[Despised]

I inform myself about the anime before actually watching it most of the time. Synopsis, genres, rating, (sometimes reviews).

Some red flags for me are Gundam, Shounen and PG-13 series, but I usually give them a shot anyway if there's much hype from others about it.

[Wildfire]

I do look up the rating, but not the parental advisory warning crap, just the overall reviews of the anime.

[Lodi]

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[BurritoBeans]

Nah, I never look up ratings or content warnings or any of that - I figure since shows are usually multiple episodes or seasons that I'll get my own good opinion on if I like it or not and decide if I want to keep going or quit from there. As long as a trailer or even just a little clip looks cool, I'll go straight into it - same with movies and plain 'ol TV shows.

[Aeolian]

I just look at the synopsis, usually from that I can tell if I'll enjoy it.

[Ex094]

Nah, I don't watch the rating first because most of my friends are anime geeks and I get some seriously good advice from them about which anime to watch xD

[XltSystem]

I look up the rating, but it doesn't really bother me to the extent it used to. If the art looks good, if the plot looks nice and if the characters seem easy to like then i will give the anime a shot. I'm normally into the school/comedy/romance genres you know the classic. Makes me laugh and has a good story at the same time.

[Jiggly]

I only do this when I'm offering to stream. I've found that I don't agree with ratings all too often. But ratings will at least give me an idea of opinions from people with different preferences than myself.

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Does anyone continue then to read the reviews once they see ratings?

[pvnk]

Why do other opinions matter if you're the one trying to watch the show?

If something is notoriously "bad", that's just a common consensus. As a viewer, you can try and appreciate what often goes underappreciated and pick up subversive messages.

This doesn't just apply to anime or any show, but in all rounds of life.

It includes anything that can be reviewed. Products, food, shows, books, and services.

Try it yourself before you are quick to agree.

"Other people said this..."

"But I don't have an opinion because I just listened to other people's opinions."

That's weak.

[Skullmeat]

I agree with @primitive Anime is such a subjective thing. There's plenty of anime that gets great reviews that I just hate, and plenty that doesn't that I love. Go with what sounds interesting to you, and follow the 3 episode rule.