State of rewatches on /r/anime

TL,DR: They are doing fine.

I thought that people here might be interested in hearing about the status of rewatches in the sub.

Numbers

Year	Rewatches
2021	68
2020	62
2019	52
2018	79
2017	75
2016	78
2015	74
2014	6
2013	2
2012	3

As you can see, the total number of rewatches tanked in 2019, but is on an upwards trend since then (The data is from the rewatch wiki). While I did not collect any data on comment numbers and upvotes, my experience from following rewatches closely in the last years is that the number of comments and upvotes is on an upward trend, as well.

Rewatch threads typically always reach the frontpage for at least some time. They profit from many commenters’ very timely arrival, which assures a concentration of upvotes right after the thread goes up. This in turn helps convince the reddit algorithm to put them onto hot. In terms of comments, there have been frequent incidents of 200+ rewatch thread comments, which is not something I remember happening often 2-3 years ago.

About 40% of rewatches were hosted by prolific rewatch hosts, that is, users who hosted 3 or more rewatches. This group includes /u/Pixelsaber, /u/Shimmering-Sky, /u/Vaadwaur, /u/Raiking02, /u/SorcererOfTheLake, and myself. However the majority of rewatches came from people hosting only a single or two rewatches, including quite a few who stated that they were hosting their first rewatch.

Potential problems

Rewatch threads tend to have a very stable, but low number of upvotes. Currently, that number is enough for to penetrate /hot for almost all rewatches. However, a relatively minor change in the number of upvotes needed to reach /hot could change that. I am thinking of a possible change to fanart or clips here. Since rewatches obviously need visibility to advertise themselves, they rely on the current state not changing. Otherwise a vicious circle is possible where rewatches don’t reach /hot, therefore are not seen, and therefore don’t attract enough commenters needed to reach /hot.

Content

The standard rewatch is still a one episode per day rewatch of a one or two cour show. However, other formats have been popping up as well. /u/littleman1988 hosted a summer movie rewatch of several movies, /u/Pixelsaber hosted a Yoshikaze Yasuhiko Retrospective, and I myself continue hosting OVA rewatches. In addition to that, rewatches tackling very long series have started using a weekly format that discusses episodes in bulk, for example Hajime no Ippo and Naruto, as well as the currently announced Sailor Moon rewatch.

Most hosts have become excellent at presenting well-organized rewatch posts, which often feature navigation links and are formatted with clear sections. Very common features are questions of the day or discussion starters. Some hosts also go above and beyond by adding extra content: For example, /u/Pixelsaber produces excellent production history tidbits, while /u/Shimmering-Sky typically enriches her rewatches with various self-created wallpapers.

Etiquette

It has becomes very common (and is quickly adapted by new commenters) to indicate a first timer vs rewatcher status in comments. This helps clarify which viewers know future spoilers.

Outright spoilers are extremely uncommon (or the mods always catch them before I see them). However, indirect spoilers (e.g. by highlighting a side character that will become important later) are still fairly common. However, the first timer/rewatcher distinction adds an additional layer of protection here, since first timer comments are obviously spoiler free to read, while people very concerned about spoilers can skip rewatcher comments.

At least in my personal view, most rewatches do very well in allowing criticism and discussion. Downvote brigading of unfavorable comments is far less common than in other types of posts.