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What do nice Japanese learners have in frequent?
Self-discipline, dedication and very often…
…a love of Japanese dramas!
In spite of everything, what higher method is there to study Japanese whereas truly having fun with it?
Japanese dramas are a beautiful approach to get culturally fluent. Speaking a few widespread Japanese drama is a good way to attach with Japanese mates. They’ll additionally assist you increase your language expertise, by exposing you to new vocabulary, grammar and extra.
On this publish, I’ll suggest 20 of one of the best Japanese dramas that will help you study Japanese!
Contents
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Japanese Romance Films
Lovely Rain
Japanese Title: ビューティフルレイン (びゅーてぃふるれいん)
Yr: 2012
Watch It On: FujiTV (VPN Required)
This drama known as “Lovely Rain” in English, and simply seeing the title commonly is sufficient to assist your katakana.
It stars veteran film and TV star Etsushi Toyokawa (豊川悦司, とよかわ えつし) as a widowed father citing his younger daughter, baby celebrity Mana Adashi (芦田愛菜, あしだ まな).
After a small harm at work, Etsushi’s physician makes the unwelcome discovery that he has Alzheimer’s illness.
Every episode focuses on how this very pleased father-daughter duo offers with this example and raises questions on how Alzheimer’s illness is seen in Japan, the fears they face and the onerous selections that need to be made.
Round them, they’ve a really supportive unofficial household of fellow workers and mates who additionally need to discover ways to take care of this example.
Simply because the title of this drama is “Lovely Rain,” the story itself may be very stunning and it’s an actual tear-jerker.
Nevertheless, I might additionally suggest this drama as a lot of the dialogue is both by a baby or by an grownup talking in a easy approach to a baby. As such, even with out subtitles, it’s principally straightforward to observe other than some technical factors about Alzheimer’s illness.
I Suggest to You As soon as Once more
Japanese Title: もう一度君に、プロポーズ (もういちどきみに、ぷろぽーず)
Yr: 2012
Watch It On: Amazon Prime Japan, Paravi (VPN Required)
This drama, titled “Will You Marry Me Once more” in English, is a really fascinating romantic drama.
Emi Wakui (和久井映見, わくい えみ) performs a fortunately married spouse who faints as a consequence of a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Upon listening to this, her husband—performed by Yutaka Takenouchi (竹野内豊, たけのうち ゆたか), an especially widespread mannequin and TV star—rushes to the hospital and is there when she wakes up.
Sadly, she has misplaced a number of years of her reminiscences together with her entire life collectively together with her husband and has no thought who he’s.
Within the perception that being dwelling would assist her regain her reminiscence, and with everybody assuming that that is solely a short lived prevalence, she lives together with her husband regardless of being clearly uncomfortable.
This shortly turns into insufferable for her as she doesn’t view it as her home, her issues and might solely see her husband as a stranger. So she strikes again in together with her household. The plot thickens because it seems her youthful brother disapproved of her husband within the first place and her ex-boyfriend makes an look, whereas her husband seems to have a giant admirer of his personal at his office.
It is a extremely addictive drama as we now have to query in the event that they had been meant to be collectively, about what love actually is and naturally, what the tip outcome will likely be!
Absolute Boyfriend
Japanese Title: 絶対彼氏 (ぜったいかれし)
Yr: 2008
Watch It On: FujiTV (VPN Required)
“Absolute Boyfriend” seems to be on the dynamics of what a relationship is.
Mannequin and widespread TV star Saki Aibu (相武紗季, あいぶ さき) performs a single lady who retains failing to catch the person she likes and will get unwittingly picked by a scientist to be a part of a trial utilizing the primary human-like robots.
She names her robotic Evening—performed by Mokomichi Hayami (速水もこみち, はやみ もこみち) who can also be a mannequin and even has his personal cooking present—whereas on the identical time romance begins to blossom between herself and her boss.
Though she initially rejects Evening and his makes an attempt at romance, step by step her partitions are damaged down by his unflinching loyalty to her and his devotion to her happiness.
In the meantime, her boss represents the human facet of relationships in distinction to her relationship together with her robotic.
Sadly, it’s very straightforward for the viewer to determine with Evening and we are able to solely really feel that this story goes to finish with heartbreak for somebody. As Evening is a robotic, his Japanese is sort of straightforward to observe, and the dialogue itself is sort of easy.
Housekeeper Mita
Japanese Title: 家政婦のミタ (かせいふのみた)
Yr: 2011
Watch It On: Hulu Japan (VPN Required), Amazon Prime
“Housekeeper Mita” needs to be included in any record of Japanese dramas to observe because it gained a number of the largest audiences ever in Japan.
It was so widespread that it reached the purpose that each single Japanese particular person had both seen it or was planning to see it. It’s actually recommendable to observe only for being a dialog starter!
