2016 brought us shows like Higanbana, Rinsho Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri and Kaitou Tantei Yamaneko. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of Japanese dramas from 2000 to date. I was surprised to say the least when i saw this statement but then I got to thinking about it and I remembered one season in 2013 when all Japan had was one romance drama and I believe it was Itazura na Kiss and a bunch of police dramas. It has a light-hearted matter and is comedic. Time travel. Japanese dramas may be little bit overshadowed by the more popular Korean dramas, but that doesn't mean there aren't a number of noteworthy ones that you should give a try. It was amazing, to say the least :D. umm. Top 100 Japanese Dramas #1. :D If you want a funny pseudo drama I … But that is usually the appeal to people. That [...], Becoming fluent in a new language is a journey⦠and in my research with language learners Iâve discovered a âlanguage learning curveâ that most people follow. I have to admit that this is a hurdle that I will never climb over when I try redirecting people's attention to Japanese shows because they think that the male actors aren't as good-looking as the Korean ones. The actors are better looking in K-dramas. After 5 years of learning Spanish at school, I was only able to remember the bizarre [...], Despacito — the song by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi — has been a huge hit this year and as Iâm writing this itâs now the most viewed video on YouTube with 4.4 billion views. These series are iconic, cult classics, and rom-com favorites. I heard this comment on an interview with a Youtuber who vlogs about Asian dramas like that of Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, but mainly Korea. I'm one of those people that likes a good story, but doesn't want it to go on for too long because then I tire of it. Previous Next Hide Grid. I do admit that I love the fact that not every drama from Japan is focused on fluff and romance even though I love that stuff, but that it also has other genres.Â, One reason, I think, everybody believes that Japan is not the go to for romantic is because, like I said they're known for their realism, weirdness, cop shows, and dark thrillers. She said J-dramas are stuck in this time warp that they can't seem to get out of. Starring Jun Matsumoto of the popular band Arashi, he plays lawyer Hiroto Miyama. If "weird" just isn't your taste, move on to the next show and you'll probably find something more serious or even better than the last show.Â. As he finds a renewed passion for life by just eating what he wants, he also gets in touch with his inner warrior along … Reason 5: J-dramas lack escapism and are too real. Read more about how to use podcasts to learn a language. Okay, taking these basic reasons into account we're going to look at the world of J-drama and why I think that some people just started off with the wrong drama when they tried to watch a J-drama. J-dramas, unlike K-dramas, don’t usually cover romance unless the genre is romance. I want to know what dramas people are watching and what their usual taste is, when they make this statement. What if I told you that thereâs no such thing as being stuck or [...], Japanese Uncovered â Learn Japanese Through the Power of Story, Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo (ã¤ã¿ãºã©ãªKissï½Love in Tokyo), Sailor Uniform and Machine Gun (ã»ã¼ã©ã¼æã¨æ©é¢é), Rich Man, Poor Woman (ãªãããã³ããã¢ã¦ã¼ãã³), Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (è±ãããã®åãã¡ã¸). Image . They will not shut down a major area just to get a good shot or to contribute to a film, whereas I've heard that for the movie Seoul with Nagase Tomoya, they shut down many roads in Korea to film it. French YouTubers with English subtitles are especially good for beginner and intermediate French learners. Based on the famous manga series, Princess Jellyfish is about a young woman whose shyness and awkwardness keep her from pursuing her dreams of becoming an illustrator. They are also known as ‘dorama’. In fact, Japanese cinema has always been a powerhouse from the early days of Akira Kurosawa, the prime of Japanese horror, to the visually … Firstly, what was unique about these shows is that they were all intertwined with guest appearance, everyone was especially excited about the Nobuta wo Produce cross over that happened in Kaitou Tantei Yamaneko with Kame and Maki. * The most popular drama getting the highest rating in … To me, the difference between 1999 and 2000 is so apparent because the 90s had this aura around the shows and even without knowing sometimes I'm like that's not 2000s, it must be late 90s and I'm usually right. Then again, these are TV shows, so some people just do not enjoy watching "weird" things. Too many idols in J-dramas. For example in dramas like xxxHOLIC and Oniichan Gacha, xxxHOLIC had this very saturated look to it that emphasized all of the deep colors that Yuko-san wore and what the inside of her shop looked like while Onii-chan Gacha had this very bright, almost fairytale aspect to it's production from the colorful set to some of the character's outfits, it was just full of bright colors.