Reviewer Guidelines

Our Mission

Anime Actua exists to help anime and manga fans discover authentic Japanese culture through accurate translations and honest product recommendations.

Translation Methodology

1. Source Material Verification

All translations are verified against official Japanese sources
We consult native Japanese speakers for cultural context
Kanji meanings are cross-referenced with 3+ dictionaries (Jisho, Tangorin, Weblio)

2. Romanization Standards

We use Hepburn romanization (most widely recognized)
Macrons (ā, ē, ī, ō, ū) indicate long vowels
Particles は (wa) and へ (e) are romanized by pronunciation, not spelling

3. Cultural Context

Every translation includes:

Literal meaning
Cultural significance
Usage examples from popular anime/manga
Common mistakes to avoid

Product Review Process

1. Selection Criteria

We only review products that meet these standards:

✓ Officially licensed merchandise
✓ Available from reputable sellers (Amazon, Crunchyroll Store, etc.)
✓ Positive community feedback (minimum 4.0/5 stars)
✓ Authentic Japanese cultural representation

2. Testing Protocol

For physical products:

We purchase and test items personally when possible
Verify product dimensions, quality, and packaging
Compare against manufacturer specifications
Test durability over 30-day period

For digital products (manga, ebooks):

Read minimum 50 chapters before reviewing
Compare translation quality across publishers
Verify digital format compatibility
Test on multiple devices (Kindle, iPad, Android)

3. Scoring System

Our 5-star rating considers:

Quality (40%)

Materials, printing, binding

Authenticity (30%)

Cultural accuracy, official licensing

Value (20%)

Price vs. quality ratio

Availability (10%)

Shipping options, stock status

Affiliate Disclosure

Transparency Promise

All affiliate links are clearly marked with "Sponsored" badges
We use rel="sponsored nofollow" on all affiliate links (Google compliant)
Our recommendations are never influenced by commission rates
We decline partnerships with sellers of counterfeit goods

Revenue Usage

Affiliate revenue supports:

Website hosting and maintenance
Purchasing products for testing
Hiring native Japanese translators for verification
Creating free educational content

Editorial Independence

What We DON'T Do

❌ Accept payment for positive reviews
❌ Promote products we haven't evaluated
❌ Use AI-generated reviews without human verification
❌ Copy content from other sites

What We DO

✓ Maintain editorial independence
✓ Update reviews when products change
✓ Disclose any conflicts of interest
✓ Respond to reader feedback

Expertise & Credentials

Team Qualifications

Lahcen Ait Bensekkou (Founder)

• JLPT N2 Certified (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)
• 6+ years studying Japanese language and culture
• 10,000+ translations completed
• Manga collection: 500+ volumes

Continuous Learning

Our team regularly:

Attends anime conventions (Anime Expo, Crunchyroll Expo)
Consults with Japanese cultural experts
Studies new manga releases weekly
Updates translation databases monthly

Fact-Checking Process

Before Publishing

Every article undergoes:

Peer Review: Reviewed by 2+ team members
Source Verification: All claims backed by citations
Link Testing: Affiliate links verified for accuracy
Cultural Sensitivity Check: Reviewed for respectful representation

After Publishing

Reader feedback monitored daily
Corrections published within 24 hours
Major updates noted with "Last Updated" timestamps
Outdated content archived or refreshed

Contact & Corrections

Found an error? We want to know!

Email: reviews@animeactua.com
Response time: Within 48 hours
Corrections policy: Transparent updates with changelog

Last Updated: January 17, 2026

Next Review: July 2026

These guidelines are a living document and may be updated to reflect evolving best practices in journalism and SEO.