Must-See Now! Announcing the 2026 Spring Drama Ranking! First Place Goes to Hiromi Nagasaku's First Commercial TV Lead Role in 14 Years, 'It's Already Sushi Time!?'

The ranking of 2026 spring season dramas, which has been a hot topic on Note, has been announced. 'It's Already Sushi Time!?', starring Hiromi Nagasaku in her first commercial TV drama lead role in 14 years, clinched the first place. This time, Netflix's 'The 9th Sense' also entered the top 3, marking the first time a streaming original drama has ranked so high, indicating further diversification of viewing styles. The details of the ranking are as follows:

2026 Spring Season Drama Ranking

1st: It's Already Sushi Time!? (TBS)

2nd: Galaxy Vote (Kansai TV, Fuji TV affiliate)

3rd: The 9th Sense (Netflix)

4th: Reborn ~The Last Hero~ (TV Asahi)

5th: Tasakuri Brothers (TBS)

6th: GIFT (TBS)

7th: Canned Mackerel Goes to Space (Fuji TV)

8th: Moonlight Journey – The Answer is in Masterpieces (Nippon TV)

9th: Tatsuki Sensei is Too Sweet! (Nippon TV)

10th: The Scent of Wind (NHK General)

Here are some excerpts from articles posted on Note:

Winning first place was Hiromi Nagasaku's 'It's Already Sushi Time!?', her first lead role in a commercial TV drama in 14 years. It's a heartwarming drama about a 50-year-old housewife, who has finished raising her children, jumping into a sushi academy where she can become a sushi chef in three months. She meets a strict instructor played by Kenichi Matsuyama and unique classmates, as she searches for her second life.

Various comments were received, such as voices of empathy from those who related to the protagonist struggling at a turning point in life, high praise for the acting of Hiromi Nagasaku and Kenichi Matsuyama, and affection for impressive lines and small gags. The following comments were received:

- I empathized with the protagonist, who is wondering what it means to live 'for myself' after raising children, and felt inspired to start with a small step myself.

- It made me reconsider that the power cultivated through supporting a family should be more valued in society.

- The words of the teacher, who gently encouraged me from behind their strict guidance, made me believe that if I continue my current path, it will surely reach someone.

- Hiromi Nagasaku's charming presence, Kenichi Matsuyama's versatile acting, and the puns and small gags scattered throughout are enjoyable.

'It's Already Sushi Time!?' a 50-something woman's struggle ~It's never too late in life~ | Kabutomushi no Haha

https://note.com/kabutomushihaha/n/n659a2c8742fa

Already a strong contender for the best of this season. Drama 'It's Already Sushi Time!?' Episode 1 Impressions | yuko

https://note.com/cafeyuko/n/nbb1e8b20e180

50s, second life just beginning. The drama 'It's Already Sushi Time!?' pushed me forward | kimikimi

https://note.com/great_panda2357/n/n910e66b5756f

Drama 'It's Already Sushi Time!?' What it means to live your own life | Aya Beppu (Becchan) / Mother of 3, Video Director

https://note.com/ayapomme/n/ncf8e95a2205d

Second place went to 'Galaxy Vote', produced by Ayumi Sano, who also produced 'Elpis – Hope or Disaster –'. It's an election entertainment drama where Mari (Hana Kuroki), a former secretary ousted from politics, nominates Akari (Kayoko Noro), a snack bar mama, to run for Tokyo governor. While depicting the backroom dealings of politics, it questions the 'weight of a single vote'.

Various comments were received, such as voices of courage from those who related to the protagonist resisting the atmosphere of 'knowing one's place', analyses deciphering the meaning hidden in props within the drama, and impressions of shifting from political resignation to hope. The following comments were received:

- I empathized with the difficulty of life for women who have been asked to 'know their place', and felt encouraged to stick to my own will without reading the room.

- It's interesting to decipher the impressive motifs carefully placed to resonate with the protagonist's feelings and the story's theme.

- Although I had feelings of resignation and helplessness towards politics, seeing the characters' journey made me feel hopeful to move forward in a brighter direction myself.

- As someone in a position often left behind by systems and assumptions, the characters' words made me feel affirmed, like 'it's okay to be here'.

I also want to move towards a brighter future / Drama 'Galaxy Vote' | Bunbundo

https://note.com/bunbundo_5/n/n3c9ef14a0234

A vote not to 'know one's place' — 'Galaxy Vote' First Episode Impressions | olive | I love books and dramas

https://note.com/olive284/n/n4e94bba5b5e9

Galaxy Vote is too good | Yuyutsume

https://note.com/noted_19951101/n/n8e5bf064db6e