by As the Summer 2026 anime season gains momentum, Dwango Co., Ltd., operator of the popular Japanese video platform Niconico, has released its latest First-View Ranking, highlighting the anime that generated the strongest initial response from viewers.
The ranking measures the “energy” of each series immediately after its streaming debut by analyzing views, comments, and overall user engagement on Niconico between July 1 and July 13, 2026. Unlike traditional popularity rankings based solely on view counts, Niconico’s list reflects how actively viewers interacted with each title through real-time comments and community participation.
The biggest surprise? The unconventional comedy Yani Neko claimed the No. 1 spot, outperforming major franchises like Mushoku Tensei Season 3 and Ghost in the Shell, while generating more than 500,000 views within roughly two weeks.
Top 10 Niconico First-View Ranking (Summer 2026)
According to Dwango’s announcement, the Top 10 anime based on early streaming performance are:
- Yani Neko
- Mushoku Tensei III: Jobless Reincarnation
- Ghost in the Shell
- BanG Dream! Yume∞Mita
- Otome Kaiju Caramelize
- Reiwa no Dara-san
- Saga of Tanya the Evil II
- Tenmaku no Jadougal
- World Is Dancing
- Ushiro no Shomen Kamui-san (On-Air Version)
The list showcases a diverse mix of long-running franchises, highly anticipated sequels, original productions, and unexpected breakout hits.
No. 1: Yani Neko Becomes the Season’s Biggest Surprise
The most talked-about title in the ranking is undoubtedly Yani Neko, a quirky comedy centered around the everyday life of a lazy anthropomorphic cat who spends much of its time smoking cigarettes.
On paper, the premise seems unusual enough, but it was the audience’s reaction that truly propelled the series to the top of Niconico’s rankings.
Within approximately two weeks of its release, Episode 1 surpassed 500,000 views, becoming one of the platform’s biggest early successes of the season.
Viewers Couldn’t Believe It Was Real
The anime quickly became a hot topic thanks to its bizarre premise and nostalgic atmosphere.
Some of the most common viewer reactions included:
- “Why did this get an anime adaptation? (LOL)”
- “This feels like something straight out of the Showa era.”
- “How did anyone approve this project?”
Rather than criticizing the series, many viewers appeared genuinely fascinated by its retro style and unconventional humor.
The anime’s unique identity encouraged countless real-time comments, perfectly matching Niconico’s interactive viewing culture.
Unexpected Anti-Smoking Reactions
Interestingly, the series also inspired an unexpected discussion about smoking.
Despite centering on a chain-smoking protagonist, many viewers jokingly claimed the anime actually encouraged them to quit smoking instead.
Popular comments included:
- “I swear I’m quitting smoking after watching this.”
- “Let’s all quit together.”
- “This is secretly an anti-smoking anime.”
The humorous contradiction between the show’s premise and audience reactions only helped increase its online popularity.
No. 2: Mushoku Tensei III Rewards Patient Fans
Taking second place is Mushoku Tensei III: Jobless Reincarnation, one of the most anticipated sequels of the year.
After waiting for the continuation of Rudeus Greyrat’s journey, longtime fans enthusiastically welcomed the anime’s return.
Viewers praised the premiere for maintaining the franchise’s signature strengths:
- Beautiful animation
- Emotional storytelling
- Strong character development
- High production values
Many fans commented:
- “I’ve been waiting for this.”
- “It’s just as good as I remembered.”
- “The episode ended far too quickly.”
The strong debut demonstrates that Mushoku Tensei remains one of the leading isekai franchises in modern anime.
No. 3: Ghost in the Shell Impresses With Stunning Quality
Science SARU’s new Ghost in the Shell television series secured third place.
Although the franchise has existed since Masamune Shirow’s original manga debuted in 1989, the newest adaptation immediately captured viewers’ attention with its ambitious visual presentation.
Fans praised the premiere with comments such as:
- “This feels like watching an entire movie.”
- “The production quality is incredible.”
- “The original manga’s charm really shines through.”
The reboot’s faithful interpretation of Shirow’s artwork and modern animation style has sparked considerable discussion among both longtime fans and newcomers.
A Diverse Top 10 Reflects Summer 2026’s Variety
Beyond the top three, several other titles also generated strong engagement on Niconico.
BanG Dream! Yume∞Mita continued the popular multimedia music franchise with emotional performances and new characters.
Otome Kaiju Caramelize surprised viewers by combining a sweet high school romance with giant monster action.
Reiwa no Dara-san earned praise for blending supernatural folklore with slice-of-life comedy.
Meanwhile, Saga of Tanya the Evil II, Tenmaku no Jadougal, World Is Dancing, and Ushiro no Shomen Kamui-san all attracted dedicated fan communities eager to discuss every episode in real time.
The ranking highlights just how diverse the Summer 2026 anime lineup has become, with fantasy, comedy, music, romance, historical drama, and science fiction all represented.
What Makes Niconico’s Ranking Different?
Unlike traditional streaming charts that rely mainly on view counts, Niconico’s First-View Ranking also measures audience engagement.
The ranking considers factors such as:
- Number of views
- Viewer comments
- Access frequency
- Overall activity immediately after release
This approach rewards anime that generate passionate discussions and active community participation, making the ranking a useful indicator of early fan enthusiasm rather than simple popularity.
Because Niconico allows viewers to post comments directly over the video as it plays, anime with memorable scenes, shocking twists, or unusual humor often perform especially well.
Looking Ahead
Although these rankings reflect only the first two weeks of the Summer 2026 anime season, they offer an early glimpse into which titles have captured viewers’ attention.
While blockbuster franchises like Mushoku Tensei and Ghost in the Shell performed as expected, the biggest story has undoubtedly been the meteoric rise of Yani Neko, whose eccentric premise and nostalgic charm turned it into the season’s most talked-about surprise hit.
With many series still airing, the rankings are likely to change in the coming weeks as new episodes introduce major plot twists, emotional story arcs, and memorable moments.
For now, however, Yani Neko has proven that originality and strong audience engagement can sometimes outperform even the biggest anime franchises on one of Japan’s most interactive streaming platforms.
