ToonLadders

ToonLadders is an online platform that aggregates, categorizes, and ranks animated short films and series, primarily focusing on independent and web‑based productions. Launched in 2016 by a collective of animation enthusiasts, the site aims to provide creators with greater visibility while offering viewers a curated selection of content organized by genre, style, and audience rating.

The core of ToonLadders’ functionality is its ladder‑type ranking system. Users can vote on individual entries, and the resulting scores are plotted on vertical “ladders” that reflect relative popularity within specific categories such as comedy, sci‑fi, slice‑of‑life, and experimental animation. Each ladder updates in real time, incorporating new votes and newly submitted works. This structure encourages ongoing engagement, as creators often promote their entries to climb higher on the relevant ladders.

Content submission is open to anyone with the legal right to distribute the material. Uploads are subject to a moderation process that checks for copyright compliance, appropriate content warnings, and adherence to community guidelines. In addition to public voting, ToonLadders offers a “curator” program whereby experienced members can nominate works for spotlight features, providing extra exposure beyond the standard ladder rankings.

Since its inception, the platform has hosted over 15,000 titles and attracted a community of roughly 250,000 registered users. Critics have praised its transparent ranking methodology, while some have raised concerns about the potential for voting manipulation. ToonLadders continues to evolve, with planned expansions that include partnership integrations with animation festivals and the rollout of analytics tools for creators seeking insight into audience demographics and viewing patterns.