Top 10 bestselling music artists in the Heisei era (Oricon)

This ranking from Oricon lists the top 10 music artists in the Heisei era in terms of the number of CD singles and albums they have sold. As such, this does not include DVD sales which actually should bring in more money than CDs but tends to be lower in terms of number of copies sold because of its higher unit price.

Dates in brackets indicate when the CD single or album was released.

Are any of your favourite music artists in this list? 

1) B'z

Total: 82.624 million copies

Singles: 35.969 million copies

Albums: 46.655 million copies

Bestselling single: "Ai no mama ni wagamama  ni boku wa kimi dake wo kizutsukenai" (17 March 1993) - 2.021 million copies

Bestselling album: "B'z The Best "Pleasure" (20 May 1998) - 5.136 million copies

2) AKB48

Total: 60.053 million copies

Singles: 53.412 million copies

Albums: 6.641 million copies

Bestselling single: "Sayonara Crawl" (22 May 2013) - 1.956 million copies

Bestselling album: "1830m" (15 August 2012) - 1.043 million copies

3) Mr.Children

Total: 60.010 million copies

Singles: 28.957 million copies

Albums: 31.053 million copies

Bestselling single: "Tomorrow never knows" (10 November 1994) - 2.766 million copies

Bestselling album: "Atomic Heart" (1 September 1994) - 3.430 million copies

4) Hamasaki Ayumi

Total: 50.708 million copies

Singles: 21.493 million copies

Albums: 29.214 million copies

Bestselling single: "monochrome" (11 August 1999) - 1.631 million copies

Bestselling album: "A BEST" (28 March 2001) - 4.312 million copies

5) DREAMS COME TRUE

Total: 44.942 million copies

Singles: 15.117 million copies

Albums: 29.825 million copies

Bestselling single: "LOVE LOVE LOVE / Arashi ga kuru" (24 July 1995) - 2.489 million copies

Bestselling album: "The Swinging Star" (14 November 1992) - 3.227 million copies)

6) GLAY

Total: 38.808 million copies

Singles: 20.356 million copies

Albums: 18.452 million copies

Bestselling single: "Winter, again" (3 February 1999) - 1.643 million copies

Bestselling album: "REVIEW ~ BEST OF GLAY" (1 October 1997) - 4.876 million copies

7) Arashi

Total: 38.440 million copies

Singles: 27.114 million copies

Albums: 11.326 million copies

Bestselling single: "A.RA.SHI" (3 November 1999) - 973,000 copies

Bestselling album: "All the BEST! 1999-2009" (19 August 2009) - 1.980 million copies

8) ZARD

Total: 37.633 million copies

Singles: 17.733 million copies

Albums: 19.900 million copies

Bestselling single: "Makenaide" (27 January 1993) - 1.645 million copies

Bestselling album: "ZARD BEST The Single Collection ~ Kiseki ~" (28 May 1999) - 3.034 million copies

9) Southern All Stars

Total: 37.619 million copies

Singles: 19.896 million copies

Albums: 17.724 million copies

Bestselling single: "TSUNAMI" (26 January 2000) - 2.936 million copies

Bestselling album: "Umi no Yeah!!" (25 June 1998) - 3.592 million copies

10) Utada Hikaru

Total: 37.340 million copies

Singles: 15.525 million copies

Albums: 21.815 million copies

Bestselling single: "Automatic/time will tell" (9 December 1998) - 2.063 million copies

Bestselling album: "First Love" (10 March 1999) - 7.672 million copies

Source: Oricon

Top 10 private network dramas in the Heisei era with the highest single episode rating (Daily Shincho)

With the impending end of the Heisei era, there are lots of rankings, surveys, articles about anything imaginable in the media these days. Daily Shincho did a check on the top 10 private network dramas in the Heisei era with the highest single episode rating i.e. excluding NHK and here are the results with the year of broadcast in brackets:

"Hanzawa Naoki" is still unbeaten for the last six years since it became the monster blockbuster of 2013. Looking at the results, it's obvious that the days of dramas easily exceeding the 20% mark are long gone. It may be a long time before another big hit in the 30% range ever comes up in the Reiwa era with more and more sources for your drama fix including Netflix, HBO Asia, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video other than the traditional TV stations and many alternative forms of entertainment besides TV spreading the viewership base further.

