NHK's "Drama 10" time slot (General TV, Tuesdays at 10pm) is once again attracting attention. Following a string of great dramas such as "Sora Wataru Kyoushitsu" and "Tokyo Salad Bowl," the highly anticipated "Shiawase wa tabete nete mate" also achieved the highest viewership (simultaneous or catch-up streaming) for the first episode on NHK Plus of any drama in the station's history, excluding Asadora and taiga dramas. Since then, the show has continued to garner positive reviews, with viewers calling it "a drama that helps the mind" and "a Shiawase wa tabete nete mate ," about her thoughts on "Drama 10," the drama slot following Asadora and taiga dramas.
The current "Drama 10" began in 2010. The initial concept was "dramas that would attract women in their 40s and 50s," and it produced hit works such as "Second Virgin."
For a time, it was broadcast on Fridays at 10pm, with popular shows such as "Transparent Cradle," " Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju," and "Tokusatsu Gagaga" in 2018-19. It moved (returned) to its current time slot of 10pm on Tuesdays in April 2022 with "Shijiki Fudosan." With the introduction of edgy shows like those from the "Friday 10pm" era, such as "Oliver the Dog, (Gosh!!) This Bastard" and "Ooku," the time slot's recognition is by no means low.
The reason it is attracting attention again now is largely due to the fact that there has been a string of carefully crafted, high-quality dramas. Among them, "Shiawase wa tabete nete mate" is somewhat "low-key" compared to the previous two works ("Sora Wataru Kyoushitsu" and "Tokyo Salad Bowl"), which even production manager Komatsu acknowledges. That's why the success of this work seems to be proof that the creators' intentions are being properly conveyed to the viewers.
As soon as the drama started, Komatsu-san reflected on the reactions he received from viewers, saying, "I felt the expectations for 'Drama 10' recently and the trust in the time slot." He also revealed, "However, ' Shiawase wa tabete nete mate' is plain and unremarkable compared to the previous two works. In that sense, I was prepared for the production."
In this work, the main character, who is troubled by various issues such as health, work, apartments, and future plans, regains his body and mind through delicious medicinal food and the gentle human relationships of the housing complex, and realizes the happiness that is close to him and depends on him... The story depicts people living in the present, who are familiar to the viewers.
"These are things that happen to us in our everyday lives, and while we may be in different environments or situations, the show depicts how we interact with and are influenced by others in those situations and live our lives. I think that people who watch it will be able to relate to it in some way, or find something they can share with it. I think there are many different ways to portray humanity over the course of a basic nine or ten episodes, and in that sense (if I take "Shiawase wa tabete nete mate" as one example), I feel that this is a format that has great potential, and within that, I think that by maintaining the fine line between reality and fantasy, hope and reality, and by valuing that balance, I'm sure it is a format that people will be able to watch and do many different things."
The final episode (episode 9) of "Drama 10 ' Shiawase wa tabete nete mate'" is available for catch-up streaming on NHK Plus. It will be rebroadcast on NHK General TV from 12:35 a.m. on May 29th.
