Tokyo, Japan – Long-running anime staple Sazae-san once again claimed the top spot in Japanese television animation rankings for the week of December 1-7, securing a robust 7.4% average household rating. The classic series continues to demonstrate its enduring popularity among Kanto region viewers, according to data released by Video Research.
The latest viewership figures highlight consistent strong performances from established franchises, with Detective Conan and Chibi Maruko-chan also featuring prominently in the top three. These rankings offer a snapshot of what Japanese audiences are tuning into on broadcast television, providing insight into the country’s anime landscape.
Top Performers: A Look at the Week’s Most-Watched Anime
For the week spanning December 1 to December 7, 2025, several animated series captured significant viewership in Japan’s Kanto region. The top titles showcased a mix of family-friendly classics and popular ongoing action series.
Sazae-san Maintains Unrivaled Lead
Sazae-san, broadcast on Fuji TV on Sunday, December 7, at 6:30 p.m. for 30 minutes, achieved an impressive 7.4% rating. This consistent performance underscores the anime’s cultural significance and its status as a Sunday evening tradition for many Japanese households.
Detective Conan and Chibi Maruko-chan Solidify Top Spots
Following Sazae-san, Detective Conan secured the second position with a 6.0% rating. Airing on NTV on Saturday, December 6, at 6:00 p.m. for 30 minutes, the detective series continues to draw a loyal audience. Chibi Maruko-chan, another Fuji TV Sunday evening staple (December 7, 6:00 p.m., 30 min), earned a 5.9% rating, landing it in third place.
Noteworthy Anime in the Rankings
Beyond the leading trio, several other anime series made their mark on the weekly chart, reflecting diverse audience interests.
- My Hero Academia Final Season: The penultimate episode of My Hero Academia‘s final season aired on NTV on Saturday, December 6, at 5:30 p.m. for 30 minutes, garnering a 3.4% rating.
- Doraemon: The beloved robotic cat’s adventures on TV Asahi (Saturday, December 6, 5:00 p.m., 30 min) drew a 2.8% rating.
- Crayon Shin-chan: Also on TV Asahi, Crayon Shin-chan (Saturday, December 6, 4:30 p.m., 30 min) matched Doraemon with a 2.8% rating.
- One Piece: The swashbuckling saga One Piece, airing on Fuji TV on Sunday, December 7, at 11:15 p.m. for 30 minutes, also registered a 2.8% rating.
- You and Idol Precure♪: This entry on TV Asahi (Sunday, December 7, 8:30 a.m., 30 min) achieved a 2.5% rating.
- Tougen Anki: Broadcast on NTV on Friday, December 5, at 11:15 p.m. for 30 minutes, Tougen Anki earned a 2.5% rating.
- Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray (season 2): The second season of Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray on TBS (Friday, December 7, 4:30 p.m., 30 min) secured a 2.0% rating.
Understanding the Ratings
These television ratings are estimated percentages of the population watching a given program, based on data from a survey of households in Japan’s Kanto region. It’s important to note that these figures, provided by Video Research, do not account for recordings that viewers watch later.
The consistent appearance of long-running titles like Sazae-san, Detective Conan, and Chibi Maruko-chan at the top of these rankings highlights their deep cultural integration and broad appeal across generations in Japan. While streaming platforms like Netflix and Niconico also provide insights into anime popularity, these broadcast rankings remain a key indicator of linear television viewership.
