Fuji TV’s 37-Year Drama Slot: An Unexpected Work Named Most Interesting “Strongest Getsuku”

Tsuki 9″ is Fuji Television’s signature drama series broadcast on Monday nights at 9:00 p.m., and has been a symbol of Japanese television culture since 1987. This slot has produced numerous masterpieces that represent the times, and especially since the Heisei era, many works depicting youth culture and love stories have been supported by many viewers. To determine the “strongest Tsuki 9,” Hiroyoshi Usui, former professor at Sophia University and media culture critic, and writer and TV drama expert Wakako Tajuki had an in-depth discussion.

Tokyo Love Story [January ’91 season
Starring: Honami Suzuki, Yuji Oda Highest viewer rating: 32.9%.

Usui: That is a very grand theme. Tsuki 9 may have a strong image as a “trendy drama. The early “Kimi no hitomi wo taiho suru! (’88) and“Doukyusei” (’89), most dramas during the bubble economy were based on three elements: “beautiful men and women,” “katakana occupations,” and the latest fashions. Love is everything!” Like that, sparkling urban relationships were depicted. However, in the 1990s, the social atmosphere changed and trendy dramas shifted toward “pure love. With the bursting of the bubble economy, the “glamorous romances” of the past were replaced by depictions of romances in which the viewer falls in love with the other person in earnest. Typical examples are “Tokyo Love Story” (’91) and“101 Times Proposal” (’91).

I’m not going to die!

As the catchphrase of “Tokyo Love Story” suggests, “In Tokyo, everyone becomes the hero of a love story,” the film depicted the life-sized love lives of young people. Kanji Nagao, played by Yuji Oda (56), was a simple young man who had just moved to Tokyo from the countryside, and was completely different from the protagonists of previous trendy dramas. His love interest is his colleague Rika Akana, played by Honami Suzuki (58). Her famous line “Kanchi, let’s have sex” has been all by itself, but that was an important scene that depicted Rika’s straightforward expression of love. Kanchi was played by Rika, who was bold in her words and actions, but was attracted to her, and although they were passionately in love,…… they ultimately crossed paths and did not get together. It didn’t have a happy ending, which was unusual for the Tsuki 9 series at the time, but I think that’s why the two of them will always remain in my heart.

Usui: I love “101 Times Proposal. This film has a new type of protagonist. Tatsuro, played by Tetsuya Takeda (75), is a dull middle-aged man. When the heroine (Atsuko Asano, 63) is terrified of losing her boyfriend, Tatsuro jumps in front of a truck and shouts, “I’m not going to die! Tatsuro jumps in front of the truck and shouts, “I am not going to die! I love you with my life. I will never disappear from your life. It is not a sparkling love story, but he puts his heart and soul into it. Tatsuro represented a change in people’s values toward marriage and love.

-It’s the ultimate pure love. Tsuki 9 is interesting because it reflects the atmosphere of the times.

Usui: That’s right. Long Vacation” (’96), which aired the year after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the sarin gas attack on the subway, is also unique. Sena, an apprentice pianist played by Takuya Kimura (51), and Minami, an unsuccessful model played by Tomoko Yamaguchi (59), fall in love, but love is not the main focus. The film depicts the characters’ frustration at not being able to see their future and the struggles they carry inside; alone, they might stop, but together they manage to move forward–and they do. It was fascinating to watch them support each other and grow together. Above all, the two characters are very lively, and their interaction is very rewarding.

The 101st Proposal [July ’91 season
Starring: Atsuko Asano, Tetsuya Takeda Highest viewer rating: 36.7

Kimutaku says, “Can’t it be me?”

–Kimutaku has starred in 11 Gekkinen to date. His starring roles have always received overwhelming support from viewers and marked high ratings. He is an iconic figure.

