by Fuji Television’s anime business is experiencing significant growth, with popular properties such as Chiikawa and Puppet Sun-Sun helping increase revenue during the first half of the fiscal year ending March 2027. According to financial results materials released by parent company Fuji Media Holdings on November 6, 2026, Fuji TV’s animation business generated ¥4.504 billion in revenue between April and September 2026, representing a 38.3% increase compared with the same period last year.
The strong performance stands out against the broadcaster’s wider content business, which recorded revenue of ¥36.973 billion, up 14.8% year-on-year. The animation business therefore grew considerably faster than the overall content division.
Fuji Media Holdings identified popular titles such as Chiikawa and Puppet Sun-Sun as important contributors to the results. Both properties have been featured on Fuji TV’s morning information programme Mezamashi TV, helping them reach a broad audience. Their popularity has also created opportunities beyond television broadcasting, including film-related business, character licensing, merchandise, and other forms of content distribution.
The company also reported steady performance from the secondary use of its existing anime catalogue. Older titles such as Assassination Classroom and Urusei Yatsura continued generating revenue through distribution and licensing, including overseas markets.
Meanwhile, Fuji TV is expanding its involvement in major anime projects. One of the most notable upcoming developments is THE ONE PIECE, Netflix’s new adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s original manga, which is being produced by a committee involving Shueisha, Fuji Television Network, and Toei Animation. The series is scheduled to premiere worldwide in February 2027.
With new anime productions, international distribution, and major projects connected to the ONE PIECE franchise, Fuji TV is continuing to strengthen its position in Japan’s competitive anime and entertainment industry.
Chiikawa and Puppet Sun-Sun Help Drive Anime Revenue
Fuji TV specifically identified Chiikawa and Puppet Sun-Sun among the popular properties contributing to the growth of its animation business.
Both titles have benefited from exposure through Mezamashi TV, Fuji TV’s morning information programme. Their short-format appearances help introduce the characters to viewers who may not necessarily follow traditional anime series.
Chiikawa Continues to Expand Its Popularity
Chiikawa is based on the manga created by Nagano. The series follows the everyday lives of Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi, and their friends in a world that combines cute character designs with humour, friendship, emotional moments, and occasional difficult situations.
The television anime began airing in 2022 as part of Mezamashi TV. Its short episodes and memorable characters have helped it attract viewers across different age groups.
The franchise has also expanded beyond television through merchandise, collaborations, events, and theatrical projects.
One particularly important development in 2026 was the release of Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island on July 24. The film became a major box-office success in Japan. Fuji TV reported that it had earned more than ¥15.84 billion after 59 days in cinemas as of September 21, 2026.
The movie’s performance illustrates how a property that initially gained popularity through short-form animation can develop into a much larger entertainment franchise.
Chiikawa’s success also demonstrates the commercial value of character-based content. A recognisable character can support several business areas, including broadcasting, film distribution, licensing, merchandise, and international expansion.
Puppet Sun-Sun Builds a Strong Character Brand
Puppet Sun-Sun is another property that has helped Fuji TV strengthen its character and animation business.
The puppet character has gained attention through its appearances on Mezamashi TV and its presence across digital platforms and promotional activities.
Rather than depending only on conventional television episodes, Puppet Sun-Sun has been developed through different forms of entertainment and commercial collaborations. Its expansion across broadcasting, events, merchandise, and partnerships shows how a character brand can create value beyond its original screen appearances.
The inclusion of both Chiikawa and Puppet Sun-Sun in Fuji TV’s financial discussion demonstrates the importance of developing recognisable characters and building long-term business opportunities around them.
Overseas Distribution of Older Anime Titles Also Contributes to Growth
Fuji TV’s animation business is not dependent only on newly released productions.
The company also reported steady performance from the secondary use of older anime titles, including Assassination Classroom and Urusei Yatsura.
In the entertainment industry, secondary use generally refers to generating additional revenue from content after its original broadcast or release. This can include streaming licences, overseas distribution, reruns, and other commercial uses.
For anime companies and broadcasters, this is an important business model because successful series can continue generating income long after their initial television runs have ended.
Assassination Classroom
Assassination Classroom is based on the manga written and illustrated by Yusei Matsui. The story follows a classroom of students who are assigned an extraordinary mission: assassinate their powerful teacher, Koro-sensei, before he destroys Earth.
The anime adaptation became popular internationally because of its combination of comedy, action, emotional storytelling, and character development.
Its continued distribution gives Fuji TV opportunities to generate revenue from an established property rather than relying entirely on new productions.
Urusei Yatsura
Urusei Yatsura, created by Rumiko Takahashi, is another well-known title in the company’s anime catalogue.
The romantic science-fiction comedy follows Ataru Moroboshi and the alien girl Lum, whose arrival creates a series of chaotic and humorous situations.
The franchise has a long history in Japanese animation, making it a recognisable property for both longtime anime fans and newer viewers.
The original anime began in 1981, and a modern television adaptation aired from 2022 to 2024. Continued distribution of the franchise helps demonstrate the lasting value of established anime properties.
The overseas licensing of older titles is particularly important because it allows companies to make further use of content that has already been produced.
Fuji TV Expands Its Anime Lineup and Production Activities
Fuji TV’s financial results also come at a time when the broadcaster is continuing to develop its anime programming and production activities.
Its October 2026 lineup includes several projects across different programming blocks, such as:
- Hotaru no Yomeiri, scheduled for the Noitamina block.
- The second season of The Magician Who Rose From the Ashes? — the original Japanese title is Kikansha no Mahou wa Tokubetsu desu, also known internationally as A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special.
- Fairies Album Season 3: Capital Chapter, known in Japanese as Hyakuyoufu Season 3: Kyoushi-hen, in the B8station block.
