Video Research Ltd. has published a top 10 list of the highest-rated television dramas this year. The list includes both tanpatsu and renzoku dramas, though only the top episode counted for the latter.

#1 was the final episode of "Karei Naru Ichizoku" (30.4%), which starred Takuya Kimura and other popular celebrities. TBS ran the show during the winter, the same season it aired "Hana Yori Dango 2," which ranked #2 with its finale (27.6%). NTV also had a hit that season with "Haken no Hinkaku," whose closer was third on the list at 26.0%.

"Dondo Bare" was #4 (24.8%), slightly ahead of the "Galileo" opener (24.7%). #6 was the first part of the Seicho Matsumoto adaptation "Ten to Sen" that marked Beat Takeshi's return to TV drama.

In August, NTV aired "Kimi ga Kureta Natsu" as part of its "24 Hour Television" charity program, and the starring pair of Hideaki Takizawa and Kyoko Fukada brought in ratings of 23.3%.

The February 4 episode of "Fuurinkazan" scored 22.9% to rank 8th on the list. This was followed by Fuji TV's repeat of the "HERO Special" in September (22.1%). The "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e" finale and the "Iryu 2" premiere tied for 10th with 21.0% ratings.