(#格付けチェック) What is the story behind this trend in Social Media today?
26-09-2026
The hashtag refers to a long-running Japanese television variety special in which celebrities compete to identify genuine high-quality items, performances, or experiences against cheaper or amateur alternatives. Contestants start ranked as first-class and drop through ordinary, second-class, third-class, and look-alike status with each mistake; those who fail completely are digitally erased from the screen and reduced to voice-only appearances.The format originated as a segment on an earlier entertainment show and later became a standalone seasonal event, most famously the New Year’s edition that regularly posts strong ratings. Spring and autumn editions followed, sometimes with a slightly easier “basic” version that tests everyday knowledge rather than luxury discernment. Typical challenges include wine or food tastings, live music or dance comparisons, traditional arts, and cooking. A recurring gimmick is the host’s own homemade dish appearing as the obviously inferior option.A musician who has appeared for years has compiled an extraordinary personal winning streak by consistently choosing correctly, often competing alone in later episodes so teammates cannot drag the record down. Viewers enjoy both the genuine expertise on display and the spectacle of famous people being humbled.Today the autumn three-and-a-half-hour special is scheduled to air in the early evening. The episode features new and returning guests divided into teams, a mix of familiar and first-time challenge categories, and an interactive smartphone feature that lets the audience guess along in real time for prizes. Pre-broadcast quizzes and guest announcements have already generated conversation, which is why the hashtag is active on social media.