss specific scenes in context. This integration makes it convenient for fans who want to combine streaming and basic rating functions without leaving the platform. The site’s interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it accessible for newcomers or casual viewers looking for quick ratings and episode-level discussions.

Potential Drawbacks: Despite its streaming integration, Crunchyroll Community offers limited series-level ratings compared to dedicated rating platforms like MAL or AniList. Broader community features are minimal, with discussions mostly confined to episode comment threads rather than active forums or clubs. The database is restricted to licensed content, so coverage of older, niche, or unlicensed titles is incomplete. Customization options for watchlists and interface preferences are limited, and the social features are less dynamic than those of AniList or Kitsu.

Best For: Fans who primarily watch anime on Crunchyroll and want to leave quick ratings or participate in episode-specific discussions, but do not need extensive forums, historical coverage, or advanced customization features.

4. Anime-Planet 

Official Website: https://www.anime-planet.com

App Download: iOS | Android

Why It's Great: Anime‑Planet provides a comprehensive database of anime and manga, including TV series, OVAs, ONAs, movies, and seasonal updates. Users can create personalized watchlists, track progress, and leave detailed reviews with ratings, while the platform also offers tailored recommendations based on viewing history. Its community features include active forums, clubs, and user groups, making it easy for fans to discuss series, share lists, and participate in themed challenges. The interface is clean and straightforward, allowing users to quickly navigate between titles, explore recommendations, and engage with community content.

Potential Drawbacks: While Anime‑Planet’s UI is clean and easy to use, it is simpler than platforms like AniList or Kitsu, with fewer customization options for layout or personal display preferences. Character pages exist but lack ranking or detailed popularity metrics. The platform’s social feed is less dynamic, and discussions can feel less immediate compared to social-feed style platforms. Some advanced users may find the recommendation algorithm less precise for niche or older titles.

Best For: Fans who want a balance of comprehensive coverage and community interaction, with easy-to-use tools for watchlist management and personalized recommendations.

5. Kitsu

Official Website：https://kitsu.app/explore/anime

APP Download：/

Why It's Great: Kitsu (formerly Hummingbird) is a social-first anime and manga tracker designed for fans who find traditional databases too "spreadsheet-like." In 2026, it remains one of the most visually appealing and socially integrated platforms, bridging the gap between a tracking tool and a social network. Its homepage features a live social feed where you can see your friends’ watch progress, "heart" updates, reply to comments, and quickly spot trending titles within your circle. Kitsu encourages short, punchy "Reactions" instead of long-form reviews, making it perfect for the fast-paced attention span of modern viewers. Its unified library management for manga and light novels provides smooth tracking, including volume-to-chapter conversions, and direct streaming links to services like Netflix or Crunchyroll make it a convenient launchpad for your viewing sessions.

Potential Drawbacks: While Kitsu excels at social interaction and visual appeal, traditional forum-style discussions are limited. Character popularity is only indirectly indicated through tags and follower activity, rather than official metrics. Advanced users may find the feed-style layout less structured than classic databases like MAL, and customization options, while flexible, can take some time to fully master.

Best For: Fans who enjoy a modern, mobile-first platform with social feed interactions, reaction-based engagement, and integrated tracking for anime, manga, and light novels.

6. Anime Corner

Official Website: https://animecorner.me/

App Download: /

Why It's Great: Anime Corner has become the epicenter of seasonal anime hype, especially for action-heavy and mainstream titles. Each week, its viral "Top 10 Anime of the Week" infographics provide a snapshot of which episodes delivered the most impact, often highlighting standout animation moments or key plot developments. The platform’s Anime of the Season (AOTS) formula uses a weighted system—55% from the grand final poll and 45% from weekly results—to prevent one-hit-wonder episodes from dominating the rankings. Beyond series rankings, Anime Corner hosts comprehensive polls for Best Boy/Girl, Best Seiyuu (voice actor), Best Animation, and Best Adaptation, giving recognition to both characters and studios. Its community tier lists encourage fans to create and share their own seasonal rankings, fostering lively debates and comparisons between personal tastes and popular opinion.