Point out that you simply’ve seen this TV present (家政婦のミタを見ました。そのドラマが大好きです! (かせいふのみたをみました。そのどらまがだいすきです!, I noticed “Housekeeper Mita.” I cherished it!) and you’ll shortly be in a deep dialog together with your Japanese pal about it.
The plot is a few household, consisting of a father and 4 youngsters, coping with the current dying of their mom and who rent a housekeeper.
Housekeeper Mita is not any peculiar particular person and her refusal to say something about herself, and to do completely something she is advised to do, represents an actual thriller to the entire household. Nevertheless, their makes an attempt to find her secrets and techniques solely find yourself with their very own household secrets and techniques coming to the floor.
The story consists of some lighter moments, and also you’ll additionally spot Saki Aibu in a supporting position as a slipshod aunt, however general it is a very intense drama that had the entire of Japan holding its breath when it was initially aired.
Good facets of the Japanese language on this drama embody the formal speech that Mita all the time makes use of and the comparatively straightforward and informal language utilized by the youngsters.
From 5 to 9
Japanese Title: 5時から9時まで (ごじからくじまで)
Yr: 2015
Watch It On: n/a; DVD Solely
It’s pretty frequent to seek out dramas which might be based mostly on manga, and “From 5 to 9” is one among them. This drama stars famed idol Tomohisa Yamashita, also called Yamapi, with Satomi Ishihara because the main girl.
Satomi Ishihara performs a 28-year-old English instructor who’s chronically single and desires to maneuver to New York.
At some point at a funeral, she journeys and knocks the incense ash onto a monk (Yamapi), a lot to her embarrassment. When her household units up a matchmaking session to get her a husband, it seems that the match they take into consideration is none apart from the monk.
Following this revelation, he’s decided to marry her, though she’s not completely offered on the matter.
This romantic comedy leans extra in the direction of comedy than something steamy, however it’s a improbable look ahead to any followers of the style.
Yamapi’s stoic demeanor results in many quirky and cute conditions, and Satomi’s dynamism steals the present. It’s fascinating to see how the normal notions of Japanese womanhood distinction with the trendy working lady that Satomi’s character needs to be.
Kazoku Recreation
Japanese Title: 家族ゲーム (かぞくげーむ)
Yr: 2013
Watch It On: n/a; DVD solely
This present is a contemporary reboot of an award-winning novel and film from the Nineteen Eighties. Relatively than displaying the household dynamics of the 80s, this reboot brings modern points in Japanese society to the highlight.
Sho Sakurai, a member of the famed Japanese boy band Arashi, takes middle stage. Hold Arashi in thoughts—one other drama on this record will function one among its members!
The Numata household is left at a loss with their second son, who’s unmotivated to check and refuses to go to high school. Determined for assist, they rent a house tutor (Sakurai) to assist him get again into his schooling.
The tutor agrees, on the situation that the household doesn’t query his strategies. As Sakurai tutors the son in a reasonably unconventional method, he begins to become involved with the lives of the household and uncovering their difficult internal workings.
On this drama, you’ll uncover the complicated points that encompass the Japanese household. From dad and mom worrying in regards to the household’s picture to bullying endured by youngsters, each member of the Numata household has their demons drawn out by Sakurai and are compelled to beat them.
Sakurai does a improbable job at portraying the creepy however compassionate tutor. As this present facilities across the dwelling, you’ll get loads of probabilities to listen to family-centric vocabulary.
Nodame Cantabile
Japanese Title: のだめカンタービレ (のだめかんたーびれ)
Yr: 2006
Watch It On: Amazon Prime Japan
Hey, music fanatics! This drama a few romance between classical musicians is true up your alley.
Shinichi Chiaki, performed by Hiroshi Tamaki, is destined for greatness on the earth of music. Not solely the son of a well-known pianist, however he’s a high pupil at a musical faculty who has been groomed to turn out to be a prodigy.
Although he desires of being a conductor in Europe, his worry of flying retains him grounded in Japan. In the meantime, his neighbor Nodame, performed by Juri Ueno, is a free spirit and infamous slob who learns music by ear, although she has a real present for the piano.
When the 2 meet, Nodame falls head over heels, however Chiaki couldn’t be much less . Nevertheless, their paths in life turn out to be intertwined and find yourself difficult one another to beat the challenges of live shows, private relationships and their very own fears.
Providing a foolish, lighthearted story of affection and music, this drama is sure to play at your heartstrings. In case your urge for food for the nice and cozy, humorous characters isn’t happy after 11 episodes, then deal with your self to the 4 subsequent specials!
Office Japanese Dramas
Wealthy Man, Poor Girl
Japanese Title: リッチマン、プアウーマン (りっちまん、ぷあうーまん)
Yr: 2012
Watch It On: FujiTV (VPN Required)
This drama, “Wealthy Man, Poor Girl,” and the next two dramas are comparatively tougher to observe because of the extra complicated language used and, as such, you would possibly need to watch with subtitles.
