Best Japanese Dramas
by Bengalifob | created - 04 Jul 2013 | updated - 09 Jul 2019 | PublicJdramas that I highly recommend.
Jdramas that I could not find on IMDB:
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. 1 Litre of Tears (2005–2007)
TV-14 | 48 min | Drama, Romance
The story of a 15-year-old high school student, Ikeuchi Aya, who soon discovers she has an incurable disease that affects the cerebellum of the brain. Aya lived her life to the fullest until her death at 25.
Stars: Erika Sawajiri, Ryô Nishikido, Hiroko Yakushimaru, Takanori Jinnai
Votes: 2,884
DRAMA, FAMILY
My very first Asian drama and still one of the best. Everyone will have this on their jdorama list and you will too.
2. Raifu (2007)
36 min | Drama
Ayumu passes an entrance exam of an elite school, but loses her best friend because of that. There she makes new friends, but after a misunderstanding the bulling begins. With nobody to turn to she is pushed to the limit of losing herself.
Stars: Miki Maya, Tomoya Nakamura, Satoshi Nikaido, Asaka Seto
Votes: 175
DRAMA, SCHOOL
[also known as Life]
A fast-paced emotional roller coaster ride that will leave you physically drained.
3. Strawberry on the Shortcake (2001– )
Drama
Irie is an unhappy bullied kid. His life starts getting better as his father gets remarried and her daughter moves in.
Stars: Hideaki Takizawa, Kyôko Fukada, Yôsuke Kubozuka, Rina Uchiyama
Votes: 126
DRAMA, ROMANCE
Two of my fave Japanese actors in a drama with ABBA as it's soundtrack. What more could I ask for?
4. Taiyo no kisetsu (2002– )
45 min | Drama, Romance
Tatsuya, a tormented college student who was once an all-around nice guy but now seems to be balancing a gigantic grudge on his shoulder. For some reason, he has taken to hanging around ... See full summary »
Stars: Hideaki Takizawa, Chizuru Ikewaki, Ken'ichi Endô, Marika Matsumoto
Votes: 29
DRAMA, ROMANCE
Revenge drama that will make you want more Taki!
5. Boku dake no Madonna (2003– )
Comedy, Romance
Stars: Hideaki Takizawa, Kyoko Hasegawa, Kôtarô Koizumi, Hitomi Shimatani
Votes: 47
ROMANCE
Taki. That's why.
6. Yama onna kabe onna (2007– )
47 min | Drama
Based on the manga of the same title by, Atsuko Takakura. The story revolves around a woman working in a department store whose meager bust has earned her the nickname of "kabe onna." ... See full summary »
Stars: Hidetoshi Nishijima, Kyôko Fukada, Misaki Itô, Eiko Koike
Votes: 78
COMEDY
Seriously funny. xD
7. Gokusen (2002–2008)
54 min | Comedy, Drama
Gokusen is the story of Kumiko Yamaguchi, aka. Yankumi, a fourth generation crime syndicate member. She's gone straight and wants to be a teacher though, but she's one you don't want to mess with.
Stars: Yukie Nakama, Katsuhisa Namase, Ken Utsui, Ken Kaneko
Votes: 1,758
COMEDY, SCHOOL
Who has not heard of this popular series?!
8. Train Man (2005–2006)
45 min | Comedy, Drama
With the help of an online community, a nerdy and socially awkward man gathers the courage to start dating an attractive lady he met on a train.
Stars: Misaki Itô, Atsushi Itô, Miho Shiraishi, Risa Sudou
Votes: 1,199
COMEDY, ROMANCE
The geek and the beauty. Based on a true story.
9. Orange Days (2004)
45 min | Drama, Romance
Yuuki Kai is a senior at a university studying social welfare psychology and trying to find a job. One day, he encounters a girl, Hagio Sae, playing the violin, and becomes intrigued.
Stars: Satoshi Tsumabuki, Kô Shibasaki, Hiroki Narimiya, Miho Shiraishi
Votes: 1,022
ROMANCE
[Orange Days]
One of the best jdramas with an incredible story and cast.
10. Rasuto furenzu (2008– )
56 min | Drama, Romance
Last Friends tackles issues that afflict the current generation. Michiru's mother has brought a man back to their home and she is bullied at her workplace where she works as a beauty ... See full summary »
Stars: Shigenori Yamazaki, Masami Nagasawa, Eita Nagayama, Juri Ueno
Votes: 941
DRAMA
Riveting story of friendship, love, and abuse. Just watch the first episode and I guarantee you won't stop.
11. Dragon Zakura (2005– )
Comedy, Drama
Kenji Sakuragi is a lawyer and former member of a motorcycle gang. He takes on the challenge of preparing a special class for a famous stupid school, Ryuuzan to enter the prestigious Toudai University.
Stars: Hiroshi Abe, Masami Nagasawa, Saeko, Tomohisa Yamashita
Votes: 1,873
SCHOOL, COMEDY
Learnt some interesting studying tips.
12. Operation Proposal (2007)
Drama, Fantasy, Romance
This is a romantic comedy in which a young man who missed a chance to confess his love, is given a second chance and struggles to undo the past and win the heart of the woman on the day she is getting married to someone else.
Stars: Tomohisa Yamashita, Masami Nagasawa, Nana Eikura, Yûta Hiraoka
Votes: 1,818
COMEDY, ROMANCE, SCHOOL
[Proposal Daiskusen]
A young man gets multiple chances to go back to the past to change his future. An interesting storyline coupled with great chemistry between the secondary characters.