Takayuki: Actually, it was not the lead role that made Kimutaku a Gekkan 9 star, but his second appearance in “Asunaro Hakusho” (’93). He played the role of the heroine (Hikari Ishida, 52), for whom he had a single-minded love, and the scene in which he hugged her from behind, saying, “Am I not good enough? It was a famous scene that led to Kimu-taku’s breakthrough. In the TBS “Tuesday Drama” series, which has recently become a representative slot for romantic dramas, the second male lead has been the focus of attention, such as Nakagawa Taishi (26) in “Eye Love You” (’24) and Tsuda Kenjiro (53) in “Saionji-san Does Not Do Housework” (’24). I think the starting point for this trend was Kimitaku in “Asunaro”.

Usui: Love dramas are good, but the number one Gekkan 9 drama in my opinion is “HERO” (’01, ’14). It is a courtroom drama centered on Kohei Kuryu, a prosecutor played by Kim Taku. He became a prosecutor after dropping out of high school and always wears a down jacket instead of a suit. And he is a mail-order maniac, frequently checking and receiving products at work. He was truly a new type of hero as he solved cases one after another in an unconventional manner. This drama established a new genre of “occupational comedy” and broadened the scope of Gekijuku. I also think it was the first successful example of a “character drama” in which the main character, an eccentric character, drives the story.

Takayuki: Down jackets and mail-order shopping became popular due to the influence of Kimutaku (laughs).
I think the most appealing oddball protagonists were Nodame played by Juri Ueno (38) and Chiaki played by Hiroshi Tamaki (44) in “Nodame Cantabile” (“Nodame Cantabile”) (2006). Nodame is not good at cleaning and tidying up, and her room is a mess. She has a free-spirited personality and is not bound by rules or common sense. On the other hand, she has a genius sense for classical music. Chiaki, whom Nodame falls in love with at first sight, appears to be a perfectionist prince character, but in fact he has a human side, as he has a phobia of airplanes and is pushed around by Nodame. Their relationship is portrayed with a lot of humor, which makes me want to watch it again and again.
However, what I find most wonderful about this drama is its attention to visuals and direction in order to bring out the best in the characters and music. The scene in which Nodame plays the piano, hunched over and arranging the score at will, expresses Nodame’s unique worldview, and everyone was overwhelmed by her talent.

HERO [1st series: January ’01, 2nd series: July ’14
Starring: Takuya Kimura 1st series highest viewer rating: 36.8%, 2nd series highest viewer rating: 26.5

Nodame Cantabile [October ’06 season
Starring: Juri Ueno, Hiroshi Tamaki Highest viewer rating: 21.7%.

The Rise of Occupation and Mystery

–Usui: Since ’00, Geki 9 has placed more emphasis on the main character’s career and individual growth, as well as comedic elements.

Usui: The increase in the number of “occupational” series and “mysteries” is remarkable. A typical example of an occupational story is “Code Blue -Doctor Heli Emergency Rescue- (2nd season)” (’10). Its appeal is that the entire team plays a leading role. The film spotlights a previously little-known medical field called “Doctor Helicopter” and depicts the doctors and nurses who work there overcoming difficulties by cooperating with each other on the front lines of life. The pressures and fears that each individual faces, as well as their passion for medicine, are explored in depth. The cast is also impressive, with leading actors including Tomohisa Yamashita (39), Yui Aragaki (36), and Erika Toda (36). Each of them showed strong personalities and growth, giving the viewers sympathy and inspiration.

–Mysteries include the “Galileo” series (’07, ’13), “The Locked Room” (’12), and “Not to be Called a Mystery” (‘ 22 ). (’22), all of which feature an eccentric protagonist. Personally, Masaki Suda (31) in “Of Course I Say Mystery” had the biggest impact on me.

Usui: Some people found it difficult to follow the philosophical viewpoint and unique way of thinking of the naturally permed university student, Kunou Sei, played by Sugata, but I think that was within the production team’s expectations and they were “convinced” of this. As a result, the number of views of the TVer streaming service during the first week exceeded 4.24 million, and a movie version was also made. This is how the range of mystery dramas is expanding.
Although the time line goes back and forth, I think “Confidence Man JP” also expanded the scope of Geki 9. Like “Code Blue,” the main character is a team, but it is not a team formed for the sake of justice, but a group of con artists. However, the targets are often wealthy and powerful people who do wrong, and the “righteous con artists” punish them. What they do is definitely a crime, but they are like the rat-boys of the Edo period and make you feel scuffled. The original script is also well written, and there is always a “surprise” at the end of each episode. Every time I watch the show, I prepare myself, thinking, “They’re going to try to trick me again,” but I find myself being fooled by them (laughs). Although the average rating is not high at 8.88%, all three movies have been hits.

