Five of the ten highest-rated Japanese commercial television dramas of the entire Heisei era starred Takuya Kimura: HERO (2001), Beautiful Life (2000), Love Generation (1997), Good Luck!! (2003), and Long Vacation (1996).
1. The Five 30%+ Mega-Hit Dramas (関東 Kantō Video Research Data)
1) HERO (2001): 34.3% average, 36.8% peak (every single episode exceeded 30%); 2) Beautiful Life (2000): 32.3% average, 41.3% finale peak; 3) Love Generation (1997): 30.8% average; 4) Good Luck!! (2003): 30.6% average, 37.6% peak; 5) Long Vacation (1996): 29.6% average, 36.7% finale peak.
2. The 'Kimutaku Career Effect' on Japanese Society
Each profession Kimura portrayed sparked measurable nationwide surges in applications: men enrolling in piano lessons during Long Vacation, law students applying to become prosecutors after HERO, and airline recruitment skyrocketing for ANA after Good Luck!!.
What is the highest TV rating ever achieved by a Takuya Kimura drama?
The finale of Beautiful Life (2000) reached a 41.3% rating in Kantō, while HERO (2001) achieved the highest series average at 34.3%, with all 11 episodes above 30%.
How many of Japan's top 10 Heisei-era dramas starred Takuya Kimura?
Five of the top ten highest-rated Japanese dramas of the Heisei era starred Takuya Kimura as the lead actor.
Source: STARTO ENTERTAINMENT · STARTO ENTERTAINMENT