Here’s a snapshot of the top-rated anime TV shows in Japan from May 19th to May 25th, 2025, offering a glimpse into what’s capturing the attention of Japanese audiences. This ranking is based on data from Video Research, surveying households in the Kanto region, and reflects the estimated percentage of the population watching each program. Note that these ratings do not include recordings watched later.
Top Anime TV Rankings: May 19-25, 2025
Here’s a look at the shows that topped the charts:
Sazae-san
- Station: Fuji TV
- Date: May 25 (Sunday)
- Time: 18:30 (6:30 PM)
- Length: 30 minutes
- Average Household Rating: 6.9%
- Station: NTV
- Date: May 24 (Saturday)
- Time: 18:00 (6:00 PM)
- Length: 30 minutes
- Average Household Rating: 5.5%
Chibi Maruko-chan
- Station: Fuji TV
- Date: May 25 (Sunday)
- Time: 18:00 (6:00 PM)
- Length: 30 minutes
- Average Household Rating: 5.1%
The Apothecary Diaries
- Station: NTV
- Date: May 23 (Friday)
- Time: 23:45 (11:45 PM)
- Length: 30 minutes
- Average Household Rating: 3.8%
You and Idol Precure♪
- Station: TV Asahi
- Date: May 25 (Sunday)
- Time: 08:30 (8:30 AM)
- Length: 30 minutes
- Average Household Rating: 3.1%
Yaiba: Samurai Legend
- Station: NTV
- Date: May 24 (Saturday)
- Time: 17:30 (5:30 PM)
- Length: 30 minutes
- Average Household Rating: 2.8%
One Piece
- Station: Fuji TV
- Date: May 25 (Sunday)
- Time: 23:15 (11:15 PM)
- Length: 30 minutes
- Average Household Rating: 2.7%
The Dinner Table Detective
- Station: Fuji TV
- Date: May 23 (Friday)
- Time: 23:30 (11:30 PM)
- Length: 30 minutes
- Average Household Rating: 2.7%
Doraemon
- Station: TV Asahi
- Date: May 24 (Saturday)
- Time: 17:00 (5:00 PM)
- Length: 30 minutes
- Average Household Rating: 2.6%
Animated O-saru no George (Curious George)
- Station: NHK-E
- Date: May 24 (Saturday)
- Time: 08:35 (8:35 AM)
- Length: 25 minutes
- Average Household Rating: 1.8%
What We Can Learn From These Rankings
Enduring Classics: Long-running series like Sazae-san, Detective Conan, Chibi Maruko-chan, and Doraemon continue to hold their own, proving their timeless appeal and multigenerational fan bases. These shows are cultural staples in Japan.
Variety of Genres: The list showcases a variety of genres, from slice-of-life family comedies (Sazae-san, Chibi Maruko-chan) to mystery (Detective Conan), historical fantasy (The Apothecary Diaries) and action-adventure (One Piece, Yaiba: Samurai Legend). This diversity reflects the wide range of tastes within the Japanese viewing audience.
Anime Adaptations: The Apothecary Diaries appearing in the top rankings highlights the popularity of adapting manga and light novel series into anime.
Day and Time Slot Impact: The scheduling of these shows plays a significant role in their viewership. Weekend evenings and Sunday mornings are prime slots for family-friendly anime, while late-night slots can cater to older audiences.
NHK’s Influence: The presence of Animated O-saru no George on NHK-E demonstrates the broadcaster’s commitment to children’s programming and its ability to attract a sizable audience.
Series Overview
A brief overview of each anime featured in the ranking.
Sazae-san
Sazae-san is a long-running family anime series that has been a staple of Japanese television since 1969. It revolves around the everyday life of Sazae Fuguta, a cheerful and energetic housewife, and her family. The anime is known for its heartwarming stories, traditional Japanese values, and its portrayal of Japanese family life.
Detective Conan
Detective Conan, also known as Case Closed, is a popular detective anime series that follows the story of Shinichi Kudo, a high school detective who is transformed into a child after being poisoned. Assuming the alias Conan Edogawa, he continues to solve cases while searching for a way to restore his original body. The series is known for its intricate mysteries, engaging characters, and blend of detective work with elements of suspense and action.
Chibi Maruko-chan
Chibi Maruko-chan is a slice-of-life comedy anime series based on the manga by Momoko Sakura. The series follows the daily adventures of Maruko, a young girl growing up in Japan in the 1970s. The anime is known for its nostalgic setting, relatable characters, and humorous depiction of childhood experiences.
The Apothecary Diaries
The Apothecary Diaries is a historical mystery anime series based on the light novel series by Natsu Hyūga. The story follows Maomao, a young apothecary who is sold into service at the imperial court. Using her knowledge of medicine and poisons, she becomes involved in solving mysteries and intrigues within the court. The anime is praised for its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and historical setting.
You and Idol Precure♪
You and Idol Precure♪ is part of the Precure franchise, a long-running series of magical girl anime. The Precure series typically features a group of young girls who transform into magical warriors to fight against evil. These series are known for their themes of friendship, courage, and empowerment.