Not to be Called a Mystery [January 2010 season
Starring: Masaki Suda Highest viewer rating: 13.6%.

Confidence Man JP 【April ’18 season
Starring Masami Nagasawa Highest viewer rating: 9.5%.

The New Heroine of “Yamato Nadeshiko

Takayuki: It has been said that the number of romance dramas has been decreasing, but since 2000, romances depicted in Gekijuku have given birth to a number of new heroine images, and there were a few works that I personally found interesting.

The first one I would like to mention is “Yamato Nadeshiko” (’00). The main character, Sakurako, played by Nanako Matsushima (50), is a talented cabin attendant who lives with the belief that “money is the key to happiness” due to her childhood poverty. Her characterization was very original and made a strong impression on the viewers, as she was determined to be a “ball-buster” and did not believe in true love. However, the man she eventually falls in love with is a poor fishmonger. The story depicts the process of realizing “something more important than money,” and is a romantic comedy with a profound theme.

There is also a hidden masterpiece. Date – What is Love?” (’15), which marked the first appearance of Anne (38) and Hiroki Hasegawa (47) on Gekkan 9, is a unique and heartwarming drama that is different from other romantic dramas. Anne is an ultra-theoretical, robotic woman who graduated from the University of Tokyo’s graduate school. Hasehiro, on the other hand, is a self-proclaimed “high playboy” and a stay-at-home NEET. The film comically depicts how these two clumsy people in love are gradually changing as they look at themselves. This is the kind of work I would like to see in this era when more and more young people are timid about love.

Usui: The themes of Gekijuku continue to change with the times, and this year they have reached a new level: the July season’s Gekijuku “Umi no Hajimari” is neither a romantic drama nor a family drama. The main character, Natsu (Ren Meguro, 27), is suddenly informed of the death of her ex-boyfriend, Mizuki, and that she and Mizuki had a daughter. The story is about Natsu’s confrontation with her current boyfriend, the people around Mizuki, and her daughter. Watching the film, one feels as if one is being asked, “How do you live? The entire work inherits the serenity of the same station’s much-talked-about “silent,” and no one screams loudly. However, the pain in the hearts of the characters is slowly conveyed. It slowly depicts the essential aspects of human nature and is a very profound theme.

–We have talked a lot about old classics and recent dramas, but I would like to ask you to decide the “strongest Tsuki 9 drama”.

Usui: For me personally, the strongest drama is “HERO. The courtroom scenes are of high quality and the characters are very appealing, such as the prosecutor (Hiroshi Abe, 60) who values his family but is having an affair with a colleague, and the chief prosecutor (Takuzo Kadono, 76) who is too preoccupied with protecting his family. The clerks are all accomplished performers, including Takako Matsu (47), Fumiyo Kohinata (70), and Tomohito Yashima (53). This must be a special production that has expanded the possibilities of Tsuki 9. If I were to mention one more, it would be “Confidence Man JP. The unique con artist characters are vividly portrayed, and the clever storytelling that skillfully deceives not only the villains but also the viewers has a special charm that cannot be found anywhere else.

Takayuki: My personal favorite is “Nodame Cantabile,” but “Confidence Man JP” is certainly excellent. The work itself is highly recognized, and many people probably do not know that it was broadcast on Tsuki 9. I think “Confidence Man JP” is the strongest in the sense that it is a masterpiece that transcends the framework of Tsuki 9!

Date – What’s Love Like [January ’15 season
Starring: Anne Highest viewer rating: 14.8

From the October 11, 2024 issue of FRIDAY