Here’s a look at the top-rated Japanese animation TV shows from May 26 to June 1, 2025, offering insights into what’s capturing audiences in Japan.
Top Anime TV Rankings
Here are the top anime shows in Japan, ranked by average household ratings during the specified period:
- Sazae-san
- Station: Fuji TV
- Date: June 1 (Sun)
- Time: 18:30
- Length: 30 min
- Rating: 7.1%
- Detective Conan
- Station: NTV
- Date: May 31 (Sat)
- Time: 18:00
- Length: 30 min
- Rating: 6.2%
- Chibi Maruko-chan
- Station: Fuji TV
- Date: June 1 (Sun)
- Time: 18:00
- Length: 30 min
- Rating: 5.1%
- The Apothecary Diaries
- Station: NTV
- Date: May 30 (Fri)
- Time: 00:05
- Length: 30 min
- Rating: 3.6%
- Yaiba: Samurai Legend
- Station: NTV
- Date: May 31 (Sat)
- Time: 17:30
- Length: 30 min
- Rating: 3.5%
- Ueda to Onna ga DEEP ni Hoeru Yoru (variety show) and Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX
- Station: NTV
- Date: May 27 (Tues)
- Time: 23:59
- Length: 60 min
- Rating: 3.3%
- One Piece
- Station: Fuji TV
- Date: June 1 (Sun)
- Time: 23:15
- Length: 30 min
- Rating: 2.9%
- Doraemon
- Station: TV Asahi
- Date: May 31 (Sat)
- Time: 17:00
- Length: 30 min
- Rating: 2.6%
- Crayon Shin-chan
- Station: TV Asahi
- Date: May 31 (Sat)
- Time: 16:30
- Length: 30 min
- Rating: 2.5%
- You and Idol Precure♪
- Station: TV Asahi
- Date: June 1 (Sun)
- Time: 08:30
- Length: 30 min
- Rating: 2.4%
Other Notable Mentions
- Live-Action Series “Anpan”: An episode of “Anpan,” inspired by the life of Anpanman creator Takashi Yanase, aired on May 29 and earned a 16.3% rating. Another episode on May 30 garnered a 5.7% rating.
- “Ameku Takao no Suiri Karte”: The live-action series of Mikito Chinen’s novel aired on May 27 and received a 5.6% rating.
Streaming Highlights on Crunchyroll (May 26 – June 1)
Crunchyroll continues to be a major platform for anime fans, offering simulcasts and new episodes of popular series. Here are some highlights from May 26 to June 1:
- Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2: Episode 8 aired on May 26 at 9:15 AM ET, continuing the heartwarming dynamic between Reina and Raidou.
- The Apothecary Diaries Season 2: Episode 19 aired on May 26 at 12:00 PM ET, delving deeper into Maomao’s kidnapping and revealing new secrets.
- My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Season 1: Episode 8 aired on May 26 at 11:15 AM ET, exploring the unconventional heroes of this spinoff series.
- ZatsuTabi -That’s Journey-: New episodes aired at 9:30 AM ET on May 26.
- Summer Pockets: Episodes were available at 11:00 AM ET.
Long-Running Anime Series in Japan
Japan has a tradition of producing long-running anime series with hundreds or even thousands of episodes. Here are a few examples:
- Sazae-san: This series has been running since October 5, 1969, and has over 2,771 episodes.
- Nintama Rantarō: Aired since April 10, 1993, with over 2,504 episodes.
- Ojarumaru: On air since October 5, 1998, with over 2,082 episodes.
- Doraemon: Both the 1979 and 2005 versions have a significant number of episodes, with the 2005 series still in production.
- Soreike! Anpanman: This series started on October 3, 1988, and has over 1,683 episodes.
- Chibi Maruko-chan: In production since January 8, 1995, with over 1,468 episodes.
Cultural Impact and Modern Anime
Anime is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and is a significant part of the country’s identity. Many anime series showcase modern Japanese culture, history, and cities. Some anime for getting familiar with modern Japanese culture include:
- Lovely Complex: Takes place in Osaka, with characters speaking in the Osaka dialect.
- Hibike! Euphonium: Set in Uji, a suburb of Kyoto, and features real-life locations that inspired the series.
- Golden Kamuy: Set in the early 1900s, depicting a part of Japanese history not often seen.
Anime Events in Tokyo 2025
Tokyo is a hub for anime and manga events, offering fans opportunities to immerse themselves in their favorite series. Here are a few events that took place in Tokyo in 2025:
- Anime Japan 2025: A large-scale event featuring stage shows, booth exhibits, and merchandise sales.
- My Hero Academia Exhibition: Commemorated the conclusion of the “My Hero Academia” manga series.
- Osamu Tezuka’s “Phoenix” Exhibition: Showcased the masterwork of manga legend Osamu Tezuka.
- Blue Lock Exhibition: EGOIST EXHIBITION the animation: Featured content from the “Blue Lock” manga, anime, and movie.
- “Galaxy Express 999” 50th Anniversary Project Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition – Journey of Creation: Showcased original drawings and unreleased materials from Leiji Matsumoto.
Music and Anime
Anime theme songs often top the charts in Japan. For the first half of 2025, Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s “Lilac,” the opening theme for the anime “Oblivion Battery,” was the number one song on Billboard Japan’s overall song charts.
Factors Influencing Anime Popularity
Several factors influence the popularity of anime in Japan:
- Online Votes and Streaming Ratings: Websites and streaming services provide data on the most-watched and highest-rated anime.
- Total Revenue: The financial success of an anime, including merchandise sales and box office revenue, indicates its popularity.
- Cultural Impact: Anime that resonates with Japanese culture and values tend to be more popular.
- Nostalgia: Long-running series like “Sazae-san” and “Doraemon” have a strong nostalgic value for many viewers.
- Simulcasts: Simulcasting episodes has further enhanced the season’s appeal. Fans no longer have to wait for weeks or months to catch up with their favorite series, making the anime-watching experience more inclusive.
The anime landscape in Japan is dynamic, with both classic series and new hits capturing the hearts of viewers. From TV ratings to streaming trends and cultural events, there’s always something exciting happening in the world of Japanese animation.
