by Japanese streaming platform ABEMA has released its official anime viewing rankings for 2025, offering a fascinating snapshot of what audiences watched most throughout the year. While the hit mystery series The Apothecary Diaries dominated in average views per episode, the top spot in total views went to a beloved long-running family anime proving that nostalgia and accessibility still hold tremendous power.
The rankings are based on ABEMA’s proprietary viewing data for anime broadcast and streamed between January 1 and December 31, 2025, across its 24/7 lineup of approximately 25 channels covering a wide range of genres.
Total Views Ranking Classic Family Anime Takes the Crown
In the category of total cumulative views, long-established series with broad appeal dominated the chart.
Top 5 Anime by Total Views (2025)
- Atashin’chi
- The Apothecary Diaries — Season 1
- Crayon Shin-chan the Movie
- The Apothecary Diaries — Season 2
- Oishinbo
The winner, Atashin’chi, is a long-running slice-of-life comedy centered on an everyday Japanese family. Its relatable humor, episodic structure, and suitability for all ages make it perfect for continuous streaming — a key factor in accumulating massive total view counts.
Other classics on the list share similar strengths:
- Crayon Shin-chan — A hugely popular comedy franchise with decades of content
- Oishinbo — A culinary drama beloved for its educational value and nostalgic charm
These titles are often watched casually or repeatedly, contributing to their impressive cumulative numbers.
Average Views per Episode The Apothecary Diaries Dominates
In contrast, the average views per episode category highlights titles that generated intense engagement for each installment.
Top 5 Anime by Average Views per Episode (2025)
- The Apothecary Diaries — Season 2
- The Apothecary Diaries — Season 1
- The Useless Skill “Nut Master”
- A Genius Healer Who Was Banished as Useless
- The Unpopular Job of Appraiser Is Actually the Strongest
The clear winner was The Apothecary Diaries, which secured both first and second place with its two seasons — a rare achievement that underscores its massive popularity.
Why The Apothecary Diaries Performed So Well
The series combines historical intrigue, mystery-solving, and character-driven drama set in an imperial court inspired by ancient China. Its protagonist, Maomao, uses her knowledge of medicine and poison to unravel complex incidents, creating a compelling “case-of-the-week” format.
Key reasons for its success include:
- Strong central characters
- Ongoing narrative mysteries
- High production quality
- Wide appeal across demographics
- Strong word-of-mouth buzz
Because each episode advances the plot or reveals new secrets, viewers are highly motivated to watch weekly boosting the per-episode average.
Newer Fantasy Titles Make a Strong Showing
The remaining entries in the average views ranking are mostly recent fantasy and isekai-style series, many adapted from popular web novels or light novels.
Common traits among these titles:
- Overpowered protagonists
- Revenge or redemption narratives
- Fast-paced storytelling
- Strong appeal to younger audiences
- Frequent cliffhangers
These factors encourage immediate viewing upon release, increasing average episode numbers even if the overall catalog size is smaller.
Total Views vs. Average Views What’s the Difference?
Understanding the two metrics helps explain why different types of anime dominate each category.
Total Views
Measures cumulative watch time across all episodes and viewers.
Favored by:
- Long-running series
- Family-friendly content
- Episodic shows suitable for background viewing
- Titles with large back catalogs
Average Views per Episode
Measures engagement per installment.
Favored by:
- New seasonal anime
- Story-driven series
- Shows with strong hype cycles
- Titles watched immediately after release
What the Rankings Reveal About Anime Viewing Trends
The 2025 data highlights several key trends in anime consumption:
Nostalgia Remains Powerful
Older franchises continue to attract large audiences thanks to familiarity and accessibility.
Family-Friendly Content Has Broad Reach
Shows suitable for all ages accumulate views from multiple generations.
High-Quality New Series Can Dominate Engagement
Breakout hits like The Apothecary Diaries can rival classics in popularity despite having fewer episodes.
Streaming Encourages Binge-Watching
Viewers often revisit favorite shows repeatedly, boosting total counts.
About ABEMA
ABEMA is one of Japan’s leading streaming platforms, offering:
- Continuous live channels
- On-demand viewing
- Anime, drama, news, sports, and variety programs
- Both classic and newly released content
Its viewing data provides valuable insight into real audience behavior rather than just broadcast ratings.
Final Thoughts
ABEMA’s 2025 anime rankings demonstrate that success in streaming can take different forms. While modern hits like The Apothecary Diaries captivate viewers episode by episode, long-running classics such as Atashin’chi continue to dominate overall watch time.
Together, these results paint a vivid picture of anime fandom in 2025 a landscape where nostalgia, accessibility, and high-quality storytelling coexist and thrive.
Whether you prefer comforting slice-of-life comedy or gripping historical mystery, the rankings show that there is truly something for every type of anime fan.
