John’s Top 10 Japanese Dramas

by 145 Comments

I really enjoy Japanese dramas. As far as Japanese entertainment media goes, dramas are right up there with anime for me. When I was first getting into Japanese stuff, I was all about the anime until one day I realized that there was a whole side of Japanese TV I was completely missing out on: J-dramas. I couldn’t believe I’d been missing out on so many great shows.

Over the years, I’ve checked out a great many of J-dramas. Some were bad, some were just okay, and some were downright fantastic. Below is a list of my top ten favorites. If you’re into dramas at all, I’m sure you’ve seen or at least heard of many of them. For those of you new to dramas, however, this list is an excellent place to start (assuming you have the same taste in shows that I do).

10. Boys on the Run

Boys on the Run is about a salaryman who works for a small toy manufacturer and has never had a girlfriend in the 27 years of his life. He has no experience with women and is a hopeless employee nowhere near getting ahead in life. He’s in love with one of his colleagues at work, but has no idea how to approach her. One day he runs into a salaryman from a competing toy company who decides to help him woo the girl.

Over time, Boys on the Run might rank higher on this list of mine. The reason for this is that I haven’t actually finished watching the series yet, but what I’ve seen so far is really good. Every episode is a riot. I can’t remember the last time I yelled at the screen so much during a show, just because of all the ridiculous things the main character does and says. It’s a bit raunchy, but I’ve really been enjoying this show so far.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAkOtgRTW_c']

DramaWiki Link
Genre: Comedy
Who should watch this show: People who like rooting for the nerd loser underdog and dramas with continuously ridiculous situations.

9. Moteki

Moteki is about a temp worker who has never had any luck with women. One day, he suddenly starts getting invitations to hang out from several beautiful women, and he finds himself confused about how to deal with this new experience of having a “moteki” (a period when one is very popular and attractive to others).

This one was actually recommended to me by one of my friends who is teaching in Japan. It’s really funny, much in the same way that Boys on the Run is. The main character supposedly has no luck with women and is suddenly thrown into situations where he doesn’t really know what to do or how to act. Like Boys on the Run, this show can be a bit raunchy at times, but it’s hilarious, and I highly recommend it.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtuM5emjGWo']

DramaWiki Link
Genre: Comedy
Who should watch this show: People who like rooting for the loser underdog in ridiculous love triangle situations.

8. Watashi ga Renai Dekinai Riyuu

Wataren highlights the lives of three women who are all looking for love but each one has something that is getting in the way of their romantical happiness. As the show progresses, they all grow and learn more about themselves and what they want out of life.

I liked this one so much I even wrote a Tofugu post about it earlier this year, soon after I finished watching it. This one came to me after a long stretch of sub par dramas, so this show was responsible for reinvigorating my interest in them.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzC4RRLEV_Y']

DramaWiki Link
Genre: Romance
Who should watch this show: Those interested in seeing the love lives of three different women unfold in a humorous and entertaining manner.

7. Papa to Musume no Nanokakan

Papa to Musume no Nanokakan is about a salaryman and his teenage daughter. One day, the two ride a train together and by some mysterious force, they swap bodies. Unfortunately, they have no choice but to swap lives, pretending to be each other at school and work.

This show is great. I really like the actress that plays the daughter in this show, and it’s hilarious to see her acting like a middle aged salaryman, not to mention seeing a middle aged salaryman act like a high school girl. This show is both hilarious and touching, as it ultimately brings the two closer together.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6x2vgbuDkw']

DramaWiki Link
Genre: Comdey
Who should watch this show: Those who like life-swap shows and seeing middle-aged men act like teenage girls.

6. Buzzer Beat

Buzzer Beat is about a young player from a professional basketball team. Due to his relatively smaller size and his tendency to crack under pressure, he’s unable to really shine as a player. Meanwhile a strong-spirited music college graduate aims to become a professional violinist. One day they have a chance encounter and their meeting begins a friendship that eventually turns into love. However, the main character is already considering marriage with his current girlfriend. What will happen!?