Â. Secondly, Japan uses filters to enhance their visual aesthetics but not like Korea does. While Japanese television dramas come with a variety of themes, romance is one of the most popular ones. Plus, tips for how to transform your Netflix addiction into an active study session to master Japanese! However, when you watch a J-drama that has 10 episodes, usually the pace is just right for those 10 episodes at 45 minutes a piece. Preferably Rom-Coms? Watching Japanese dramas is a pretty great and fun way to learn Japanese. However, I can say that maybe if you tuned in to like one or two shows and formed your opinion based on that, it would not be a just representation of all the good looking actors that Japan has to offer. Produced by the BBC, this TV series is a cross-cultural, cross-boundaries genre that fuses action, crime, love, animation, family drama, clever dialogues, and humor in … Take for example dramas like Akumu-chan or The Memorandum of Kyoko Okitegami, both are very unrealistic and involve fantasy but they also have hints of romance and aspects of real life. While watching a classic show from the past always have its nostalgic vibes we’re lucky to say that the recent years were productive and many creative and entertaining dramas … The acting in J-dramas is weird/ strange/ bad. 2. What I've noticed is that, even if an idol is part of a drama, it does not automatically become bad or not worth watching. They allow you to get really intimate with the characters and the story. Japanese dramas are interesting, entertaining, and addicting. They've never truly made me feel like they needed to extend the length of their shows because their length is just fine. But if you want a longer show you could always take up their Taiga dramas which are 49 episodes and have stunning cinematography.Â. Depending on your age I would look at Liar Game. Disagree with the claim made by a Quoran that Japanese drama are more sexist and are mostly written by male writers, this has no backing with facts & is totally just a personal opinion. 21 Must-Watch Japanese Dramas You Should Add To Your Netflix List. I can say for sure that a show in 2016 is definitely different from a show that was made in 2006 or even 2010. … If you havenât seen these favorites listed below, then itâs time to go back and watch them! Korea has what I like to call this Instagram filter on all their shows where everyone's skin looks really smooth and nice and the area around them looks mystical like a fairy tale book. All very good Chinese Dramas!!!!! Also what starts to separate these dramas from the 2015 dramas is that you start to feel like Japan is putting more money into their shows from 2016. Jyotei was another good drama, a little strange, but really good ending! I'll have to admit that compared to Korea, Japan definitely has some more outlandish aspects to their their TV shows, but isn't that what makes them worthwhile? Like in Gokuaku Ganbo, they had beautiful cinematography with cartoonish effects. In fact, because they're adapted from popular material, it's only right for them to be adapted into a series. Happenstance thanks to a jellyfish leads her to new people, new opportunities, and changes in her life. However, I don't want people to have this misconception that everything Japanese is automatically "weird" and not enjoy a J-drama or two. In fact, I found a thread right here on MyDramaList and read some of people's reasons for disliking J-dramas and preferring K-drama. Jade on May 28, 2020: By the way, Jin Mi is another character for the Legend of the White snake. A curious number of J-dramas on the site don’t have English subtitles, despite their titles and bios being in English. PRODUCTS ⢠ABOUT BENNY ⢠MEET BENNY ⢠CONTACT ⢠SPEAK IN A WEEK ⢠LANGUAGE HACKING BOOKS ⢠PRIVACY POLICY, Caitlin is a content creator, fitness trainer, zero waster, language lover, and Star Wars nerd. I'm a big fan of the setup of Asian dramas … Here is our list of 10 great Japanese dramas to get you started. Whatâs your favorite, binge-worthy Japanese drama? The only difference is that in J-drama it's never guaranteed that they'll get together. Maybe I'm biased and can't speak on this one too much because I am a huge Johnny's fan along with being a drama fan. Some are BL, and some are really sad. J-dramas lack escapism and are too real. Japan was once a leader in romantic dramas. Why do people usually choose K-dramas over J-dramas? Not the movie, but the 6-episode short drama. Let's start with reason number one: The actors are better looking in Korea than in Japan. Even though some of these dramas may no longer available when you get to it, they do come back once they are re-licensed. Dramas aren’t out of reach for anyone—it’s possible to hear the … Code Blue; Tenno no Ryoriban (The Emperor's Cook) Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers) 3 Nen A Gumi: Ima Kara Mina-san Wa, Hitojichi Desu (Mr. Hiiragi's Homeroom) Todome No Kiss (Kiss That Kills) Good … Structurally, Japanese dramas can be compared to American or British miniseries. Moving on to the last and final reason, Reason 8: Japan is stuck in a time warp. The actors are better looking in K-dramas. And, if you want even more listening practice, why not try podcasts? Just like K-dramas, J-dramas also explore an array of genres from horror to romance to thriller. 