What is the best Japanese romance drama?
You can check the answer of the people under the question at Quora “dramas like coffee and vanilla“
What is the best Japanese romance drama?
You can check the answer of the people under the question at Quora “dramas like coffee and vanilla“
If you are looking for the best romantic Japanese dramas, you have come to the right place. This list gathered a lot of good recommendations. Source:
1. The Full-Time Wife Escapist (2016)
The Full-Time Wife Escapist, Picture Source: Rakuten VIKI
Let’s begin this list with a lesson. Just because you graduate from university does not mean you are guaranteed a job. That is the case in this Japanese rom-com drama about a 25-year-old Moriyama Mikuri (played by Yui Aragaki). Despite graduating with a psychology degree and becoming a licensed clinical psychologist, her career is halted. This leads her to take a job as a housekeeper for Hiramasa Tsuzaki (played by Gen Hoshino), a 36-year-old “ professional bachelor “. They enter a common law marriage and develop feelings for one another.
The main draw of the series is the humor between Yui Aragaki and Gen Hoshino. While the story seems simple, the minor nuisances each actor gives to their character make it so memorable. There’s genuine chemistry between the lead actors. Probably because they got married in real life! It’s not easy dating someone who can analyze your behavior patterns and call you a narcissist (with the credentials to know what they are talking about). Not to mention the impact this series had on Japan too. The romantic Jdrama’s theme song was performed by Gen Hoshino, with the cast performing a cute dance. This dance was dubbed The Koi Dance (love dance) and became an internet sensation in Japan when the drama was released.
2. Boys Over Flowers (2005)
Ah, the classic romantic Japanese tv show . Seriously, there have been numerous adaptations of this story for a reason. In this rom-com drama adaptation of the manga series of the same name by Yoko Kamio, we follow Makino Tsukushi (played by Mao Inoue), a lower-middle-class girl enrolled in the prestigious school Eitoku Gakuen. However, due to an accident, she is targeted by the elite F4, the most popular kids at school. However, after enduring so much bullying, she punches the leader of the F4, Domyouji Tsukasa (played by Jun Matsumoto). From there, their friendship grows .
We have talked about the Chinese drama adaptation Meteor Garden in another article. Whilst this adaptation is more faithful to the manga series than that one, fans loved this series so much that it garnered a sequel series (Hana Yori Dango 2) and a Japanese movie to finish off this love story. Makino Tsukushi is brash, headstrong, and more than ready to take on the F4. The scene where she finally snaps is considered legendary, with the musical flourish and the brilliant acting from Mao Inoue and Jun Matsumoto. However, we warn you that there are some dating ideas in this drama as it is a product of its time.
3. Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! (2020)
Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity can make you a powerful wizard?! Kiyoshi Adachi (played by Eiji Akaso), is a 30-year-old salaryman who is a virgin . On his 30th birthday, Kiyoshi Adachi begins hearing people’s thoughts when he touches them. Much to his surprise, he finds out that his popular co-worker Yuichi Kurosawa (played by Keita Machida) has a crush on him. The series follows these two become closer.
What a name for a Japanese rom-com drama! In all seriousness, this is a fluffy feel-good Jdrama. Most of the comedy comes from the juxtaposition Adachi hears between the outside Kurosawa and his inner thoughts. On the outside, he is as cool as a cucumber. Inside … not so much! The humor is on point, but so is the romance. It’s believable that these two slowly get together and become more comfortable. Even though there is a bit of heartbreak, it’s not that long-lasting. This is an entertaining and hilarious drama to watch (even if BL is not your cup of tea).
4. For You in Full Blossom: Ikemen Paradise (2007)
How far are you willing to go to meet your idol? Most people line up for hours for autographs or simply show their support virtually. Not Mizuki Ashiya (played by Horikita Maki)! She instead decides to disguise herself as a boy and enroll in the all-boys boarding school her idol is staying in. Her model, the high jump athlete Izumi Sano (played by Oguri Shun), has given up the sport due to an injury. Now, it is up to Mizuki Ashiya to get him to jump whilst also keeping up her disguise. This drama is loosely based on the manga series of the same name by Hisaya Nakajo.
