by The audience rating of “TV anime version” Kimetsu no Yaiba “Infinite Train Edition” (Sunday 11:15 pm), which has been broadcast on Fuji TV since October 10, is steadily declining. It’s stalling. On the other hand, the audience rating of the NTV drama “Guilty Flag” (10:30 pm), which is also broadcast late on Sunday night, is solid despite criticism. Explore the background (viewing rate is based on video research, Kanto area).
The audience rating of the TV anime version “Kimetsu no Yaiba” continues to decline.
Episode 1 (October 10) Households 10.0%, individuals 5.7%
Episode 2 (October 17) Household 8.0%, Individual 4.6%
Episode 3 (October 24) Household 7.0%, Individual 4.0%
Episode 4 (November 7) 6.4% of households, 3.5% of all individuals
Episode 5 (November 14) 5.7% of households, 3.1% of all individuals
The audience rating of the first episode was excellent considering the time zone from 11:15 pm on Sunday, but the numbers of the fifth episode must be said to be mediocre.
This is because the TBS-based “Jonetsu Tairiku” (11:00 pm on Sunday), which has a broadcast time of 15 minutes, also marked 5.2% for households and 2.8% for all individuals on November 14.
There are several possible reasons for the decline in viewer ratings.
(1) Because the new work is only the first episode
The first episode was an original story that was not even in the original. It depicts the flame pillar, Purgatory Anjuro, getting on an infinite train.
The bravery, sacrifice, and kindness of Anjuro are highlighted, and it seems that the viewers were incredibly pleased. SNS reacted greatly.
Not only the story but also the drawing, 3DCG, and shooting were all overwhelming. As expected, it made me think that it was a work of ufotable, which has a good reputation for its high production ability.
On the other hand, it is difficult to explain from the second episode to the seventh episode, which is the last of the infinite train edition. It’s hard to say that it’s new work, but it’s not old work either.
Some people say that the second and subsequent episodes are “just a TV animation of the movie version of” Infinite Train, “and on the contrary, some fans say “a completely new work of” Kimetsu no Yaiba “. ..
I feel that the expression “completely new work” is overkill, but it does not mean that the movie version of “Infinite Train Edition” is being rebroadcast.
The TV anime version is a delicate re-edited version of the movie version. In episodes 2 to 7, about 70 new additional videos and newly added BGM are woven.
However, many people think, “I don’t feel like watching it because of the newly added video and the newly added BGM.” Other stations also have ironic voices saying, “I often broadcast in this form.”
After all, Fuji’s movie version of “Infinite Train Edition” was just broadcast on September 25. Moreover, the audience rating reached 21.4% for households, 15.7% for all individuals, and the core audience rating (13-49 years old) reached nearly 20%, so it was just after many people watched it.
Enthusiastic fans must be able to enjoy the new additional video by watching the TV anime version. On the other hand, many people who are not core fans may be satisfied with the movie version alone.
(2) Broadcast time is bad
There will be school and work from the next day on Sunday night, so there should be many people who go to bed early.
Although there are various reasons it was broadcast from 11:15 pm on Sunday, the biggest one was probably the difficulty of adjustment.
This is because there is full-net broadcasting on 26 Fuji affiliated stations and broadcasts on four non-affiliated stations (TOKYO MX, BS11, Gunma TV, Tochigi TV) 2 CS anime channels.
Four stations, including TOKYO MX, broadcast the first TV animation (“Tanjiro Kamado Ritsushi Hen”) from April 2019 and raised “Kimetsu no Yaiba” into a big hit. The production committee by Aniplex, Shueisha, and ufotable is essential because of its contribution.
On the other hand, Fuji broadcast the special edition of “Kimmon Slayer Ritsushi Hen” five times in September this year, about two years behind TOKYO MX and others. Fuji’s position is just a new entrant.
In addition, since 27 video sites distribute it, it is difficult for Fuji to free the broadcasting time zone.
By the way, the latest (November 1 to 7th) time-shift audience rating is 8.1% for households. After all, it seems that the broadcasting time zone has an influence, and it exceeds the real-time audience rating.