Yaiba: Samurai Legend
Yaiba: Samurai Legend is an action-adventure anime series based on the manga by Gosho Aoyama. The story follows Yaiba Kurogane, a young samurai who embarks on a quest to become the greatest samurai in the world. Along the way, he battles various enemies and gains new allies. The anime is known for its action-packed fight scenes, humor, and elements of Japanese mythology.
One Piece
One Piece is a long-running adventure anime series based on the manga by Eiichiro Oda. The story follows Monkey D. Luffy and his crew of pirates as they search for the ultimate treasure, the “One Piece,” and strive to become the Pirate King. The anime is known for its expansive world, diverse characters, and themes of friendship, adventure, and perseverance.
The Dinner Table Detective
The Dinner Table Detective may refer to several different series, but without more specific information, it’s difficult to provide a detailed overview.
Doraemon
Doraemon is a classic science fiction comedy anime series that has been popular in Japan and around the world for decades. The story follows Nobita Nobi, a clumsy and unlucky young boy, and Doraemon, a robotic cat from the future who is sent back in time to help him. The anime is known for its imaginative gadgets, heartwarming stories, and themes of friendship and perseverance.
Animated O-saru no George (Curious George)
Curious George is an animated series based on the popular children’s books by H.A. Rey and Margret Rey. The series follows the adventures of George, a curious and mischievous monkey, and his friend, The Man with the Yellow Hat. The anime is known for its educational content, gentle humor, and its celebration of curiosity and exploration.
Trends and Observations
Several trends and observations can be gleaned from the May 19-25, 2025 Japanese animation TV rankings:
Franchise Power: Established franchises continue to dominate the ratings. Series with long histories and dedicated fan bases, such as Sazae-san, Detective Conan, Chibi Maruko-chan, One Piece, and Doraemon, consistently perform well. This indicates the importance of brand recognition and the loyalty of long-term viewers.
Adaptation Success: The success of The Apothecary Diaries highlights the ongoing popularity of adapting manga and light novel series into anime. These adaptations often bring existing fan bases to the television screen, providing a built-in audience.
Day and Time Slot Strategy: The programming choices of TV stations play a crucial role in the success of anime series. Family-oriented shows like Sazae-san, Chibi Maruko-chan, and Doraemon are typically broadcast during weekend evenings, when families are most likely to be watching television together. Series like One Piece and You and Idol Precure♪ also benefit from weekend morning slots, targeting younger viewers.
Genre Diversity: The list showcases a range of genres, from slice-of-life and comedy to mystery, action, and adventure. This diversity indicates the breadth of the anime market in Japan and the wide variety of audience preferences.
NHK’s Role in Children’s Programming: NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) continues to play a significant role in providing quality children’s programming. The presence of Animated O-saru no George (Curious George) on NHK-E demonstrates the broadcaster’s commitment to educational and entertaining content for young viewers.
The Enduring Appeal of Classic Anime: Despite the constant influx of new anime series, classic titles like Doraemon and Detective Conan maintain their popularity, indicating their timeless appeal and cultural significance in Japan.
Demographics and Target Audiences: Different anime series target different demographics. For example, Precure series are primarily aimed at young girls, while shows like Detective Conan and One Piece appeal to a broader audience, including teenagers and adults.
The Impact of Live-Action Adaptations: While this list focuses on animated series, the reference to a live-action series adapting the Blue Moment manga indicates the interconnectedness of the anime and live-action entertainment industries in Japan. Adaptations can boost the popularity of both the original manga/anime and the live-action series.
Relevance of Regional Ratings: The ratings are based on data from the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo and surrounding areas. While Kanto is a major media market, it’s important to remember that anime popularity can vary in other regions of Japan.
The Growing Global Anime Market: While this ranking focuses on domestic Japanese viewership, it’s important to note that many of these anime series have gained international popularity through streaming services and other distribution channels. The global anime market continues to grow, with fans around the world embracing Japanese animation.
AnimeJapan 2025
AnimeJapan is one of the world’s largest animation festivals. AnimeJapan 2025 was held with a variety of stage events, exhibitions, and merchandise. Key highlights included:
- “Manga We Want To See Animated Ranking”: An interim ranking was revealed in January, with the final top 10 announced in March.
- Stage Events: Special stages featured casts and creators from popular anime series like Blue Box, SAKAMOTO DAYS, Summer Pockets, Tokyo Revengers, Me & Roboco, MAEBASHI WITCHES, I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability, Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus, and Demon Slayer.
- Exhibitions: A wide range of exhibitors showcased anime-related products and services.
- Merchandise: Official merchandise was available for purchase at the event and online.
AnimeJapan provides a platform for fans, industry professionals, and creators to come together and celebrate Japanese animation.
These rankings offer valuable insights into the viewing habits and preferences of Japanese audiences, as well as the trends shaping the anime industry. They highlight the enduring appeal of classic series, the success of adaptations, and the importance of strategic programming.