7. ah, if you want a good romance drama, I would definitely watch "koizora". Ready to learn more? I can't remember what year she specified when she said that they had stopped progressing but I strongly disagree with that statement.Â, Just like everywhere else in the world, TV and the styles used to produce TV are always changing. Japanese dramas are in a league of their own – most don’t go beyond more than 15 episodes and are often just 1 season long. I personally watched every episode of Okitegami Kyoko twice because I really wanted to be in that world. Unlike K-dramas (or at least the ones I've seen), j-dramas come with a wide variety of subjects and genres. Even though both, Japanese & Korean drama fans are willing to check out a random Taiwanese drama, there are some people who won't cross over between Japan and Korea. 1 Litre no Namida Japanese Drama - 2005, 11 episodes. If you’re looking for a show that doesn’t require too much commitment or time, J-dramas will fit the bill. So I wanna start watching J-Dramas again but I don't know any good ones! It's so good! Before I share that, hereâs how the language learning journey went for me. K-dramas are definitely known for having some of the most wonderful cinematography out there in drama land, in fact I think it's their trademark. But every person that I have spoken to has loved them both for the charm and easygoingness and the overall uniqueness of the storyline. So let's jump right in to it! Japanese dramas are kicking off with some quality entertainment in 2019, with multiple new dramas hitting the Japanese television channels. Hi, I'm new to writing articles on this website and for my first article I wanted to talk about why you should give Japanese dramas a chance. 2. like talking to your language partner or doing flashcards). We do have to admit, when it comes down to it, we are mainly split between Japanese drama fans and Korean drama fans. Still looking for more awesome dramas to watch? Japan does not spend a lot of money on TV. So, to help you in your Japanese TV consuming quest, here is a list of fantastic, English-subbed Japanese dramas to binge-watch to your heart’s content. I understand the appeal of a slightly longer show, of about 16-24 episodes, that is standard in K-dramas which are 1 hour and 5 minutes long. This epic Netflix Original is based on the manga by Kei Sanbe. You really get this feeling of higher production costs, although that's definitely not the case with Rinsho Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri and some of their questionable cgi fires. Many Korean actors are interchangeable, or if they do reach stardom, vastly slow down their television output and instead focus on being themselves, stars. You tend to feel satisfied, if it's the sort of drama where they want you to be satisfied with the ending. What are your favorite Rom-Com Jdramas? This could be another reason because of which I might not have been able to finish K-dramas as of late, especially when J-dramas are so short. You'll still end up enjoying yourself :). The cinematography in J-dramas isn't up to par with K-dramas. But most drama fans do not reach out to watch anything that was aired before 2005. She has been falling down often and… 9.0. However, odd things have been happening to Aya lately. Sit back, relax, and push play! So, these are my favorite BL Japanese dramas. Rinsho Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri. They also tend to use natural conversational Japanese. Hereâs how I think of it: The key to create a successful immersion environment at home is to use native content. While in Japanese dramas, most of their work is based on a manga. But does that mean that Japan is not a go to for romantic dramas? Here are some Japanese dramas you can stream on Netflix while curled up on the sofa with a hot bowl of ramen to slurp down. ... a recent retiree rediscovers the simple joy of enjoying good meals and drinks. Share it in the comments! 