On January 28, Fuji Media Holdings appointed Kenji Shimizu as the new president, following the resignation of former executives. Shimizu’s name is well-known among anime fans due to his history with the company. After graduating from Keio University, he joined Fuji TV in 1983 and helped produce iconic anime like Dragon Ball, Yu Yu Hakusho, and many more.

Fans expressed excitement over his appointment, with many recalling his contributions to anime and hoping Fuji TV will focus more on animation in the future. Industry figures also praised Shimizu’s leadership, highlighting his role in pushing forward anime content that shaped the industry.

Shimizu acknowledged past issues during his press conference, apologizing for recent controversies at the company and emphasizing his commitment to rebuilding trust. He vowed to work alongside his team to build a bright future for Fuji TV, starting from scratch.

Fuji TV has been increasingly focusing on anime, particularly through its late-night anime slot Noitamina, established in April 2005. Noitamina is a backwards reading of the word "Animation" and was named with the goal of "overturning the common sense of anime" and encouraging everyone to watch anime. The slot has produced some of the most critically acclaimed and influential anime over the years. With Shimizu at the helm, fans are hoping Fuji TV will continue to invest in high-quality anime programming, including potentially bringing anime back into the prime-time slots.