have set record-breaking box office numbers worldwide, often outperforming Hollywood blockbusters in diverse markets. Mainstream Appeal
Japan is the world’s second-largest music market. Unlike the Western focus on streaming, Japanese fans still heavily invest in physical media (CDs and vinyl). have set record-breaking box office numbers worldwide, often
Behind the camera, the industry remains feudal. The kōhai (junior)/ senpai (senior) system is law. In a film or TV production, the director is an absolute monarch. In a talent agency (famously, Johnny & Associates, now known as Smile-Up), the founder was worshiped as a living god—until posthumous revelations of systemic abuse exposed the rot. The entertainment industry, like the broader corporate world, prioritizes loyalty and endurance over innovation. Johnny & Associates