Why has there been an Increase in LGBT dramas? The 5 LGBT dramas airing this spring have all been well received.
Ossan's Love, a drama depicting male romance, was a big hit last year. This season has seen an increase of LGBT themed dramas as well. TV commentator Kimura Takashi gives his thoughts regarding this phenomenon.
LGBT has been the most common theme in the dramas this spring. Five works this season have treated LGBT as its motif, four of which the person concerned is the main character.
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
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| Also a number 1 world trending topic on Twitter. (TV Tokyo) |
Mr. Housekeeper, Mitazono (2019)
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| Third season of the popular Mr. Housekeeper, Mitazono series (TV Asahi) |
Where Have My Skirts Gone?
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| Where Furuta Arata plays a gay teacher (Nippon TV) |
Fujoshi, Ukkari Gei ni Kokuru (Fujoshi, Accidentally Confesses to a Gay)
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| A charming drama set in a pure world view that is a stark contrast to its intense title (NHK) |
Mistresses ~The Womens' Secrets~
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| A remake of the popular UK Television series "Mistresses" (NHK) |
◆ LGBT where the "difficulty of life" is clear-cut and deeply ingrained.
Not limited to the dramas listed here, the catch-phrase used across all TV programs has been '"respect all types of people, and their way of living." There has been an increase of programs that have adopted the concepts such as, "treating everyone equally despite the differences in age, gender, occupation, academic background, hobbies and tastes," "Living in a way that is true to oneself" and "Giving minorities the spotlight."
This trend accelerated with the hit drama Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu (English Title: The Full-Time Wife Escapist) - a story that respects the way of living of its various characters: the heroine in a contract marriage, an old virgin, a man that rejects marriage, a man that dotes on his family, gay characters, single mothers and more. This spring we also have dramas featuring characters in their respective situations trying to overcome this hard to live world in a way true to themselves.
In the midst of these, it is easy to understand why the world is a difficult place for LGBT to live in, and it is deeply-ingrained. These characters are directed with eyes of curiosity, looked down upon, held at a subtle distance, or are blatantly treated differently. It is seeing them living in a way that is true to themselves despite all these drawbacks and the feeling of relief when they've overcome hardships, that has gathered the viewers sympathy.
For example, What Did You Eat Yesterday? the most discussed drama this spring, only depicts the casual everyday life of a gay couple in their forties, without painting them in a special light. With the dining table as the focal point of the drama, it has probably resonated with people outside of the LGBT community as well.
◆ A large number of LGBT dramas were also produced one year ago
Only taking account the first half of last year, there were 7 dramas that used LGBT as a theme.
- Life As a Girl (Joshiteki Seikatsu - NHK)
- Residential Complex (Tonari no Kazoku wa Aoku Mieru - Fuji-TV)
- I Like the Yesterday You More (Ashita no Kimi ga Motto Suki - TV Asahi)
- My Brother's Husband (Ototo no Otto - NHK BS Premium)
- Half Blue (Hanbun, Aoi - NHK)
- Ossan's Love
- Mr. Housekeeper, Mitazono
Speaking of this year's spring dramas, What Did You Eat Yesterday? has advanced the level of TV Tokyo's food dramas. Where Have My Skirts Gone? may very well become the savior of the almost extinct school-life dramas. Fujoshi, Accidentally Confesses to a Gay brings one back to the pure romantic dramas of the 90s. There is a sense that using LGBT as a motif this spring has resulted in even greater benefits than last year.
However, compared to the West, where LGBT characters are placed in the story and received by viewers as a natural matter of course, it is undeniable that these characters are still treated as a special existence in Japanese dramas. We may be step by step moving towards "reaching the point where LGBT can be depicted as natural members of society, rather than as a symbol to respect every person in society." The first half of last year was a "hop", this year is a "step", and will next year be a "jump"? Will this trend be able to progress like a triple jump?
Source: Yahoo! News Japan
1. [+6095 / -591]
It may be the LGBT community's wish for the LGBT to be accepted as a normal thing in society.
However, there will be people who can accept them without resistance and there will be people who can't.
I think part of the reason why these types of dramas have increased is so they can create a chance for those people who can't accept it to understand, even just a little bit by watching.
The problem is that the people who can't accept would never watch these dramas in the first place.
2. [+4027 / -928]
It might be accepted in dramas but reality is quite...
When I see gay couples flirt in real life, I feel like I've seen something that I shouldn't have seen and didn't want to see. In the past, when I unintentionally flipped through a magazine with photos of male homosexᴜαlıty, I really felt like I was going to throw up. I apologise, but accepting it is next to impossible for me.