3. You learn natural, conversational Japanese that you might not be able to learn from your Japanese courses. There are millions of people worldwide who would like to binge on Japanese dramas as well, making it a progressive industry. This was in 2006, and I was in middle school. The cinematography in J-dramas isn't up to par with K-dramas. Hopefully the success of Despacito has gotten a lot [...], Are you stuck with your language learning (or in life) and canât see a way forward? This reason does not make sense to me only because maybe I watch too many J-dramas and have seen many different kinds of shows. I think this means that unlike K-dramas, J-dramas feel more like you could put yourself in that person's situation and whatever dreadful thing is happening to them, you feel like it could happen to you. Take note, too: this was the era of Oguri Shun, who pretty much starred in everything in the early 2000s. Well hereâs your ICYMI (in case you missed it) list. Notes: The streaming availability comes and goes on Netflix. There are some very interesting one. Japanese dramas are just fun and entertaining. 1. 3. She did an interview for an Mnet program to talk about the different types of dramas out there and how they differ. But please can … Throughout the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s Japan was just full of romantic titles like 101st Marriage Proposal, Aishiteiru to Ittekure, Long Vacation, Love Generation, Love Story, For You, Majo no Jouken, Mukodono!. Then you have what I like to call the romantic left overs of 2000-2005 where everything is very lovely and has mature themes but bubbly and more exciting dramas start to make their debut like Gokusen, Artificial Beauty and Kimi wa Petto. They use beautiful filters and shoot only at the most aesthetically appealing locations, which is something that I admittedly enjoy while watching a K-drama.Â. i’m japanese and i’m looking for some good japanese shows i can watch! Just like any other actor who you may feel was good in one drama, but lacked something in the next, it also applies to idols. Where should you begin in your hunt for J-dramas to watch? Question. I see a lot of people out rightly refusing to watch idol dramas because they feel like the idol will make it a bust. and then.. hm.. Yeah, mostly just koizora! Complete 2020 with a Smile with Hikaru no Go! Some gradually improve their acting with each show/ movie that they're in, some fluctuate, and some Johnny's are actually natural born actors and I don't understand the hate they receive just because of the company that promotes them.This is probably the most common reason I see around the internet because of which people don't want to watch some dramas and I think that, that is a shame because they've been in some great ones. One thing I’ve noticed though is that many shows available here aren’t as good as the stuff you see in Japan. There isn't that much research done in English that talks about how much funds they really use on their productions and all that, but from what I've heard actors talking about in interviews and things I can make the following conclusions. Firstly, Japan does not treat their shows or movies like Hollywood treats it's movies. Some of the most enjoyable or most well known titles out there have idols in them. What if I told you that the solution you need is already there if only youâre brave and open enough to reach out for it? 4.The duration of the shows is too short. 6 must-watch 2018 Japanese dramas (Twitter) Previous Next Show Grid. Reason 4: The duration of the shows is too short. Learn the 101 core Japanese words to pick out the most in every conversation (or show! The acting in J-dramas is weird/ strange/ bad. Hello guys! I've wanted to write this article for a while because as some of you may or may not have noticed, the majority of articles here are focused on K-drama and as I'm currently not very interested in K-dramas, I can no longer relate to any of the new articles that come out. Japan also likes playing with it's viewer's emotions and to artistically leave a lot of their shows hanging on the last episode. They have lots of character driven and slice of life dramas that make you feel like you could be watching yourself. Reason 3: The cinematography in J-dramas isn't up to par with K-dramas. It may be hinted at or they end up being like really good friends working towards a relationship again, or they just don't end up together at all.Â, Some of my favorite love stories in drama land are actually Japanese, so I want the masses to give those romantic shows a chance as well!Â. Every country does it, it's not always a bad thing, sometimes it's needed and makes the show fun. Editorial Team mentioning Fukagawa Yoshihiro,Higashino Keigo,Mizutani Yutaka,Matsuoka Joji,Emoto Tasuku,Ayano Go,Nakai Kiichi,Sakai Masato,Mita Yoshiko,One Hitoshi,Aso Kumiko,Hoshino Gen,Furutachi Kanji,Takito Kenichi,Kudo … Japanese Title: 僕だけがいない街. Her channel name is HallyuBack. 10 Japanese Dramas to Watch While You #stayathome . I think Japan was always the most artistic and is even known for their camera angles but you see them playing with more filters in this era and using different effect. If I were to break it down into what I felt like was my own timeline for J-dramas and their changing styles I would have to say that the 90s were pretty solid in being romantic with a lot of dark romances and mature romances.