The latest Japanese television ratings are in, revealing which animated series and films captured the attention of viewers during the holiday period spanning December 30 to January 5. While live-action dramas and movies also made their mark, anime continues to be a powerhouse in Japanese broadcasting.
Top Anime Performers
Several anime series and films achieved notable viewership during this period, demonstrating the genre’s enduring popularity. While specific rankings for the entire period are not available, here’s a breakdown of the notable performances:
- Chibi Maruko-chan Special: A one-hour special titled “Chibi Maruko-chan Arigato! Anime-ka 35-Shunen Shinshun 1-Jikan Special” aired on Fuji TV on January 5th at 6:00 PM, garnering a 6.0% rating. This shows the continued appeal of this long-running series. The series itself is a long-running anime with over 1400 episodes.
- Detective Conan: Aired on NTV on January 4th at 6:00 PM, earning a solid 6.0% rating. The enduring popularity of this long-running detective series is undeniable, with the series continuing since 1996.
- Doraemon: This classic anime continues to be a consistent performer, with episodes airing regularly. While the specific rating for the Dec 30-Jan 5 period isn’t listed, it remains a staple of Japanese television.
- Dragon Ball Daima: While not the top performer, the series saw improved ratings during this period. Episode 14, which aired during the following week (Jan 13-19) showed an improvement, suggesting continued interest in the series. The average individual audience rating was 1.4% and household ratings were 2.4%.
Live-Action Adaptations Make Waves
Live-action adaptations of popular manga and light novels also drew significant viewership:
- Don’t Call It Mystery (Live-action Film): The live-action film adaptation of Yumi Tamura’s manga aired on Fuji TV on Saturday, January 4th, at 9:00 PM and achieved an impressive 8.9% rating, making it one of the highest-rated programs during this period.
- My Happy Marriage (Live-action Film): The adaptation of Akumi Agitogi’s light novel aired on TBS on Friday, January 3rd, at 11:25 PM and secured a 3.9% rating.
Other Notable Airings
Several other animated films and series were broadcast during this period:
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie: Aired on Fuji TV on Tuesday, December 31st, at 7:00 PM, achieving a 4.1% rating.
- Zannen na Ikimono Jiten (Film): The anime adaptation of the book series aired on NHK Educational on Tuesday, December 31st, at 12:30 PM and achieved a 0.9% rating.
- Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe (Live-action Film): A live-action adaptation of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure spin-off manga aired on NHK on Saturday, January 4th, at 12:10 AM and earned a 1.3% rating.
- Osomatsu-san ~Hipipo-Zoku to Kagayaku Kajitsu~ (Anime Film): The anime film aired on TV Tokyo on Wednesday, January 1st, at 1:40 AM and earned a 0.6% rating.
Understanding Japanese TV Ratings
It’s important to note that Japanese TV ratings are calculated based on the percentage of households in the Kanto region that are tuned into a particular program. The data comes from meters installed in sample households, registering viewership every minute and averaging the results over the length of the show. This means that a rating of 6.0% translates to 6% of the households in the Kanto region watching the program.
The Kanto Region Factor
The ratings data primarily comes from the Kanto region, which comprises about a third of Japan’s population. While this doesn’t represent the entire country, it serves as a good proxy for the viewership trends across Japan. It’s also worth noting that these ratings do not include recordings watched later.
Anime’s Enduring Popularity
The provided data highlights the consistent popularity of anime in Japan. Long-running series like Chibi Maruko-chan, Detective Conan, and Doraemon continue to draw large audiences, demonstrating their appeal across generations. The success of live-action adaptations also points to the strength of manga and anime as source material for other forms of entertainment.
Top Anime of Winter 2022
While not from the specified time period, data from the Winter 2022 season, which spanned from late 2021 to early 2022, provides further insights into the anime landscape in Japan. The following were the top-rated and most commented anime according to a Japanese review service:
Top-Rated Anime
- Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2 (4.47 out of 5)
- Aggretsuko season 4 (4.31 out of 5)
- JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure STONE OCEAN (4.27 out of 5)
- The Heike Story (4.24 out of 5)
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc (4.23 out of 5)
Most Commented Anime
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc (551 comments)
- The Heike Story (304 comments)
- Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2 (304 comments)
- JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure STONE OCEAN (221 comments)
- My Dress-Up Darling (219 comments)
These rankings reveal the popularity of series like Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, showcasing the diversity and depth of the anime genre.
The Current Anime Landscape (January 2025)
As of January 2025, the anime landscape continues to be vibrant. While specific rankings for the period are not available, there are several shows that are anticipated and have made waves since the beginning of the year.
The Apothecary Diaries: The second season premiered during the week of January 6th-12th, earning a 4.8% rating. This series has been gaining popularity and shows that it is a strong contender in the current anime landscape.
Other Notable Anime in Winter 2025:
- I’m Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in My Class
- Medalist
- ZENSHU
- I May Be a Guild Receptionist, but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time
- Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
- I Have a Crush at Work
- Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective
- Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast –
- From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated!
- Shangri-La Frontier S2
- Medaka Kuroiwa is Impervious to My Charms
- Flower and Asura
- Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!
- OKITSURA: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Know What She’s Saying
- Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister
The anime landscape continues to be dynamic, with new shows emerging all the time.
Conclusion
The Japanese television rankings for December 30th to January 5th demonstrate the enduring appeal of anime, with both long-running series and new adaptations drawing strong viewership. Live-action films based on popular manga and light novels also made their mark, highlighting the cross-media power of these franchises. While the data focuses on a specific period, it provides a glimpse into the viewing habits of Japanese audiences and the prominent role anime plays in their entertainment culture. As the anime landscape continues to evolve, it’s clear that the genre will remain a dominant force in Japanese television for years to come.
