The 2021 edition of the Tokyo Drama Awards was held within the framework of ATF 2021, where the most recent titles were recognized between July 2020 and July 2021 on Japanese TV. Among the companies that stood out in the categories were NHK, TBS Television and Nippon TV.
The ceremony introduced the diverse appeal and trends of award-winning Japanese dramas, by Monina Eugenio, editor of Television Asia Plus, who highlighted social dramas with a focus on day-to-day work in Japanese culture: ‘So there we so many great shows about people in a wide variety of occupations, like politics, doctors, comedians, and professional wrestlers, likewise, romantic dramas stood out for their contemporary settings. These are stories that tell us of its rich cultural and tradition that are captivating not just for Japan, but for Southeast Asia and the rest of the world as well’.
In the ExcellentAward for a “Drama Series”category: Life’s Punchline (Nippon TV), MIU404 (TBS Sparkle / TBS Television), Naoki Hanzawa (TBS Television), Heaven and hell: Soul Exchange (TBS), My Dear Exes (Kansai Television) and The grand Family (WOWOW).
While the Grand Prix drama series was for Story of my family!!! (TBS Sparkle / TBS Television). About the series, Eugenio said: ‘The series perfectly captures the dynamics of today’s moderns Asia family. The series has a very universal theme that can work around the world’.
In the category Excellent Award for a single episode drama: RyukoKanbo (NHK), drama starring Masahiro Motoki, who starred in the winning film for Best Foreign Film Award 2019 at The Oscars, Departures; Air Girl – The First Flight Attendant (TV Asahi), The Greatest Gift (TV Tokyo / Horipo); Kyojo II (Fuji Television Network).
And the winner of the Tokyo Drama Awards ’Grand Prix for a single episode drama series was for Gift Of Fire (NHK / Eleven Arts Studios), drama captures the history of World War II in Japan.
The last category, Local Dramas, are given to dramas produced by local TV Stations, which give each show a unique character: Peperonchino (NHK Sendai Production) and Living with my daughter in Kyoto (ABC TV / K Factory).
Established in 2008, the TDA are based on a clear concept of ‘competitiveness in a global market’. The judging criteria were not limited to ‘artistry’ and ‘quality’ that have been emphasized in conventional awards, but also marketability and commerciality overseas.
