#year-end recommendations

[kdramalands]

year-end drama recommendation

Happy Holidays! Happy New Year! I hope you all spent this year loved, warm, and content! I am very much content, as this is my time of the year to yap, my neurons are fired up and my fingers are warmed up.

The end of year fell on my head like the crown of my dramalands, yearning for the royal edict of the most noteworthy dramas in this kingdom. I will be sending three of my most loyal royal messengers (it's me, I'm the messengers) to carry the good news of three jdramas I watched in 2025 and liked the most on the 29th, 30th, and 31st of December. Incidentally, this time they are all from this year, too. I aim to satisfy, therefore, hear ye hear ye, the king's words are as follows

1.Learning to Love (2025)

11 eps, 54mins each

Learning to Love follows a turbulent relationship between a high school teacher and a host. Manami works at a private all-girls catholic school like it's an afterthought. She cannot find her confidence or resolution in teaching, and her students feel that, openly mocking her during classes. One day, she gets a call about one of her students being seduced and scammed for money in a host club. She catches the host, Kaoru, red handed and demands a written promise from him to never meet the girl again. And this is when she finds out he's not able to do that because he never properly learned how to write and read.

Angsty age-gap romance? Sure. Forbidden love? Right. The pains and suffering of learning how to write kanji? Eternal. Universal. His writing looks like mine, mine looks like his, we're connected. I felt understood. I have nothing more to say.

Okay, I might have more things to say. Weird.

At first glance Manami seems mature, but we quickly discover her sheltered upbringing, her inexperience, her noble ventures that expose her naiveness, especially when contrasted with Kaoru's experiences. Kaoru seems to be the childish character, but as we delve deeper into his background, we discover it's mistrust and insecurity. Manami becomes aware of both her shortcomings and privileges with him. She recognizes the developmental impact the child neglect had on Kaoru and finds her passion for teaching. Kaoru becomes more mature with her, learning not only to write, but to solve his problems and not let his life experiences discourage him. They iron out their clashing personalities, touch upon class divide, discuss topics like social stigma, and bridge their lives over the teaching materials.

Part 2 || Part 3

[kdramalands]

year-end drama recommendation

Good year to you all! I hope you all had a great winter break, that you were all smothered with love, and crushed by the weight of the presents you all dreamt about. I smell the end of the year, so here I am, crawling out of my dark cave, ready to send you all into our annual Japanese drama heaven. Welcome! I hope 2024 was kind to you.

As you are getting ready to say goodbye to 2024, making plans, buying party accessories, and cooking, so am I, reminiscing and compiling some notes to get this yearly reviews out to ship them right under your thumb! You will be served 4 wonderful J-dramas I watched in 2024 and deemed worthy, like a 4 course meal, and our dining will start today, on the 28th of December and end as usual, on the 31st of December!

Now, let's start with an appetizer. I proudly present

1. Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna (2022) & Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna Season 2 (2024)

1st season: 10 eps, 15 min each; 2nd season: 20 eps, 15 min each

How clever am I, sprinkling food metaphors to smoothly show off my first pick — She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat Season 1 and Season 2. As you can see, it's a two for one deal, and I truly believe that one cannot go without the other, like bruschetta and tomato.

Season 1 of She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat shows us the sweet beginnings of our two main characters, Nomoto and Kasuga. The girls are neighbours and they coincidentally start a routine. Nomoto's passion is cooking, and she tends to cook too much when she doesn't control herself. She believes that good food comes in big portions and her dream is to serve big family plates of home made dishes. Is it a coincidence or fate that Kasuga loves eating? Kasuga appreciates good and hearty portions, so when Nomoto proposes to share leftover food with her, she's more than happy to take her upon that suggestion. And, as the saying goes in my native language, "przez żołądek do serca", which would loosely translate to "the way to someone's heart is through their stomach".

We watch Kasuga's and Nomoto's relationship bloom in an inconspicuous setting and I believe it's a good foundation for season 2 to dive into their dynamic.

In season 2, we see how Nomoto and Kasuga come to terms with their feelings for each other, and how both of them bravely confess. The second season is also heavier, because it delves deeper into a mature relationship, and what comes with it. The main characters reveal more of their insecurities and issues, and we see how they deal with them alone or how they overcome them together. We are also introduced to new characters, who give us even more trials and tribulations, expand the representation of the drama, and help our main couple get together.