Â. (And vote for your favorite!) Here are 7 Romance/Comedy Jdoramas that we think are best for Beginners. 5. Also just over the years on random threads and places like Tumblr I read that there is this sort of divide amongst drama fans. But if they are in this list is because I really liked them, and they are the best for far. I will list them from my least favorite to my most favorite. Many people feel like Yamashita Tomohisa can no longer act like he did when he was in Proposal Daisakusen or Kurosagi. But if those same people refused to watch him because he's an idol, they would have missed out on a beautiful drama like Algernon ni Hanataba wo or an enjoyably cocky (slightly creepy though) character that he played in From Five To Nine. You can reserve them for times when you’re just too exhausted to do anything more intense (eg. Before apps and subscriptions though, folks relied on Tagalized versions of Asian dramas, and sat down in front of the television at specific times to catch the day’s episode. Popular dramas do, however, often give rise to "specials" that are made after the final episode if the show has been a huge … For a lot of people, those 12 episodes are enough, because the story isn't allowed to drag too much or become monotonous. or Drama viewing apps?                     Â. Whereas Japan uses dark filters or grainy filters for their darker productions and a more saturated filter to make colors really pop so as to emphasize the fact that the world that these people live in is otherworldly not real. And just like the modern day K-dramas, they usually start off really goofy and happy go lucky but start to tug at your heart towards the end before the fateful ending of them getting together. Some of these reasons were: 1. However, he canât seem to make any money in his cases⦠And then heâs approached by a big-time law firm. It doesn't give you that warm and fuzzy feeling inside like when you watch a romantic K-drama. 4.The duration of the shows is too short. And yet, they also have a lot of fantasy. I watch K-Dramas but I find J-Dramas not as interesting but to learn Japanese again (being Japanese American) I want to start watching some actually interesting ones! My first Korean drama was Full House and that of Japan was Gokusen, both basically were classics in their respective drama worlds. I was very much attracted to both male leads and started watching more of their works, so I guess in that aspect I got lucky in the beginning because I didn't have the problem of so and so is not attractive to me.Â, However, and I'm saying this as an extremely shallow drama watcher who just loves looking at cute actors, I think sometimes it's also important to look past the outward appearances and watch the actual show. GTO and Gokusen are both very good. A look at SMAP dramas throughout the Years, Introducing Lupin no Musume: Daughter of Thieves. Also good are dramas from Taiwan. ENJOY!️ The list goes on and on, in fact most of the 90s dramas that I ended up watching were romantic in nature. There you have it — all the best Japanese dramas to get started watching and learning. Japan has a lot of variety for every taste and every mood. 6. Good Japanese Dramas...? Cherry on … Murder. Discover the best romantic Japanese dramas to watch on Netflix & VIKI in 2020 that are so cute and creative they will get you hooked on J dramas in no time. Japanese dramas started in the 1980s. In fact, I think Japan has some of the shortest series I've seen out of any country that I've ever watched a television series from. More stuff to binge-watch while you #StayAtHome! Reason 6: Japan is not good at romance dramas. The Best Japanese Dramas to Binge Watch and Learn Japanese. Read Featured Article “Best Japanese Dramas of 2020” by YumCha! 5. Also any Kdrama or chinese drama you … With the recently released Alice in Borderland topping Netflix Hong Kong's charts, … Then finally you have 2016, I'm starting to get a new feel from the shows that have aired this year. But in Japan, a success of the show … My thing is, before the big Japanese earthquake, Jdramas were very popular, and very, very good. Being the perfect mix of fun, seriousness, and tragedy along with the flavor of Japanese culture, these TV shows are great for binge-watching. 