# 2021 in Japanese television

Below is a list of events affecting Japanese television in 2021.

## Events

| Date | Event |
| February 1 | Japan's Disney XD channel closes. |
| March 15 | The 73rd episode of Attack on Titan is postponed to March 21, when it airs along with its 74th episode, due to an earthquake in Yuasua, Wakayama, Japan. |
| March 16 | Singer and voice actress Nana Mizuki gives birth to her first child. |
| April 7 | Ahead of its premiere on April 10, anime series The World Ends with You the Animation has its opening song replaced due to the ALI drummer's arrest. |
| June 18 | Anime studio Toei Animation dissolves coyote anime studio. |
| June 25 | The 24th and final episode of So I'm a Spider, So What? was postponed indefinitely due to production issues. |
| July 14 | As warned by the NHK staff, broadcasting delays of several anime shows have been occurred due to both the Olympics and the Paralympics. |
| July 23 – August 8 | The 2020 Summer Olympics was held in Tokyo, Japan. |
| August 9 | The Idolm@ster voice actress Asami Shimoda announces the birth of her baby boy. |
| August 24 - September 5 | The 2020 Summer Paralympics was held in Tokyo, Japan. |
| September 7 | TV Tokyo announces a new anime programming block, Anime Zone, which will air from Mondays through Wednesdays, starting in October. |

## Ongoing

| Show | Type | Channel | First aired/Japanese period | First aired/Japanese period |
| NHK ||||||
| NHK Amateur Song Contest | Talent show | NHK-G, NHK World Premium | March 15, 1953 (TV) | Showa |
| With Mother | Kids | E-TV, NHK World Premium | October 5, 1959 | Showa |
| Nintama Rantarō | Anime | NHK | April 10, 1993 | Heisei |
| Ojarumaru | Anime | NHK | October 5, 1998 | Heisei |
| Utacon | Music | NHK-G, NHK World Premium | April 12, 2016 | Heisei |
| Norimono Man Mobile Land no Car-kun | Anime | NHK-E | April 2, 2020 | Reiwa |
| Nippon Television Network System ||||||
| Shōten | Comedy | Nippon Television | May 15, 1966 | Showa |
| Soreike! Anpanman | Anime | Nippon Television | October 3, 1988 | Showa |
| Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! | Game show | Nippon Television | October 3, 1989 | Heisei |
| Detective Conan | Anime | NNS | January 8, 1996 | Heisei |
| Fuji Network System ||||||
| Music Fair | Music | Fuji TV | August 31, 1964 | Showa |
| Sazae-san | Anime | Fuji TV | October 5, 1969 | Showa |
| FNS Music Festival | Music | FNS | July 2, 1974 | Showa |
| Chibi Maruko-chan | Anime | Fuji TV | January 8, 1995 | Heisei |
| One Piece | Anime | Fuji TV | October 20, 1999 | Heisei |
| TV Tokyo ||||||
| Boruto: Naruto Next Generations | Anime | TV Tokyo | April 5, 2017 | Heisei |
| Pokémon | Anime | TV Tokyo | November 17, 2019 | Reiwa |
| TV Asahi ||||||
| Super Hero Time | Tokusatsu | TV Asahi | September 28, 2003 | Heisei |
| Crayon Shin-chan | Anime | TV Asahi | April 13, 1992 | Heisei |
| Doraemon | Anime | TV Asahi | April 15, 2005 | Heisei |
| Music Station | Music | TV Asahi | October 24, 1986 | Showa |
| Tokyo Broadcasting System ||||||
| SASUKE | Sports | Tokyo Broadcasting System | September 26, 1997 | Heisei |
| Count Down TV | Music | Tokyo Broadcasting System | April 7, 1993 | Heisei |

