Fuji TV is experiencing a significant decline in corporate sponsorships for its anime programming. This issue came to light after a report in Weekly Bunshun magazine detailed allegations against former SMAP member Masahiro Nakai and implicated Fuji TV staff. Consequently, Fuji TV president Koichi Minato and Fuji Media Holdings Inc. chairman Shuji Kano resigned.
Fuji TV Anime Airs Without Corporate Sponsors
The impact is evident in the reruns of popular anime such as Assassination Classroom and Call of the Night, which are currently airing without corporate sponsors. Instead, the commercials shown during these reruns primarily promote Fuji TV’s own productions, including live-action series and films.
Even Chibi Maruko-chan, celebrating its 35th anniversary, has been without sponsors for four weeks. While some anime programs still have sponsors, the majority of commercials across Fuji TV anime are now for the broadcaster’s in-house content.
Assassination Classroom originally aired on Fuji TV in January 2015, with a second season following in January 2016. Call of the Night aired from July to September 2022, and its second season is scheduled for July.
The network’s sponsorship drought raises concerns about the future of anime programming on Fuji TV, with no announcements made yet regarding potential new sponsors. The situation highlights the sensitivity of corporate sponsors to negative publicity and its potential impact on television broadcasting.
