When asked about Japanese entertainment, the knee-jerk reaction is "anime." However, the journey of anime from a niche subculture (often looked down upon in Japan during the 1980s as entertainment for children or social outcasts) to a mainstream global streaming juggernaut is the defining success story of the century.
Japanese TV is a world unto itself. Prime time is dominated by variety shows ( baraeti ), which blend game shows, talk segments, and outrageous physical challenges. These shows often feature comedians reacting to VTR (video tape recordings) of celebrities completing bizarre tasks—like balancing on a rolling log or eating increasingly spicy ramen.