My J-drama Recommendations

Phoenix writes brief descriptions/opinions about Japanese Dramas that they think you would also enjoy. Originally made this list for a friend that wanted to get into Japanese dramas. Posts sporadically.

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TV- She Was Pretty

Based on the K-drama of the same name. Ai (a pretty popular girl) and Sosuke (a chubby, quiet nerd) are childhood friends who lost touch after he moved to America. 15 years later, Ai is frumpy, in debt, and unemployed. When Sosuke reaches out to meet Ai immediately agrees, but when she shows up she sees that Sosuke has become handsome and successful. She sends her pretty best friend Risa to stand in and preserve his memory of her. Ai later gets hired at the publishing company where Sosuke works and pretends she’s a stranger. Honestly, I think this version is better than the original. The acting is more realistic, the pacing is faster, and the romantic build up feels more rooted in mutual respect than a need for drama (if nothing else, Kento Nakajima trying to hide from the protagonist is pure comedy). On point acting with complex relationship dynamics, definitely one to watch.

Spotlighting: Fuka Koshiba, Kento Nakajima, Eiji Akaso, Yui Sakuma

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TV- Utsukushii Kare

Hira suffers from a speech impediment and grew up believing he was the bottom of the social food chain. Aimlessly taking photos of the things he likes, one day he meets the beautiful, popular, and ice-cold Kiyoi. While Hira’s unconditional admiration turned attraction creeps him out at first, Kiyoi asks him to take his portrait. Loved my boy Riku ever since In the Blunt Box, he was hands down fantastic as the obsessi-- I mean, faithful and yearning Hira. Yusei is much newer in the acting game, but he played his role as the cocky yet insecure Kiyoi very well, and their chemistry is amazing. Does he kinda bully Hira? Sure, but Hira loves it so (*shrugs*), there’s someone for everyone.

Spotlighting: Riku Hagiwara, Yusei Yagi, Akira Takano

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Movie- Even: Kimi ni Okuru Uta

Rin is a popular singer-songwriter. Taketo is the singer of Even, a rock band on the brink of disbandment. After an accident leaves the two men in the hospital, Rin wakes up and realizes they’ve swapped bodies. While his body is comatose, he struggles to connect with his girlfriend Mami, whom he fought with before the accident. Using Rin’s talent and the help of Even’s band members, they write a song to reach Mami and save the band. Any movie centered on music, specifically rock music, is my cup of tea. Add in bromance, a bit of drama, and a dash of tragic love, you get a beautiful story starring some of Japan’s favorite leading boys. My only issue: I can’t buy the songs on iTunes. C’mon Japan, let me give you my money!

Spotlighting: Dori Sakurada, Ryota Bando, Keisuke Sakurai, Goro Kurihara, Koji Saikawa, Maya Okano, Jin Shirasu

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TV- Keita Hatsukoi

Aoki has a crush on his classmate Hashimoto, a quiet and friendly girl who sits next to him. She lets him borrow her eraser before a quiz. He discovers that she wrote the name of her crush on the eraser and that her crush is none other than the guy who sits in front of Aoki, handsome and serious Ida. Distraught that his feelings aren’t mutual, he drops the eraser and Ida accidentally sees it. Trying to protect Hashimoto’s crush, Aoki claims it’s his eraser. Two of the prettiest Johnny’s idols I’ve ever seen (Shunsuke Michieda & Ren Meguro) play the expressive Aoki and stoic Ida, while the ever so refreshing Riko Fukumoto as Hashimoto and Jin Suzuki as Aoki’s best friend Ak-kun fill out our main cast. They’re hilarious, a little over the top yet somehow sincere in their emotions, and overall it’s a fun high school love story that encourages you to be honest about your feelings.

Spotlighting: Shunsuke Michieda, Ren Meguro, Riko Fukumoto, Jin Suzuki

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TV- Sixteen Syndrome

Ikumi and Mei are best friends, so close and dependent on each other that people consider them a couple. When playboy Asada attempts to flirt with the cute and antisocial Mei, Ikumi the tomboy stands in his way. Meanwhile, new student Sakurai is insecure about his girlishness. The storyline far exceeded my expectations; every character felt incredibly real, from their growth to their impulsiveness, and the way they continued to make mistakes and learn from them. Nobody is perfect and they all desperately need therapy, but that’s what makes this show so spectacular. Due to the serious topics touched on I wouldn’t call this a comfort show, but there are enough moments of lightness (usually provided by Mizuki and Aisa’s adorable flirting) that add to the complexities of human connection. An excellent coming-of-age with a very satisfying ending.