Potential Drawbacks: Anime Corner does not offer official series ratings, detailed user reviews, or long-term anime tracking. Its focus on current seasonal titles means older or niche series are rarely covered, and community interaction mostly occurs through polls rather than traditional forums. Watchlist management and customization options are minimal compared to platforms like MAL or AniList.

Best For: Fans who want a pulse on the current season, enjoy discussing standout episodes, and participate in ranking polls for action-heavy or widely popular anime.

7. Anitrendz

Official Website: https://www.anitrendz.com/

App Download: /

Why It's Great: Anitrendz (AT) is a community-driven platform that captures the real-time pulse of global anime fandom. Unlike MAL, which focuses on historical ratings, Anitrendz excels at tracking seasonal buzz and fan engagement. Every week, thousands of fans vote for their favorite airing shows in the Weekly Top 10 Charts, while Character and "Ship" rankings highlight the most popular characters and romantic pairings. The platform also hosts the annual Anime Trending Awards (ATA), covering everything from “Anime of the Year” to technical awards like animation, scenery, and soundtrack. AT places a strong emphasis on voice actors, often linking character popularity to the talent behind the mic. Its modern, mobile-friendly interface and interactive polls make it a lively hub for fans who want to see and influence current trends.

Potential Drawbacks: Anitrendz does not provide official series ratings or detailed user reviews. Coverage of older or niche anime is limited, and most community interaction occurs through polls rather than traditional forums. Personal watchlists and customization options are minimal compared to platforms like MAL or AniList.

Best For: Fans who want to follow trending seasonal anime, participate in community voting, and track character or “ship” popularity in real time.

8. AniDB

Official Website: https://anidb.net/

App Download: /

Why It's Great: AniDB is a highly technical and archival-focused anime database, prized by enthusiasts who want exhaustive coverage of both mainstream and obscure titles. It offers detailed metadata for TV series, OVAs, ONAs, and movies, including episode lists, air dates, staff, and voice actor information. AniDB also allows users to leave ratings and minimal reviews, and its robust tagging and filtering system makes it easy to find rare or niche anime. Its archival depth ensures that even decades-old series are cataloged with precision, making it a go-to reference for long-time fans and collectors.

Potential Drawbacks: Despite its technical strengths, AniDB’s interface is complex and has a steep learning curve, which can be daunting for newcomers. The platform is not mobile-friendly and lacks modern UI customization. Community features are limited, with only a small forum primarily focused on technical support, and user interaction outside of ratings and tags is minimal.

Best For: Hardcore anime fans and collectors who want detailed archival information, precise metadata, and a highly comprehensive database, even if that comes at the cost of usability or community engagement.

9. Anime News Network (ANN)

Official Website: https://anidb.net/

App Download: /

Why It's Great: Anime News Network (ANN) is a long-standing hub for anime news, industry updates, and editorial reviews. In 2026, it remains one of the most authoritative sources for announcements, release schedules, studio news, and industry analysis. ANN covers TV series, OVAs, ONAs, and movies extensively, and its editorial reviews provide professional insights rather than crowd-sourced opinions. The platform also maintains encyclopedic entries for anime titles, staff, and studios, making it a valuable resource for fans who want to explore the production side of anime or stay up-to-date with industry trends.

Potential Drawbacks: ANN does not offer user ratings or reviews, and character-level information is minimal. Community interaction is very limited, with almost no forums or social features for fans to discuss series. Its interface focuses on news and articles rather than tracking or social engagement, so it’s less suitable for users who want interactive or personalized anime management features.

Best For: Fans seeking authoritative news, editorial reviews, and detailed production information, or anyone looking to follow the anime industry rather than just track or rate series.