In case you are wondering, I actually watched everything in this list (which gives you a clue as to how old I am) and naturally, there are some which I like more than the others for various reasons! I watched "101 Kaime no Proposal" when I was still a kid who knew nothing much and I actually remembered the scene of Takeda Tetsuya jumping in front of that truck more than the love story itself because I was laughing at how ridiculous it seemed (sorry, no romantic bone in me back then). "Ienakiko" was shocking and painful to watch due to the constant bullying of Suzu (Adachi Yumi) but it was gratifying and encouraging to see how she overcame hurdle after hurdle. "Long Vacation" introduced me to Takenouchi Yutaka (although it was his clean look in "Beach Boys" which got me hooked) and I am still listening to the songs from then even to this day. And not forgetting "Hanzawa Naoki" which I felt was a bit far-fetched because that kind of insubordination would never happen in a company, much less a Japanese bank - but the story of a nobody fighting against power and status probably resonated with everyone who faced similar issues and had no way or courage to fight like Hanzawa. So many beautiful memories from the Heisei era dramas!

How many of the top 10 have you watched before? Do feel free to share your thoughts with me!

1) Hanzawa Naoki / TBS / 42.2% (2013)
2) Beautiful Life / TBS / 41.3% (2000)
3) Kaseifu no Mita / NTV / 40.0% (2011)
4) Hitotsu Yane no Shita / FujiTV / 37.8% (1993)
5) GOOD LUCK!! / TBS / 37.6% (2003)
6) Ienakiko / NTV / 37.2% (1994)
7) HERO / FujiTV / 36.8% (2001)
8) 101 Kaime no Proposal / FujiTV / 36.7% (1991)
Long Vacation / FujiTV / 36.7% (1996)
10) GTO / FujiTV / 35.7% (1998)

Source: Daily Shincho

Top 10 actors who excel at playing "baddie" roles (Oricon)

Oricon conducted a survey on 1,000 people in their teens to 50s between 4 April and 10 April where they chose the actor who they felt excels at playing "baddie" roles. Endo Kenichi was the clear favourite across all age groups with Kagawa Teruyuki coming in No.2 in almost the same manner except for those in their 40s who chose Hakuryu:

1) Endo Kenichi

2) Kagawa Teruyuki

3) Kinoshita Houka

4) Takashima Masanobu

5) Hakuryu

6) Kohinata Fumiyo

7) Takeuchi Riki

8) Kishibe Ittoku

9) Nishida Toshiyuki

10) Yoshida Kotaro

Source: Oricon

Preview of "Digital Tattoo" - Spring 2019

Title: Digital Tattoo デジタル・タトゥー
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 18 May 2019
Timeslot: Saturdays 9pm
Broadcast by: NHK
Total number of episodes: 5
Cast: Takahashi Katsumi, Seto Koji, Karata Erika, Takezai Terunosuke, Konno Hiroki, Ike Nwala, Iida Kisuke, Kubota Sayu, Arai Atsushi, Kondo Koen, Nakamura Yasuhi, Nakagoshi Noriko, Tokunaga Eri, Yada Akiko, Asaka Mayumi, Yashima Norito & Ibu Masato

Winners of the 15th Confidence Award Drama Prize (Winter 2019)

Best Drama: Tokusatsu Gagaga (NHK)

Best Leading Actor: Mitsuishi Ken - Designer Shibui Naoto no Kyuujitsu (TV Tokyo)

Best Leading Actress: Tokiwa Takako - Good Wife (TBS)

Best Supporting Actor: Matsuo Suzuki - Fruits Takuhaibin (TV Tokyo)

Best Supporting Actress: Matsuzaka Keiko - Manpuku (NHK)

Best Script: Muto Shogo - Sannen A-gumi - Ima kara minnasan wa hitojichi desu - (NTV)

Best Newcomer: Shiraishi Sei - Zettai Seigi (Tokai TV/FujiTV)

Source: Oricon

Preview of "Oshii Keiji" - Spring 2019

Title: Oshii Keiji おしい刑事 (The regrettable detective)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 5 May 2019
Timeslot: Sundays 10pm
Broadcast by: NHK
Total number of episodes: 4
Original novel by: Fujisaki Sho
Cast: Kazama Shunsuke, Inukai Atsuhiro, Ishikawa Ren, Tsurumi Shingo, Itao Itsuji & Sano Shiro

