Yu Aoi drama ‘T-Shirt ga Kawaku made’ breaks TBS streaming records

The TBS drama ‘T-Shirt ga Kawaku made’ (Until the T-shirt Dries) has achieved record-breaking viewership and streaming numbers in Japan. Starring Yu Aoi in her first television series lead role in 18 years, the production has seen its fifth episode reach a household rating of 7.5%. On streaming platforms, the series has broken TBS Friday night records, with the first six episodes accumulating over 20 million views as of August 14.

Written by Miku Ubukata, known for the hit series ‘silent’, the drama explores themes of love and secrets following a tragic bus accident in Nagano Prefecture. The plot centers on two couples whose lives are disrupted by the accident and subsequent accusations of infidelity.

The series has generated significant social media engagement, with viewers actively discussing plot theories and character motivations. While the show has seen massive success, some critics note that its complex narrative and requirement for focused viewing may make it less suited for the modern trend of ‘speed-watching’ or distracted viewing.