This show was recommended to me by one of my Japanese friends when I was studying abroad in Japan. The main character is played by Yamapi, who has become one of my favorite drama actors, and he really shines in this show. You don’t have to enjoy basketball at all to enjoy this one, it’s merely the glue that holds everything together. This show is funny, romantic, and touching.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XtfVYPghhs']

DramaWiki Link
Genre: Romance, Sports
Who should watch this show: Anyone who has a passing interest in basketball, or just really enjoys well done romantic comedies with love triangles.

5. Pride

Pride is definitely the most serious drama on this list and it centers around a playboy hockey player and his new-found love interest. He doesn’t like commitment, and the main girl has a long distance boyfriend who seems to have left her with no intention of coming back. This show tells their story and all the trials and tribulations they face.

I was actually very skeptical about this one when I first heard of it. A serious romantic drama centering around hockey? Psh, yeah okay- that sounds really interesting. But boy was I surprised. This show really pulls on your heartstrings and really draws you in. It’s definitely one of the most emotional shows on this list, and for that, I highly recommend it.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVrCUBSwUfA']

DramaWiki Link
Genre: Drama, Romance, Sports
Who should watch this show: People who like Queen music. Seriously, that’s all this show plays.

4. Densha Otoko

Ah, the mighty Densha Otoko. The show is probably the most famous and well known on the list. This show is a true love story that was turned into a bestselling novel, drama, and movie. A typical office lady gets into trouble with a drunkard on a train and it saved by the main character, who also happens to be the epitome of otaku. This act of bravery was extremely uncharacteristic of him, but it starts a friendship with the woman that soon blooms into romantic interest. Having no idea how to handle women, he seeks advice on message boards and all of Japan helps him along the way.

This show is awesome. It was one of the first dramas I really got into and it remains one of my favorites. It’s funny, heartwarming, and emotional. It’s a roller coaster ride of feelings, but I loved every minute of it. Also, the opening sequence is great. It really gets you pumped for each new episode.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd4xCvGW2Nw']

DramaWiki Link
Genre: Comdey, Romance
Who should watch this show: Anyone who likes dramas. Really, you can’t go wrong with this one.

3. Proposal Daisakusen

Proposal Daisakusen is another Yamapi drama and coincidentally was recommended to me by the same girl who told me about Buzzer Beat (apparently she’s a Yamapi fan, too). Anyway, the show is about two people who have been friends since elementary school. The guy has been in love with the girl pretty much ever since he can remember, but she’s about to get married to another man. While he and other friends attend the wedding ceremony, a fairy appears and sends him back in time, giving him a second chance to win the girl he loves.

The premise of this show is really, really cool. Each episode a new picture of the main group of characters is shown on the wedding picture slideshow, and the picture represents the time that the main character gets sent back to. Depending on how he acts and what he says differently from the first time around, the picture changes. It’s just really interesting and you really get into it and can’t help but root for the main character. Just thinking about it makes me want to watch it again. This show is great.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmhKA6guC9E']

DramaWiki Link
Genre: Romance
Who should watch this show: People who enjoy romantic comedies with a time traveling twist.

2. My Boss My Hero

This show is about pudding. Just kidding – it’s about other stuff too. In My Boss My Hero, the main dude is a tough 27 year old high school drop-out who is the son of a gang boss. The main character is pretty dumb, so his father decides to force him to return to high school in order to get his diploma. If he doesn’t graduate, the position of boss will be given to his younger brother.

This show is like Billy Madison with a Yakuza twist. Only this time, no one at the high school knows his true identity, so the 27 year old gangster has to learn to act like a 17 year old kid. The main character is a great actor and really plays the part perfectly. Also, the main girl in the show is the same actress from Papa to Musume no Nanokakan, so that’s great too. Also, if you’re a dude, or if you’re somebody trying to get a dude to get into drama – this is probably the best one to start with.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIoXkJJek34']

DramaWiki Link
Genre: School Drama, Comedy
Who should watch this show: Anyone who likes to laugh or really likes pudding.