13. Nobuta wo produce (2005)
45 min | Comedy, Drama
Shuji (Kamenashi Kazuya) is one of the most popular guys in school. He tries to avoid Akira (Tomohisa Yamashita), because of his constant annoyance. But Kame isn't just like that. At home, ... See full summary »
Stars: Kazuya Kamenashi, Tomohisa Yamashita, Maki Horikita, Natsuna
Votes: 2,474
COMEDY, SCHOOL, BROMANCE
A crack-tastic drama about friendship between three unlikely characters.
14. Liar Game (2007–2010)
36 min | Drama
Trusting, gullible Nao suddenly finds herself participating in the mysterious Liar Game, a game where the players are issued large sums of money which they then have to cheat each other out... See full summary »
Stars: Erika Toda, Shôta Matsuda, Michiko Kichise, Kazuma Suzuki
Votes: 2,353
THRILLER
A battle of wits to survive against a million dollar debt.
15. Kurosagi (2006)
45 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Kurosaki, aka Kurosagi (Yamashita Tomohisa), is a swindler who cheats other professional con artists to help their victims and avenge the death of his own family. Kurosaki buys information ... See full summary »
Stars: Tomohisa Yamashita, Maki Horikita, Yui Ichikawa, Kôji Katô
Votes: 1,451
THRILLER, ROMANCE
The Robin Hood of swindlers with a slightly darker tone.
16. Hotaru no Hikari: It's Only A Little Light in My Life (2007–2011)
Comedy, Drama, Romance
When she's not at her fancy job, Hotaru just wants to relax at home - until her landlord's son shows up, and it's none other than her fastidious boss.
Stars: Haruka Ayase, Naohito Fujiki, Yuka Itaya, Ken Yasuda
Votes: 1,016
COMEDY, ROMANCE
Working glamorously and living ...well, she'd rather you didn't find out.
17. Love Generation (1997)
45 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Love Generation revolves around the relationship of the two leading protagonists, Katagiri Teppei and Uesugi Riko, who begin their relationship as squabbling colleagues before falling in love.
Stars: Takuya Kimura, Takako Matsu, Yôko Moriguchi, Ryuta Kawabata
Votes: 599
ROMANCE
A Kimu Taku drama. Nuff sed.
18. Beautiful Life (2000)
60 min | Drama, Romance
A talented hairstylist meets the love of his life, a terminally ill woman.
Stars: Takuya Kimura, Takako Tokiwa, Atsuro Watabe, Miki Mizuno
Votes: 636
ROMANCE
A Kimu Taku drama. Nuff sed.
19. Puraido (2004– )
50 min | Drama, Sport
Halu (Kimura Takuya) is the captain and star player of an ice hockey team, who is greatly respected by his teammates. For him, hockey is serious business that fully occupies his mind, while... See full summary »
Stars: Takuya Kimura, Kôichi Satô, Yûko Takeuchi, Kenji Sakaguchi
Votes: 666
ROMANCE
A Kimu Taku drama. Nuff sed.
20. Nagareboshi (2010– )
Drama, Romance
Takenouchi plays an aquarium employee named Kengo, who seems ordinary at first glance but actually possesses a secret that he would sacrifice everything in order to protect. Meanwhile, Ueto... See full summary »
Stars: Yutaka Takenouchi, Aya Ueto, Shôta Matsuda, Kie Kitano
Votes: 117
ROMANCE
21. He Who Can't Marry (2006– )
45 min | Comedy, Drama
A 40-year-old gifted architect enjoys living alone and doesn't communicate well with people. He has three female friends. Will he ever marry?
Stars: Hiroshi Abe, Takashi Tsukamoto, Mitsuko Kusabue, Rieko Miura
Votes: 1,214
COMEDY
22. Papa to musume no 7-kakan (2007– )
Comedy, Drama
After a train ride, father and daughter Kyoichiro and Koume mysteriously swap bodies and pretend to live each other's lives at school and work.
Stars: Yûko Takayama, Kazuyuki Aijima, Shigeaki Katô, Hitomi Sawano
Votes: 317
FAMILY. COMEDY.
23. Buzâ bîto: Gakeppuchi no hîrô (2009)
45 min | Drama, Romance, Sport
Fate brings together Shirakawa Riko and Kamiya Naoki-but fate is fickle.While Riko is an aspiring violinist,and Naoki a hopeful pro-basketball player, both strive to achieve their dreams ... See full summary »
Stars: Tomohisa Yamashita, Keiko Kitagawa, Saki Aibu, Shihori Kanjiya
Votes: 1,351
SPORTS. ROMANCE
24. Ricchiman Puauman (2012)
54 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Hyuga Toru who run an internet website from his small room and doesn't like to socialize makes a lot of money. He then meets Sawaki Chihiro, a hardworking student who by an unexpected occurrence begins to work for Toru.
Stars: Shun Oguri, Satomi Ishihara, Saki Aibu, Arata Iura
Votes: 1,086
25. Sapuri (2006)
Comedy, Drama, Romance
After her lover doubts her, a 28 year old office worker (Misaki) meets a young man (Kazuya) in her company.
Stars: Misaki Itô, Kazuya Kamenashi, Eita Nagayama, Kôichi Satô
Votes: 144
DRAMA, ROMANCE, WORK ——— A good balance of both the personal and work angles.
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