Tier lists have become the internet's favorite way to rank anime. Whether you want to share your controversial takes on Naruto vs One Piece, debate the best romance anime, or simply organize your favorites, here's everything you need to know.
What Is an Anime Tier List?
A tier list is a visual ranking system that organizes items (in this case, anime series or characters) into horizontal rows labeled by tier — typically S, A, B, C, D, and F. S-tier represents "godly/must-watch," while F-tier is "absolute trash" or "didn't watch."
Tier lists became popular in gaming and anime communities around 2015-2016 and have exploded in the past few years. They're popular because they:
- Show your personal taste — quickly communicate which anime you love vs. hate
- Enable debate — Reddit and Twitter love discussing tier list placements
- Are shareable — create engagement and spark conversations
- Are creative — you can customize categories, colors, and explanations
Best Tier List Maker Tools
🥇 TierMaker — Most Popular & Most Templates
Website: tiermaker.com
Cost: Free (with optional ad-free upgrade)
Pros: Massive library of pre-made anime tier list templates (2,000+ anime included), works on desktop & mobile, easy to share, hundreds of completed tier lists from community for inspiration.
Cons: Ads on free version, can be slow with large templates.
Best for: First-time tier list makers — thousands of anime templates mean zero setup.
🎨 LomoList — Best for Customization
Website: lomolist.com
Cost: Free
Pros: Highly customizable tier labels, color options, detailed descriptions per entry, live voting polls, works in browser.
Cons: Smaller community than TierMaker, fewer pre-made templates.
Best for: Creating detailed, personalized tier lists with custom explanations.
⚡ Tier.kro.kr — Minimalist & Fast
Website: tier.kro.kr
Cost: Free
Pros: Ultra-fast, clean interface, minimal ads, drag-and-drop simplicity.
Cons: Fewer anime templates, less community content.
Best for: Users who want quick, no-frills tier lists.
Step-by-Step: Create Your First Anime Tier List on TierMaker
Step 1: Choose Your Template
Go to tiermaker.com/categories/anime-and-manga and browse anime tier list templates:
- "Ultimate 2025 Anime Tier List" — 2,000+ anime (perfect for comprehensive ranking)
- "Summer Anime 2025" — 100+ current season anime
- "Anime Characters Tier List" — rank characters instead of shows
Click "Create" to start.
Step 2: Drag Anime Into Tiers
You'll see a grid with:
- Left side: Available anime (thumbnails)
- Right side: Tier rows (S, A, B, C, D, F)
Drag anime thumbnails from left to right into your preferred tier. There's no "right" answer — rank by:
- Story quality — plot depth, writing
- Animation — studio quality, art style
- Characters — development, likability
- Personal enjoyment — pure fun factor
Step 3: Save & Share
Click "Save/Download" at the bottom. You can:
- Download as an image (PNG) to share on Reddit, Twitter, Discord
- Get a shareable link to the tier list
- Add a title like "My Favorite Anime 2025"
Tier List Categories to Try
Tier lists don't have to be "all anime." Popular alternatives:
- Best Romance Anime — rank by emotional impact
- Best Action Anime — best fight choreography & pacing
- Anime Opening Themes — catchiness, production value
- Most Rewatchable Anime — comfort watches
- Anime Studios Tier List — rank MAPPA, ufotable, A-1 Pictures, etc.
- Anime Boys/Girls Tier List — character attractiveness (controversial!)
How to Make Your Tier List Go Viral
1. Post on Reddit
Post your tier list to r/anime or genre-specific subreddits like r/Romanceanime, r/Shonen, etc. Controversial placements spark discussions — Demon Slayer in B-tier? You'll get replies.
2. Tweet It
Share on Twitter/X with hashtags like #AnimeTwitter #TierList #Anime2025. Anime Twitter loves debating tier lists — expect replies.
3. Discord Communities
Join anime Discord servers and post your tier list in discussion channels. Get real-time feedback from other fans.
4. Create Series of Lists
Don't just make one — create multiple tier lists (romance, action, characters, openings). This shows deeper knowledge and keeps engagement alive.
Pro Tips
- Be prepared to defend your placements — tier lists start debates. Have reasons ready for S-tier picks.
- Separate "quality" from "personal enjoyment" — a show can be well-made but not your taste, and vice versa.
- Include anime you've actually watched — "F-tier" for shows you didn't complete is valid, but say so.
- Update periodically — After watching new shows, remake your tier list. It shows character growth.
- Use custom tier names — Instead of S/A/B, try "Masterpiece" / "Great" / "Good" / "Okay" / "Not for Me"
Find Your Next Anime Using SwipeAnime
Created your tier list and realized you need to watch more anime? SwipeAnime's Swipe feature discovers new series based on your taste. Or use our interactive Taste Quiz to find personalized recommendations in under 2 minutes.
Made your first tier list? Share it on Twitter @SwipeAnime — we'd love to see your rankings! 🎖️