The NHK Taiga Drama 'Buraku - The Life of Tsutaya Juzaburo' premiered on January 5, 2025, but suffered disappointing viewer interest, achieving the lowest ratings recorded for the series since 1963. Preliminary reports show the first episode garnered only 12.6% average household ratings in the Kanto region, slightly below the 12.7% of its predecessor, 'Hikaru Kimi e.' This marks not only another low for NHK but has led many to wonder about the future direction of Japan's beloved Taiga dramas.
Starring Ryusei Yokohama as the lead character, Tsutaya Juzaburo, the drama attempts to bring to life the story of the media mogul from Edo, credited with influencing the Japanese publishing culture. The drama presents itself as an entertaining mix of humor and heartache, rooted deeply within the events of the Edo period. Critics and fans alike had high hopes for the show's reception, especially with its historical significance tied to the evolution of media and pop culture.
The initial ratings have raised eyebrows, especially as the show faced competition from popular specials aired during the same timeslot. For example, TBS's special 'Sanma and Tamao New Year’s Dreams' reported ratings of 11.7%, outperforming 'Buraku.' Similarly, 'Ultraman DASH 2025 Winter Special' only managed to pull 10.2%. This competitive dynamic reflects the shifting viewer preferences and the challenge for traditional formats like Taiga dramas to maintain relevancy.
Many industry insiders are expressing concern; the change in viewing habits, especially among younger audiences, coupled with high expectation levels may be contributing factors toward the low ratings. Critics of 'Buraku' have suggested the narrative might not resonate current societal sentiments and needs effectively.
Touted as the 64th installment of the Taiga drama series, 'Buraku' is written by Yoshiko Morishita, who previously garnered acclaim for works like 'Onna Joshu Naotora' and 'Gochisōsan.' This drama focuses on the challenging and humorous life of Tsutaya, bringing to the forefront stories of publishing houses, the intersection of commerce and culture, and the relationships Tsutaya had with noted ukiyo-e artists like Kitagawa Utamaro and Katsushika Hokusai.
The decision to base the storyline around Tsutaya was strategic, aiming to celebrate Japan’s rich cultural history and the evolution of media, yet it seems to have missed the mark with current expectations from viewers who seek both entertainment and engagement with contemporary issues.
Looking at trends reveals this season is part of a broader decline; the past four productions failed to break the 20% mark, with 'Kamakura-dono no 13-nin' at 17.3% and 'Dōsuru Ieyasu' at 15.4%. Notably, 2021's 'Seiten wo Tsuke' marked the last high point with 20.0%. By comparison, 'Buraku' is now leading viewers to question the future of NHK’s successful Taiga series.
With this season's record low ratings, many are watching closely to see how NHK will respond. The network has been known for its experimental approaches before, and how they navigate this crisis may dictate the direction of future Taiga dramas and their connection with audiences.
Overall, the disappointment surrounding 'Buraku' serves as both wake-up call and reflective moment for producers of the Taiga Drama series. The increase of competition from streaming services, coupled with changing viewer habits, highlights the importance for media creators to balance traditional storytelling with modern relatability.