Preview of "Mistress - Onnatachi no himitsu -" - Spring 2019

Title: Mistress - Onnatachi no himitsu - ミストレス - 女たちの秘密 - (Mistress - Secrets of the women -)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 19 April 2019
Timeslot: Fridays 10pm
Broadcast by: NHK
Total number of episodes: 10
Theme Song: "Bakemono" by Nakamura Emi
Cast: Hasegawa Kyoko, Mizuno Miki, Hyunri, Oomasa Aya, Sugino Yosuke, Asou Yumi, Hashimoto Satoshi, Kanie Ippei, Komoto Masahiro, Yoshizawa Hisashi, Kakei Miwako, Sato Ryuta, Hosoda Yoshihiko, Hotaru Yukijirou, Shinoda Mariko, Mori Yusaku & Yamadera Koichi

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 20th & 21st Apr 2019

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Meitantei Conan Konjou no Fist (363)

2) Kingdom (341)

3) Eiga Crayon Shinchan Shinkon Ryokou Hurricane Ushinawareta Hiroshi (355)

4) Shazam! (337)

5) Gekijouban Hibike! Euphonium Chikai no Finale (73)

6) Eiga Doraemon Nobita no Getsumen Tansaki (370)

7) Tonde Saitama (318)

8) Hunter Killer (202)

9) Captain Marvel (361)

10) Dumbo (368)

Source: Eiga.com

Preview of "Akutou ~ Kagaisha tsuiseki chousa ~" - Spring 2019

Title: "Akutou ~ Kagaisha tsuiseki chousa ~" 悪党 ~ 加害者追跡調査 ~ (Villain ~ Perpetrator tracking investigation ~)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 12 May 2019
Timeslot: Sundays 10pm
Total number of episodes: 6
Broadcast by: WOWOW
Original novel by: Yakumaru Gaku
Cast: Higashide Masahiro, Shinkawa Yua, Aoyagi Sho, Renbutsu Misako, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Kanichiro, Shinohara Yukiko, Nakajima Ayumu, Watanabe Ikkei, Miura Masaki, Yamanaka Takashi, Namioka Kazuki, Emoto Akira, Itaya Yuka, Masuoka Toru & Matsushige Yutaka

Preview of "Denei Shoujo 2019" - Spring 2019

Title: Denei Shoujo 2019 電影少女 2019 (Video Girl Mai 2019)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 11 Apr 2019
Timeslot: Thursdays 1am
Broadcast by: TV Tokyo
Original manga by: Katsura Masakazu
Theme Song: "Karamaru" by KERENMI feat. Oohira Mizuki
Cast: Yamashita Mizuki, Hagiwara Riku, Takeda Rena, Kuroki Hikari, Shinjo Yume, Ooshita Hiroto, Kubota Kousuke, Masaki Reiya, Momotsuki Nashiko, Kai Shouma, Miura Masaki, Morioka Ryu, Komatsu Kazushige, Okada Yoshinori & Totsugi Shigeyuki

Preview of "Iyasaretai Otoko" - Spring 2019

Title: Iyasaretai Otoko 癒されたい男 (The man who wants to be healed)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 10 April 2019
Timeslot: Wednesdays 1.35am
Broadcast by: TV Tokyo
Original manga by: Tsukishima Touji
Theme Song: "FAKE ME FAKE ME OUT" by Da-iCE
Cast: Suzuki Kosuke, Uno Misako, Takasaki Shota & Hankai Kazuaki

Preview of "Shitsuji Saionji no Meisuiri 2" - Spring 2019

Title: Shitsuji Saionji no Meisuiri 2 執事西園寺の名推理2 (Butler Saionji's Famous Deduction 2)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 19 April 2019
Timeslot: Fridays 8pm
Broadcast by: TV Tokyo
Theme Song: "Dakishimete" by Gospellers
Cast: Kamikawa Takaya, Sato Jiro, Asari Yosuke, Morinaga Yuki, Hirayama Yusuke, Iketani Nobue, Sakurano Ayane, Satomi Kotaro, Mizuki Arisa, Furuya Ikko & Yoshiyuki Kazuko

