Tokyo, Japan – The latest television rankings for Japanese animation from December 15 to December 21 show familiar long-running series continuing to dominate viewership in the Kanto region. Sazae-san and Detective Conan once again claimed the top spots, both achieving a 6.4% average household rating. This week also saw the premiere of Blue Miburo season 2, which debuted with a respectable 4.1% rating.
The rankings, compiled by Video Research, reflect the percentage of the population watching a given program and do not account for recorded viewings.
Top Performers in Japanese Animation TV Ratings
The evergreen appeal of established anime franchises remains evident in the latest viewership figures.
Consistent Chart-Toppers
- Sazae-san (Fuji TV, Sunday, 6:30 p.m.) secured a 6.4% rating, continuing its enduring popularity among Japanese households.
- Detective Conan (NTV, Saturday, 6:00 p.m.) matched Sazae-san with an impressive 6.4% rating, demonstrating its consistent draw.
- Chibi Maruko-chan (Fuji TV, Sunday, 6:00 p.m.) also maintained a strong presence, earning a 5.0% rating.
These programs frequently appear at the apex of the weekly rankings, underscoring their cultural significance and loyal viewership in Japan.
Notable Premieres and Steady Contenders
The week of December 15-21 introduced a new season and showcased other popular titles.
- Blue Miburo season 2 (NTV, Saturday, 5:30 p.m.) premiered with a solid 4.1% rating, indicating strong anticipation for its return. Its previous season had also shown strong performance.
- Doraemon (TV Asahi, Saturday, 5:00 p.m.) continues to be a family favorite, achieving a 3.4% rating.
- Crayon Shin-chan (TV Asahi, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.) followed closely, earning a 2.6% rating.
- Tougen Anki (NTV, Friday, 11:10 p.m.) also garnered a 2.6% rating, indicating a steady audience for its late-night slot. Tougen Anki has seen strong interest previously, with merchandise widely available.
- You and Idol Precure♪ (TV Asahi, Sunday, 8:30 a.m.) achieved a 2.4% rating, maintaining the Precure franchise’s appeal among younger audiences.
- One Piece (Fuji TV, Sunday, 11:15 p.m.) also recorded a 2.4% rating, proving its late-night broadcast slot doesn’t deter its dedicated fanbase.
Rounding out the list were Animated O-saru no George (Curious George) and Oshiri Tantei, both on NHK-E, with 1.6% ratings.
Understanding Japanese TV Ratings
The television ratings provided are estimates based on data collected from a survey of households within Japan’s Kanto region. These figures are a key indicator of broadcast performance but do not encompass viewership via DVR or streaming services, which have become increasingly popular ways for audiences to consume content. The consistent performance of long-running anime series highlights their enduring appeal in traditional broadcasting, while newer shows like Blue Miburo season 2 demonstrate the potential for new content to capture significant live viewership.
