Editorial Policy

Effective date: [6/9/2026]

This page explains how Anime Vault picks stories, sources information, handles corrections, discloses sponsorships, and treats AI in our editorial process. Most readers will not need to read it. The ones who do are the ones we want to keep.

Our mission

Anime Vault publishes anime content for fans who want depth, not noise. We cover character guides, rankings, picture inspiration, recommendations, explained posts, watch guides and short videos. We try to write about anime the way fans talk about anime when nobody is pushing them to chase a trending tag.

How we pick stories

Story ideas come from three places:

  • Editor pitches based on what fans are actively discussing on Reddit, Discord, X, and in our newsletter replies
  • Guest writer pitches submitted through the Write for Us page
  • Reader requests sent via the Contact page

We do not run sponsored stories as editorial coverage. If a brand wants their product mentioned, we either decline or label the piece clearly as sponsored.

How we source information

For factual claims, we lean on these sources in roughly this order:

  1. The anime or manga itself (primary source: episodes, chapters, official material)
  2. Official studio communications and rights-holder statements
  3. Reputable industry outlets: Anime News Network, Crunchyroll News, Tokyo Otaku Mode, official studio sites
  4. Cast and crew interviews from established outlets
  5. MyAnimeList and Anime News Network databases for production credits, episode lists, and air dates
  6. Specialist creators with verified industry sources

We do not use:

  • Piracy aggregators
  • Unverified Twitter rumors as standalone sources
  • AI-generated summaries
  • Reddit speculation, except when clearly labeled as a fan theory

Fact-checking

Every published article goes through a fact-checking pass before going live. Names, dates, episode counts, production credits and character abilities get verified against at least one primary source. Where claims are speculative or based on fan theory, we say so directly in the text.

Articles where we made factual errors get corrected within 24 to 48 hours of being notified. Corrections are noted at the bottom of the article with the date and what changed.

How we handle corrections

If you spot a factual error in any Anime Vault article, send us a message through the Contact page with the URL and the correction. We will:

  1. Verify the issue against original source material
  2. Update the article if the correction holds up
  3. Add a “Corrections” note at the bottom of the post with the date and a short description of what changed
  4. Thank you in the corrections note if you want credit (optional)

Significant errors that change the meaning of the article get a more visible notice at the top.

AI policy

Some specific stances on AI in our editorial process:

  • We do not publish articles written by AI without substantial human editing, original analysis, and fact-checking. Drafts that read like raw ChatGPT output get rejected.
  • We may use AI tools for proofreading, outline brainstorming, alternative title suggestions, or grammar polish. AI does not write the substance of any published piece.
  • AI-generated images are labeled when used. We prefer original art, official key visuals with credit, or licensed stock.
  • We do not allow our content to be used for AI training datasets without permission. See our Terms of Use.

Sponsored content disclosure

When an Anime Vault article is sponsored, partnered, or contains affiliate links, we say so directly at the top of the article. Sponsored does not mean dishonest. We do not publish positive reviews of products we would not personally use, no matter what the sponsor pays.

We also disclose affiliate links inline where they appear, not buried in a footer disclaimer.

Editorial independence

Editorial decisions are made by the Anime Vault editorial team and not influenced by advertisers, sponsors, guest writers, or third parties. Sponsors do not get to read or approve articles before publication, except for the limited case of clearly labeled “sponsored content” pieces where the sponsor’s input is part of the brief.

Reader feedback

We read every Contact form submission. We do not always reply (the inbox gets heavy during major anime releases), but reasonable, specific messages get a response within five business days.

Contact

For editorial concerns, corrections, or coverage questions, use the Contact page or write to the email listed in the footer. Subject line Editorial concern routes fastest.