I believe that most of the 1st season's setting is around Christmas, and the final episode is happening on New Year's Eve, with Nomoto and Kasuga watching together the first sunrise of the New Year, which is quite perfect for the season.

This series is not only a good watch, but a good source of inspiration as well. I cannot count how many times I cooked or prepared something just like in the drama or something that was inspired by it. Prepare a good snack before you watch!

Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4

[kdramalands]

year-end drama recommendation

3. Chihayafuru: Full Circle (2025)

10 eps, 60min each

The story of Chihayafuru: Full Circle is a continuation of Chihayafuru, and it's set 10 years after the movies. We can see a new generation of players take over the passion for karuta under the watchful eyes of our beloved characters, who accomplished great things during that time, but their love for the sport never waned. Our main heroine is Aizawa Meguru, a practical and methodical girl, who's very into investing and not wasting her energy on things that won't bring her tangible benefits. She gets requested for a pizza delivery at her part-time job to a karuta tournament hall. There, she gets a weird request from her school club supervisor Ms Oe to stand in for one of their players in the tournament. Ms Oe sniffs out the opportunity and after the incident, she accosts Meguru to participate in the karuta club activities, hoping to awaken a passion in her student for the Hyakunin Isshu anthology.

I Cried So Much I Think I Cried Every Episode Award. It was such a nostalgic watch for me. It's been truly 10 years since Chihayafuru movies! Holy mama! The producers understood the assignment very well. This drama invoked emotions in me that the original Chihayafuru movies did. I saw a new story with new protagonists, but the soul of it never changed. It was only bittersweet in a way that we moved on and the original cast is a background to these new characters, but still, the emotions this drama invoked are a mirror of those emotions I had, watching the movies 10 years ago.

I very much enjoy the new characters and that the old characters influence their lives in such profound ways. It feels meaningful, because while watching the drama I truly believe that the characters from the movies led amazing lives throughout these past 10 years while we were apart. And we can see them again after so long leading these amazing lives as adults and we can see how they fulfilled their dreams. The drama exceeded my expectations. It feels like a new thing with new experiences, new characters, and new motivations, but at the same time it's still a proper extension of the old protagonists' lives and ambitions. Like our characters from 10 years ago really matured and continue to influence the world around them, but in a different way. In a supportive way to the main characters of the new story.

Ohhh, I'm not saying anything anymore because I will spoil too much!

It was another great year! Honestly, I've never anticipated I will see a new Chihayafuru again! I was pleasantly surprised. There were a few other dramas I've considered for the end year project, but overall, these three undoubtedly blew my boots right off this year.

I would love to give a small special mention to season 3 of Alice in Borderland, I felt it was a neat wrap up to the story. I loved seeing new games on screen, which as far as I remember, some were taken from manga spin offs and side stories. I'd like to mention Glass Heart as well. Crazy good music! Man, I hope Sato Takeru thinks about BECK as frequently as I do, because the drama had a good BECK vibe going on, and I felt the nostalgia so strongly I just rewatched the movie again.

As usual, with my end year reviews, 2025 ended on a very good note for me. I enjoy taking some time from all the holiday craziness to write my little project. I've been running this thing consistently since 2017 and I have no plans on stopping. I'm ready to start a new year with new resolutions and material gathering for the 2026 reviews! The work never stops!

I hope my list was helpful and maybe one of the positions on it peaked your interest a bit. This is all from me! With this last recommendation of this year's project, I wish you all an even greater year. Less drama and more dramas in 2026! Happy New Year!

Part 1 || Part 2

[kdramalands]

year-end drama recommendation

2. Brush Up Life (2023)

10 eps, 55 min each

At the age of 33, Kondo Asami suddenly dies in a car accident. Immediately after the hit, she shows up in a white room, void of anything besides a desk and a clerk sitting at it. We learn that it's some kind of an in-between place for reincarnation purposes, weirdly reminiscent of a real life mundane visit at the City Hall, but this time it's a room with a clerk of the afterlife that keeps on filing the documents and guiding lost souls onto their next step.