(3) Easy to see elsewhere
Broadcast monopoly is required to increase the audience rating of killer content such as the Soccer World Cup. If it is easily viewed anywhere, the scarcity value of the content will drop.
In the case of the TV anime version “Kimetsu no Yaiba,” it is a category that can be easily seen. You can watch it on BS11, which you can watch for free anywhere in the country, CS, which has a low usage fee, and 27 video sites.
However, it doesn’t help Fuji. Fuji’s Yuriko Nakamura, 52, said at an online October reorganization briefing on September 6.
“We are broadcasting while borrowing the work.”
The position is weak.
On the other hand, Sony’s Aniplex, which manages broadcasting rights, is good at doing things.
In the first TV anime broadcast, we did not get the help of the key stations in Tokyo. Still, by collaborating with 20 terrestrial stations such as local stations and BS11 and CS, we will deliver “Kimetsu no Yaiba” all over the country. Rice field.
The current second phase also realized national terrestrial broadcasting on the Fuji series without bowing to Fuji. Aniplex is in control.
On the other hand, considering the future development of the movie version and the sale of character goods, three companies such as Aniplex should not be able to silently see the decline in Fuji’s audience rating.
(4) The boom is leaving
There is such a voice, but this is hard to think of. At least we see potential needs as undiminished.
The original work, which depicts everything from family love to human work, is profound. It is no wonder that the cumulative circulation of all 23 volumes of the book has exceeded 150 million.
Also, the movie version of “Infinite Train Edition,” released in October last year, reached a domestic box office of about 40.3 billion yen, breaking the record high. Such mobilization should not be possible with a temporary boom.
Then, what holds the key to the rise of the audience rating is nothing but the next Yukaku edition.
All the Yukaku editions starting on December 5 are new works. The first episode will be a one-hour special.
In the story after the infinite train edition, the main character, Tanjiro Kamado, and other members of the demon slaughter corps perform an infiltration mission to the Yukaku, where the demons are hidden. That’s why it’s the Yukaku edition.
Because it is a new work, there is no fear of déjà vu on the viewer side. There should also be an astonishing V-shaped recovery in viewer ratings.
On the contrary, if the audience rating does not emerge, I think there is a mistake in the strategy, such as the broadcasting time zone and the number of platforms.
On the other hand, the audience rating of the NTV drama “Guilty Flag” (Sunday 10:30 pm), which was criticized at the beginning of the broadcast, was solid.
There was much criticism on the internet at the beginning.
“I’m tired of watching because there are too many meaningful cuts and lines.” “I think it ends up with indigestion like” Your Turn to Kill “made by the same team.”
However, such opinions seem to be gradually decreasing.
The route was changed from 2019’s “Anaban,” which had an intense entertainment color, and the merits and demerits of SNS were included. There is also the usual good performance of the lead actor Hidetoshi Nishijima (50) and the goodness of the script that incorporates human dramas so that you can enjoy it without consideration.
The audience rating is as follows.
One younger brother (October 10) 8.4% of households, 4.7% of individuals
Episode 2 (October 17) Households 7.2%, Individuals 4.0%
Episode 3 (October 24) Household 7.3%, Individual 4.0%
Episode 4 (November 7) Household 7.0%, Individual 3.9%
Episode 5 (November 14) 6.4% of households, 3.3% of all individuals
The broadcast time zone of “Kimetsu no Yaiba” is 45 minutes later and only 15 minutes overlap, but when comparing the household ratings, the “True Criminal Flag” is higher after the third episode.
The same applies to the comparison of time-shifted ratings. “Guilty Flag” exceeds “Kimetsu no Yaiba” in 8.5% of households.
Both “Kimetsu no Yaiba” and “Guilty Flag” started with noise. Which one will laugh at the end?
Fuyuhiko Takahori (Takahori / Fuyuhiko)
Broadcast columnist and journalist. He joined Sports Nippon Shimbun in 1990. He covers and writes about entertainment (in charge of broadcasting). He left the company in 2010. After working as a weekly magazine contract reporter, he joined Mainichi Shimbun Publishing in 2016. He served as a reporter and deputy editor of “Sunday Mainichi” and left the company in April 2019 to become independent.