CW: child abuse/neglect, suicidal thoughts

Spotlighting: Aisa Takeuchi, Mizuki Itagaki, Rena Takeda, Yutaro

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TV- Promise Cinderella

Hayame discovers her husband is cheating and he requests a divorce. Leaving with nothing more than a suitcase and some savings, she’s robbed and left homeless with no one to turn to. In walks Issei, a high school student and second son of an affluent family. Issei is a spoiled brat who likes to pay people to do embarrassing things, and he finds Hayame’s situation so pitiful that he challenges her to dares for money. But Hayame is much tougher than she looks. Fumi Nikaido, you never disappoint me. I’m not used to her in romcoms, but she elevates a classic romcom trope (Cinderella in need of a prince) and breathes authenticity and vulnerability in the determined Hayame. I’ve seen Gordon act before and I wasn’t impressed, but he seems at ease in this role (I love when I can tell that an actor is having fun) and far outshines his romantic rival, Seigo, who not even Takanori Iwata can redeem. A fair amount of angst for our two leads, it’s always great to see two people connect despite their flaws.

Spotlighting: Fumi Nikaido, Gordon Maeda

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TV- Date My Daughter

Aoi Miyase is a famous romance novelist and single mother. After her mystery series gets cancelled, Aoi is advised to write a new romance novel. But after being single for so long she no longer knows what it’s like to be in love. Worried about her mother’s career, Sora, a 20-year-old introverted fujoshi, vows to fall in love and help her generate writing material. Together they learn to let down their walls and cherish the people they love. Despite their contrasting personalities, the mom-daughter dynamic is incredibly cute. All the relationships, whether platonic or romantic, are so soft. There’s some angst, and like a book nothing is really as it seems. Overall, this is equal parts heartwarming and cute, with friendships and partnerships that evolve past society’s ideas of normal and make way for something precious.

Spotlighting: Minabi Hamabe, Miho Kanno, Kenshi Okada, Ikki Sawamura, Haruka Fukuhara, Masatoshi Nakamura

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Movie- Kiss Him, Not Me!

Kae Serinuma is a BL fangirl, otherwise known as a fujoshi. Chubby and invisible in the presence of her classmates, she lives in a world of delusion as she and her best friend secretly ship boys in their school. But when her favorite anime character dies, Sae hides herself in her room refusing to eat or bathe for a whole week. When she emerges like a beautiful smelly butterfly, she is gorgeous and suddenly popular in the eyes of four handsome boys, who accept her fujoshi side to stay close to her. I like how they utilized the two actresses who played Sae, both very funny and having the same vibe whenever they switched. However, they didn’t include the part where the boys act out her fantasies until much later into the film (which were easily the best parts). While casting for the boys was a hit or miss, they were a funny contrast for how over the top Sae could be (and I’ll admit, I was shocked at how good Yoshino was as Mutsumi). The story was a mess, but overall I found it hilarious and have a reason to rewatch the anime. Also the theme song is a bop.

Spotlighting: Miu Tomita, Nonoka Yamaguchi, Hokuto Yoshino, Fuju Kamio, Asahi Ito, So Okuno, Miku Uehara, Mio Yuki

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Movie- Liar x Liar

Minato is a germaphobe college student who doesn’t get along with her stepbrother, Toru. He’s constantly dating girl after girl while she’s never had a boyfriend. One day while cosplaying as a gyaru for her friend’s photoshoot, Minato bumps into Toru. Embarrassed that he saw her, she pretends she’s a high school girl named Mina, and to her surprise he immediately asks her out. Intending to fix his playboy ways, she continues the lie. This was one of my most anticipated live-action adaptions since it was announced! Not only am I a big fan of the manga, but Nana and Hokuto have been on my radar since I saw them in various supporting roles. Nana is a joy to watch, very energetic and expressive, while Hokuto is more of a subtle actor that plays the enigma that is Toru to the T. With Yuta as the living embodiment of Karasuma and Mayu as Maki the Wise MUA, the whole story rounds out perfectly as you watch scene after scene get recreated just like the original (albeit some storylines cut for time purposes). A very solid adaption with an impeccable cast, more starring roles for everyone please!

