: Prime-time slots like TBS TV Sunday at 9 pm and Asahi TV Thursday at 9 pm are statistically more likely to yield highly rated dramas.

This paper examines the evolution of Japanese television dramas (J-dramas) from the "trendy drama" era of the late 1980s to the current global streaming landscape. It analyzes how audience reception—historically centered on domestic ratings—has shifted toward online reviews and digital fan communities. By integrating structural industry data with sociological theories of "cultural proximity" and "Asian modernity," this study illustrates how digital platforms have transformed the consumption and critical evaluation of Japanese popular entertainment. 1. Introduction: From Traditional Theatre to Trendy Dramas

Historically, the primary metric for a J-drama’s success has been its , which directly influences advertising investment. Recent research utilizing machine learning has identified key metadata that predicts high ratings (typically above a 12.66% threshold):