Unpacking Mid-July Kanto Anime TV Ratings
Welcome back to our weekly dive into the fascinating world of Japanese television ratings! This week, we are sifting through the numbers for mid-July, specifically focusing on the Kanto region, to bring you a comprehensive look at how your favorite anime and special broadcasts performed. From perennial favorites to new season contenders and classic film reruns, the latest data from Video Research offers intriguing insights into viewer habits.
Enduring Popularity: The Top Tier Anime
Once again, the titans of Japanese animation demonstrated their unwavering popularity. Fuji TV's iconic Sazae-san led the pack, pulling in a robust 5.9% rating on Sunday, July 19, at 6:30 p.m. This beloved family staple continues to be a Sunday evening ritual for countless households. Hot on its heels was NTV's Detective Conan, securing a strong 4.6% on Saturday, July 18, at 6:00 p.m. The enduring mystery series consistently captures a dedicated audience. Rounding out the top three regular series, Chibi Maruko-chan, also from Fuji TV, garnered a respectable 4.2% on Sunday, July 19, at 6:00 p.m. These three programs collectively underscore the immense appeal of long-running, family-friendly animation in Japan.
Evening and Late-Night Anime Insights
Moving into the evening and late-night slots, we observe varied performances from popular titles. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 on NTV, airing Friday, July 17, at 11:30 p.m., secured a solid 3.0% rating. This demonstrates a dedicated fanbase for the ongoing fantasy adventure series in a later time slot. Fuji TV's global phenomenon One Piece broadcast on Sunday, July 19, at 11:15 p.m., achieved a 2.3% rating. Sharing this viewership percentage was TBS's The Classroom of a Black Cat and a Witch, which aired on Sunday, July 19, at 11:30 p.m., also earning 2.3%. These figures highlight consistent viewership for established and newer series in their respective late-night windows.
Morning and Daytime Anime for Younger Audiences
The morning and daytime schedules also saw a mix of ratings, often catering to younger audiences. TV Asahi's Star Detective Precure! brightened Sunday, July 19, at 8:30 a.m. with a 2.3% rating, showcasing the franchise's strong appeal among its demographic. NHK Educational featured several notable children's programs. Animated O-saru no George (Curious George) on Saturday, July 18, at 8:35 a.m., and Oshiri Tantei on Saturday, July 18, at 9:00 a.m., both achieved a 1.6% rating. Meanwhile, Bluey, airing earlier on NHK-E on Saturday, July 18, at 8:10 a.m., secured a 1.5%. These programs collectively underscore the importance of educational and entertaining content for younger viewers during weekend mornings.
Special Broadcasts and Classic Film Reruns
Beyond the regular series, several special broadcasts and film reruns captured viewer attention. The standout performer was The Kingdom -Shin to Ō Ki to Shogun to- one night special, an NTV production commemorating the latest Kingdom live-action film. Aired on Friday, July 17, at 9:00 p.m., this special achieved an impressive 7.0% rating, demonstrating significant interest in the popular franchise. Anime film fans also tuned in for The second part of the 2025 Soreike! Anpanman: Chapon no Hero! film, which aired on NTV on Friday, July 17, at 10:55 a.m., earning a 2.0% rating. Finally, Katsuhiro Ōtomo's seminal Akira film, a true masterpiece of animation, aired on NHK Educational on Saturday, July 18, at 2:00 p.m., and garnered a 1.0% rating. While a classic, a daytime rerun on an educational channel naturally yields different results compared to prime-time network broadcasts.
Conclusion: A Snapshot of Kanto's Viewing Habits
In summary, the mid-July Kanto region TV ratings paint a picture of enduring legacy for shows like Sazae-san, Detective Conan, and Chibi Maruko-chan. Newer or genre-specific series like Slime and Precure maintain strong niche audiences, while special programming like The Kingdom commemoration can draw significant prime-time viewership. It is important to remember these figures are estimates from Kanto region households and do not include recorded viewings. Stay tuned for more insights into Japan's dynamic television landscape!
