Here’s a rundown of the Japanese animation TV rankings for the period between March 31st and April 6th, 2025. This data offers insights into the popularity and viewership of various anime and animated shows in Japan during that time.
Key Highlights
- Sazae-san Still Reigns: The enduring family anime Sazae-san continues its long-running success, securing the top spot in the rankings.
- One Piece & Detective Conan Strong: One Piece and Detective Conan maintain their positions as highly-watched anime series.
- New Morning Drama “Anpan” Debuts: The newest entry in NHK’s “Asadora” franchise, titled Anpan, has made its debut and is already making waves in the ratings.
- Noitamina’s New Timeslots: There’s attention being paid to how the changes in Noitamina’s programming timeslots are affecting viewership.
- Yaiba: Samurai Legend‘s Performance: Yaiba: Samurai Legend has earned a respectable 3.1% rating.
Rankings for March 31 – April 6, 2025
Here’s a table summarizing the anime TV rankings during the specified period. The ratings reflect the estimated percentage of households in the Kanto region watching the program.
| Title | Station | Date | Time | Length | Average Household Rating |
| :——————————————————————- | :——— | :——— | :—— | :—– | :———————– |
| Sazae-san 55-shūnen Maeiwai Special | Fuji TV | March 31 | 18:00 | 60 min | 8.0 |
| 1-jikan Special Meitantei Conan Kid vs. Takaaki Nerawareta Kuchibiru | NTV | March 30 | 17:30 | 60 min | 5.6 |
| Friday Anime Night Tokubetsu-hen Sōsō no Frieren Daikanshasai Hito no Kokoro o Shiru Kiseki | NTV | March 29 | 23:40 | 30 min | 3.8 |
| Crayon Shin-chan | TV Asahi | March 30 | 16:30 | 30 min | 3.1 |
| Doraemon | TV Asahi | March 30 | 17:00 | 30 min | 2.9 |
| One Piece | Fuji TV | March 31 | 09:30 | 30 min | 2.9 |
| Wonderful Precure! | TV Asahi | March 31 | 08:30 | 30 min | 2.7 |
| Soreike! Anpanman | NTV | March 29 | 10:55 | 30 min | 2.3 |
| Oshiri Tantei | NHK-E | March 30 | 9:00 | 20 min | 1.6 |
| Animated O-saru no George (Curious George) | NHK-E | March 30 | 08:35 | 25 min | 1.6 |
Key Shows in Detail
Sazae-san: This classic family-oriented anime has been a staple of Japanese television for decades. Its consistent high ratings demonstrate its enduring appeal across generations. The special 55th-anniversary episode likely contributed to its impressive 8.0 rating for the surveyed week.
Meitantei Conan (Detective Conan): Another long-running and immensely popular series, Detective Conan continues to draw a large audience with its mystery storylines and beloved characters. The one-hour special likely boosted its rating for the week.
Sōsō no Frieren (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End): This fantasy anime has garnered significant attention and critical acclaim. Its performance in the “Friday Anime Night” timeslot on NTV is a testament to its growing fanbase.
Crayon Shin-chan & Doraemon: These family-friendly anime series have been television fixtures for years. Their consistent presence in the rankings underscores their broad appeal and popularity with younger viewers.
One Piece: As one of the most globally recognized anime franchises, One Piece consistently maintains a strong viewership in Japan.
Wonderful Precure!: As part of the long-running Precure franchise, this magical girl anime continues to resonate with its target audience.
Soreike! Anpanman: Aimed at younger children, Anpanman remains a popular and enduring series.
Important Considerations
Kanto Region Focus: The provided ratings data is specifically based on a survey of households in the Kanto region of Japan. This region includes Tokyo and surrounding areas, and is a significant media market, but the ratings may not be fully representative of the entire country.
Real-Time Viewing: The ratings only capture real-time viewership and do not account for recordings watched later. With the increasing popularity of time-shifting and on-demand viewing, the actual audience size for these shows may be larger than what the ratings indicate.
Methodology: The ratings are estimates based on survey data collected by Video Research.
NHK’s New “Asadora” – Anpan
A new entry in NHK’s six-decade-long Renzoku Terebi Shōsetsu (Serialized TV Novel, also known as “Asadora” or Morning Drama) franchise, Anpan, aired on Thursday, April 3 and earned a 15.5% rating. “Asadora” are known for their engaging storylines and are broadcast daily, making them a regular viewing habit for many.
The Significance of TV Anime Rankings
Television anime rankings in Japan provide valuable insights into the popularity and cultural impact of various animated series. These rankings are closely watched by studios, broadcasters, advertisers, and fans alike. High ratings can lead to increased revenue through advertising and merchandise sales, as well as续订for future seasons. Moreover, the rankings reflect the tastes and preferences of the Japanese viewing audience, offering a glimpse into current trends in animation and entertainment.