1. Kekkon Dekinai Otoko

Kekkon Deninai Otoko is hands down my favorite drama of all time. I’ve watched it many times over the years, and it never gets old. The show is about a 40 year old architect who enjoys living by himself, doesn’t like people, but somehow is able to design wonderful houses that people really enjoy. Eventually he begrudgingly becomes friends with a handful of people who wonder if anyone would ever want to marry him.

I don’t even know where to begin with this show. Everything about it is great. The main character is played by Abe Hiroshi, one of my favorite Japanese actors. He really nails the part and I can’t think of anyone better than him to play this hermit-like architect. You can check out an awesome scene from the show back in the post I wrote about okonomiyaki. The show is funny, interesting, and never gets old.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bc9w8fOFKw']

DramaWiki Link
Genre: Comedy
Who should watch this show: People who like Abe Hiroshi or have any interest in dramas at all.

And there you have it – my top ten favorite Japanese dramas of all time. I know there’s a ton out there, and even though I’ve seen a bunch, I’m sure there are still more great shows to be discovered. Also, there’s a good chance that I totally forgot about a show or two while compiling the above list just because I’ve seen so many.

While entertaining, Japanese dramas are also great for study, especially if you really enjoy the show. To get the most out of them, you can check out Koichi’s guide on Studying with Japanese Dramas. It’s a great way to learn.

So tell me, how many of these shows have you seen? What did you think of them? What’s your favorite drama? I’m always looking for new shows to watch, so let me know down in the comments!

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUYwrRRRSO4']

And just for fun, here’s the latest Perfume PV. I hope your eyes and ears enjoy the experience.

Newer Comments →
  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1434168513 Juan Fernando Castellón

    I loved Densha Otoko, and I watched the Korean remake of Proposal Daisakusen. I’ve been trying to find a decent stream of the original in Japanese, but the ones I’ve found so far have been jittery and lagging. Thanks for the list, John.

  • http://zoomingjapan.com/ zoomingjapan

    I’ve been watching Japanese dramas intensively from 2003-2009.
    I’ve watched MILLIONS and MILLIONS of them!
    Recently I just lack the time, so ever since 2009 I only watch very few series.
    The latest one I watched was “Rich Man, Poor Woman” which was absolutely awesome btw.

    I’m happy to see some older dramas such as Pride and Densha Otoko up in your list. Both of them were awesome and people SHOULD watch them! ^___^

    I’m surprised to see “My Boss, My Hero” up there, but not “Tiger and Dragon”. Absolutely hilarious!

    Browsing through my list (of older dramas) some of my favorites are (in no special order):

    Great Teacher Onizuka (2003 – the one with Sorimachi Takashi)
    Kimi ha petto
    Orange Days
    Hana Yori Dango
    1 Litre of Tears
    Attention Please
    14sai no haha
    Densha Otoko
    Gal Circle
    Kisarazu Cat’s Eye
    Nodame Cantabile (soooooo hilarious and cute!!)
    Liar Game
    Ikebukuro West Gate Park
    Hanakimi (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! still one of my absolute favs!)
    Yamada Taro Monogatari
    Sushi Ouji
    Himitsu no Hanazono
    Hero
    Long Vacation (I love those old ones with KimuTaku! ^^)
    Galileo
    Engine
    Love Revolution (great!!! esp. if you liked “Watashi ga renai dekinai riyuu)
    Yasha
    Good Luck
    Last Friends (pretty tough stuff)
    Zettai Kareshi (rather cute)
    Maou
    Voice
    Stand Up! (classic!)
    Slow Dance
    Tokyo Friends
    Atashinchi no Danshi
    Mr. Brain
    Love Shuffle
    Boss
    Majou Saiban
    Orthros no inu
    Buzzer Beat
    Jotei
    Bloody Monday
    Binbo Danshi
    Tokyo Dogs
    My Girl
    Nakanai to kimeta hi (pretty tough and sad)
    Tsubasa no oreta Tenshitachi
    Sunao ni narenakute
    Hotaru no Hikari Season (another one of my favs^^)
    IS
    Don Quixote (weird but entertaining)
    Ouran Host Club
    Watashi ga renai dekinai ryuu
    Nankyoku Tairiku (HOMG! Watch this – not only if you like dogs or KimuTaku! *g*)
    Soredemo ikiteyuku (one of the toughest dramas I ever watched, prepare to cry a lot)
    Rich Man, Poor Woman