These programming slots allow Fuji TV to introduce different types of anime to audiences, from romance and drama to fantasy and supernatural stories.
The company is also connected to animation production through its wider business network. One example is David Production’s adaptation of Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, which is being distributed worldwide through Netflix.
This kind of involvement demonstrates that Fuji TV’s anime business extends beyond traditional terrestrial broadcasting. Production partnerships, streaming distribution, and licensing agreements are increasingly important parts of the modern anime industry.
THE ONE PIECE: Netflix’s New Anime Adaptation Is Scheduled for February 2027
One of Fuji TV’s most significant upcoming anime projects is THE ONE PIECE, a completely new animated adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s globally popular manga.
Unlike the long-running television anime, which has adapted the manga over many years, THE ONE PIECE will begin the story again from the beginning of the East Blue Saga.
The project is being animated by WIT STUDIO, the studio known for productions such as SPY×FAMILY and the early seasons of Attack on Titan.
Netflix has confirmed that the series will premiere worldwide in February 2027.
The first season will cover approximately the first 50 chapters of the original manga. It will consist of seven episodes released together, with a combined runtime of approximately 300 minutes. The story will follow Luffy’s early adventures and lead up to his meeting with Sanji at the Baratie floating restaurant.
A New Production Committee Involving Fuji TV
Although THE ONE PIECE is being developed for Netflix rather than traditional terrestrial television broadcasting, Fuji TV remains involved through the production committee.
The project is being produced in collaboration with three major companies:
- Shueisha: The publisher of the original ONE PIECE manga.
- Fuji Television Network: The broadcaster and production committee participant.
- Toei Animation: The animation company behind the long-running original ONE PIECE television series.
Netflix is the global streaming platform for the new adaptation, while WIT STUDIO is responsible for its animation production.
This distinction is important. Fuji TV’s involvement does not depend solely on broadcasting the series on its own television network. Participation in a production committee can create business opportunities through the project’s wider commercial activities.
The financial contribution of THE ONE PIECE to Fuji TV’s future results will depend on the terms of its participation and the project’s performance. However, its involvement gives the broadcaster a connection to one of the world’s most recognisable anime franchises.
ONE PIECE FILM GOD VALLEY Announced for Summer 2027
The ONE PIECE franchise also has a major theatrical project planned for 2027.
The upcoming movie, ONE PIECE FILM GOD VALLEY, is scheduled for a nationwide Japanese theatrical release in summer 2027.
The announcement was made during ONE PIECE DAY 2026 in August. The release will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the original manga, which began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump on July 22, 1997.
The film will be the first new theatrical release in the franchise since ONE PIECE FILM RED, which premiered in August 2022.
The title has generated interest because God Valley is an important location in the larger ONE PIECE story. However, the announcement has not yet provided a complete plot description, detailed cast information, or a precise release date.
A second theatrical project, ONE PIECE FILM BAAD, has also been announced for 2029.
These projects provide additional opportunities for the franchise to expand through cinema, merchandise, licensing, and international distribution.
For Fuji TV, the wider ONE PIECE business is another example of how participation in major intellectual properties can create commercial opportunities across different entertainment formats.
Fuji Media Holdings Focuses on Expanding Its Intellectual Property Business
The growth of Fuji TV’s animation business reflects a wider strategy within Fuji Media Holdings.
The company has identified intellectual property development, production and distribution, and the expansion of existing properties into multiple business areas as important priorities.
In simple terms, intellectual property, often shortened to IP, refers to a creative property such as an anime, manga, character, or fictional world that can be developed into different products and experiences.
For example, a successful anime property can expand into:
- Television broadcasting and streaming.
- Theatrical films.
- Character merchandise and toys.
- International licensing.
- Promotional collaborations.
- Events and exhibitions.
- Games and other entertainment projects.
Chiikawa and Puppet Sun-Sun provide examples of how character-based properties can grow beyond their original television appearances.
Similarly, established titles such as Assassination Classroom and Urusei Yatsura can continue generating income through licensing and distribution even after their original broadcasts have ended.
This approach gives entertainment companies more opportunities to earn revenue from successful properties while reducing their dependence on a single release or broadcast window.
What Fuji TV’s Anime Revenue Growth Means for the Industry
Fuji TV’s 38.3% increase in animation business revenue highlights the growing commercial importance of anime within Japan’s entertainment industry.
Anime is no longer limited to television schedules. Popular titles can develop into large-scale franchises that generate revenue through cinema, merchandise, digital streaming, licensing, and international partnerships.
The success of Chiikawa and Puppet Sun-Sun demonstrates the potential of character-driven content, while the continued distribution of older titles shows the value of maintaining a strong catalogue.
The upcoming release of THE ONE PIECE on Netflix also illustrates how Japanese broadcasters can participate in global streaming projects even when those productions are not designed for their own television schedules.
For Fuji Media Holdings, these developments form part of a broader effort to strengthen its content business and expand the commercial value of its intellectual properties.
Fuji Television’s anime business recorded an impressive 38.3% year-on-year revenue increase, reaching ¥4.504 billion during the April–September 2026 interim period.
Popular properties such as Chiikawa and Puppet Sun-Sun played an important role in the company’s performance, while the overseas distribution of older anime titles such as Assassination Classroom and Urusei Yatsura provided additional revenue opportunities.
Looking ahead, Fuji TV’s involvement in THE ONE PIECE, which is scheduled to premiere worldwide on Netflix in February 2027, represents another important development. The upcoming ONE PIECE FILM GOD VALLEY theatrical release in summer 2027 also adds to the franchise’s expanding entertainment plans.
As anime continues to grow as a global entertainment business, Fuji TV’s strategy of combining television exposure, streaming, film production, licensing, and character-based projects could become increasingly important to its future performance.
