The broadcast landscape for animation in Japan saw a clear frontrunner during the week of July 13–19, 2026. A special one-night broadcast titled Kingdom -Shin to Ō Ki to Shogun to- secured the top spot with a 7.0% rating. The special, which aired on NTV on Friday, July 17, served as a promotional lead-in for the franchise's newest live-action feature film.

Elsewhere on the NTV schedule, the second half of the film Soreike! Anpanman: Chapon no Hero! maintained a steady presence for younger audiences. The morning broadcast on July 17 achieved a 2.0% rating, continuing the long-running franchise's consistent performance in domestic television markets.

Rounding out the notable animation broadcasts, Katsuhiro Ōtomo’s landmark sci-fi masterpiece Akira received a rare afternoon slot on NHK Educational. Despite its status as a foundational pillar of the medium, the Saturday airing on July 18 reached a 1.0% rating, highlighting the varied reach of classic cinema compared to current franchise tentpoles.