I've compiled a list of latest Japanese romance dramas. These dramas were aired from Winter 2010 to Winter 2015. This is a very long list! I hope I can hang in there until I finish the 6th part! Lol. This is overwhelming, but I'll do my best! The list of detective/crime dramas is actually longer so I might save that for last!
Please note!
This list will only include dramas which are:
- centered on romance, even if it has work/business, mystery, or other genre involved, or is mostly set in a school or workplace, as long as it emphasizes more on the lead character's romance life.
- series and not special dramas with only one or two episodes.
This will not include dramas which are:
- focused on mystery, medical, or any other genre more than romance.
- Asadora and Taiga dramas.
- SPs aired in a season.
And of course, I will only include dramas which piques my interest.
While I can promise that I'll do my best to categorize the dramas, I cannot promise that it'll be perfect as categorizing some of them can be really confusing. The dramas I haven't watched yet are even more confusing to categorize. I might edit this post if sometime in the future, I think a drama fits another genre more. If you would like to suggest that a drama fits a certain genre more than where I included it, feel free to comment so I can take it into consideration.
This list will only include dramas which are:
- centered on romance, even if it has work/business, mystery, or other genre involved, or is mostly set in a school or workplace, as long as it emphasizes more on the lead character's romance life.
- series and not special dramas with only one or two episodes.
This will not include dramas which are:
- focused on mystery, medical, or any other genre more than romance.
- Asadora and Taiga dramas.
- SPs aired in a season.
And of course, I will only include dramas which piques my interest.
While I can promise that I'll do my best to categorize the dramas, I cannot promise that it'll be perfect as categorizing some of them can be really confusing. The dramas I haven't watched yet are even more confusing to categorize. I might edit this post if sometime in the future, I think a drama fits another genre more. If you would like to suggest that a drama fits a certain genre more than where I included it, feel free to comment so I can take it into consideration.
Japanese Romance Dramas
Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku (Summer 2010)
"Taiga (Matsumoto Jun) is a struggling second-generation actor who has developed a complex due to his father, a famous actor in his time. Most of the time, Taiga only gets to appear in variety shows. One day, when his friend brings him out skydiving, a big wind drags him away from the dropping point and he gets stuck in a tree. A beautiful woman, Shiori (Takeuchi Yuko), rescues him. Shiori is a cheerful woman who laughs away all of her worries. She's exactly the opposite of Taiga..." (from dramawiki)
First, I would like to state here that I don't get the promotional poster above. I'm not sure if it's the official poster, but this is a summer romance drama we're talking about so clearly, it doesn't quite fit. It has an aura of deception or seducing, right? Lol. This is a so-so drama, not a favorite but the plot is good. Didn't sense too much chemistry between Matsumoto Jun and Takeuchi Yuko, but most probably it's because I'm too much of a Maotsujun shipper. XD
Hotaru no Hikari 2 (Summer 2010)
"Three years ago, the heart of Amemiya Hotaru, the 'dried up female', had settled on Takano 'Buchou', and 'dried up female' was supposed to have grown up... However, right after that, HOtaru was posted as aproject team member to far-away Hong Kong. She was cut off from 'Buchou' and devoted herself to work. Then, three years later, Hotaru returns to Japan after finishing the project. She is assigned to the First Planning Department, where 'Buchou' belongs, and immediately begins work as one of the team members. However, both the staff as well as the mood in the company have changed a great deal."(from dramawiki)
Interesting plot, interesting leading men with Fujiki Naohito and Osamu Mukai, but with a not-so-interesting leading woman Ayase Haruka (I just really can't understand the hype about her, she's just a weirdo with very limited acting ability to me). I would like to watch this one, but I have to watch season 1 first. Even if I don't like a certain actor/actress, it's my principle to always given them a chance to prove themselves as actors/actress to my liking, though they're no really obligated to do so if they are liked by other people.
Q10 (Autumn 2010)
"Heita is an ordinary high school boy with a kind heart but no real interest in romance. His class is joined by a transfer student named Q10 (pronounced "kyu-to," the same as "cute"), who looks like a girl but is actually a robot. Together, the two ended up causing trouble at school, and Heita even begins falling for Q10." (from dramawiki)
I can't forgive myself because I didn't notice Kaku Kento, Ikematsu Sosuke, and Hosoda Yoshihiko when I watched this. I should allot some time to re-watch it and see what I missed. I think this was a good drama for Maeda Atsuko that time, because her role doesn't have too much emotions. Her emotions was a little lacking by then, her acting is better now. You see, I'm not a hater. Lol. I love the story though it's quite a sad one. A little boring in a few parts but likable over all.
Taisetsu na Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta (Winter 2011)
"Toda and Miura play two teachers, Natsumi Uemura and Shuji Kashiwagi, at the same high school who are set to get married in half a year. However, the night before the school year's opening ceremony, Shuji becomes involved with the young Hikari Saeki (played by Takei), without realizing that she will be a student in his class starting the next day. As Shuji struggles to help Hikari deal with the mental complex she is suffering from, he is also torn inside by his betrayal of Natsumi. Meanwhile, Hikari attempts to get closer to Natsumi, driven by feelings of jealousy and a desire to destroy the couple's relationship." (from dramawiki)
I find this one heavy. It's a mature romance drama - tackles complex feelings and acceptance. I guess I'm really more impressed with Takei Emi's older dramas. This one really brought out her talent. She was irritating as Hikari. She was very effective portraying the role, in my opinion. This drama really got me. Both Toda Erika and Miura Haruma were great as well, of course. They seem really mature. I discovered Shinoda Mariko in this drama, she played as a bestfriend to Toda's character. I found them really matured friends.