Preview of "Spiral - Machikoba no Kiseki -" - Spring 2019

Title: Spiral - Machikoba no Kiseki - スパイラル - 町工場の奇跡 - (Spiral - the miracle of a downtown factory)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 15 April 2019
Timeslot: Mondays 10pm
Broadcast by: TV Tokyo
Original novel by: Mayama Jin
Theme Song: "Spiral" by SING LIKE TALKING
Cast: Tamaki Hiroshi, Kanjiya Shihori, Tozuka Junki, Fukushi Seiji, Nonami Maho, Maehara Kou, Watanabe Kunito, Mizusawa Erena, Hiraizumi Sei, Mashima Hidekazu, Maya Miki & Kunimura Jun

Preview of "Kinou nani tabeta?" - Spring 2019

Title: Kinou nani tabeta? きのう何食べた? (What did you eat yesterday?)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 5 April 2019
Timeslot: Fridays 12.12am
Broadcast by: TV Tokyo
Original manga by: Yoshinaga Fumi
Opening Theme Song: "Kaerimichi" by OVERGROUND ACOUSTIC UNDERGROUND
Ending Theme Song: "i wo you" by Friends
Cast: Nishijima Hidetoshi, Uchino Seiyo, Makita Sports, Isomura Hayato, Chan Kawai, Marin, Nakamura Yurika, Tanaka Misako, Yashiba Toshihiro, Takaizumi Atsuko, Shiga Kotaro, Tayama Ryosei, Yamamoto Koji & Kaji Meiko

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 13th & 14th Apr 2019

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Meitantei Conan Konjou no Fist (363)

2) Eiga Doraemon Nobita no Getsumen Tansaki (370)

3) Hunter Killer (202)

4) Dumbo (368)

5) Tonde Saitama (318)

6) Captain Marvel (361)

7) Halloween (103)

8) Green Book (180)

9) Eiga Puri Kyua Miracle Universe (229)

10) Bumblebee (355)

Source: Eiga.com

Preview of "Tokusou 9" - Spring 2019

Title: Tokusou 9 特捜9 (Special Investigation 9)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 10 April 2019
Timeslot: Wednesdays 9pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Theme Song: "Aruhi negai ga kanattanda" by V6
Cast: Inohara Yoshihiko, Hada Michiko, Tsuda Kanji, Fukikoshi Mitsuru, Taguchi Hiromasa, Yamada Yuki, Nakagoshi Noriko, Hara Sachie, Terao Akira, Satomi Kotaro, Ito Shiro, Miyachika Kaito, Iida Kisuke & Natori Yuko

Preview of "Kaseifu no Mitazono 3" - Spring 2019

Title: Kaseifu no Mitazono 3 家政夫のミタゾノ3 (Male Housekeeper Mitazono 3)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 19 April 2019
Timeslot: Fridays 11.15pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Theme Song: "Ai dake ga subete - What do you want? -" by Hey! Say! JUMP
Cast: Matsuoka Masahiro, Inoo Kei, Kawaei Rina, Hirata Atsuko, Shuhama Harumi & Yo Kimiko

Preview of "Tokyo Dokushin Danshin" - Spring 2019

Title: Tokyo Dokushin Danshin 東京独身男子 (Tokyo Single Men)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 13 April 2019
Timeslot: Saturdays 11.15pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Theme Song: "Kimi ni aitai - Dance with you -" by Takahashi Issei
Cast: Takahashi Issei, Saito Takumi, Takito Kenichi, Naka Riisa, Takahashi Maryjun, Sakurai Yuki, Nozoe Seiji, Miyamoto Mayu, Naito Risa, Nishina Ai & Ono Takehiko

Preview of "Kinkyuu Torishirabeshitsu 3rd Season" - Spring 2019

Title: Kinkyuu Torishirabeshitsu 3rd Season 緊急取調室 (Emergency Interrogation Room 3rd Season)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 11 April 2019
Timeslot: Thursdays 9pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Theme Song: "Prime Numbers" by Ieiri Leo
Cast: Amami Yuki, Tanaka Tetsushi, Hayami Mokomichi, Suzuki Kosuke, Ookura Koji, Tsukaji Muga, Denden, Kohinata Fumiyo, Nakamura Shizuka & Ikushima Yuki

