The latest Japanese anime television rankings are in, covering the period from January 13th to 19th, 2025. Sazae-san continues to dominate the charts, maintaining its position as a beloved staple in Japanese households. These rankings, compiled by Video Research, provide a glimpse into the most-watched anime programs in the Kanto region of Japan. It’s important to note that these ratings reflect live viewership and do not include recordings watched at a later time.
Top Anime TV Shows in Japan (January 13-19, 2025)
The rankings reveal a mix of long-running series and newer titles vying for audience attention. Here’s a breakdown of the top shows:
The Reign of Sazae-san
- Sazae-san, airing on Fuji TV on Sunday at 6:30 PM, secured the top spot with an impressive 8.5% average household rating. This long-running family-oriented anime continues to be a favorite in Japan.
Other High-Ranking Anime Series
- Detective Conan, broadcast on NTV on Saturday at 6:00 PM, came in second with a solid 6.7% rating, showcasing the enduring popularity of the detective series.
- Chibi Maruko-chan, another Fuji TV staple airing on Sunday at 6:00 PM, achieved a 5.6% rating, maintaining its appeal among viewers.
Newer Series and Live-Action Adaptations
- The Apothecary Diaries, airing its second episode on NTV on Friday at 11:30 PM, garnered a 4.0% rating. This series has also been named the most anticipated anime of Winter 2025, highlighting the anticipation for the new season.
- The first Tokyo Revengers 2 live-action film aired on Fuji TV on Saturday, January 18th, at 9:00 p.m. and earned a 4.8% rating, demonstrating the popularity of live-action anime adaptations.
Other Notable Programs
- Blue Miburo (NTV, Saturday 5:30 PM) – 3.5%
- Doraemon (TV Asahi, Saturday 5:00 PM) – 3.2%
- Crayon Shin-chan (TV Asahi, Saturday 4:30 PM) – 3.0%
- Wonderful Precure! (TV Asahi, Sunday 8:30 AM) – 2.5%
- Dragon Ball Daima (Fuji TV, Friday 11:40 PM) – 2.4%
- Animated O-saru no George (Curious George) (NHK-E, Saturday 8:35 AM) – 1.9%
- Oshiri Tantei (NHK-E, Saturday 9:00 AM) – 1.8%
Analysis of the Anime Ranking Trends
The television ratings offer insights into viewer preferences in Japan. Long-standing series like Sazae-san, Detective Conan, and Chibi Maruko-chan continue to attract large audiences, suggesting a preference for familiar, family-friendly content. However, newer series like The Apothecary Diaries are quickly gaining traction. The strong performance of the live-action Tokyo Revengers 2 film indicates a growing interest in anime adaptations.
The Rise of Sakamoto Days
Notably absent from the Japanese TV rankings, but a significant player in the global anime scene, is Sakamoto Days. This series has achieved massive success on Netflix, reaching the #2 spot globally for non-English shows during the same week (January 13-19, 2025), with an impressive 8.6 million views. It also topped the charts in five countries and placed within the top 10 in 67 others, including a #9 ranking in the U.S. This highlights the distinction between traditional television viewership in Japan and the growing global streaming audience. The show’s success is attributed to its unique blend of action and comedy, and the engaging character of Taro Sakamoto, a former assassin turned family man.
Anticipated Anime of Winter 2025
While The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 is doing well in the TV ratings, it was also named the most anticipated anime of the Winter 2025 season, according to a poll by Minna no Ranking. Other highly anticipated series included “Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective”, I May Be a Guild Receptionist, but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time, and Sakamoto Days. This suggests a strong interest in diverse genres, ranging from historical mystery to action-comedy.
New Anime Series and Sequels
The Winter 2025 season sees a mix of new and returning series. Medalist is currently ranked as the #1 series in Japan, a sports anime based on the manga by Tsurumai Ikada. Zenshu, an original series by MAPPA, is another popular title of the season. Additionally, there are several sequels such as My Happy Marriage Season 2, Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2, and The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 which are also garnering attention.
The Global Anime Phenomenon
While the TV ratings reflect domestic viewership in Japan, the popularity of Sakamoto Days on Netflix indicates the global reach of anime. New data shows that the anime industry is earning more revenue outside of Japan. This trend highlights the growing appeal of anime to international audiences and the increasing importance of streaming platforms in its distribution.
Future Trends in Anime
The anime industry is constantly evolving, with new series, adaptations, and genres gaining popularity. Based on analysis of current trends and audience anticipation, here’s a look at the potential future trends:
Genre Diversity
The success of series like Medalist (sports), The Apothecary Diaries (historical mystery), and Sakamoto Days (action-comedy) suggests a growing appetite for a variety of genres. This diversity in viewer preferences is likely to drive the creation of more unique and innovative stories.
Streaming Influence
The global success of anime on streaming platforms like Netflix is reshaping the industry. This trend is expected to continue, with more anime series being produced for international audiences and distributed through online platforms.
Adaptations of Manga
Many popular anime series are based on manga, and this trend is likely to continue. The “Manga We Want To See Animated” ranking by AnimeJapan 2025 showcases a large selection of titles that could potentially be adapted into anime in the future.
International Appeal
With more revenue being generated from overseas markets, the anime industry is focusing on creating content that appeals to international audiences. This may include incorporating elements from other cultures, exploring universal themes, and improving the availability of subtitles and dubs.
In conclusion, the Japanese anime television rankings from January 13-19, 2025, demonstrate the enduring popularity of long-running series while highlighting the emergence of new favorites. The global success of anime on streaming platforms further underscores the industry’s growing reach and influence. The anime landscape is dynamic, with new trends and adaptations constantly capturing the attention of audiences worldwide.