What is it with girls disguising themselves as menin these Japanese rom-com dramas? It often leads to hilarious comedic scenes when people find out their secret. Ok, some of these scenes are very over-the-top with their comedy, but it adds charm to the show. There’s a lot to this short Jdrama romance, but the most interesting is the story between our main characters. Horikita Maki and Oguri Shun act their parts brilliantly, with a heartfelt story developing between the two of them. The side characters don’t slack off either. This is a drama you will be invested in from start to finish.
5. Gokusen (2002)
The Yakuza are members of a powerful crime family. They are not to be messed with in any way. Our main character, Kumiko Yamaguchi (played by Yukie Nakama), is a Yakuza boss’s granddaughter and heir. However, she has no intention of being a yakuza boss. Instead, she wants to become a teacher. Given a class full of delinquents, her unusual teaching methods led her to be the person they needed in rough times.
This is one teacher you’d want by your side rather than antagonize. Yankumi (as her students nicknamed her) goes beyond her duty as a teacher. Each episode sees her teaching the students something new, both in the classroom and in life. Also, it is hilarious. Some scenes split your sides from laughter (any scene with the headteacher). This series was based on a popular anime, it was so popular that the romantic Japanese drama got two sequels and a movie. As for the romance , it’s hinted that love sparked between Yankumi and a student Shin Sawada (played by Jun Matsumoto). However, this is not really explored in the drama. This is still a legendary romantic comedy that holds up over 20 years later.
6. From Five to Nine (2015)
From Five to Nine, Picture Source: Rakuten VI
28-year-old Junko Sakuraba (played by Satomi Ishihara) is not where she wants to be. She is single, having never really been in a relationship. After being tricked into using a matchmaking service, she is matched to a handsome Buddhist Priest, Takane Hoshikawa (Tomohisa Yamashita). This sounds great, except this is not their first meeting. In their first meeting at a funeral, she got weak in the knees and decorated his hair with spilled ashes! Still, first impressions aren’t everything .
This Japanese love story is already off to a great start just from the first meeting! Satomi Ishihara’s and Tomohisa Yamashita’s performances juxtapose one another. You’d think after the whole spilling of ashes on his hair, Junko Sakuraba was the weird one! To be fair, she has her moments. But Takane Hohikawa is one of the most bizarre characters in Japanese rom-com dramas you’ll probably see. Thanks to the cast’s acting, the plot is not the best, but it is still enjoyable to watch.
7. An Incurable Case of Love (2020)
Doctors are amazing. If you have a medical emergency, they are the first to run in and help as much as possible (even when they are off duty). They are an inspiration. This is the case for Sakura Nanase (played by Mone Kamishiraishi) when she saw Doctor Kiari Tendo (played by Takeru Satoh) save a stranger’s life. Falling in love with him, she is resolved to see him again. She is now a nurse working at the same hospital as him five years later. Doctor Kiari Tendo is known as the ‘Devil’ for his cold perfectionism and harsh words to his colleagues. Still, that is not going to stop Sakura Nanase. She is determined to win him over .
They say you should never meet your heroes in real life! In all seriousness, you do groan a bit at the beginning. Also, there were some instances where they were having a good Japanese rom-com moment , but then one of the characters said something cheesy that just took you out of it. Both Mone Kamishiraishi and Takeru Satoh bring their own charm. Even though Sakura Nanase is annoyingly persistent (to the point you feel second-hand embarrassment for her), she is also endearing to the audience during the emotional moments of this drama. Kiari Tendo is rude at times, but his controlled emotions balance the two character’s dynamics. That doesn’t stop him from expressing himself when he wants to.
8. The Wallflower (2010)
Free-rent for you four boys if you can turn my gremlin of a niece into a proper lady! Yeah, that’s how to summarise this short rom-com Japanese drama. Kyohei Takano (played by Kazuya Kamenashi), Yukinojo Toyama (played by Yuya Tegoshi), Takenaga Oda (played by Hiroki Uchi), and Ranmaru Morii (played by Shuntaro Miyao) are friends who are ‘renting’ a mansion from Mine Nakahara (played by Reiko Takashima). Instead of money, however, they are tasked with helping Mine Nakahara turn her niece Sunako Nakahara (played by Aya Omasa) into a lady. With each of the boys having a different approach, and Sunako Nakahara prefers to run around in a cape and leave skulls everywhere … yeah, this will be a challenge.