Preview of "Atama ni kitemo aho towa tatakau na!" - Spring 2019

Title: Atama ni kitemo aho towa tatakau na! 頭にきてもアホとは戦うな! (Don't fight with a fool even if it gets to your head!)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 22 April 2019
Timeslot: Mondays 12.59am
Broadcast by: NTV
Original book by: Tamura Kotaro
Theme Song: "Lucky-Unlucky" by Hey! Say! JUMP
Cast: Chinen Yuuri, Jinbo Satoshi, Wakatsuki Yumi, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Shibuya Kento, Okumura Kae, Sumida Kyouka, Aoyama Megu, Naritto, Sato Ryuta & Namase Katsuhisa

Preview of "Ore no skirt, doko itta?" - Spring 2019

Title: Ore no skirt, doko itta? 俺のスカート、どこ行った？ (Where has my skirt gone?)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 20 April 2019
Timeslot: Saturdays 10pm
Broadcast by: NTV
Cast: Furuta Arata, Matsushita Nao, Shiraishi Mai, Nagase Ren, Michieda Shunsuke, Nagao Kento, Koichi Mantaro, Jirou, Kiriyama Ren, Ohnishi Ayaka, Katayama Yuki, Ito Asahi, Tanokura Yuta, Nakagawa Daisuke, Ookura Koji, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi & Itou Seikou

Preview of "Anata no ban desu" - Spring & Summer 2019

Title: Anata no ban desu あなたの番です It's your turn
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 14 Apr 2019
Timeslot: Sundays 10.30pm
Broadcast by: NTV
Cast: Harada Tomoyo, Tanaka Kei, Nishino Nanase, Asaka Koudai, Nao, Yamada Maho, Mikura Nana, Ootomo Karen, Kanazawa Miho, Tsubokura Yoshiyuki, Nakao Masaki, Koike Ryosuke, Isaka Ikumi, Araki Towa, Hakamada Yoshihiko, Katagiri Jin, Matobu Sei, Wada Toshihiro, Nomaguchi Tooru, Hayashi Yasufumi, Kataoka Reiko, Minagawa Sarutoki, Tokui Yu, Tanaka Yoji, Nagano Satomi, Sakata Masanobu, Okata Hisako, Minemura Rie, Takenaka Naoto, Ando Masanobu, Kimura Tae & Namase Katsuhisa

Preview of "Hakui no Senshi!" - Spring 2019

Title: Hakui no Senshi! 白衣の戦士! (Warriors in white!)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 10 April 2019
Timeslot: Wednesdays 10pm
Broadcast by: NTV
Theme Song: "Amenochihare" by Johnny's WEST
Insert Song by: Miura Daichi
Cast: Nakajo Ayami, Mizukawa Asami, Kotaki Nozomu, Katase Nana, Suzuki Sarina, Komatsu Ayaka, Yamazaki Moka, Miyake Ryosuke, Yasuda Ken & Sawamura Ikki

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 6th & 7th Apr 2019

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Eiga Doraemon Nobita no Getsumen Tansaki (370)

2) Dumbo (368)

3) Tonde Saitama (318)

4) Captain Marvel (361)

5) Bumblebee (355)

6) Kimi wa tsukiyo ni hikarikagayaku (298)

7) Eiga Shounentachi (158)

8) Eiga Puri Kyua Miracle Universe (229)

9) Green Book (180)

10) Vice (98)

Source: Eiga.com

Preview of "Shuudan Sasen!!" - Spring 2019

Title: Shuudan Sasen!! 集団左遷!! (Mass Demotion!!)
Official website: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 21 April 2019
Timeslot: Sundays 9pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Original novel by: Ebato Tetsuo
Cast: Fukuyama Masaharu, Kagawa Teruyuki, Kamiki Ryuunosuke, Nakamura An, Inowaki Kai, Takahashi Kazuya, Sakoda Takaya, Masuda Shuuichiro, Taniguchi Shota, Hashimoto Mami, Ichimura Masachika, Kote Shinya, Akahori Masaaki, Papaiya Suzuki, Sakou Yoshi, Hashizume Jun, Tsukayama Masane, Yagi Akiko, Nishida Naomi, Omi Toshinori and Mikami Hiroshi