Shiawase ni Narou yo (Spring 2011)
"The story involves Katori playing a successful advisor at a mariiage consultation agency that aims to bring together people looking for partners. Kuroki plays one of the agency's clients, who is "so beautiful" that the manual he uses doesn't apply to her, while Fujiki plays a rich and handsome lawyer who is also a client. Katori starts to fall for Kuroki, but as a professional, he pairs the two together." (from dramawiki)
I don't know why I haven't watched this one as well. I love Katori Shingo, but maybe it's because I'm not into Kuroki Meisa. I'm starting to like her now, huge reason for that is because he's Akanishi Jin's wife. I'd say it has a lot of influence. I just learned while looking at the dramawiki page that Fujiki Naohito, Naka Riisa, and Tamamori Yuta are part of the cast as well. I should really get to watching this one.
Rebound (Spring 2011)
"After a failed relationship, Nobuko puts her all into dieting and finds success. She begins to work for her favorite fashion magazine, and just when her new life is falling into place, she meets Taiichi, a handsome patissier. However, when Nobuko eats cakes, she can't stop - moreover, if she gains weight, she'll be fired. In the end, will Nobuko rebound...?" (from dramawiki)
This doesn't interest me much but I might give it a try just to check out Aibu Saki and Hayami Mokomichi's on-screen reunion after Zettai Kareshi.
Plots and commentaries to follow. :) Yey! This first one is done. Five more parts to go! XD :)
Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
"Taiga (Matsumoto Jun) is a struggling second-generation actor who has developed a complex due to his father, a famous actor in his time. Most of the time, Taiga only gets to appear in variety shows. One day, when his friend brings him out skydiving, a big wind drags him away from the dropping point and he gets stuck in a tree. A beautiful woman, Shiori (Takeuchi Yuko), rescues him. Shiori is a cheerful woman who laughs away all of her worries. She's exactly the opposite of Taiga..." (from dramawiki)First, I would like to state here that I don't get the promotional poster above. I'm not sure if it's the official poster, but this is a summer romance drama we're talking about so clearly, it doesn't quite fit. It has an aura of deception or seducing, right? Lol. This is a so-so drama, not a favorite but the plot is good. Didn't sense too much chemistry between Matsumoto Jun and Takeuchi Yuko, but most probably it's because I'm too much of a Maotsujun shipper. XD
Hotaru no Hikari 2 (Summer 2010)
"Three years ago, the heart of Amemiya Hotaru, the 'dried up female', had settled on Takano 'Buchou', and 'dried up female' was supposed to have grown up... However, right after that, HOtaru was posted as aproject team member to far-away Hong Kong. She was cut off from 'Buchou' and devoted herself to work. Then, three years later, Hotaru returns to Japan after finishing the project. She is assigned to the First Planning Department, where 'Buchou' belongs, and immediately begins work as one of the team members. However, both the staff as well as the mood in the company have changed a great deal."(from dramawiki)Interesting plot, interesting leading men with Fujiki Naohito and Osamu Mukai, but with a not-so-interesting leading woman Ayase Haruka (I just really can't understand the hype about her, she's just a weirdo with very limited acting ability to me). I would like to watch this one, but I have to watch season 1 first. Even if I don't like a certain actor/actress, it's my principle to always given them a chance to prove themselves as actors/actress to my liking, though they're no really obligated to do so if they are liked by other people.
Q10 (Autumn 2010)
"Heita is an ordinary high school boy with a kind heart but no real interest in romance. His class is joined by a transfer student named Q10 (pronounced "kyu-to," the same as "cute"), who looks like a girl but is actually a robot. Together, the two ended up causing trouble at school, and Heita even begins falling for Q10." (from dramawiki)
I can't forgive myself because I didn't notice Kaku Kento, Ikematsu Sosuke, and Hosoda Yoshihiko when I watched this. I should allot some time to re-watch it and see what I missed. I think this was a good drama for Maeda Atsuko that time, because her role doesn't have too much emotions. Her emotions was a little lacking by then, her acting is better now. You see, I'm not a hater. Lol. I love the story though it's quite a sad one. A little boring in a few parts but likable over all.
Taisetsu na Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta (Winter 2011)
"Toda and Miura play two teachers, Natsumi Uemura and Shuji Kashiwagi, at the same high school who are set to get married in half a year. However, the night before the school year's opening ceremony, Shuji becomes involved with the young Hikari Saeki (played by Takei), without realizing that she will be a student in his class starting the next day. As Shuji struggles to help Hikari deal with the mental complex she is suffering from, he is also torn inside by his betrayal of Natsumi. Meanwhile, Hikari attempts to get closer to Natsumi, driven by feelings of jealousy and a desire to destroy the couple's relationship." (from dramawiki)I find this one heavy. It's a mature romance drama - tackles complex feelings and acceptance. I guess I'm really more impressed with Takei Emi's older dramas. This one really brought out her talent. She was irritating as Hikari. She was very effective portraying the role, in my opinion. This drama really got me. Both Toda Erika and Miura Haruma were great as well, of course. They seem really mature. I discovered Shinoda Mariko in this drama, she played as a bestfriend to Toda's character. I found them really matured friends.
Shiawase ni Narou yo (Spring 2011)
I don't know why I haven't watched this one as well. I love Katori Shingo, but maybe it's because I'm not into Kuroki Meisa. I'm starting to like her now, huge reason for that is because he's Akanishi Jin's wife. I'd say it has a lot of influence. I just learned while looking at the dramawiki page that Fujiki Naohito, Naka Riisa, and Tamamori Yuta are part of the cast as well. I should really get to watching this one.
Rebound (Spring 2011)
This doesn't interest me much but I might give it a try just to check out Aibu Saki and Hayami Mokomichi's on-screen reunion after Zettai Kareshi.
Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
