The winter 2025 season has been one of the most competitive in the Japanese anime scene. In this environment of high demand and multiple offerings, the second season of The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto), consolidated its position as the most popular anime of the quarter, leading the official ranking of the ABEMA platform. The series not only captured attention for its immersive story and the evolution of its characters, but also for the quality of its animation, which has made it the must-see title of the season.
The Apothecary Diaries’ second season leads in views
ABEMA, one of the most influential streaming services in Japan, released its final rankings for winter 2025. The measurement was based on the average number of views per episode and the average number of comments recorded per series, including live and on-demand streams from the first to the last broadcast. In this context, the second season of The Apothecary Diaries, which began its second season on April 4, 2025, consistently held the top spot in ABEMA’s weekly rankings.
The Apothecary Diaries, based on the hit light novel by Natsu Hyuuga, follows Maomao, a young herbalist who uses her sharp wit to solve mysteries in the imperial court. This mix of intrigue, ancient medical science and a charismatic protagonist has cemented its place among audience favorites; the series also reached fourth place in the comments ranking, a clear sign of the loyalty and active participation of its fans.
In second place was Bogus Skill <>> About that time I became able to eat unlimited numbers of Skill Fruits (that kill you), a parody isekai that surprised the audience with its originality. The anime managed to capture attention thanks to an exclusive early premiere in ABEMA, a week before its television broadcast, and closed with a finale that generated wide discussion in networks, fueling expectations about a possible second season.
Third place went to Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, a historical-scientific drama set in the Renaissance period that has been praised for its realistic approach and narrative depth, this anime, less commercial than other titles on the list, found in ABEMA an ideal platform to stand out on its own merit.
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3, one of the most popular franchises in modern anime, ranked fourth in views, but took the top spot in number of comments, this third season has been an emotional roller coaster that has captured its fan base with intensity, generating discussions episode after episode.
The top five in views was completed by SAKAMOTO DAYS, an adaptation of the popular action-comedy manga published in Weekly Shonen Jump, which with its mix of absurd humor and dynamic fight sequences achieved excellent critical and commercial reception.
As for the ranking of comments, in addition to Re:ZERO, BanG Dream! Ave Mujica, with a very active community; The Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another World, which has gained popularity for its parody of super sentai clichés, continuing with fourth place for The Apothecary Diaries, and finally fifth place went to Akuyaku Reijou Tensei Ojisan, an isekai comedy with an unusual approach and well received by the public.
The strong presence of The Apothecary Diaries in the ABEMA rankings not only confirms its resounding success, but also positions it as one of the most influential productions of the season, in a winter season marked by the return of iconic franchises and the emergence of new proposals. This anime has proven that good stories, told with quality and care, continue to be the most important thing for fans. With series like this one, the anime industry continues to evolve and capture new audiences inside and outside Japan.
©日向夏・イマジカインフォス／「薬屋のひとりごと」製作委員会