## New series and returning shows

| Show | Network | Premiere | Finale | Status |
| Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town | Tokyo MX | January 4, 2021 (2021-01-04) | March 22, 2021 (2021-03-22) | Series Ended |
| LBX Girls | Tokyo MX | January 7, 2021 (2021-01-07) | March 25, 2021 (2021-03-25) | Series Ended |
| The Quintessential Quintuplets (season 2) | TBS | January 8, 2021 (2021-01-08) | March 26, 2021 (2021-03-26) | Season Ended Renewed for 3rd Season |
| So I'm a Spider, So What? | Tokyo MX | January 8, 2021 (2021-01-08) | July 3, 2021 (2021-07-03) | Series Ended |
| WIXOSS Diva(A)Live | Tokyo MX | January 9, 2021 (2021-01-09) | March 27, 2021 (2021-03-27) | Series Ended |
| Ultraman Chronicle Z: Heroes' Odyssey | TV Tokyo | January 9, 2021 (2021-01-09) | June 26, 2021 (2021-06-26) | Series Ended |
| World Trigger (season 2) | TV Asahi | January 10, 2021 (2021-01-10) | April 4, 2021 (2021-04-04) | Season Ended Renewed for 3rd season |
| Aikatsu Planet! | TV Tokyo | January 10, 2021 (2021-01-10) | June 27, 2021 (2021-06-27) | Series Ended |
| SK8 the Infinity | TV Asahi | January 10, 2021 (2021-01-10) | April 4, 2021 (2021-04-04) | Series Ended |
| Idoly Pride | Tokyo MX | January 10, 2021 (2021-01-10) | March 28, 2021 (2021-03-28) | Series Ended |
| Cells at Work! Code Black | Tokyo MX | January 10, 2021 (2021-01-10) | March 21, 2021 (2021-03-21) | Series Ended |
| Horimiya | Tokyo MX | January 10, 2021 (2021-01-10) | April 4, 2021 (2021-04-04) | Series Ended |
| Ex-Arm | Tokyo MX | January 11, 2021 (2021-01-11) | March 29, 2021 (2021-03-29) | Series Ended |
| That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (season 2) | Tokyo MX | January 12, 2021 (2021-01-12) | September 21, 2021 (2021-09-21) | Season Ended Renewed for 3rd Season |
| Azur Lane: Slow Ahead! | Tokyo MX | January 12, 2021 (2021-01-12) | March 30, 2021 (2021-03-30) | Season Ended |
| Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table | NHK | January 13, 2021 (2021-01-13) | March 31, 2021 (2021-03-31) | Season Ended |
| The Seven Deadly Sins: Dragon's Judgement | TV Tokyo | January 13, 2021 (2021-01-13) | June 23, 2021 (2021-06-23) | Season Ended |
| Dr. Stone: Stone Wars | Tokyo MX | January 14, 2021 (2021-01-14) | March 25, 2021 (2021-03-25) | Season Ended Renewed for 3rd season |
| Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: Battle of Kimluck | Tokyo MX | January 20, 2021 (2021-01-20) | March 31, 2021 (2021-03-31) | Season Ended |
| Seiten wo Tsuke | NHK | February 14, 2021 (2021-02-14) | December 26, 2021 (2021-12-26) | Series Ended |
| Hori-san to Miyamura-kun (Live-action series) | TBS | February 17, 2021 (2021-02-17) | March 31, 2021 (2021-03-31) | Series Ended |
| Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House (NHK World airing) | NHK World | February 25, 2021 (2021-02-25) | January 27, 2022 (2022-01-27) | Ending 2022 |
| Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure | TV Asahi | February 28, 2021 (2021-02-28) | January 30, 2022 (2022-01-30) | Ending 2022 |
| Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger | TV Asahi | March 7, 2021 (2021-03-07) | February 27, 2022 (2022-02-27) | Ending 2022 |
| Zettai BL ni Naru Sekai VS Zettai BL ni Naritakunai Otoko | TV Asahi | March 27, 2021 (2021-03-27) | March 20, 2022 (2022-03-20) | Series Ended |
| Shaman King (2021 series) | TV Tokyo | April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01) | April 21, 2022 (2022-04-21) | Ending 2022 |
| Colorful Love: Genderless Danshi ni Aisareteimasu | NTV | April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01) | June 4, 2021 (2021-06-04) | Series Ended |
| Beyblade Burst Dynamite Battle | YouTube | April 2, 2021 (2021-04-02) | March 18, 2022 (2022-03-18) | Ending 2022 |
| Bakugan: Geogan Rising | YouTube | April 2, 2021 (2021-04-02) | March 18, 2022 (2022-03-18) | Season Ended |
| Let's Make a Mug Too | CBC | April 3, 2021 (2021-04-03) | June 21, 2021 (2021-06-21) | Season Ended |
| Mazica Party | TV Osaka | April 4, 2021 (2021-04-04) | March 27, 2022 (2022-03-27) | Ending 2022 |
| Odd Taxi | TV Tokyo | April 5, 2021 (2021-04-05) | June 29, 2021 (2021-06-29) | Season Ended |
| Fruits Basket: The Final | TV Tokyo | April 5, 2021 (2021-04-05) | June 29, 2021 (2021-06-29) | Series Ended |
| The Slime Diaries: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime | Tokyo MX | April 6, 2021 (2021-04-06) | June 22, 2021 (2021-06-22) | Series Ended |
| Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood | NTV | April 6, 2021 (2021-04-06) | June 23, 2021 (2021-06-23) | Series Ended |
| Mars Red | Nippon TV, Tokyo MX | April 6, 2021 (2021-04-06) | June 29, 2021 (2021-06-29) | Series Ended |
| Iii Icecrin | TV Tokyo | April 6, 2021 (2021-04-06) | December 21, 2021 (2021-12-21) | Season Ended Renewed for 2nd season |
| Fairy Ranmaru | Tokyo MX | April 8, 2021 (2021-04-08) | June 24, 2021 (2021-06-24) | Series Ended |
| Zombie Land Saga Revenge | Tokyo MX | April 8, 2021 (2021-04-08) | June 24, 2021 (2021-06-24) | Season Ended |
| Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion Z | TV Tokyo | April 9, 2021 (2021-04-09) | March 18, 2022 (2022-03-18) | Ending 2022 |
| Yo-Kai Watch Music Note | TV Tokyo | April 9, 2021 (2021-04-09) | Currently Airing | Continues 2022 |
| Don't Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro | Tokyo MX | April 10, 2021 (2021-04-10) | June 27, 2021 (2021-06-27) | Season Ended |
| I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level | Tokyo MX | April 10, 2021 (2021-04-10) | June 26, 2021 (2021-06-26) | Season Ended Renewed for 2nd season |
| The World Ends with You the Animation | TBS | April 10, 2021 (2021-04-10) | June 26, 2021 (2021-06-26) | Series Ended |
| Pretty Boy Detective Club | TV Asahi | April 11, 2021 (2021-04-11) | June 27, 2021 (2021-06-27) | Series Ended |
| Mewkledreamy Mix! | TV Tokyo | April 11, 2021 (2021-04-11) | March 27, 2022 (2022-03-27) | Ending 2022 |
| Tokyo Revengers | TV Tokyo | April 11, 2021 (2021-04-11) | September 19, 2021 (2021-09-19) | Season Ended |