See, our main character doesn't really regret anything she did, but there's one thing that keeps bugging her. She finds out that her next reincarnation is supposed to be a giant anteater in Southeaster Guatemala, because, apparently, she didn't earn that many "kindness points" during her lifetime to deserve anything better. Kondo realizes that she doesn't want to spend her next life on ant munching, and asks if there is anything she can do at this point. Well, no, not really. You can redo your life from scratch as Kondo Asami though, if you'd like to. Just enter the door on the right. If she has an opportunity to fix things and maybe get another chance at reincarnation after she redoes this life, to bump up those points to get a human reincarnation next, how could she not take that offer? But it's not that simple, it never is.

This drama was pure insanity, and I mean that in a good way. If I could compare it to anything, it would be probably Groundhog Day, but stretched from one day to years. The way those 10 episodes encapsulated the feeling of that movie with the similar nature and a unique spin should be studied. The comedic nature of it significantly lightened serious topics and lifted some of the weight that comes with death, tragedies, and (as abstract as those are) never ending hopeless time loops. It was genuinely so funny, I think I could watch Asami figuring her life for the nth time again and again and again, and... I won't spoil that much.

Brush Up Life is like a gift that keeps on giving. At the surface level, it shows us a pretty straightforward objective for the main character, but it only takes a second to realise that it's not that straight after all. This simple concept blooms into a beautiful and touching story, heart-warming like a bowl of steaming hot soup on a cold day. This jdrama wields the tools it has in store so skilfully with a precise timing, showing us intricately constructed story about determination and friendship, with the hint of mystery and foreshadowing. Truly, there are so many carefully planted elements that are coming back to kick you in the ass in the most hilarious way when you least expect them, you will feel the reward of paying attention and engaging with the story.

Part 1 || Part 3 || Part 4

[kdramalands]

year-end drama recommendation

4.Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko (2024)

8eps, 24 min each

Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko is about Ayaka who is... in love with Hiroko! Ayaka fell in love with her senpai at work, and went trough a transformation from a corporate suit to a frilly and romantic style to seduce the senpai with short skirts, crop tops, and off shoulder blouses, but Hiroko doesn't even budge. What's going on and why none of this works?

This jdrama is super cute and super sweet with a rich filling like a chocolate lava cake! I giggled through the whole 8 episodes, it was so lighthearted and comedic. True, it's not the most advanced plot, but I immensely enjoyed the trials and tribulations of Ayaka's seduction project. For me, it was a breath of fresh air in the wlw genre, with light, funny scenes and healthy representation of desire in lesbian relationships.

It's been so fun guys! 2024 ended with a fanfare and so did my yearly review. It's been a great year, I gave it my all, and I'm ready to start a new year with new resolutions. I hope my list has been helpful and maybe one of the positions peaked your interest a bit. This is all from me! With this last recommendation of this year's project, I wish you all an even greater year. Less drama and more dramas in 2025! Happy New Year!

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3

[kdramalands]

year-end drama recommendation

2. Animals (2022)

8 eps, 45 min each

Animals follows the story of Umi, a brilliant but absolutely overworked TV production office worker, during the most difficult part of any adult's life — career change.

Umi is constantly overwhelmed with tasks passed to her by her "I'll only do what I'm paid for" co-workers and her only reward for picking up their slack is her boss's warm praise. Umi is made to feel like she is an irreplicable part of her team and her sacrifice is needed for the shows they produce to succeed. One day, Umi is so tired from working overtime she falls asleep during a live broadcast, which becomes a hot topic on the Internet. Her boss, who usually very kindly accepts Umi's free labour, shames Umi for her behaviour and vehemently urges her to release a statement to clear the air and to take the heat off of the company.

Umi, rightfully, decides to resign from the shitty job and applies for a position at a make up company recommended to her by a new friend. Her beginnings aren't easy as Umi was not particularly interested in make up before, but she's surrounded by wonderful people who don't give up on her. One of those people is Kazao, the company's main photographer. He's constantly advising her during difficult times. With time, countless bowls of ramen, glasses of beer, and a growing pile of advice, something romantic grows between them. Our main character gains confidence she needs for her job thanks to her indomitable spirit and the support of people around her.

The reason I picked up this drama was its' focus on make up market. I absolutely adore make up, I like to have fun with it, and I'm always happy when I buy myself a new eyeshadow palette. It was refreshing to see a show that focuses so much on it and honestly, it was quite nice to finally have expert knowledge on a topic presented.