1 / ... is not good at her job. In the beginning of the Hallyu wave, we had dramas like My Girl and Full House where both the actors and actresses had some scenes in which they overacted. So this is why I am confused as to how Japan gets this bad rep for being the country of bad acting. Whatever it is works for me and thanks to the popularity of Korean dramas, Japanese tv shows are now making their appearance on streaming sites such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Viki. Although Japanese dramas in 2013 still aren’t nearly as popular as Korean dramas, I’m really excited for the comeback they are making! Yeah, they are all very good dramas. Japan has definitely been the country to go to when you want to watch something "different", something "otherworldly". They gave us shows like Yokai Ningen Bem, Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge, and Yamada-kun to 7 nin no Majo to name a few slightly weird shows and then there are shows that people label as very strange like 49 and Oniichan Gacha. Japanese dramas - it’s hard for me to find really good quality ones where I don’t feel disconnect from the acting and how the plot presents itself but I loved watching food based dramas that were short and office type shows were nice too. I've done some research and all I had to do was type in "why J-dramas suck" to see what people are saying about why they dislike or won't watch Japaneses dramas. I saw that the reasons were filled with a lot of hate and were non constructive, for example they were of the opinion that the actors aren't cute or even that American TV is better. While Korean dramas or western series have already made a niche, Japanese dramas have an emerging audience. Nice article. The Japanese have almost mastered this sort of short but sweet technique of starting a show, making you fall in love with the characters, and then ending it. I personally don't think so. Dramas are rarely canceled mid-season, but they usually do not continue into the next season, even if extremely popular. When I first started watching dramas it was, and I'm aware of this now but was not at the time, the towards the beginning of the Hallyu wave and the popularity of Asian dramas in general was increasing internationally. She made this one statement that stuck with me. Suspense. Japan is not good at romance dramas. Your first brush with Asian dramas was probably in 2003, with the 2001 Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden, which is loosely based on the Japanese … I mean are you watching dramas like Anna-san no Omame, where her overacting is obviously done on purpose for her character or are you watching something like Atashinchi no Danshi and you just think that everything is weird so you don't want to give anything else from Japan a try? Now it was on a Korean channel so of course everything is basically going to be in favor of K-dramas. Honestly I don't even think they have true dramas on Netflix. 15-year-old Ikeuchi Aya is an ordinary girl, the daughter of a family who works at a tofu shop, and a soon-to-be high schooler. Then you have the next era of 2006-2010, in which a lot of those dramas popularly known to be "weird" like Samurai High School, Hana Kimi, and Atashinchi no Danshi but also a lot of friendship heavy ones like Nobuta Wo Produce and Tantei Gakuen Q. Furthermore, there is the last stage from 2011-2015. Good Japanese Dramas? Well for the most part it is true that Japan, unlike Korea, Taiwan, China, or Thailand has a very short span for TV dramas. I hope I convinced at least one person to give J-dramas another chance or to watch more of them, because they are truly underrated. The most common genre is crime/mystery/detective as J-drama is known for this matter. Giri/Haji (“Duty/Shame” in Japanese) is possibly one of the best shows to watch this year. Moving on to reason 2: The acting in J-dramas is weird/ strange/ bad. J-dramas lack escapism and are too real.Â. Here are some top choices, many of which you can find on Netflix. One thing that Japanese dramas have that the Koreans generally do not, is a large population of great actor superstars. This is despite it being released less than 1 year ago! She lives among otaku women and is obsessed with jellyfish because of memories with her deceased mother. Here is where I think you start to see more use of CGI and a shift in cinematography styles. I'm a big fan of humor, action/adventure and crime J-dramas. Japanese dramas have certainly come a long way in the last decade. 士-. She blogs about fitness and sustainability at, Watching French YouTube Channels is a fantastic way to learn French, and to immerse yourself in the French language. While most of them tend to be adapted from manga (Japanese comics) series, that doesn't mean they aren't worth your time. I won't sit here, like my high school self, and shove twenty different pictures of celebrities that I think are better looking in your face because I know that physical appearance is definitely something that is preferential and I can never convince someone that an actor is cute or good-looking no matter how hard I try. ), fast. i don’t have a japanese tv service provider like my grandma so i’m looking for some good apps like viki (which i love) with some good japanese shows! JapanesePod101 is my favorite for learning Japanese at any level, with fun and engaging topics.