| To Your Eternity | NHK | April 12, 2021 (2021-04-12) | August 30, 2021 (2021-08-30) | Season Ended |
| Gloomy The Naughty Grizzly | Tokyo MX | April 12, 2021 (2021-04-12) | June 28, 2021 (2021-06-28) | Series Ended |
| The Family (2021 series) | Wowow | April 18, 2021 (2021-04-18) | July 11, 2021 (2021-07-11) | Series Ended |
| Ano Toki Kisu Shite Okeba | TV Asahi | April 30, 2021 (2021-04-30) | Currently Airing | Continues 2022 |
| Okaeri Mone | NHK | May 17, 2021 (2021-05-17) | October 29, 2021 (2021-10-29) | Series Ended |
| Pretty All Friends Selection | TV Tokyo | June 6, 2021 (2021-06-06) | September 19, 2021 (2021-09-19) | Series Ended |
| Girlfriend, Girlfriend | TBS | July 2, 2021 (2021-07-02) | September 18, 2021 (2021-09-18) | Season Ended |
| My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! (season 2) | Tokyo MX | July 2, 2021 (2021-07-02) | September 18, 2021 (2021-09-18) | Season Ended |
| The Honor Student at Magic High School | Tokyo MX | July 3, 2021 (2021-07-03) | September 25, 2021 (2021-09-25) | Series Ended |
| Drugstore in Another World | Tokyo MX | July 7, 2021 (2021-07-07) | September 22, 2021 (2021-09-22) | Series Ended |
| Police in a Pod (Live-action series) | Nippon TV | July 7, 2021 (2021-07-07) | September 15, 2021 (2021-09-15) | Series Ended |
| Ultraman Trigger | TV Tokyo | July 10, 2021 (2021-07-10) | January 22, 2022 (2022-01-22) | Ending 2022 |
| Bittomo × Heroine Kirameki Powers! | TV Tokyo | July 11, 2021 (2021-07-11) | June 26, 2022 (2022-06-26) | Ending 2022 |
| Love Live! Superstar!! | NHK-E | July 11, 2021 (2021-07-11) | October 17, 2021 (2021-10-17) | Season Ended Renewed for Season 2 |
| The Idaten Deities Know Only Peace | Fuji TV | July 23, 2021 (2021-07-23) | October 1, 2021 (2021-10-01) | Series Ended |
| The Masked Singer Japan | Amazon Prime Video | September 3, 2021 (2021-09-03) | October 15, 2021 (2021-10-15) | Season Ended |
| Kamen Rider Revice | TV Asahi | September 5, 2021 (2021-09-05) | August 28, 2022 (2022-08-28) | Ending 2022 |
| Komi Can't Communicate (Live-action series) | NHK | September 6, 2021 (2021-09-06) | November 1, 2021 (2021-11-01) | Series Ended |
| Pokémon Evolutions | YouTube | September 9, 2021 (2021-09-09) | December 23, 2021 (2021-12-23) | Series Ended |
| Megaton Musashi | Tokyo MX | October 1, 2021 (2021-10-01) | December 24, 2021 (2021-12-24) | Season Ended Renewed for 2nd Season |
| Kimi to Fit Boxing | Tokyo MX | October 1, 2021 (2021-10-01) | December 17, 2021 (2021-12-17) | Series Ended |
| Restaurant to Another World (Season 2) | TV Tokyo | October 1, 2021 (2021-10-01) | December 18, 2021 (2021-12-18) | Series Ended |
| Yuki Yuna is a Hero: The Great Mankai Chapter | TBS | October 1, 2021 (2021-10-01) | December 18, 2021 (2021-12-18) | Season Ended |
| Record of Ragnarok | Tokyo MX | October 1, 2021 (2021-10-01) | December 17, 2021 (2021-12-17) | Season Ended Renewed for 2nd Season |
| Let's Make a Mug Too: Second Kiln | CBC | October 1, 2021 (2021-10-01) | December 18, 2021 (2021-12-18) | Series Ended |