What draws the audience in is that each character has issues. Granted, some are more serious than others. For example, Sunako Nakahara’s social anxiety is more severe than Kyohei Takano’s beauty problems (he has been fired from every job because he is pretty). However, each character has a story to tell and their own battles to overcome. Out of all the actors, we must give props to Aya Omasa. She really gave off the gremlin energy needed to portray Sunako Nakahara. However, the best bit about this rom-com drama is the message of acceptance . Each of the characters has flaws, but they accept one another. That is a message everyone needs to hear.
9. Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo (2013)
We return to another Japanese drama about high school romance with Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo. At a high school entrance ceremony, the not-so-smart high school student Kotoko Aihara (played by Honoka Yahagi) meets and falls in love with fellow student Naoki Irie (played by Yuki Furukawa). However, when she confesses, he coldly rejects her as he does not want to date a “dumb woman”. On top of that, due to a meteorite, her house is destroyed. Thus, Kotoko Aihara and her father must live at her father’s friend’s house. Guess who lives there?
We have noticed that Japanese girls can become quite ‘clingy’ and ‘creepy’ when they are chasing their love . Also, there are some over-the-top moments since this is an adaptation of the manga “Itazura na Kiss” by Kaoru Tada. There is a reason this series is one of the few in Japan to expand past one season. It is the chemistry and character development both these characters go through. Naoki Irie gives mixed signals to Kotoko Aihara, even though he does not know he is doing it. It’s an innocent love story. This adds to the series’ charm. Overall, it’s a very enjoyable Japanese rom-com drama.
10. Nodame Cantabile (2006)
For some, music is a passion and a calling. However, music talent is constantly worked on to be excellent. However, this doesn’t mean every musician works the same way. That is the case for our main characters, Shinichi Chiaki (played by Hiroshi Tamaki) and Megumi Noda (played by Juri Ueno). These two could not be more opposite in their music styles. Shinichi Chiaki is methodical and a perfectionist. Megumi Noda is sloppy but talented at playing by ear rather than following a sheet. This is a tale of two students who learn from one another and become better musicians.
When it comes to romantic musicals, this must be one of the best romantic Japanese dramas. The protagonists started off on the wrong foot, meeting by accident. However, their journey is enjoyable because their character develops past the things holding them back. Of course, this short Japanese rom-com was based on a josei anime that focused on music, so the OST is something worth bragging about. They went ALL out. With Nodame Orchestra performing the orchestral music, the studio went so far as to have actual members in the supporting cast. There was also professional support from the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra on the music. Hats off to music director Daisuke Mogi, orchestra conductor James DePreist and music composer Takayuki Hattori for blending classics and original music together. The acting is probably some of the best on this list, with both actors receiving awards for their performances.
「逃げるは恥だが役に立つ」
OBVIOUSLY!!!
its funny, romantic, and everything in between. 10/10
from 5 to nine is one of the best Japanese drama I ever watched
I can recommend this to all
This video has some good recommendations from 2021.
But overall I think “Only just got married” because Kentero Sakaguchi in a romcom is priceless.
My personal favorite is the Japanese Boys Over Flowers.
I recommend this show, because
The characters are well developed and unique
The relationships appear genuine/ heartwarming
It will make you laugh, cry, and shout with frustration
Overall, just an amazing show
My favorite is older series is called Happy Marriage !? , watched it on Amazon Prime. Gorgeous and talented leads…Dean Fujioka and Nana Seino. Second male lead, Jin Shirasu, is so distractingly cute..I had a difficult time seeing him in second position. This is my first time rating a Japanese drama with maximum ratings. This is definitely a must see for romance fans of any country.
Rich man poor woman
Buzzer beat
love shuffle
pride
love that makes you cry
It’s okay thats love
also i recently create a list of best korean dramas … you will also like it
I think that the latest fall japanese romance drama is “4-punkan no Marigold”, it’s japanese name is『4分間のマリーゴールド』
more information is here: Marti John’s answer to What is your favorite Japanese drama? Why?
Victor Allen’s
To me it’s “Pride”.the plot is diffrent and personalities are not superficial.the drama asks lotof questions about love,what deos is mean to be faithful to your loved one and most of all.what deos it take to be true with your feelings.