Zatch Bell, Naruto and One Piece Prove Strength of Japanese Animation in TOONAMI Franchise

Three popular Anime series proved the on-going U.S. popularity of Japanese animation this November as each program earned significant double-digit delivery and ratings growth among Cartoon Network’s target audience of tweens 9-14, according to Nielsen Media Research. Presented within TOONAMI, the network’s weekend franchise of action-adventure programming, Zatch Bell (Saturday, 8:30 p.m.), Naruto (Saturday, 9 p.m.) and One Piece (Saturday, 9:30 p.m.) also produced considerable growth among kids 6-11 throughout November, and the later two series both ranked #1 on all television—broadcast and cable—for delivery and ratings of boys 9-14.

(Click "Read More" for the numbers...)

Zatch Bell (Saturdays in November, 8:30 p.m.)

• Tweens 9-14 delivery (633,000) increased by 33% and ratings (2.6) by 37%.
• Kids 6-11 delivery (616,000) and ratings (2.5) both expanded by 9%.

Naruto (Saturdays in November, 9 p.m.)

• Tweens 9-14 delivery (790,000) improved by 70% and ratings (3.2) by 68%.
• Kids 6-11 delivery (654,000) grew by 22% and ratings (2.7) by 23%
• Series ranked #1 in its time period on all television for ratings (4.7) and delivery (587,000) of boys 9-14.

One Piece (Saturdays in November, 9:30 p.m.)

• Tweens 9-14 delivery (694,000) leapt by 23% and ratings (2.8) by 22%.
• Kids 6-11 delivery (622,000) rose by 20% and ratings (2.6) by 24%
• Series ranked #1 in its time period on all television for ratings (4.0) and delivery (499,000) of boys 9-14.