The Japanese animation television landscape saw familiar faces dominate the charts between January 27th and February 2nd, but also welcomed fresh contenders vying for viewership. As reported by Video Research from a survey conducted in the Kanto region of Japan, the following anime secured the highest average household ratings, reflecting their popularity among Japanese audiences. These ratings offer a glimpse into the preferences of viewers in the Kanto region and the enduring appeal of established anime franchises.
The Reigning Champions
“Sazae-san” Continues its Unchallenged Rule
For decades, “Sazae-san” has been a cornerstone of Japanese television, and this week was no exception. Airing on Fuji TV at 6:30 PM on Sunday, February 2nd, the enduring family anime achieved an impressive rating of 8.6%. Its consistent performance underscores its cultural significance and ability to resonate with audiences across generations. “Sazae-san”‘s longevity is remarkable; it has been running since 1969 and boasts over 2,700 episodes, making it one of the longest-running animated series in history.
“Detective Conan” Cracks the Case for Second Place
“Detective Conan”, the long-running mystery anime, continues to captivate audiences. The episode broadcasted on NTV at 6:00 PM on Saturday, February 1st, earned a solid 6.1% rating, securing its position as the second most-watched anime of the week. The series follows the adventures of Shinichi Kudo, a high school detective who is transformed into a child after being poisoned. Despite his youthful appearance, Conan continues to solve mysteries, keeping viewers engaged with intricate plots and compelling characters.
“Chibi Maruko-chan” Maintains its Strong Hold
Another Fuji TV staple, “Chibi Maruko-chan”, secured the third spot with a 5.9% rating. Airing at 6:00 PM on Sunday, February 2nd, this slice-of-life anime continues to charm viewers with its heartwarming stories and relatable characters. “Chibi Maruko-chan”, much like “Sazae-san”, has been a consistent presence on Japanese television for decades, with over 1,400 episodes produced since its debut in 1995.
New Series Emerge
“The Apothecary Diaries” Gains Traction
“The Apothecary Diaries”, a historical mystery anime, is making a name for itself. The episode aired on NTV at 11:30 PM on Friday, January 31st, garnered a 4.2% rating. This is a notable achievement for the series, indicating a growing interest in its intriguing storyline and well-developed characters. The second season earned 4.2% rating.
“You and Idol Precure♪” Premieres with Promise
The debut of “You and Idol Precure♪” on TV Asahi at 8:30 AM on Sunday, February 2nd, was met with a respectable 3.3% rating. As a new addition to the popular “Precure” franchise, its premiere suggests a promising future as it finds its audience. This anime series is part of the long-running “Precure” franchise, known for its magical girl themes and positive messages, indicating a built-in audience and potential for growth.
Familiar Favorites
“Doraemon” Still Delights
The timeless appeal of “Doraemon” remains strong, securing a 3.7% rating for its episode broadcasted on TV Asahi at 5:00 PM on Saturday, February 1st. This iconic anime continues to entertain children and adults alike with its imaginative stories and heartwarming lessons. “Doraemon” has two major anime series, one from 1979 and another from 2005, with the latter still in production and boasting over 1,400 episodes.
“Crayon Shin-chan” Keeps it Playful
“Crayon Shin-chan”, known for its humorous and often cheeky storylines, earned a 3.1% rating. The episode aired on TV Asahi at 4:30 PM on Saturday, February 1st, demonstrating its continued popularity among viewers seeking lighthearted entertainment. “Crayon Shin-chan” has been running since 1992, with over 1,250 episodes, and is known for its irreverent humor and relatable family dynamics.
“Blue Miburo” Enters the Rankings
“Blue Miburo” also achieved a 3.1% rating, broadcasted on NTV at 5:30 PM on Saturday, February 1st, sharing the spot with “Crayon Shin-chan.”
“One Piece” Sails On
The globally recognized “One Piece” continues its adventures, achieving a 2.7% rating for its episode aired on Fuji TV at 9:30 AM on Sunday, February 2nd. Despite being a long-running series, “One Piece” maintains a dedicated fanbase and remains a significant player in the anime industry.
“Animated O-saru no George (Curious George)” Ends the List
Rounding out the top ten is “Animated O-saru no George (Curious George)”, which earned a 1.9% rating for its broadcast on NHK-E at 8:35 AM on Saturday, February 1st. This children’s anime continues to provide educational and entertaining content for young viewers.
Methodology
It is important to note that these television ratings are an estimate of the percentage of the population that watches a given program. They are based on data from a survey of households in Japan’s Kanto region. The ratings do not count recordings that viewers watch later. This data is provided by Video Research (Kanto region). The Kanto region includes major cities such as Tokyo, Yokohama, and Chiba, representing a significant portion of Japan’s population and media consumption.
Analyzing the Trends
The anime TV rankings for January 27th to February 2nd reveal several key trends in Japanese animation viewership:
Enduring Popularity of Long-Running Series: “Sazae-san”, “Detective Conan”, and “Chibi Maruko-chan” continue to dominate the rankings, highlighting the enduring appeal of these established franchises. Their ability to maintain high viewership over decades speaks to their cultural significance and ability to adapt to changing audience preferences.
The Power of Familiar Franchises: The successful premiere of “You and Idol Precure♪” demonstrates the strength of established franchises. Viewers are more likely to tune in to new installments of well-known series, providing a built-in audience for these shows.
Diverse Genre Representation: The rankings include a variety of genres, from family-oriented anime like “Sazae-san” and “Chibi Maruko-chan” to mystery series like “Detective Conan” and historical dramas like “The Apothecary Diaries”. This diversity reflects the wide range of interests among Japanese anime viewers.
Children’s Anime Remains Strong: “Doraemon” and “Animated O-saru no George (Curious George)” maintain their positions in the rankings, indicating the continued importance of anime as a form of entertainment for children. These shows often provide educational content and positive messages, making them popular choices for families.
The Future of Anime Rankings
As the anime industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these rankings change over time. New series will emerge, established franchises will adapt, and viewer preferences will shift. However, one thing is certain: anime will remain a vital part of Japanese culture and a source of entertainment for millions of people around the world. The rise of streaming services and international co-productions is also likely to impact future rankings, as anime becomes increasingly accessible to global audiences.
