Nihon Monitor 2026 First Half Talent TV Program Appearance Ranking

Nihon Monitor Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Hamamatsucho, Tokyo; President and CEO: Miki Nirasawa), a media research and analysis company, has compiled the "2026 First Half Talent TV Program Appearance Ranking" based on TV program appearance data from January to June 2026.

◇Following last year, Satoshi Shitara takes the top spot in the first half◇

In the first half of 2026, Satoshi Shitara (Banana Man) ranked first in the program appearance ranking, continuing his success from last year. In addition to hosting numerous regular programs such as "Banana Sand," his presence was so significant that he was seen on television almost every day, partly due to the expansion of broadcast hours and nationwide airing of the morning information program "Nonstop!".

Yu Sawabe (Haraichi) came in second, and Akira Kawashima (Kiririn) took third place. The top three, who have been consistent since 2023, have once again appeared together.

Time Machine 3gou, who ranked as a breakout talent in 2024, saw Futoshi Seki rank 7th and Koji Yamamoto rank 17th, marking their first time both members have entered the top 20.

Their approachable personalities and consistent ability to generate laughter in any program are expected to lead to further success in the future.

Additionally, Shinobu Hasegawa (Sissonne) at 14th place and Natsuko Yokosawa at 15th place also made their first appearances in the rankings this time. Yokosawa's realistic portrayal of juggling motherhood with three children resonated with her peers, and her sharp observational skills, characteristic of a comedian, earned her support, making her the only woman in the top 20.

▼2026 Talent TV Program Appearance Ranking *Survey by Nihon Monitor Co., Ltd.

1st Place Satoshi Shitara (Banana Man): 299 programs

Nonstop! (CX) / Banana Sand (TBS) / Nogizaka Koujichuu (TX), etc.

2nd Place Yu Sawabe (Haraichi): 282 programs

Pokapoka (CX) / Ikura ka Wakaru Kin? (TBS) / Soko Magattara, Sakurazaka? (TX), etc.

3rd Place Akira Kawashima (Kiririn): 267 programs

Ravitto! (TBS) / Sunday PUSH Sports (NTV) / Kawashima & Yamauchi no Manga Numa (NTV), etc.

4th Place Subaru Kimura: 231 programs

Oha Suta (TX) / Hirunandesu! (NTV) / Doraemon (EX), etc.

5th Place Ryota Yamasato (Nankai Candies): 225 programs

DayDay. (NTV) / Azato Sugite Nani ga Warui no? (EX) / Doyou wa Nani Suru!? (CX), etc.

6th Place Yuki Hirako (Arco & Peace): 211 programs

Mainichi Oogiri & Shou Resshi (EX) / Ravitto! (TBS) / DAN!DAN! EBIDAN! (TX), etc.

7th Place Futoshi Seki (Time Machine 3gou): 206 programs

Ravitto! (TBS) / Hirunandesu! (NTV) / Ariyoshi no Kabe (NTV), etc.

8th Place Shinya Ueda (Cream Stew): 205 programs

Shabekuri 007 (NTV) / Cream Quiz Show (EX) / Shinya Ueda no Sunday Q (TBS), etc.

9th Place Toshiaki Kasuga (Audrey): 203 programs

Achi Kochi Audrey (TX) / School Kakumei! (NTV) / Hinatazaka de Aimashou (TX), etc.

9th Place DAIGO: 203 programs

DAIGO mo Daidokoro (EX) / Minna no KEIBA (CX) / Uma Revo! (CX), etc.

11th Place Takashi Yoshimura (Heisei Nobushi Kobushi): 198 programs

Shuukan Sanma to Matsuko (TBS) / Hirunandesu! (NTV) / Nonstop! (CX), etc.

12th Place Ryogo Matsumaru: 189 programs

Oha Suta (TX) / Pokemon to Dokokai!? (TX) / Shuichi (NTV), etc.

12th Place Daikichi Hakata (Hakata Kamataru & Daikichi): 189 programs

Asaichi (NHK) / Kayou wa Chikarazuyoi! Kamatari to Chidori-kun (CX) / Nikenme Dou Suru? ~Tsumami no Hanashi~ (TX), etc.

14th Place Shinobu Hasegawa (Sissonne): 188 programs

Geinoujin ga Honki de Kangaeta! Dokkiri GP (CX) / Nani ka Omoshiroi Koto Nai no? (CX) / DayDay. (NTV), etc.

