What truly pushes a score toward a 9 is the ability to sustain emotional stakes. An 8.7 indicates that the audience isn't just impressed; they are invested.
Whether it’s the high-frame-rate fluidity of a Kyoto Animation series or the gritty, hand-painted textures of Arcane , these works use their medium to do things live-action cannot, creating a "visual feast" that justifies the score. 2. Narrative Sophistication 8.7 / 10 Animation ...
At 8.7, the "animation is for kids" stigma is completely dismantled. These works often tackle complex themes: What truly pushes a score toward a 9
An 8.7-rated production is rarely "standard." It often represents a leap in craft. Characters in these series rarely end where they began
Characters in these series rarely end where they began. Their journeys feel earned, and their losses feel heavy.
A high score is often a testament to a strong "auteur" presence. Whether it’s the whimsical, environmentalist lens of or the kinetic, neon-soaked direction of Hiroyuki Imaishi , an 8.7 usually belongs to a work with a distinct, uncompromising personality. It doesn't feel like it was made by a committee; it feels like a specific vision. Conclusion
Films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (which sits in this scoring range) succeeded by blending 2D comic book aesthetics with 3D depth.