It is undeniable that there is feeling of being pushed to accept them and that not doing so is a bad thing.
BL mangas are popular but I think that is because the characters are beautiful. Dramas are also that way. I don't feel disgusted because it's not real.
If you strongly insist people to "Accept us!" I guess even people like me who can't accept it easily should accept it too but...
I have no intention of denying them, and I think they are free to do as they please. I've thought about understanding their difficult lives but there are plenty of people who live hard lives even outside this problem. It's not like everyone understands everyone so...
3. [+2728 / -912]
I don't feel like watching any of these dramas. There shouldn't be a problem even if there are those types of people. Those people stating their opinion are also selfish. These days if you say something anti-LGBT, you tend to be bashed. That is extremely strange. What you say shouldn't be a problem as long as it's not a personal attack. You should just simply object if someone has stated a typical anti-LGBT opinion. That is a rule that should be followed. I think it's fine for the police to crank down on harassment, etc. The LGBT community are not weaklings.
[+29/ -26]
Wait, I don't get what you're trying to say.
[+96 / -41]
Don't really get it, but OP, people normally aren't bashed unless they've said something extremely rude.
Wait, I don't get what you're trying to say.
[+96 / -41]
Don't really get it, but OP, people normally aren't bashed unless they've said something extremely rude.
4. [+1820 / -116]
In "What did you eat yesterday?" the central focus is food and it gently portrays the happiness of having someone to enjoy food together with.
Even if you're not gay, in your everyday life, there will be times when things become awkward with your partner or when your parents pester you when you go home.
Above all, Uchino-san's Kenji and Nijima-san's Shiro-san are charming adults who are considerate towards each other. I want to learn from them.
5. [+941 / -82]
One thing for sure is that every time the mass media overly supports or shows excessive consideration towards this topic, the public distrust grows.
They may have discovered a new demand but the LGBT community are also telling them to take it slowly.
6. [+663 / -40]
It might be because my company is a foreign investment company but there are at least 3 people on my floor who don't hide that they're LGBT and work hard at their jobs.
I think that the perception that using LGBT as a drama theme is special is outdated but I guess it's fine if it's interesting.
But, isn't Mr. Housekeeper, Mitazono just a cross-dressing drama, not a transgender drama?
7. [+614 / -86]
I don't mind if LGBT dramas are made but the trend these days is that when something is successful, people imitate and produce similar works one after the other.
I think it is necessary for the [drama creators] to keep in mind that the LGBT community are, in the end, a minority.
[The dramas] must start by making people become aware, without prejudice, that those people also exist in society. If you suddenly tell people to accept it, it's natural that some people won't be able to.
Unless they create dramas with those points in mind, there will probably be people who will feel very distressed seeing rich LGBT interactions. Well, they can also choose not to watch.
Source: Girls Channel
1. [+46 / -162]
Why has there been an increase in LGBT dramas? The 5 LGBT dramas airing this Spring have all been well received.
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
Mr. Housekeeper, Mitazono (2019)
Where Have My Skirts Gone?
Fujoshi, Ukkari Gei ni Kokuru (Fujoshi, Accidentally Confesses to a Gay)
Mistresses ~The Womens' Secrets~
2. [+948 / -283]
It's a disgusting trend
They're probably pushing it into people's faces.
3. [+471 / -35]
I didn't know about the last two dramas
Looks interesting
6. [+719 / -8]
I'm surprised how heavy fujoshis' tastes are
7. [+498 / -8]
It's because they've run out of ideas
9. [+667 / -18]
I wonder what will come after the LGBT boom.
I'm gonna get sick of them soon.
10. [+271 / -6]
What's happening in America? The L Word was popular in the past
11. [+625 / -11]
But Japanese dramas all have the same content, and same cast, it's so boring~
12. [+607 / -16]
Is it because the drama with Tanaka Kei, Hayashi Kento and Yoshida Kotaro was popular?
Can't remember the name though...
13. [+903 / -25]
It's because Ossan's Love did well so they're aiming for a second hit.
It's the same as when the number of anime movies increased after 'Your Name' came out.
14. [+789 / -31]
I'm really enjoying "What did you eat yesterday?"
The food looks delicious and I'm simply enjoying the story.
In the LGBT community there are also people that have all sorts of issues they have to deal with.
It's good that this drama conveys that aspect in a way that is easy to understand.
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