I felt extremely proud when Umi made her first steps in using some of the company's products. I absolutely understand the insecurity women feel with make up, especially when they have no previous experience, e.g. because they never had an opportunity to play with make up in their teenage years. Society pressures women to always look good but doesn't give us space to practice and make mistakes. The little steps we make feel so much bigger and scarier when there's an expectation on us to always look put together. Messy mascara application, chunky eyeliner wing, or patchy foundation is assimilated with teenager clumsiness so it's met with disdain. To that I say: not every woman has to be a pro in the art of make up, next time just let her know the eyeshadow she picked brings out her eyes or her lip combo is looking especially good today!

Part 1 || Part 3

[kdramalands]

year-end drama recommendation

She's back and she's ready to share. Welcome to my annual year-end drama recommendation project where I share my favourite Japanese dramas I've watched during the year.

I hope 2023 was kind to you all!

I'm certainly not ready to end my year yet. As you can see, I still have 3 dramas to recommend to you all. Starting from today, 29th of December, till 31st of December — New Year's Eve, I will post one review a day, as I do every year and I will continue to do so until the end of the world (or just about when the barely working letter v key finally drives me mad, so please do not mention when there's a v missing in my notes, it's just my keyboard). I hope my short 2023 list won't disappoint! Now, I proudly present

1. Takahashi-kun from the Bicycle Shop (2022)

8eps, 25min each

Short, but sweet love story between a classic shy OL female lead, struggling in a toxic work environment, and a bleached-hair yankee male lead, who works at the bicycle repair shop owned by his grandpa. Main characters bond over... you're not going to believe this— a bicycle.

The plot is basically it. A slightly bumpy bicycle ride love story. No more, no less. There are no convoluted issues, no deep misunderstandings, and no dramatic scenes. Main couple meets over a slipped chain on Tomoko's precious bicycle, Deep Impact. Later, it turns out that Ryohei hates her squeaky brakes with passion every time she passes by his shop on her way to work, and recommends her to drop by to get it fixed.

Initially, Tomoko is a people pleaser, too afraid to refuse, and giving off the impression of an overly shy person, while Ryohei is bold, brutally honest, and — frankly — scaring people away with his delinquent image. As the story progresses and the couple gets to know each other more, she learns from him and he learns from her. They are wonderful to each other and the communication between them is so clear. The shortness and simpleness of this drama did not deter me from it, and I'm so glad it didn't because the chemistry between the characters made my heart flutter.

Part 2 || Part 3

[kdramalands]

year-end drama recommendation

3. Quartet (2017)

10 eps, 45 min each

Quartet follows a story of four different people who share one passion, music. All four main characters are excellent at playing classical instruments so they form an amateur quartet under mysterious circumstances.

Maki Maki, Sebuki Suzume, Beppu Tsukasa, and Iemori Yutaka practice frequently to perfect their performance and, at some point, even decide to move in together during wintertime. The reasons for that all seem to centre at Maki due to some peculiar circumstances, that is, someone who wishes to know more about her.

The nature of this drama is more mystery than music so I would rather not spill all of our character's secrets here out in the open. All I can share is that eventually the scandalous truth comes out and all is explained.

I definitely recommend Quartet to people who like slow unravelling mystery, uncanny behaviours, and found family trope. At the beginning, Maki, Suzume, Tsukasa, and Yutaka don't feel that comfortable in their little group, considering they hide a lot of things from each other, but as the story progresses, they find themselves sharing more and more burdens with the rest of the quartet. This show is full of laughter, tears, and passion, and I enjoyed laughing and crying with the characters.

Obviously, I have to mention another great performance by Mitsushima Hikari — beautiful, moving, and ambitious. She never disappoints!

I can't believe another year passed so fast! I definitely didn't watch as many shows as I would like to, but life gets in the way sometimes. Nonetheless, I gave you my all, and I hope one of the positions on the list interested you a little bit. I can hear music getting louder and louder, so I'm off to my new year eve's party! This is all from me! With the last item of this year’s year-end recommendation project, I wish you all the best, less drama, and more dramas in 2024! Happy New Year 2024!

Part 1 || Part 2