Preview of "Watashi, teiji de kaerimasu" - Spring 2019

Title: Watashi, teiji de kaerimasu わたし、定時で帰ります。 (I knock off on time)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 16 Apr 2019
Timeslot: Tuesdays 10pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Original novel by: Akeno Kaeruko
Cast: Yoshitaka Yuriko, Nakamaru Yuichi, Sakurada Doori, Mukai Osamu, Yusuke Santa Maria, Uchida Yuki, Eguchi Noriko, Kajihara Zen, Sakai Toshiya, Izumisawa Yuki, Emoto Tokio & Shishido Kavka etc.

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 30th & 31st Mar 2019

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Eiga Doraemon Nobita no Getsumen Tansaki (370)

2) Dumbo (368)

3) Tonde Saitama (318)

4) Captain Marvel (361)

5) Bumblebee (355)

6) Eiga Puri Kyua Miracle Universe (229)

7) Kimi wa tsukiyo ni hikarikagayaku (298)

8) Eiga Shounentachi (158)

9) Green Book (180)

10) Eiga no Osomatsu-san (126)

Source: Eiga.com

Preview of "Kakegurui Season 2" - Spring 2019

Title: Kakegurui Season 2 賭ケグルイ Season 2
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 7 April 2019 (MBS) / 9 April 2019 (TBS)
Timeslot: Sundays 1.25am (MBS) / Tuesdays 1.30pm (TBS)
Broadcast by: MBS & TBS
Original manga by: Kawamoto Homura & Naomura Toru
Theme Song: "mummy mummy" by BIGMAMA
Opening Theme: "Ichika bachika" by PassCode
Cast: Hamabe Minami, Takasugi Mahiro, Matsumura Sayuri, Matsuda Ruka, Okamoto Natsumi, Yanagi Miki, Onodera Akira, Ikeda Elaiza, Nakamura Yurika, Mito Natsume, Nakagawa Taishi & Morikawa Aoi

Preview of "Inhand" - Spring 2019

Title: Inhand インハンド
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 12 April 2019
Timeslot: Fridays 10pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Original manga by: Akato Ao
Theme Song: "Change" by Yamashita Tomohisa
Cast: Yamashita Tomohisa, Hamada Gaku, Nanao, Fujimori Shingo, Takahashi Haori, Sakai Takahiro, Taguchi Tomorowo, Matsuo Takashi & Mitsuishi Ken

Top 20 celebrities with the most TV CM airtime in the Heisei era (Oricon)

Oricon tabulated the total amount of TV CM airtime in the Heisei era (between 1 Jan 1989 and 31 Dec 2018 on the 5 key TV stations in the Kanto region i.e. NTV, TV Asahi, TBS, TV Tokyo and FujiTV) to come up with the top 20 CM celebrities ranking as follows. The first number is the total amount of CM airtime while the second number is the total number of times which the celebrity's CMs were shown on TV:

1) Ueto Aya - 3,214,220 seconds / 198,002 times
2) Kimura Takuya - 2,223,185 seconds / 125,133 times
3) Tokoro George - 2,038,575 seconds / 129,165 times
4) Abe Hiroshi - 2,027,205 seconds / 116,726 times
5) Ayase Haruka - 1,892,030 seconds / 105,839 times
6) Higuchi Kanako - 1,788,995 seconds / 101,880 times
7) Tamaki Hiroshi - 1,779,310 seconds / 96,139 times
8) Nakama Yukie - 1,724,905 seconds / 103,772 times
9) Karasawa Toshiaki - 1,708,795 seconds / 106,716 times
10) Katori Shingo - 1,668,755 seconds / 100,858 times
11) Ichiro - 1,662,865 seconds / 93,768 times
12) Tsumabuki Satoshi - 1,635,890 seconds / 85,690 times
13) Yonekura Ryoko - 1,627,770 seconds / 104,078 times
14) Nakai Masahiro - 1,551,380 seconds / 95,642 times
15) Yakusho Koji - 1,548,560 seconds / 90,644 times
16) Oda Yuji - 1,546,310 seconds / 94,205 times
17) Wada Akiko - 1,528,950 seconds / 72,854 times
18) Nishida Hikaru - 1,468,470 seconds / 91,580 times
19) Fujiwara Norika - 1,468,290 seconds / 90,000 times
20) Kanno Miho - 1,396,775 seconds / 84,699 times