    Ok, this was just a short list of a few dramas I liked the most ^__^; ….

  • Charmi

    Cool. I was looking for a good K-drama to watch, but I guess I can give a few more J-drama’s some attention. These suggestions sound really good.
    Although, after reading reading no.10, a friend of mine was wondering – Is not having a girlfriend or any experience with girls at 27, considered a really bad situation to be in? (I’m asking for my friend, of course :P)

    Btw, Densha Otoko was brilliant! Cried so hard during that drama T_T

  • http://twitter.com/eennnnuuhh innadee

    What happened to HanaDan? And IkePara?

    I would also recommend kagi no kakatta heya… And maou. And ryuusei no kizuna.

    Also, i completely agree with you on your list! Im actually really surprised that boys on the run is on there. But, i do have to say, i found myself doing the same thing you did. It’s a frustrating drama, but it’ll get better. :)

  • http://twitter.com/eennnnuuhh innadee

    Oh! And if you like romance type dramas too, i HIGHLY recommend rich man, poor woman.

  • http://twitter.com/cibeleanjo Robin Birdwell

    Oh this is awesome! I thought I knew a lot about j-drama but I’ve only heard of a couple of these. They sound really good, which is fortunate because I can only watch Hana Yori Dango so many times before I start to question what I’m doing with my life. Bless you sir.

  • Afoofoo

    Hmm, I don’t really watch dramas, so I haven’t seen any of the above :’( The only dramas I’ve seen are the usual Hana Yori Dango, Hana Kimi, plus Cat Street (because my darling Baba Toru is in it, for just one episode lol), Love Shuffle, Yatsura wa Tabun Uchuujin (Baba Toru again. I didn’t understand it at all though sigh), and Tumbling.
    I initially watched Tumbling for Masa who comes for a few seconds (I’m desperate haha) but I liked it, except for the constant focus on faces. But I really liked it! A bit too mainstream for me, but still. It’s about rhythmic gymnastics. They’ve been doing stage plays now, the third one was in August, with my darling Baba Toru and many other darlings, God Bless.

  • Afoofoo

    Hmm, I don’t really watch dramas, so I haven’t seen any of the above :’( The only dramas I’ve seen are the usual Hana Yori Dango, Hana Kimi, plus Cat Street (because my darling Baba Toru is in it, for just one episode lol), Love Shuffle, Yatsura wa Tabun Uchuujin (Baba Toru again. I didn’t understand it at all though sigh), and Tumbling.
    I initially watched Tumbling for Masa who comes for a few seconds (I’m desperate haha) but I liked it, except for the constant focus on faces. But I really liked it! A bit too mainstream for me, but still. It’s about rhythmic gymnastics. They’ve been doing stage plays now, the third one was in August, with my darling Baba Toru and many other darlings, God Bless.

  • http://www.vietamins.com Viet

    No GTO? No Okane ga nai? What is this list????

  • http://www.vietamins.com Viet

    Wait. What? There is more than one live action GTO ?

  • http://twitter.com/Kahdrill Charlotte Olsson

    As a big fan of historical dramas, any suggestions about those? Preferably ones that one can find subbed as my Japanese is very much on the beginner-stage.

  • kekoax

    I’m definately going to look into those dramas. Looks like a good selection.

    I was a fan of Trick. A series that also stared Abe Hiroshi as well as Nakama Yukie. Its about a physics professor (Hiroshi) who employs an unemployed magician (Yukie) to help him solve “supernatural” mysteries. Its kind of like “X-files” meets “Scooby doo”. They have to figure out the tricks behind these “supernatural” mysteries.