| Selection Project | Tokyo MX | October 1, 2021 (2021-10-01) | December 24, 2021 (2021-12-24) | Series Ended |
| Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon (season 2) | Nippon TV | October 2, 2021 (2021-10-02) | March 26, 2022 (2022-03-26) | Ending 2022 |
| Muteking the Dancing Hero | TV Osaka | October 2, 2021 (2021-10-02) | December 19, 2021 (2021-12-19) | Series Ended |
| Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House (NHK E airing) | NHK E | October 2, 2021 (2021-10-02) | June 11, 2022 (2022-06-11) | Series Ended |
| Gunma-chan | Tokyo MX | October 3, 2021 (2021-10-03) | December 26, 2021 (2021-12-26) | Series Ended |
| Waccha PriMagi! | TV Tokyo | October 3, 2021 (2021-10-03) | October 9, 2022 (2022-10-09) | Ending 2022 |
| Record of Ragnarok (Mini-anime series) | Cartoon Network Japan | October 3, 2021 (2021-10-03) | December 19, 2021 (2021-12-19) | Series Ended |
| Digimon Ghost Game | Fuji TV | October 3, 2021 (2021-10-03) | Currently Airing | Continues 2022 |
| The Vampire Dies in No Time | Tokyo MX | October 4, 2021 (2021-10-04) | December 20, 2021 (2021-12-20) | Season Ended Renewed for 2nd Season |
| Who Is Princess? | NTV | October 5, 2021 (2021-10-05) | January 23, 2022 (2022-01-23) | Ending 2022 |
| Komi Can't Communicate (Anime series) | TV Tokyo | October 6, 2021 (2021-10-06) | December 23, 2021 (2021-12-23) | Season Ended Renewed for 2nd Season |
| Muv-Luv Alternative | Fuji TV | October 6, 2021 (2021-10-06) | December 23, 2021 (2021-12-23) | Season Ended Renewed for 2nd Season |
| PuraOre! Pride of Orange | Tokyo MX | October 6, 2021 (2021-10-06) | December 22, 2021 (2021-12-22) | Series Ended |
| Banished From The Heroes' Party | Tokyo MX | October 6, 2021 (2021-10-06) | December 29, 2021 (2021-12-29) | Season Ended |
| The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in a Different World as an Aristocrat | Tokyo MX | October 6, 2021 (2021-10-06) | December 22, 2021 (2021-12-22) | Series Ended |
| Visual Prison | Tokyo MX | October 8, 2021 (2021-10-08) | December 25, 2021 (2021-12-25) | Series Ended |
| Platinum End | TBS | October 8, 2021 (2021-10-08) | March 25, 2022 (2022-03-25) | Ending 2022 |
| World Trigger (Season 3) | TV Asahi | October 9, 2021 (2021-10-09) | January 15, 2022 (2022-01-15) | Series Ended |
| The Faraway Paladin | Tokyo MX | October 9, 2021 (2021-10-09) | January 3, 2022 (2022-01-03) | Season Ended Renewed for 2nd Season |
| My Senpai Is Annoying | Tokyo MX | October 10, 2021 (2021-10-10) | December 26, 2021 (2021-12-26) | Series Ended |
| Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2nd season) | Fuji TV | October 10, 2021 (2021-10-10) | February 13, 2022 (2022-02-13) | Ending 2022 |
| Kaginado | Tokyo MX | October 12, 2021 (2021-10-12) | December 29, 2021 (2021-12-29) | Season Ended Renewed for 2nd Season |
| Ranking of Kings | Fuji TV | October 15, 2021 (2021-10-15) | March 25, 2022 (2022-03-25) | Ending 2022 |
| Come Come Everybody | NHK | November 1, 2021 (2021-11-01) | April 8, 2022 (2022-04-08) | Ending 2022 |