Source: Oricon

Preview of "Perfect World" - Spring 2019

Title: Perfect World パーフェクトワールド
Official website: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 16 Apr 2019
Timeslot: Tuesdays 9pm
Broadcast by: Kansai TV
Original manga by: Ariga Rie
Theme song: "Machigai sagashi" by Suda Masaki
Cast: Matsuzaka Toori, Yamamoto Mizuki, Seto Koji, Nakamura Yuri, Matsumura Hokuto, Okazaki Sae, Ikeoka Ryosuke, Takashima Tsuyoshi, Kimura Yuichi, Mizusawa Erena, Horiuchi Keiko, Toyota Maho, Asou Yumi & Matsushige Yutaka

Top 10 actresses who excel at playing "bad women" roles (Oricon)

Oricon conducted a survey on 1,000 people in their teens to 50s between 20 February and 26 February where they chose the actress who they felt excels at playing "bad women" roles. Nanao was the winner across all age groups while Sawajiri Erika (teens & 50s) & Ozawa Maju (20s, 30s & 40s) shared the No.2 spot:

1) Nanao

2) Sawajiri Erika

3) Ozawa Maju

4) Kimura Tae

5) Koike Eiko

6) Takaoka Saki

7) Yonekura Ryoko

8) Dan Mitsu

9) Ootake Shinobu

10) Toono Nagiko

Source: Oricon

Preview of "Strawberry Night Saga" - Spring 2019

Title: Strawberry Night Saga ストロベリーナイトサーガ
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 11 Apr 2019
Timeslot: Thursdays 10pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Original novel by: Honda Tetsuya
Theme Song: "Rain" by Kamenashi Kazuya
Cast: Nikaidou Fumi, Kamenashi Kazuya, Hayama Shono, Shishido Kai, Nakabayashi Taiki, Shigeoka Daiki, Konno Hiroki, Kikuchi Momoko, Ibu Masato, Yamaguchi Makiya, Okada Koki & Eguchi Yosuke

Preview of "Mirror Twins" - Spring 2019

Title: Mirror Twins ミラー・ツインズ
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Dates: 6 April 2019 (Season 1) / 8 June 2019 (Season 2)
Timeslots: Sat 11.40pm (Season 1) / Sat 10pm (Season 2)
Broadcast by: Tokai TV (Season 1) / WOWOW (Season 2)
Cast: Fujigaya Taisuke, Kurashina Kana, Watanabe Dai, Takeda Rina, Nukumizu Yoichi, Murakami Tomoko, Sakurai Atsuko, Nakamura Kumi, Satoi Kenta, Ishiguro Ken & Takahashi Katsunori

Winners of Nikkansports Dorama Grand Prix (Winter 2019)

There were 857 valid votes for this round of voting between 7th and 14th March where the top 5 for each category in each season would then be eligible as nominees for the annual awards.The numbers in brackets indicate the number of votes received for the drama and/or actor/actress.

Best Drama
1) Manpuku (158)
2) Sannen A-gumi - Ima kara minnasan wa, hitojichi desu - (142)
3) Aibou season 17 (79)
4) Trace ~ Kasouken no otoko ~ (62)
5) Idaten ~ Tokyo Olympic Hanashi ~ (50)

Best Leading Actor
1) Suda Masaki - Sannen A-gumi - Ima kara minnasan wa, hitojichi desu - (255)
2) Mizutani Yutaka - Aibou season 17 (143)
3) Nakamura Kankuro - Idaten ~ Tokyo Olympic Hanashi ~ (87)
4) Nishikido Ryo - Trace ~ Kasouken no otoko ~ (86)
5) Sawamura Ikki - Keiji Zero (57)

Best Leading Actress
1) Ando Sakura - Manpuku (222)
2) Kitagawa Keiko - Ie uru onna no gyakushuu (115)
3) Fukada Kyoko - Hajimete koi wo shita hi ni yomu hanashi (91)
4) Tokiwa Takako - Good Wife (76)
5) Koshiba Fuuka - Tokusatsu Gagaga (58)

