Solo Leveling might be one of the most talked-about anime worldwide, but in Japan, it’s not leading the pack. According to Abema’s Winter 2025 mid-season rankings, Solo Leveling: Arise from the Shadow only reached fifth place, a bit lower than many would expect given the global attention.
These rankings highlight how anime trends in Japan can differ quite a bit from what catches on internationally.
What Is Abema?
For those unfamiliar, Abema is a major Japanese streaming service launched in 2016. It blends traditional cable-style programming with on-demand streaming, offering anime, dramas, variety shows, and even live TV.
The platform is backed by CyberAgent and TV Asahi. By 2020, it had surpassed 50 million downloads, with around 15 million weekly active users. Most of the audience is male and between the ages of 25 to 34, which influences the types of shows that often perform well on the platform.
Top 5 Anime on Abema – Winter 2025 Rankings
- The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
- Nutmaster (Kenomi Master)
- Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World Season 3
- Sakamoto Days
- Solo Leveling: Arise from the Shadow
Here’s a closer look at which titles are performing well on Abema right now and why they’re connecting with Japanese viewers.
At the top is The Apothecary Diaries. The story follows Maomao, a sharp young apothecary who works in the imperial court, solving unusual medical cases and uncovering hidden schemes with her deep knowledge of medicine and poisons.
The mix of historical drama and mystery clearly resonates with local audiences. Season 2 began airing in January 2025 and will run for 24 episodes total, with the second half set to kick off in April.
Second on the list is Nutmaster, or Kenomi Master in Japanese. It’s a fantasy series centered around Light, a would-be adventurer whose only ability is growing fruit, a skill that seems pointless until it unlocks hidden advantages.
As Light consumes special fruits and gains stacking powers, he grows stronger in unexpected ways. The story flips expectations and turns a low-tier skill into something useful. A setup that’s proven popular.
Re:Zero continues to be a consistent performer. The third season expands on Subaru Natsuki’s story as he deals with the emotional weight of his ability to rewind time whenever he dies.
Season 3 kicked off with a 90-minute premiere in October 2024 and aired in two parts. The second half wrapped up in March, giving the show a steady presence on the platform and helping it maintain its popularity.
In fourth place is Sakamoto Days, an anime based on the successful manga from Weekly Shonen Jump. It follows Taro Sakamoto, a former hitman turned convenience store owner whose quiet life gets interrupted by enemies from his past.
The show’s mix of fast-paced action and everyday comedy gives it a fun, unpredictable feel.
Rounding out the list is Solo Leveling, also known as Only I Level Up in Japan. Season 2 wrapped up on March 29. While the anime continues to be a massive hit outside Japan, it hasn’t reached the same level of dominance locally, atleast on Abema streaming service.
The series follows Sung Jin-Woo, a low-ranked hunter who gains the ability to level up endlessly after surviving a deadly dungeon. Its mix of action and power growth drew a huge international following.
These rankings offer a snapshot of anime tastes in Japan that don’t always match the global conversation. Solo Leveling might be topping charts internationally, but on Abema streaming service, other titles are taking the spotlight for now.