  • DefJuk

    I bloody love Abe Hiroshi, me!

  • Paladin341

    Yeah, I am going to be critical on this list and list some of my favorite as well.
    (I had to plug in my External to look at them all since it was going to be a big list)

    Orange Days (<3 Kou Shibasaki)
    Team Medical Dragon (This show is intense/amazing)
    Dr. Koto Shinryojo
    Galileo
    Densha Otoko
    Dragon Zakura
    GTO (2003 one and 2012 one)
    Nobuta wo Produce
    Hana Yori Dango
    1 Liter of Tears
    Liar Game (You'll love this one)
    Lunch Queen (Lunch no Jyou)
    Nankyoku Tairiku
    Gokusen
    Kurosagi

    I feel as though my list is weak compared to zoomingjapan's, but some of these have more than one season (Team Medical Dragon, Gokusen, Liar Game, Hana Yori Dango).

  • http://twitter.com/eennnnuuhh innadee

    Yep! One came out just last season. It stars AKIRA from Exile.

  • Adam

    They brought out a new one I think either early this year or late last year :) it’s pretty good but doesn’t have the same charm — worth the watch though.

  • areeachan

    So many of these are newer! You should watch some of the older ones from the 90s. They’re not necessarily BETTER, just really good in a different way. Also, yeah, the writing is better, gotta be honest. Also, the Kudokan dramas are usually hilarious and fantastic like Tiger and Dragon, Kisarazu Cat’s Eye, and Manhattan Love Story.

  • Malshi

    I was just looking for something new to watch! Thank you!!!
    But are there any comedies/action also? I can’t find any by myslef…

  • Aquariia

    Only romance comedy? What about awesome Japanese mystery/suspense dramas?
    I’ve heard about all 10 dramas but watched only 4.

    My favourite Jdramas are:
    Mr Brain
    Galileo
    My Boss My Hero
    and many more. :-)

  • Cosmo

    I am a girly girl and a mom so my list is a bit different though some of those on this list are really great. I might watch too much T.V. My list is pretty long

    I love:

    Marumo no Okite

    Ikemen desu ne

    Ouran High School Host Club

    At Home Dad

    Tokyo DOGS

    My Boss My Hero

    Tiger & Dragon

    Unubore Deka

    Ogon no Buta

    Hana Kimi

    Nihonjin no Shiranai Nihongo

    Hotaru no Hikari & 2

    Hana Yori Dango & 2

    My Girl

    Real Clothes

    Oh! My Girl

    Buzzer Beat

    Nodame Cantabile

    1 Litre of Tears

    Proposal DaisakusenLiar Game

    Kaseifu no Mita

    Zenkai GirlSengyou Shufu Tantei ~ Watashi wa Shadow
    Rebound

  • Rachel

    I’m excited to try these! Where can I find them?

  • http://twitter.com/treeghosts bauauamgeggeist

    no elite yankee saburo? ;__;

  • http://www.project-kathryn.com kathryn

    Ryomaden. It’s awesome!

  • http://www.project-kathryn.com kathryn

    Proposal Daisakusen? It’s so boring and repetitive. I couldn’t keep watching it. What about JIN? A doctor who travels back in time and has to do brain surgery with hand tools. How is that not the most awesome?

  • 古戸ヱリカ

    Now we’re talking!

  • ichizoro3

    glad to see wataren in this list. But how come Legal High is not included?!?

  • Pepper_the_Sgt

    I don’t really like J-Dramas (or American ones, for that matter). I tried to get into Gokusen and Trick, but I eventually quit watching them after five or six episodes. Not my thing, I guess.

    The main reason I’m posting, though, is to point out my surprise in hearing Electric Light Orchestra do one of the opening themes (Densha Otoko). Are they big in Japan or something?

