Tokyo, Japan – The first week of September 2025 saw a familiar lineup of long-running anime series continue to captivate Japanese television audiences. Per data from Video Research in the Kanto region, Sazae-san once again led the pack in average household ratings, with Detective Conan and Chibi Maruko-chan also maintaining strong viewership.
Top-Ranked Anime Series (September 1-7, 2025)
The latest rankings highlight the enduring popularity of established franchises among Japanese TV viewers. Here’s a look at the top animated programs and their average household ratings for the week of September 1-7, 2025:
| Title | Station | Date | Time | Length | Average Household Rating |
| :——————— | :——– | :———— | :——- | :—– | :————————— |
| Sazae-san | Fuji TV | September 7 (Sun) | 18:30 | 30 min | 5.8% |
| Detective Conan | NTV | September 6 (Sat) | 18:00 | 30 min | 4.7% |
| Chibi Maruko-chan | Fuji TV | September 7 (Sun) | 18:00 | 30 min | 3.7% |
| Doraemon Tanjōbi Special | TV Asahi | September 6 (Sat) | 18:56 | 58 min | 2.9% |
| One Piece | Fuji TV | September 7 (Sun) | 23:15 | 30 min | 2.8% |
| Yaiba: Samurai Legend | NTV | September 6 (Sat) | 17:30 | 30 min | 2.7% |
| Doraemon | TV Asahi | September 6 (Sat) | 17:00 | 30 min | 2.5% |
| Crayon Shin-chan | TV Asahi | September 6 (Sat) | 16:30 | 30 min | 2.4% |
| You and Idol Precure♪ | TV Asahi | September 7 (Sun) | 08:30 | 30 min | 2.4% |
| Oshiri Tantei | NHK-E | September 6 (Sat) | 09:00 | 20 min | 1.7% |
Consistent Performance of Veteran Anime
The rankings continue to demonstrate the robust viewership for classic family-oriented anime. Sazae-san, which has been on air since 1969, consistently secures the top spot, reflecting its deep cultural embeddedness in Japan. Similarly, Detective Conan and Chibi Maruko-chan remain staples in the weekend programming, drawing significant audiences.
Notably, a special Doraemon Birthday Special aired on TV Asahi on September 6, achieving a 2.9% rating, indicating strong interest in special programming from beloved characters. Newer entries like Yaiba: Samurai Legend are also making their presence felt within the top ten, showcasing a mix of established and contemporary titles appealing to various demographics.
Understanding the Ratings Methodology
The television ratings presented are an estimate of the percentage of the population that watched a given program. These figures are based on data collected from a survey of households within Japan’s Kanto region, providing a snapshot of viewing habits in one of the country’s most populous areas. It is important to note that these ratings do not account for recordings that viewers may watch at a later time.
The continuity of these rankings, tracked weekly by sources like Anime News Network, offers valuable insight into the viewing landscape of Japanese animation and the unwavering appeal of its most iconic series.
