The anode performances of Ni/(CeO2)(1-x)(LnO(1.5))(x) (Ln: La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, and Yb) were investigated in direct-methane solid oxide fuel cells. Among the anodes tested in the present study, Ni/CeO2-Sm2O3 and Ni/CeO2-Yb2O3 composite anodes showed relatively low anodic overpotential. The anodic overpotential of Ni(x wt%)/(CeO2)(1-y)(SmO1.5)(y) depended strongly on Ni content, while it less depended on Sm content. The catalytic activity of methane oxidation was measured for Ni/LnDC at 973 K and Ni/CeO2 and Ni/CeO2-Yb2O3 samples showed high catalytic activity. This result suggests that the activity for the direct oxidation of methane by O-2 is not the main factor controlling the anodic overpotential in direct-methane solid oxide fuel cell.