Sazae-san once again led the Japanese animation TV rankings for the week of July 7-13, 2025, securing a 6.0% average household rating. NTV’s live-action morning drama Anpan, inspired by the life of Anpanman creator Takashi Yanase, continued its strong performance with ratings as high as 17.0% on July 7.
The week also saw the premiere of the highly anticipated anime Tougen Anki, which debuted at number four with a 3.1% rating. Meanwhile, popular long-running series like Detective Conan and Chibi Maruko-chan maintained their consistent viewership, placing within the top three.
Top Japanese Animation TV Rankings (July 7-13, 2025)
The following are the top-rated animated programs based on average household ratings in Japan’s Kanto region, as reported by Video Research:
- Sazae-san (Fuji TV, Sunday, 18:30) – 6.0%
- Detective Conan (NTV, Saturday, 18:00) – 5.0%
- Chibi Maruko-chan (Fuji TV, Sunday, 18:00) – 4.1%
- Tougen Anki (NTV, Friday, 23:00) – 3.1% (Premiere)
- One Piece (Fuji TV, Sunday, 23:15) – 2.7%
- Yaiba: Samurai Legend (NTV, Saturday, 17:30) – 2.6%
- You and Idol Precure♪ (TV Asahi, Sunday, 08:30) – 2.5%
- Doraemon (TV Asahi, Saturday, 17:00) – 2.5%
- Crayon Shin-chan (TV Asahi, Saturday, 16:30) – 2.4%
- Oshiri Tantei (NHK-E, Saturday, 09:00) – 1.8%
Note: These ratings are an estimate of the percentage of the population watching a given program and do not include recorded viewings.
Other Notable Broadcasts and Premieres
Beyond the regular animated series, several other programs captured significant viewership during the week:
Live-Action Adaptations and Specials
- The fourth live-action film of Yasuhisa Hara’s Kingdom manga aired on NTV on Friday, July 11, at 7:56 p.m., garnering a 6.9% rating.
- The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe aired on Fuji TV on Saturday, July 12, at 9:30 p.m., achieving a 5.6% rating.
- The Soreike! Anpanman: Baikinman to Ehon no Lulun anime film was broadcast on NTV on Friday, July 11, at 10:55 a.m., with a 1.6% rating.
- Chihayafuru -Meguri-, a new live-action TV series based on Yuki Suetsugu’s manga, premiered on NTV on Wednesday, July 9, at 10:00 p.m., earning a 5.2% rating.
The Enduring Popularity of Sazae-san
Sazae-san, which began airing in 1969, continues to be a dominant force in Japanese television, holding the Guinness World Record for the longest-running animated series. Its consistent presence at the top of the ratings highlights its enduring appeal across generations.
New Anime Entering the Scene
The debut of Tougen Anki marks a new entry in the competitive prime-time anime landscape. Other new anime set to air in July 2025 include Leviathan and the second season of Kaiju No. 8. Additionally, City the Animation, produced by Kyoto Animation, also premiered on July 7, 2025.
Context of Japanese TV Ratings
Japanese TV ratings are typically compiled by Video Research, primarily focusing on the Kanto region (which includes Tokyo). These ratings provide an estimate of live viewership and do not account for recordings or streaming numbers, which have become increasingly significant in recent years. While classics like Sazae-san and Detective Conan consistently perform well on traditional television, newer series often find significant audiences through streaming platforms.