Spotlighting: Nana Mori, Hokuto Matsumura, Yuta Koseki, Mayu Hotta

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TV- Shanai Marriage Honey

Ami Haruta is left reeling after her boyfriend of five years cheats on her. To escape loneliness, she agrees to marry a stranger she met online, Manatsu Miura, a popular salesman who happens to work in the same company as her. As they navigate their marriage of convenience, she realizes she might want more in their marriage than a piece of paper. You want fluff, steamy chemistry, and like 10 minutes total of angst? Mizuki and Airi are one of the most attractive, complementary, and adorable couples I’ve ever seen. While Haruta uses her charm as a weapon against her more tsundere husband, he in turn teases her to make her more honest. They experience some bumps in the road, but otherwise match each other’s energies perfectly. Just seven episodes of cute.

Spotlighting: Airi Matsui, Mizuki Itagaki

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Movie- Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare

Yuna and Kazu are childhood friends who grew up in the same apartment complex. They grow close with their two new classmates, Akari and Rio, who happen to be step-siblings that moved into their building. This mangaka said, “I took my past tropes and I defied them, at least a little!” We’ve got first love, second love, platonic love, forbidden love, the loss of love, all wrapped in a refreshingly pretty package and performed by some personal favorite actors of mine. Being familiar with the manga and the mangaka, Sakisaki Io (Ao Haru Ride and Strobe Edge) I knew to expect a lot of heartache and yearning and at least two characters who hold themselves back in fear of getting hurt. However, rather than take melodrama to the max and write incredibly sad backstories, this story leans more into realism. We have less of a love story and more of a coming of age for our main four and I honestly think I prefer this version than the manga. Perfectly cast, a well-paced plot, this is a live-action adaption well worth the watch.

Spotlighting: Minami Hamabe, Riko Fukumoto, Takumi Kitamura, Eiji Akaso, Yuki Furukawa (I know he’s barely in it but my heart soared seeing him on screen)

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Movie- Restart After Come Back Home

Mitsuomi returns to his hometown after quitting his desk job in Tokyo. Having renounced his interest in taking over the family furniture business, he tries to make amends with his parents. Meanwhile, he starts working at a local farm with Old Man Kumai, along with his adopted son Yamato, whose bright personality annoys Mitsuomi until he finds himself drawn to the happy yet closed off farmhand. The movie focuses on the idea of identity, in fighting against your parents’ expectations but also trying to make them proud. Yuki as a slightly bratty, grumpy little tsundere is so fun to watch. Ryo’s perpetual positivity comes on a bit strong in the first half of the movie until his walls begin to fall and we begin to see a lost boy who just wants to be loved. The depth the two actors, as well as their family members, bring to the characters is such a marvel to watch. There are a lot of quiet moments where little is said but much is shown. Overall, this movie was equal parts cute and utterly heartwarming.

Spotlighting: Yuki Furukawa, Ryo Ryusei

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TV- Nee Sensei, Shiranai No?

Hana is a mangaka who focuses all her time and energy into her work. Because of her dedication, she never dates or tries to look fashionable. After finishing her manuscript she wanders into a trendy hair salon for a bit of a pick-me-up and she meets a charismatic beautician, Richi. Touched by her love of manga and the hopes she has for her readers, he asks her to become his girlfriend. I’m a new fan of Eiji Akaso and was psyched to see he was the lead of a short but sweet drama with the ever so lovely Baba Fumika. The two are natural and easy to love the more you see them interact, even their conflicts are full of sweetness. It’s relatable for those that live busy lives while also letting you escape reality in the many chemistry filled moments throughout the story, from fluffy to steamy in mere seconds. Also, Honoka Yahagi is truly a gem and I’m happy to see her in so many projects!