  • http://www.facebook.com/AveryGoodgame Nick Hattan

    Forshame, John. Any J-drama watcher worth their salt has to have watched Nodame Cantabile, or at least added it to the list of recommended. It’s only a little under Kekkon Dekinai Otoko!

  • John

    I actually watched a few episodes of JIN but it failed to hold my interest :( Sorry!

  • John

    lol, yeah I know- I feel that I should get around to watching it eventually.

  • John

    For whatever reason the mystery and suspense dramas just don’t grab my attention as much. I watched Liar Game and some others from the genre all the way through, but I feel I enjoy the ones on the above list more because I can watch them over and over and still enjoy them. Once you watch a suspense or a mystery show it’s not as much fun to watch the episodes over again since you already know what’s gonna happen. I dunno, I just seem to like romcom dramas better, haha.

  • Guest

    Agree wholeheartedly!

  • x_stei

    I agree wholeheartedly. Based on this list John, I think you would really enjoy it! =)

  • 古戸ヱリカ

    The opening’s a reference to the video from Daicon IV, fitting in with the topic of “extreme nerdyness.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyVqIkJ69VA

  • http://zoomingjapan.com/ zoomingjapan

    I totally agree about Proposal Daisasuken! ^__^;

  • http://zoomingjapan.com/ zoomingjapan

    Totally agree! I can’t imagine that there’s anyone who wouldn’t like Nodame! ^-^

  • http://zoomingjapan.com/ zoomingjapan

    Looks similar to my list! And yay for “Tiger and Dragon” ^__^

  • http://zoomingjapan.com/ zoomingjapan

    Totally agree!!!
    I especially love the old ones with KimuTaku, but I also enjoyed Kisarayu Cat’s Eye and Tiger and Dragon *g*

  • http://zoomingjapan.com/ zoomingjapan

    Yes, yes, yes!!! What a great drama it was!! ^___^

  • x_stei

    Call me a jdrama-holic, but I feel like I’ve been waiting for this post ever since John posted about Wataren. I figured if someone could write so passionately about one jdrama must be able to write about a bunch of them. Haha! I was so right. (Please pardon my haughtiness.)

    From this post I have seen Papa to musume no nanokakan, Densha Otoko, Proposal Daisakusen, and My Boss My Hero. I used to watch jdramas like 24/7, but I don’t have as much time now. I’m lucky if I watch one per month. Hehe.

    Anyway, My top 10 are… Everything except the first one is unordered
    Nobuta. wo Produce – I know this is on many people’s favourites list, but this one just has a special place in my heart. <3. I don't know why. It's quirky, funny, endearing and really deep. I love it.
    Ryusei no Kizuna. This was my favourite Nino drama by far. Although Freeter made me cry more, there is a poetry about Ryusei that I find endearing and memorable. Plus while Freeter was mainly a starring drama for Nino, I liked how Ryusei was a co-starring shindig with Nishikido and Toda.
    Hana Yori Dango. Another one that has a special place. Very interesting and sweet drama.
    Kaze no Garden. Kuramoto Sou is my favourite jdrama screenwriter, and this drama starring Nakai Kiichi is definitely a signature piece.
    Proposal Daisakusen. Everything about this show makes me smile, even the sad parts when Kenzou cries T_T. I agree with John, every time I think about it I want to watch it, and every time I watch it I am reminded of how awesome this show is.
    Tantei Gakuen Q. Somehow I like to keep this list balanced? I don't know. Anyway, one of those mystery shows that don't freak me out, because all the main characters are kids. Fun, intriguing and full of wonderful effects and well-rounded characters and actors.
    That's all that I remember at the moment. Everything else I've either forgotten or haven't thought about in a long time…

  • legendofleo

    There’s so many J-dramas out there though, not sure why you’d want to watch them over and over.

  • legendofleo

    I’m also a big fan of Trick. You should also check out the British series ‘Jonathan Creek’ if you haven’t yet.

  • Bussan

    First off I usually read and never make comments, but this article just plain upset me. It seems that your top ten includes everything you have watched. Why do I say this, because there is a movie in your list as well as “My boss my hero.”

