Sazae-san once again led Japanese animation TV rankings for the week of August 11-17, 2025, with a strong 6.1% average household rating in the Kanto region. The enduring family anime continued its consistent performance, with other long-running favorites like Detective Conan and Chibi Maruko-chan also securing top spots.
The week also saw Studio Ghibli’s classic film Grave of the Fireflies air with a notable rating, while a compilation episode of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc also made an appearance in the top ten.
Top-Rated Animated Programs (August 11-17, 2025)
The latest television ratings, based on data from Video Research in Japan’s Kanto region, highlight the continued dominance of established animated series and the strong draw of special programming. These ratings estimate the percentage of the population watching a given program and do not include recorded viewings.
The top animated programs for the week were:
- Sazae-san (Fuji TV, August 17, 6:30 p.m., 30 min.) – 6.1% average household rating.
- Detective Conan (NTV, August 16, 6:00 p.m., 30 min.) – 5.7% average household rating.
- Chibi Maruko-chan (Fuji TV, August 17, 6:00 p.m., 30 min.) – 4.1% average household rating.
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc compilation (Fuji TV, August 11, 1:50 p.m., 58 min.) – 3.2% average household rating.
- Crayon Shin-chan (TV Asahi, August 16, 4:30 p.m., 30 min.) – 2.5% average household rating.
- Doraemon (TV Asahi, August 16, 5:00 p.m., 30 min.) – 2.4% average household rating.
- One Piece (Fuji TV, August 17, 11:15 p.m., 30 min.) – 2.3% average household rating.
- Yaiba: Samurai Legend (NTV, August 16, 5:30 p.m., 30 min.) – 2.3% average household rating.
- You and Idol Precure♪ (TV Asahi, August 17, 8:30 a.m., 30 min.) – 2.2% average household rating.
- Soreike! Anpanman (NTV, August 15, 10:55 a.m., 30 min.) – 2.0% average household rating.
Special Broadcasts and High Ratings
Beyond the regular animated series, Studio Ghibli and Isao Takahata’s poignant film Grave of the Fireflies aired on NTV on Friday, August 15, at 9:00 p.m., achieving a strong 7.2% rating. This highlights the continued cultural significance and viewership appeal of classic animated films in Japan.
Separately, an episode of Anpan, the latest installment in NHK’s long-running Renzoku Terebi Shōsetsu (Serialized TV Novel) franchise, aired multiple times during the week, with one broadcast on Thursday, August 14, at 8:00 a.m. earning an impressive 17.3% rating. The live-action series, inspired by the life of Anpanman manga creator Takashi Yanase and his wife, consistently draws a large audience.
Consistency of Long-Running Anime
The rankings continue to demonstrate the remarkable staying power of decades-old franchises such as Sazae-san, Detective Conan, and Chibi Maruko-chan. These programs often appear at the top of weekly ratings, underscoring their deep cultural roots and multi-generational appeal within Japanese households. Their consistent presence in the evening and weekend slots ensures a steady viewership base.
Understanding Japanese TV Ratings
The television ratings presented are estimates based on data collected from a survey of households exclusively within Japan’s Kanto region. It is important to note that these figures represent live viewership and do not account for programs recorded and watched at a later time. This methodology provides a snapshot of immediate audience engagement with broadcast content.
