Spring Dramas That Hook Each Generation — See What 20s to 60s Are Watching!

TV Asahi structures its programming with the bubble generation in mind

“I believe the rankings reflect how the values of each generation are mirrored in their drama preferences. The bubble generation, who experienced strict discipline within organizations, favor detective dramas where hard work is rewarded and justice prevails. The employment ice age generation, who endured a tough youth during an economic downturn, are drawn to works depicting life’s unfairness. Meanwhile, the ‘Yutori generation,’ who are currently active in the workforce, seem captivated by programs tackling real social issues.”

So says celebrity journalist Tomoka Sakaguchi.

What Sakaguchi explains is data examining the popularity of spring dramas by generation. Television viewership data analysis company REVISION (hereafter, R Company) conducted a unique analysis ranking these three generations. It measured how riveted viewers were to their screens during the first episode broadcasts of serial dramas in April.

Let’s take a look at each generation individually.

Among the bubble generation — those in their late 50s to early 60s — three of the top five programs were from TV Asahi. Saori Yasutake, R Company’s PR/Marketing representative, comments:

“It seems TV Asahi is deliberately programming with the bubble generation,who favor detective dramas, in mind. Tokuso 9, starring Yoshihiko Inohara (49), which took first place, airs in the same Wednesday 9 PM time slot as the hugely popular Aibou series. The ‘bubble generation,’ who were hooked on Aibou, are likely continuing to follow Tokuso 9, which also portrays the efforts of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit.”

The reason a French production ranked 2nd

What stands out is the French drama Astrid et Raphaëlle (NHK), which took 2nd place. Yasutake continues:

“It’s a story about two women — one action-oriented and one theory-driven — who use their deep criminology knowledge to solve cases. Mystery dramas naturally captivate viewers because it’s hard to predict what’ll happen next, and since it’s a foreign series, audiences can watch without preconceived notions. In Japanese dramas, well-known actors often bring their own public image into their roles, which can affect how viewers perceive the characters. But with French actors, free from those biases, people can focus purely on the story.”

Next up is the “Employment Ice Age Generation,” those in their early 40s to early 50s. Taichi Aoyagi, Customer Success representative at R Company, offers his analysis.

“The top-ranked Shissou Nin Sousakukan (TV Tokyo) features a first episode where the protagonist’s wife, played by Keita Machida (34), suddenly disappears. It’s filled with irrational situations, like a loved one vanishing without explanation or reason. The second-place drama, Anata wo Ubawatta Sono Hi Kara (Fuji TV), starring Keiko Kitagawa (38), is another serious story — a mother who loses her daughter in a food safety incident kidnaps the child of the company president responsible, seeking revenge. Compared to other generations, the ‘Employment Ice Age Generation’ has endured many harsh experiences, so they likely find these emotionally intense, unfair situations deeply relatable — it doesn’t feel like someone else’s problem to them.”

Among the 20s–30s Yutori Generation, the top-ranked drama was Itsuka, Hero (TV Asahi), starring Kenta Kiritani (45).

“The Yutori Generation is now in the stage of life where, as young to mid-career professionals, they’re confronting tough realities. In Itsuka, Hero, the characters are raised in a children’s home, dealing with issues like workplace harassment and strained family relationships — themes reflecting the hardships faced by the Yutori Generation, which may explain why it resonates with them.” (Yasutake)

Alice Hirose (30) stars in Nande Watashi ga Kami Sekkyo (Nippon TV), which ranked highly in both the Employment Ice Age Generation and Yutori Generation rankings (3rd and 6th place, respectively). Yasutake explains:

“It’s a story about a half-hearted teacher played by Hirose, who clashes with quirky colleagues and students but gradually matures through those struggles. For viewers of both generations, who often feel trapped in frustrating realities, seeing Hirose boldly speak her mind and deliver those cathartic ‘divine sermons’ probably gives them a sense of relief.”

This spring season’s most talked-about dramas tended to lean toward serious themes — reflecting both the stifling atmosphere of the times and the hardships faced by viewers.

From the June 6-13, 2025 issue of FRIDAY.