    Your top ten should look like this
    Tiger & Dragon
    Nodame Cantible
    Hanayori dango 1 & 2
    Kisarazu Cat’s eye
    Trick
    Gokusen (not really sure it should be here… )
    Unfair
    Legal High (only good recent drama I’ve seen)
    Kurosagi

    in that general order (other recomondations)
    don quixote (recent decent)
    rookies (kinda oldish now.. every japanese knows this drama though)
    hanazakari no kimitachi e
    hotaru no hikari 1 & 2 (movie sucked)

    Been living in japan for the past 5 years and almost every new drama sucks.. minus the ones I mentioned. Watch older stuff such as Trick (my first drama ever) and Satorare (doubt youll find that one anywhere… I have a copy though…)

    anyway good luck… and for the love of go WATCH Tiger & dragon. since it came out I re-watch it once ever 3 months. Even went through the trouble of fixing up some of the softsubs (never uploaded them.)

  • bussan

    wish I could edit spelling ” For the love of GOD.. not go.” also forgot shiawase ni narou yo.. made me start to like Katori shingo (smap) who I used to think they we’re part of some conspiracy to control japan pop culture ect..

  • x_stei

    I think different people like different genres, and Moteki was a drama series before it became a movie. Densha Otoko has a jdrama version and a movie version.

    I personally loved My Boss My Hero, but it wasn’t deep enough to make it into my Top 10 list.

  • http://twitter.com/cakefaace Lou

    How did Boys on the run end up in this list ?! I may be a huge fan of supporting role Ueda tatsuya, this drama was dramatically awful.

  • rainbowrevolt

    The only dramas I’ve seen are Yama Onna Kabe Onna, and parts of Yamada Taro Monogatari. I really loved both of them… I know Yamada Taro Monogatari is pretty old though, it was airing when I was in Japan in 2007 afaik. Yama Onna Kabe Onna is one of those shoes that sounds like stupid concept but it’s put into action so brilliantly. It’s one of my favorite shows! Funny and touching, as well. Yamada Taro was really cute, too. I still haven’t finished it, though!

    Anyway, thanks for the recs! I’ll probably end up downloading a few of these.

  • blueshoe

    Maybe this is a dumb question, but is any of this stuff available to watch outside of Japan? Netflix just got a whole ton of K dramas, but Japanese studios seem so closed off, it’s almost impossible to buy/watch/listen to any J shows/movies/music overseas. Frustrating.

  • milos

    If I’m not mistaken, Boys on the Run (based on a manga, correct?) was made into a movie as well, directed by Daisuke Miura. I never saw the JDrama, but I’ve watched the movie a couple of times and I absolutely love it.

    What’s really unique about the story is that it’s made for everyone who has been beaten down by life in every way – love, work, competitors, other men and women, bad luck, etc. – and the message seems to be, “Keep fighting, always, but never expect the boot to come off of your face. The trust fund babies, pretty boys and girls, and otherwise naturally gifted souls will always win.”

    Simply put, it is utterly bleak, but at the same time inspiring, in the sense that it lends a certain dignity to the lives of those who are overlooked and made to feel as though they’ve had their dignity rubbed out.

    It’s all summed up in the line the main character’s elder co-worker says to him after he gets his A** KICKED by his arch nemesis – a fight wherein the main character only managed to piss on the bad guy. Satisfiedly drinking a beer, he sighs ruefully and says,

    “That was a good piss.”

    It means nothing to the other guy, except a temporary stain on his pants. To the underdog, though, it’s everything.

    Thought-provoking, funny, truly edgy stuff.

  • Ugly Pig

    The Sorimachi Takashi GTO is from 1998, not 2003. Sorry to nitpick. Also, as a bigtime fan of the original manga, I appreciate that both versions (the 1998 and the 2012 one that just ended) go about adapting it in very different ways, providing different takes on the story. I love both versions, but of course the 1998 is a classic.

Newer Comments →