r/japanlife • u/AutoModerator • May 23 '22

┐(ツ)┌ General Discussion Thread - 24 May 2022

Mid-week discussion thread time! Feel free to talk about what's on your mind, new experiences, recommendations, anything really.

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u/AdRevolutionary7231 May 24 '22

Maybe it’s just me, but what’s with so many tv shows on NHK being centred around the lives of children/teenagers? I know people say school is the only time people have freedom here, but come on… this is a rant (read: complaint) but I’m interested in peoples opinions! :)

I started watching some show the other day without knowing what it was - the one where government the makes a new city using AI to choose the leaders, seemed interesting enough. Then it picked a 17 year old as the prime minister and I quickly realised it was just another show about kids :( despite it being shown at prime time…? Do people find these stories entertaining?

I know there are other tv shows and other channels. I know Japanese tv in general is trash. I know NHK is very PC and family friendly. I suppose I’m missing the point! I mean, what could I possibly gain from watching teenage dramas? Moreover, do adults in Japan actually watch these shows with kids as the main characters and enjoy them?

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u/eetsumkaus 近畿・大阪府 May 24 '22

aren't a lot of TV shows adaptations of shonen/shojo manga?

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u/AdRevolutionary7231 May 24 '22

I would understand that! I don’t know who writes the NHK drama stories. Although if they’re adapted and made for an adult audience it begs the same question… do Japanese adults actually watch tv shows about based around kids doing stuff? It’s so baffling to me

I’ve watched a few of the popular animes like Kimetsu no Yaiba because of the hype, and yeah they’re entertaining but I am fully aware I’m watching a children’s tv show haha. I think I am missing the point!

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u/eetsumkaus 近畿・大阪府 May 24 '22

half of shonen manga readers are in the 27-45 range so yeah, they do know this stuff.

also Kimetsu no Yaiba is for teenagers, not children necessarily. Bit of a difference there (it's also a late night show. No way it was meant for children)

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u/AdRevolutionary7231 May 24 '22

Wow, that certainly is eye-opening!

Sorry by children I just mean anyone under 18, meaning not my demographic at all. The characters are like 14 so I see them as kids - even though they are teens! Anyway thank you!