What J-Drama Does Miyamoto Watch?

Ever wondered what Miyamoto does for enjoyment? We already know he enjoys swimming, gardening, keeping pets in the form of dogs and cats, and enjoys community service work. But he also watches Japanese drama on television.

In the “Itoi Asks in Place of Iwata interview” with Miyamoto, the creator of Mario and the creator of Earthbound discuss Miyamoto’s liking for morning TV dramas on the Japan Broadcasting Corporation channel.

Miyamoto (laughs) These last few years, I’ve been watching NHK’s morning TV dramas…

 

Itoi I’ve heard it’s good. Ge Ge Ge no Nyobo.

 

Miyamoto Yeah. It’s been awhile since I could enjoy something that’s made by the Kanto production team.

 

Itoi Ah, I thought so.

 

Miyamoto I was watching the previous dramas for a long time, too, but every time I would also sit there telling myself how it was all wrong.

 

Itoi Exactly! (laughs)

 

Miyamoto Yeah. (laughs)

 

Itoi Ladies and gentlemen, we have a great discovery!

Moments later, the two bring up a concept some of us might be familiar with.

Miyamoto The reality that is created in a drama changes drastically depending on whether or not there is a director who understands the point of the drama. It isn’t so much the structure of the scenario that’s important. It falls flat if it isn’t directed right during filming. Eliminating those places where something just doesn’t feel right is our job, and I think about that when I watch TV.

 

Itoi Yeah, me too. All the time. Like what I would do if I were in charge. Even though I’m not. That’s exactly what Iwata-san calls a “sense of ownership.”

 

Miyamoto Right. We watch TV with a sense of ownership. It’s the same when we watch a play or an event.