Spotlighting: Baba Fumika, Eiji Akaso, Honoka Yahagi

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TV- Mr. Hiiragi’s Homeroom

10 days before graduation, Hiiragi, a high school art teacher, takes his class hostage. Having set up bombs and cameras all over the school, he broadcasts to the world his one condition for letting the students go: find the people responsible for the death of Reina Kageyama, a classmate of the students he took hostage. He challenges the class to figure out the mystery themselves, lest they never get to attend their own graduation ceremony. It warms my heart to see Masaki Suda play a teacher when my first drama with him was when he played the sadistic bully of 35-Year-Old High School Student (in my headcanon this is the same character). Of course you’re set for an amazing drama when Suda is the lead, a cast of talented up-and-coming performers, and a plot-twist rich story you’ll never see coming. Like all dramas centered around a teacher changing the lives of their class, this will cause all sorts of feel, but above all you’ll wish you had a teacher like Hiiragi growing up.

Spotlighting: Masaki Suda, Mei Nagano, Moka Kamishiraishi, Ryoma Katayose, Mio Imada, Rina Kawaei, Jin Suzuki, Nana Mori, Haruka Fukuhara, Mayu Hotta, Kaito Mifune, Yu Kamio, Seiichi Tanabe, Akane Hotta, Jiei Wakabayashi, Fuju Kamio, Ayumu Mochizuki, Riku Hagiwara, Miu Tomita, 

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TV- Takane to Hana

Hana, 16, gets roped into standing in for her older sister at a marriage meeting. When her marriage partner Takane, 26, who is set to take over his family’s company calls her and her family gold diggers, she doesn’t hold any punches and leaves him feeling insulted and confused at her behavior. Unable to figure out why she treats him so differently, he begins courting her, making way for them to become friends and possibly more the longer they get to know each other. Despite the age gap between the characters, their bickering and teasing almost brings them to the same level, and after time their candidness becomes the thing that they appreciate about each other. Takane learns to be less judgmental the more he hangs out with Hana and her friends while Hana learns to see past his arrogance to be the person he can confide in about his struggles and flaws; it’s a cute drama about a couple who complete each other in an unexpected way.

Spotlighting: Mahiro Takasugi, Aisa Takeuchi

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TV- Hajimete Koi wo Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi

Junko is 31, a cram school tutor, and unable to obtain a boyfriend. Her life seems to have gone stale since she failed to get into Todai as a student. Compared to her cousin Masashi (a handsome, successful, Todai grad) she wonders if there was any point to all the studying she did back in school. When she meets Yuri, a high school boy with fierce pink hair at risk of failing high school, Yuri vows to get into Todai with Junko as his tutor. I was skeptical to start this, there seemed to be too many love interests and not enough belief in my mind that this would end in such a satisfying way, but the chemistry and dynamic between all the characters young and old, romantic and platonic, just gave this drama so much life. With hard work, focus, and plenty of help from the friends and adults in Yuri’s life, Junko’s love of studying finally seems to have found its purpose the more she inspires Yuri and those around them to never settle for less than you desire. Plus, you know you’re in for a good second lead syndrome when you want all the love interests to be happy. It’s a slow burn, but it’s worth it.

Spotlighting: Kyoko Fukada, Ryusei Yokohama, Kento Nagayama,Tomoya Nakamura, Ai Yoshikawa

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Movie- My Girlfriend is a Serial Killer

Well, it’s in the title. Etsuro is a recluse that rarely leaves his apartment. One night he finds a peep hole in the adjoining wall to his neighbors unit and slowly but surely falls in love with the pretty girl next door, Miyaichi. One night while watching through the peep hole he witnesses her murder a man and unable to hide his shock and fear, he screams and is discovered by Miyaichi. When she decides to silence him, he confesses his love for her and they begin dating. As a lover of dark comedy and gore filled movies, this is the cutest, most brutal love story I’ve ever seen. Etsuro’s acceptance of Miyaichi’s violent quirk makes this all the more funny and touching when you see how she starts to find joy not just killing, but being around someone who makes her feel normal. Sugino and Fukuhara kill it (haHA!) in both their funny and action packed moments, and their cuteness makes me think, “Why can’t I have something so perfect as THIS?” All jokes aside, this is a great movie in which every moment leads into something even more unexpected the more we, and Etsuro, learn about Miyaichi and her skills as a killer.

Spotlighting: Yosuke Sugino, Haruka Fukuhara, Noriko Eguchi