15th Place Natsuko Yokosawa: 184 programs

Otto ga Netta Atoni (EX) / Miramon GOLD (CX) / Mitorizu no Maidorizu Mystery! (NTV), etc.

16th Place Kenji Yamauchi (Kamaitachi): 183 programs

Chidori Kamaitachi (NTV) / Kamaitachi no Shunkan Kaitou! ~60-byou de O-nayami Kaiketsu~ (CX) / Kawashima & Yamauchi no Manga Numa (NTV), etc.

17th Place Koji Yamamoto (Time Machine 3gou): 181 programs

Hirunandesu! (NTV) / Tsuppare File (NTV) / Sakagami & Sashihara no Tsuburenai Mise (TBS), etc.

18th Place Shinichi Hatori: 178 programs

Shinichi Hatori Morning Show (EX) / GURU GURU 99 (NTV) / Hirunandesu! (NTV), etc.

18th Place Hirotaka Yamazaki (Untouchable): 178 programs

Sata Pura (TBS) / School Kakumei! (NTV) / London Hearts (EX), etc.

20th Place Kamataru Hakata (Hakata Kamataru & Daikichi): 173 programs

Asaichi (NHK) / Kamatari Donburi to Daikichi Men (EX) / Ariyoshi Zemi (NTV), etc.

◇From the sports world to the comedy world! Breakout talents who colored the first half of 2026◇

Breakout talents are compared based on the increase in program appearances from last year to this year. Narumi Takahashi is a breakout talent in the first half of 2026. She served as a commentator for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics held in February of this year. Her easy-to-understand explanations and positive comments, unique to a former figure skater, became a hot topic. Even after the Olympics concluded, her bright personality has led her to dominate variety shows.

In addition, Yoichiro Kakitani, a former professional soccer player, has been active in a wide range of sports and variety programs, leveraging his extensive experience gained during his playing career. He particularly conveyed the excitement of the FIFA World Cup to viewers as someone who clearly communicated the deep appeal of soccer in related programs.

In the comedy world, Takuro, the "M-1 Grand Prix" champions of last year, and Dondecolte, who took second place, achieved breakout success, seizing opportunities thanks to the big stage.

Furthermore, Bullet Train and A! group have seen success not only in group activities but also in individual endeavors such as appearances on variety shows and dramas, contributing to their leaps forward.

▼2026 First Half Breakout Talents

Narumi Takahashi Increased Programs: 107

(2025 Appearances: 16 → 2026 Appearances: 123)

Nana Takagi Increased Programs: 92

(2025 Appearances: 18 → 2026 Appearances: 110)

Takuro Increased Programs: 88

(2025 Appearances: 0 → 2026 Appearances: 88)

Bullet Train Increased Programs: 75

(2025 Appearances: 98 → 2026 Appearances: 173)

Yoichiro Kakitani Increased Programs: 72

(2025 Appearances: 29 → 2026 Appearances: 101)

A! group Increased Programs: 59

(2025 Appearances: 155 → 2026 Appearances: 214)

Dondecolte Increased Programs: 58

(2025 Appearances: 0 → 2026 Appearances: 58)

Rainbow Increased Programs: 55

(2025 Appearances: 69 → 2026 Appearances: 124)

Soma Yamato Increased Programs: 49

(2025 Appearances: 2 → 2026 Appearances: 51)

ROIROM Increased Programs: 42

(2025 Appearances: 2 → 2026 Appearances: 44)

【Survey Overview】

▼ Survey Item: Talent TV program appearance count (Counts the number of broadcast episodes for each appearance)

▼ Survey Period: January 1, 2026 - June 21, 2026

▼ Target Broadcasters: NHK General / Nippon TV / TV Asahi / TBS / TV Tokyo / Fuji TV (Terrestrial broadcasts in the Tokyo metropolitan area)

◎Calculated by combining group and individual appearances

◎Announcers belonging to broadcasting stations are excluded

◎Appearances on infomercials are excluded

◎Reruns are excluded

【Nihon Monitor Co., Ltd. Company Profile】

Company Name: Nihon Monitor Co., Ltd.

Location: 1-7-3 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Daiichi Building 2F

Representative: Miki Nirasawa, President and CEO

URL: https://www.n-monitor.co.jp/

Business Activities: Media research and analysis business