The recent final episodes of NHK's autumn dramas have sparked both conversation and introspection among fans and critics alike. Despite some shows garnering less-than-stellar real-time ratings, many have captured audiences through streaming platforms.
Among the standout dramas this season is The Lion's Den, featuring the dynamic performances of actors including Ryota Bando and Yuma Yagira. This original suspense series tells the story of the brothers, portrayed by Bando and Yagira, who get caught up with a mysterious boy, played by Tasuku Sato, leading to unpredictable twists and turns. The engaging storytelling combined with strong performances pulled viewers in, sparking discussions about the show's unique narrative.
Another remarkable title, Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea, spans 70 years, chronicling love, friendship, and family against the backdrop of the coal industry’s rise from 1955 through modern-day Tokyo. It has been produced by the renowned team of Akiko Nogi, Ayuko Tsukahara, and Junko Arai, known for previous hits like Unnatural (2018) and MIU404 (2020). The drama’s grandeur and emotional depth were clearly expressed through high-quality cinematography depicting Nagasaki's Hashima Island, attracting significant accolades.
Interestingly, Diamonds Sleeping aired its final episode as a two-hour special but faced tough competition from the annual M-1 Grand Prix 2024, which aired on TV Tokyo. Viewers found their attention divided as the high-profile comedy championship simultaneously aired from 6:30 PM to 10:10 PM, resulting in diminished real-time viewing numbers for the drama.
Despite these instances of lower nominal ratings, those involved with the dramas have claimed both series showcased talents worthy of acclaim. Yet, when compared to previous productions, the ratings have fallen short of expectations. Recent changes across viewing habits—shifted due to the rise of diverse lifestyles and the popularity of streaming services—indicate ratings alone don’t reflect the true impact or quality of contemporary dramas.
Indeed, the competition for viewers has intensified with the predominance of streaming services, leading to marked declines in traditional household ratings. Nevertheless, both The Lion's Den and Diamonds Sleeping have consistently ranked high on the popular Japanese streaming platform TVer, evidencing their successful reception outside conventional television metrics.
This season has also seen significant trends across other popular dramas. For example, the NHK Taiga Drama Hikaru Kimi e, starring Yurika Yoshitaka as Murasaki Shikibu, concluded recently with only 11% average household viewership—a disappointing statistic ranking among the lowest historically for the series. Despite the modest ratings, its digital performance on NHK Plus has been strong, with the 45th episode recording the highest viewership ever for the Taiga Drama series.
Another major drama, Unfit to Be, airing on TBS, achieved just 7.6% average ratings across all episodes. Yet, it has firmly established its place within popular culture, receiving multiple domestic awards, including the Galaxy Award, and bringing its young star, Yumi Kawai, significant recognition among viewers.
Overall, the evaluation of dramas today cannot solely rest on ratings metrics. The impact of events like the M-1 Grand Prix left many viewers confessing they had yet to see the final episode of Diamonds Sleeping. The true measure of success may increasingly hinge on the continued engagement with content through streaming services and online discussions.
Looking forward, it will be intriguing to see how audiences respond to the final episodes as they stream post-broadcast. The rise of viewing on platforms like TVer provides a new dimension to assessing the success and impact of NHK's drama programming.
