Terrestrial television ratings hit new lows in 2021. The most-watched drama, Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room , averaged only around 14% viewership—a number that would have been considered a failure a decade ago. The audience fragmentation forced TV stations to finally embrace "TVer," a catch-up streaming service, which saw record downloads. By the end of 2021, the industry consensus was clear: streaming is the primary window; TV is the promotional tool.
: This final chapter of the Rebuild of Evangelion series was the year's highest-grossing film, earning approximately ($93.67 million). Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet
2021 saw several social trends influencing Japan's entertainment industry. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to online entertainment, with people seeking comfort and escapism through digital media. Sustainability and environmentalism became increasingly important, with many artists and creators incorporating eco-friendly themes and messages into their work.
While K-dramas overshadowed J-dramas globally, Japan’s domestic TV remained strong.
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