Best Supporting Actor
1) Hasegawa Hiroki - Manpuku (190)
2) Sorimachi Takashi - Aibou season 17 (73)
3) Ikuta Toma - Idaten ~ Tokyo Olympic Hanashi ~ (44)
4) Shiina Kippei - Sannen A-gumi - Ima kara minnasan wa, hitojichi desu - (35)
5) Funakoshi Eiichiro - Trace ~ Kasouken no otoko ~ (33)

Best Supporting Actress
1) Matsuzaka Keiko - Manpuku (152)
2) Nagano Mei - Sannen A-gumi - Ima kara minnasan wa, hitojichi desu - (96)
3) Araki Yuuko - Trace ~ Kasouken no otoko ~ (62)
4) Suzuki Anju - Aibou season 17 (44)
5) Kimura Tae - Gosaigyo (38)

Source: Nikkansports

Preview of "Radiation House ~ Houshasenka no shindan report ~" - Spring 2019

Title: Radiation House ~ Houshasenka no shindan report ~ ラジエーションハウス ~ 放射線科の診断レポート ~ (Radiation House ~ The diagnosis report of the radiology department ~)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 8 April 2019
Timeslot: Mondays 9pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Original manga by: Yokomaku Tomohiro & Mori Taishi
Cast: Kubota Masataka, Honda Tsubasa, Hirose Arisu, Hamano Kenta, Maruyama Tomomi, Yano Masato, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Endo Kenichi, Suzuki Nobuyuki, Asano Kazuyuki & Wakui Emi

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 23rd & 24th Mar 2019

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Eiga Doraemon Nobita no Getsumen Tansaki (370)

2) Tonde Saitama (318)

3) Captain Marvel (361)

4) Bumblebee (355)

5) Eiga Puri Kyua Miracle Universe (229)

6) Kimi wa tsukiyo ni hikarikagayaku (298)

7) Green Book (180)

8) PRINCE OF LEGEND (310)

9) Eiga no Osomatsu-san (126)

10) The Mule (238)

Source: Eiga.com

Key ratings highlights for NHK morning drama "Manpuku"

Although I have not been posting anything about drama ratings in recent years, I think that it's only right for me to share these key highlights in Manpuku's ratings for the past 6 months especially as it is the very first morning drama which I managed to complete in real time. Be prepared for more Manpuku-related posts in the days to come especially my review of this drama!

- Manpuku started airing from 1 October 2018 and ended its run on 30 March 2019 with 151 episodes.

- The average rating for the Kanto region was 21.4% while it was 19.5% in the Kansai region. Compared to the drama preceding it i.e. Hanbun Aoi which got an average of 21.1% in the Kanto region, Manpuku did better.

- The first episode registered a rating of 23.8% and 20.4% in the Kanto and Kansai regions respectively. This was the highest debut episode rating so far in the asadora history.

- The last episode got an average rating of 22.1% and 22.4% in the Kanto and Kansai regions respectively. Figures of the Kanto region for the last week were 22.7% -> 22.0% -> 21.8% -> 20.6% -> 21.3% -> 22.1%.

- The highest single episode rating for the Kanto region was the first episode while for the Kansai region, it was the last episode.

- Here are the average ratings for the five dramas preceding Manpuku (first figure is for Kanto while the second figure is for Kansai):
"Hanbun, Aoi" - 21.1% / 19.3%
"Warotenka" - 20.1% /  19.6%
"Hiyokko" - 20.4% / 20.3%
"Beppin-san" - 20.3% / 20.2%
"Toto Nee-chan" - 22.8% /  20.4%

- Ever since "Asa ga kita" in 2015, this is the 7th consecutive asadora which has registered an average rating of above 20%. Manpuku's average rating was higher than the 6 dramas preceding it, with the sole exceptions being "Toto Nee-chan" (22.8%) and "Asa ga kita" (23.5%).

- The ratings trend: Manpuku started off very well in its first episode and maintained an average rating of above 20% up till the 13th week before the New Year break. The only episodes when it went below 20% was on 4th and 5th January i.e. straight after the New Year break. It returned to the 20s region from the 15th week all the way to the end of its run.

Sources: Oricon / Sponichi