A (100) Yen for JDramas
I watched my first KDrama in May 2013, and had completed 100 K dramas seven months later in December of that year. I watched my first J drama in 2014, and it has taken me 11 years to complete 100. That reflects my own increased awareness of what works for me and what doesn't. The last eleven years have proved that overall JDramas resonate with me much better than dramas from China, Korea or Taiwan, as the following chart shows.
The markedly higher average score and markedly lower drop rate reflects that the short, tight storytelling of JDramas is more appealing to me, as is the truly distinctive style and perspective of JDramas. The lower production values and the fact that both characters and storylines can seem somewhat surreal (often reflecting manga/anime roots) can be off-putting to many, but when they get it right, they are my Drama crack. I have scored ten of the 100 JDramas I've completed at 10/10 or higher, versus 17 of the 334 KDramas I've completed.
This link is a full list of the 100 J dramas that I have completed, and to celebrate my 11 years of watching JDramas, here are 11 that I have enjoyed and that showcase much of what makes J dramas distinct.
Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu (Full-Time Wife Escapist)
This VERY sweet romcom also raised some interesting issues around the economic value of marriages and similar relationships. The sequel, set during COVID, was unusually thoughtful in analysing what comes AFTER the "happy ever after". And, of course, there's THAT ending credits dance. A full version seems impossible to find on YouTube, but here's a Gakki-centric version. Because "too much Gakki" is a nonsensical oxymoron. And for fans of reel-to-real romances, this is a must-see (as of the time of writing, fingers crossed).
A story of four not-talented-enough musicians who form a quartet and the way their cohabitation causes them to grow as both individuals and friends, this Drama introduced me to Mitsushima Hikari, a very talented actor and musician. All the core cast in this are strong actors, and it's a great example of unpadded storytelling that brings characters to life.
Okitegami Kyouko no Bibouroku (Memorandum of Okitegami Kyoko)
The second Aragaki Yui (Gakki) Drama in this list, it's the one I watched first, and have watched 5 times so far. An intriguing mystery (left unsolved), amusing 'case of the week' mysteries, and a very sweet romance with a VERY 'green flag' male lead, this one is a regular comfort rewatch when I'm in a Drama slump. In no small part because Gakki looks AWESOME with silver hair. 😍
Date - Koi to wa Donna Mono Kashira
Comedy is probably the most personal and subjective entertainment. What makes one person almost asphyxiate from laughter leaves another unmoved, perplexed, or outraged. It's very likely that this VERY Japanese offbeat comedy-romance could trigger all those reactions for some. For me, it remains the funniest East Asian Drama I've seen yet, one that really did make me laugh out loud, a lot.
My first (and so far only) asadora, this Drama of 120 15 minute episodes could be thought of as a glacially slow-burn romance. Cringey wordplay aside, it's really a moving story of a young woman's growth, finding her vocation in life and the challenges and sacrifices she faces along the way. There is a romantic arc, but to call it merely "slow burn" is to hugely overstate its speed. This MV is a fun montage from the making of the show.
Kotaro wa Hitorigurashi (Kotaro Lives Alone)
A live action remake of an anime this very moving Drama is carried by an incredible performance from its then SEVEN year old lead actor, playing the title character. Reaction videos and shorts on YouTube often feature tissues or hankies - for good reason. A powerful rebuttal of the argument that JDramas are too short to allow for real emotional connection and impact.
Another JDrama that drained my lacrimal glands, I avoided it for years precisely because I'd heard it was downbeat. As emotionally exhausting as it was, the award-winning performance by Mitsushima Hikari made it all worthwhile. Definitely no shortage of emotional impact in its 11 50-minute episodes.
With just seven 25 minute episodes, this is a very short, VERY sweet sugar hit of a romcom. Uncomplicated and straightforward, it's adorable.
Mystery to Iunakare (Don't Call It Mystery)
A very recent watch as I write this, this Drama was much more than I expected. I went in thinking it would be just a quirky fun kind of mystery, but it turned out to be a much more substantial psychological thriller that focused almost as much on ethical and philosophical conundrums as on crimes.
This 2003 Drama was for a very long time my go-to answer to the question: "What's a quintessentially Japanese Drama?" With a skewed perspective that is presented and accepted as completely matter-of-fact, it's a great example of why JDrama is the King of Quirk for me. With a very catchy theme song too
This Drama would give Kimi Wa Petto a serious challenge for the "quintessential quirk" award. A Drama about a samurai cat in which they somehow manage to make the CAT the lead? Only in Japan! The first season was the best, perhaps because the titular lead proved to be a true cat by coming across a bit bored of the whole thing in season two.
One of the things I love about JDramas is how insular and unapologetically inwardly-focused they remained for a very long time. The downside of this is that access to English-subbed versions is often challenging, Many of the Dramas on my list no longer have any "where to watch" links at mydramalist.com, although it's great to see Netflix and Tubi starting to carry a few of them.
As I start on my second century of JDramas, I hope that more people will give the weird and wonderful world of Japanese Drama more attention. And if you, my dear putative reader, should find that one of these Dramas piques your interest, I wish you good hunting and good viewing!
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