Tokyo, Japan – Studio Ghibli’s classic film “Princess Mononoke” secured a leading position in the Japanese animation TV rankings for the week of August 25-31, airing on NTV and drawing significant viewership. Several regular anime series and films also made their mark, reflecting the diverse viewing habits across the Kanto region.
Top Anime Programs in Japan (August 25-31)
The week saw a mix of perennial favorites and special broadcasts capturing the attention of Japanese audiences. These ratings, provided by Video Research, estimate the percentage of the population watching a given program in the Kanto region and do not include DVR recordings.
Princess Mononoke Dominates Prime Time
Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki’s critically acclaimed film, “Princess Mononoke,” which aired on NTV on Friday, August 29, at 9:00 p.m., achieved an impressive 11.0% rating. This highlights the enduring popularity and cultural significance of Ghibli films in Japan, even decades after their initial release.
Regular Series and Family Favorites Maintain Strong Performance
Long-running anime series continued to be a consistent draw for viewers. “Sazae-san” on Fuji TV, a Sunday evening staple, garnered a 5.5% rating on August 31. Following closely was “Detective Conan” on NTV, which aired on Saturday, August 30, at 5:30 p.m., securing a 5.3% rating. “Chibi Maruko-chan,” another Fuji TV classic, achieved a 4.1% rating on Sunday, August 31.
Other Notable Anime Broadcasts
Beyond the top contenders, several other animated programs registered ratings during the specified week:
- Tougen Anki (NTV, Friday, August 29, 11:55 p.m.) earned a 3.1% rating.
- Doraemon (TV Asahi, Saturday, August 30, 5:00 p.m.) was watched by 2.6% of households.
- You and Idol Precure♪ (TV Asahi, Sunday, August 31, 8:30 a.m.) achieved a rating of 2.7%.
- The anime film Eiga Oshiri Tantei Saraba Itoshiki Aibō (Oshiri) yo aired on NHK-E on Sunday, August 31, at 3:45 p.m., receiving a 0.3% rating.
- The anime film Sing a Bit of Harmony aired on NHK-E on Saturday, August 30, at 8:45 p.m., with a 0.5% rating.
Live-Action Drama “Anpan” Continues High Ratings
While not strictly animation, NHK’s “Anpan,” the latest entry in the “Renzoku Terebi Shōsetsu” (Serialized TV Novel) franchise, consistently delivered high ratings. Episodes aired on Wednesday, August 27, and Friday, August 29, both at 8:00 a.m., achieving 17.1% and 17.2% respectively. A separate episode on Saturday, August 30, at 12:45 p.m. garnered a 9.9% rating. This new live-action morning series is inspired by the life story of Anpanman manga creator Takashi Yanase and his wife Nobuo Komatsu.
These rankings offer a snapshot of the traditional television landscape for animation and related programming in Japan, highlighting the continued importance of both classic films and beloved long-running series.
