Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rising popularity and evolution of short dramas in Japan, particularly focusing on the emergence of micro-short dramas that cater to mobile viewing preferences and the increasing involvement of various stakeholders in this sector [5][6][7]. Group 1: Industry Trends - Micro-short dramas, typically lasting 1 to 3 minutes, have gained significant traction in Japan, especially with the rise of platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels [7]. - The introduction of high-budget and high-quality productions, referred to as "premium dramas," indicates a shift in the industry towards more diverse and sophisticated content [7]. - The trend of utilizing short dramas for marketing purposes is on the rise, with companies leveraging engaging stories to capture audience attention effectively [10]. Group 2: Key Productions - The short drama "This Love is the Ideal Form" (tentative title), produced by popular young actor Fumiya Takahashi, is set to launch at the end of October, showcasing the involvement of notable talent in the genre [6][8]. - The short drama "Today is Also a Deadly Day," featuring popular actors, has achieved over 1.8 billion views within a year of its release, highlighting the potential reach and impact of such productions [6]. - Fuji TV plans to launch a dedicated short drama platform, "FOD SHORT," in July 2025, indicating traditional media's commitment to this growing format [6].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights the rapid growth and increasing popularity of micro-short dramas in China, supported by government initiatives and collaborations with major media platforms [2][5][6] - The micro-short drama market in China is projected to grow from 9.4 billion yuan in 2020 to 504.4 billion yuan by 2024, with expectations to reach 677.9 billion yuan by 2025 and exceed 1,500 billion yuan by 2030 [2] - Major video platforms are adopting differentiated strategies in the micro-short drama sector, with Douyin and Kuaishou being key players in content production and distribution, while platforms like Bilibili focus on high-quality content and user engagement [5][6] Group 2 - There is a significant distinction between vertical and horizontal micro-short dramas, with vertical dramas typically being shorter (1-3 minutes) and more numerous (80-120 episodes), while horizontal dramas are longer (10 minutes or more) and fewer in number (up to 30 episodes) [6][8] - Bilibili's approach to micro-short dramas emphasizes unique content that resonates with younger audiences, particularly through female-centric narratives and innovative storytelling techniques [16][18] - Bilibili's average daily active users (DAU) reached 109 million in Q2 2025, with a revenue of 14.341 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, indicating a strong user engagement and growth in its business model [19][20] Group 3 - Bilibili's investment in micro-short dramas is relatively limited compared to larger platforms like Tencent and iQIYI, which have higher production budgets and revenue from their content [13][15] - The platform's unique content strategy aims to attract and retain users, particularly through the creation of engaging narratives that reflect contemporary youth sentiments [18][24] - Bilibili is also exploring the potential of animated short dramas, which have shown significant revenue growth, indicating a diversification of content offerings to enhance user engagement [24][26]

Core Insights - In the first seven months of this year, Hengdian World Studios has hosted over 2,300 vertical screen micro-short drama production teams, surpassing the total for the entire year of 2024 [1] - The influx of production teams, combined with the increasing production requirements for micro-short dramas, has led to a "supply-demand imbalance" for directors, actors, and extras in Hengdian [1] Industry Summary - The number of micro-short drama production teams in Hengdian has significantly increased, indicating a growing trend in this segment of the entertainment industry [1] - The demand for talent in the micro-short drama sector is rising, highlighting potential opportunities for investment in training and talent acquisition [1]