## Ending

| End date | Show | Channel | First aired | Replaced by |
| February 7 | Kirin ga Kuru | NHK | January 19, 2020 | Seiten wo Tsuke |
| February 21 | Healin' Good PreCure | TV Asahi | February 2, 2020 | Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure |
| February 28 | Mashin Sentai Kiramager | TV Asahi | March 8, 2020 | Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger |
| March 23 | Shadowverse | TV Tokyo | April 7, 2020 | TBA |
| March 26 | 24 Japan | TV Asahi | October 9, 2020 | Ano Toki Kisu Shite Okeba |
| March 26 | Tokudane! | Fuji TV | April 1, 1999 | Mezamashi 8 |
| March 28 | Tomica Kizuna Mode Combine Earth Granner | TV Osaka | April 5, 2020 | Mazica Party |
| March 30 | Black Clover | TV Tokyo | October 3, 2017 | Kayō Enta |
| April 2 | Yo-kai Watch Jam: Yo-kai Academy Y: Encounter with N | TV Tokyo | December 27, 2019 | Yo-Kai Watch Music Note |
| April 4 | Mewkledreamy | TV Tokyo | April 5, 2020 | Mewkledreamy Mix! |
| April 9 | Saikyō Kamizmode | Tokyo MX | October 9, 2020 | TBA |
| May 15 | Ochoyan | NHK | November 30, 2020 | Okaeri Mone |
| May 30 | Kiratto Pri Chan | TV Tokyo | April 8, 2018 | Pretty All Friends Selection |
| June 26 | Ultraman Chronicle Z: Heroes' Odyssey | TV Tokyo | January 9, 2021 | Ultraman Trigger |
| June 27 | Police × Heroine Lovepatrina! | TV Tokyo | July 26, 2020 | Bittomo × Heroine Kirameki Powers! |
| August 30 | Kamen Rider Saber | TV Asahi | September 6, 2020 | Kamen Rider Revice |
| September 14 | Shiawase! Bonbi Girl | NHK | April 20, 2011 | TBA |
| September 19 | Pretty All Friends Selection | TV Tokyo | June 6, 2021 | Waccha PriMagi |
| September 26 | Digimon Adventure: | Fuji TV | April 5, 2020 | Digimon Ghost Game |
| September 26 | Panel Quiz Attack 25 | TV Asahi | April 6, 1975 | Anata no Kawarini Mite Kimasu! Riatsuki WEST |
| October 1 | The Idaten Deities Know Only Peace | Fuji TV | July 23, 2021 | Ranking of Kings |
| October 29 | Okaeri Mone | NHK | May 17, 2021 | Come Come Everybody |
| December 18 | Yuki Yuna is a Hero: The Great Mankai Chapter | TBS | October 2, 2021 | Cue! |
| December 26 | Seiten wo Tsuke | NHK | February 14, 2021 | The 13 Lords of the Shogun |

## Sports

| Airdate | Sports | Network | Source |
| July 23 - August 8 | Tokyo 2020 Olympics | NHK | |
| August 24 - September 5 | Tokyo 2020 Paralympics | NHK | |

## Special events and milestone episodes

| Airdate | Show | Episode | Network |
| June 12 | My Hero Academia | #100: The New Power and All For One | Nippon Television |
| July 18 | Kamen Rider Saber | Movie Cross-Over SP: The World Pirate Comes, and the Worlds Mix. | TV Asahi |
| July 18 | Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger | #20: Swordsman and World Pirate, a Brother's Promise. (Movie Crossover Special) | TV Asahi |
| September 4 | Doraemon | Birthday special episode | TV Asahi |
| November 21 | One Piece | #1000: "Overwhelming Strength! The Straw Hats Come Together!" | Fuji Television |
| December 3 - December 10 | Pokémon | Diamond & Pearl special | TV Tokyo |
| December 31 | The Irregular at Magic High School | The Magic at Irregular High School | Tokyo MX |
| December 31 | 72nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen | 72nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen | NHK |
| December 31 | Johnny's Countdown 2021-2022 | Johnny's Countdown 2021-2022 | Fuji Television |