10. IMDb (Anime Section)

Official Website: https://www.imdb.com/

App Download:  iOS | Android

Why It's Great: IMDb’s anime section brings mainstream visibility to anime by integrating series and movies into a widely recognized global entertainment database. Users can leave ratings and text reviews, offering a broad perspective from casual viewers as well as anime fans. The platform covers mostly popular and widely released titles, making it a convenient reference for newcomers who want a quick sense of a show’s general reception. IMDb also provides detailed metadata including episode lists, cast, staff, and release dates, along with links to streaming platforms, helping fans easily locate and watch series. Its familiarity and integration with the broader IMDb ecosystem make it a handy tool for cross-referencing anime with other media.

Potential Drawbacks: IMDb lacks dedicated anime-focused community features, such as forums, clubs, or character-level rankings. Coverage of niche, older, or unlicensed anime is limited, and customization options like personal watchlists or advanced filtering are minimal compared to platforms like MAL or AniList. Its ratings system is broad and general, reflecting mainstream sentiment rather than the dedicated anime community’s perspective.

Best For: Casual viewers and newcomers who want mainstream ratings, text reviews, and easy access to metadata, cast information, and streaming links, without needing deep community interaction or advanced tracking features.

Tips for Using Anime Rating Sites

Navigating the world of anime rating sites can be overwhelming, especially with so many platforms offering different strengths and features. Here are some tips to help you make the most of these resources in 2026:

Know Your Priority: Determine whether you care more about community opinions, editorial reviews, or archival completeness. For example, MAL and AniList are strong for user ratings and reviews, Anime Corner and Anitrendz excel at tracking seasonal buzz, while ANN and AniDB focus on industry insights and technical details.

Compare Multiple Sources: Don’t rely on a single rating. Cross-check scores across platforms to get a more balanced view. A series might be highly rated on MAL but rank lower on IMDb, reflecting differences between dedicated anime fans and general audiences.

Use Community Features Wisely: Participate in forums, clubs, or social feeds to discover new recommendations and gain context beyond raw scores. Platforms like Kitsu, AniList, and Anime‑Planet offer rich community interactions, while Anime Corner and Anitrendz provide interactive polls and tier lists for seasonal hits.

Leverage Watchlists and Tracking Tools: Most platforms allow you to manage watchlists, track episode progress, and organize manga or light novel libraries. Properly maintaining these lists can prevent you from missing updates, especially for long-running or seasonal series.

Focus on Metadata and Extras: Check character pages, voice actor info, episode details, and parental guides if relevant. Sites like AniDB and IMDb provide comprehensive metadata that can help you understand the production context or choose age-appropriate content.

Balance Popularity with Personal Taste: High ratings or trending status don’t always guarantee enjoyment. Use community discussions, reactions, and your personal preferences to decide what to watch next, instead of following hype blindly.

Stay Updated on Seasonal Titles: For current or upcoming anime, rely on platforms with strong seasonal coverage. Anime Corner, Anitrendz, and Kitsu frequently update their rankings and charts, making them ideal for fans who want to stay on top of weekly trends.

Conclusion

In 2026, anime rating sites have evolved far beyond simple scoreboards. From the comprehensive databases of MyAnimeList and AniList, to the social-first tracking of Kitsu, the seasonal pulse measured by Anime Corner and Anitrendz, and the industry-focused insights of AniDB and ANN, each platform offers unique tools for fans to explore, evaluate, and engage with anime. Even mainstream-focused sites like IMDb provide a lens into how anime resonates with broader audiences worldwide.

The key is to understand your priorities: whether you’re chasing detailed metadata, trending seasonal hits, social interactions, or professional reviews, there’s a platform suited to your needs. By combining ratings, community feedback, and personal preferences, fans in 2026 can navigate the ever-expanding anime landscape more effectively than ever before. Ultimately, the best anime rating site is the one that complements your viewing style, keeps you informed, and enhances the joy of discovering new favorites.