## Deaths

| Date | Name | Age | Notable Works |
| January 1 | Seizō Fukumoto | 77 | Actor (Juuken Sentai Gekiranger) |
| February 8 | Shūichirō Moriyama | 86 | Voice actor (Tiger Mask, Digimon Tamers), dubbing actor |
| February 17 | Tetsurō Sagawa | 84 | Actor (Ultraman Ace) |
| February 25 | Masako Sugaya | 83 | Voice actress (Perman, Astro Boy, Superbook, Ranma ½) |
| March 14 | Minako Shiba | 50 | Animator, character designer, animation director, illustrator (Black Butler, Detective Conan, Dr. Stone) |
| March 15 | Yasuo Otsuka | 89 | Anime creator (The Wonderful World of Puss 'n Boots) |
| March 15 | Masahiro Anzai | 66 | Voice actor (Sailor Moon, Anpanman, Magical Angel Creamy Mami) |
| April 3 | Masakazu Tamura | 77 | Actor (Naruto Hitcho, Nemuri Kyoshirō The Final, Furuhata Ninzaburō) |
| April 16 | Osamu Kobayashi | 57 | Director (Paradise Kiss, BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad) |
| April 16 | Fumio Hisamatsu | 77 | Original creator (Bōken Gabotenjima), animator (Shōnen Ninja Kaze no Fujimaru, Mirai Kara Shōnen Super Jetter) |
| April 24 | Shunsuke Kikuchi | 89 | Composer (Dragon Ball, Dr. Slump, Tiger Mask, Doraemon) |
| April 25 | Toshiro Kandagawa | 81 | Chef contestant (Iron Chef) |
| May 6 | Kentarou Miura | 54 | Original creator (Berserk) |
| May 10 | Sugako Hashida | 95 | Scriptwriter (Oshin) |
| May 15 | Akira Itou | 80 | Theme song composer (Urusei Yatsura) |
| May 18 | Genzo Wakayama | 88 | Voice actor (Treasure Island) |
| May 30 | Haruka Nagashima [ja] | 33 | Voice actress (Shiki, Sparrow's Hotel) |
| May 30 | Asei Kobayashi | 88 | Composer (Sally the Witch, Gatchaman), voice actor |
| July 31 | Sanpei Satо | 91 | Original creator (Dotanba no Manners) |
| August 1 | Masami Suda | 77 | Animator (Gatchaman, Fist of the North Star) |
| August 14 | Mary Fujishima | 93 | Chairperson of Johnny & Associates |
| August 14 | Jerry Fujio | 81 | Actor (The Hit Parade), voice actor (The Stingiest Man in Town) |
| August 21 | Masanari Nihei | 80 | Actor (Ultraman), voice actor (The Ultraman) |
| September 3 | Shinichiro Sawai | 83 | Series director (Shogun no Onmitsu! Kage Juhachi, Juukou B-Fighter) |
| September 7 | Eiichi Yamamoto | 80 | Animator, episode director (Astro Boy), director (Kimba the White Lion, Wansa-kun) |
| September 9 | Yūshi Suzuki | | Director (Edens Zero) |
| September 24 | Takao Saito | 84 | Original creator (Golgo 13) |
| September 30 | Koichi Sugiyama | 90 | Composer (Cyborg 009, Magic Knight Rayearth, Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai) |
| October 8 | Sanpei Shirato | 89 | Original creator (Ninpu Kamui Gaiden) |
| October 12 | Daisei Fujii | | Character designer (SD Gundam Force, Super Robot Wars OG: Divine Wars) |
| October 17 | Toshihiro Iijima | 89 | Director (Ultraman, Ultra Q, Ultraman Max) |
| October 21 | Saori Sugimoto | 58 | Voice actress (Nintama Rantaro, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing) |
| October 29 | Yoshiko Oota | 89 | Voice actress (Kimba the White Lion, Doraemon (1979 TV series)) |
| November 5 | Kinji Yoshimoto | 55 | Director (Queen's Blade: The Exiled Virgin, Unbreakable Machine-Doll), animator |
| December 1 | Keiko Nobumoto | 57 | Screenwriter (Cowboy Bebop, Macross Plus) |
| December 3 | Jouji Yanami | 90 | Voice actor (Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z) |
| December 8 | Mitsutoshi Furuya | 85 | Original creator (Gūtara Mama, Dame Oyaji) |
| December 18 | Sayaka Kanda | 35 | Voice actress and singer |