“Wealthy Man, Poor Girl” follows the story of a wealthy and profitable man performed by Jun Ogura (小栗旬, おぐらじゅん), who you will have noticed in a small position in “あずみ” alongside Aya Ueto and in a extra expanded position in its sequel. The opposite fundamental character is a poor lady who manages to get a job in his firm, performed by extraordinarily widespread actress Satomi Ishihara.
This story consists of a number of office talking however is complemented by an important plot of growing relationships, private battle, betrayal and ambition.
It addresses the phenomenon of people that have gained fame and fortunes by means of the event of apps and different technological advances, in addition to questions sure company practices.
Consideration Please
Japanese Title: アテンションプリーズ (あてんしょんぷりーず)
Yr: 2006
Watch It On: n/a; DVD Solely
“Consideration Please” is concentrated on a rock chick, Aya Ueto, who finally ends up making use of to be an air stewardess as a result of the boy she likes doesn’t view her as an actual lady, however who exhibits an curiosity in air stewardesses.
In some way she passes her interview and begins coaching to turn out to be an actual air stewardess. The story is sort of entertaining and informative in regards to the coaching {that a} Japanese air stewardess goes by means of, but additionally it’s a extremely nice useful resource for bettering your formal Japanese.
The fashion of Japanese talking that all of them need to grasp is quite common in Japan in case you go to a store or workplace, and it’s actually important to realize at the very least a working understanding of this type of language.
MONSTERS
Japanese Title: もんすたーず
Yr: 2012
Watch It On: n/a; DVD Solely
SMAP is an enormous pop sensation that has had a dominant place in Japanese leisure for round 20 years. All of the members of SMAP regularly seem in dramas and TV selection exhibits, and “MONSTERS” sees SMAP member Shingo Katori (香取慎吾, かとりしんご) as a really uncommon detective.
Though he’s all the time smiling and really well mannered, he’s unpopular as he does what he desires when he desires and purposely intrudes into locations the place he shouldn’t.
His superiors are suspicious as to why he’s capable of remedy so many mysteries and thus place a rookie detective to work with him and attempt to uncover any secrets and techniques that Katori could have.
It’s an excellent police drama with every episode that includes a brand new crime to be solved.
Because the language will be fairly formal with a number of crime vocabulary it’s finest to observe it with subtitles first, after which to observe it once more with out.
99.9 Felony Lawyer
Japanese Title: 99.9 刑事専門弁護士 (きゅうじゅうきゅうてんきゅうけいじせんもんべんごし)
Yr: 2016
Watch It On: n/a; DVD solely
This authorized comedy stars Arashi member Jun Matsumoto as eccentric protection legal professional Hiroto Miyama. His objective is to seek out the glimmer of reality hiding inside each case he takes on.
At some point, he’s discovered by Haruhiko Madarame, performed by veteran actor Ittoku Kishibe.
Madarame was a pal of his deceased father and gives him a job at his legislation agency within the new felony protection division. Although initially, Hiroto turns him down, he finally ends up agreeing to work for Madarame.
As soon as on the agency, he joins a workforce consisting of former prosecutor Atsuhiro Sada and fellow lawyer Ayano Tachibana to tackle purchasers who face the brutal 99.9% conviction charge of Japan’s felony justice system.
Stuffed with wit and humor, this lighthearted drama options compelling mysteries in each episode. Miyama’s weird investigation strategies (reminiscent of asking his purchasers each element about their lives, beginning with once they had been born) get the job carried out, although they drive his colleagues up the wall.
With a excessive rewatch worth, you’ll be excited to return over each scene to catch these authorized phrases!
Authorized Excessive
Japanese Title: リーガルハイ(りーがるはい)
Yr: 2012
Watch It On: n/a; DVD Solely
“Authorized Excessive” options two attorneys who, regardless of being on the identical facet of the legislation, couldn’t be extra totally different in character.
Kensuke Komikado is a high-rolling litigator who has by no means misplaced a case. He chooses instances solely based mostly on their revenue and seeks to indulge himself in ladies and luxurious.
In distinction, there’s the strong-willed rookie who seeks justice, Machiko Mayuzumi. She sticks to her weapons it doesn’t matter what and is decided to make the world a greater place. Although these two regularly conflict, they’re decided to win instances for his or her purchasers.
Regardless of all appearances, it is a authorized comedy that pokes enjoyable at stereotypes discovered in lots of mainstream dramas.
The steadiness between the cynical Kensuke and the fiery Machiko is ideal, making their scenes a spark fest value watching. Viewers are assured to have sore sides after each episode. It’s fully ridiculous, dramatic and hilarious.
Chilly Case: Door of Fact
Japanese Title: コールドケース ～真実の扉～ (こーるどけーす しんじつのとびら)
Yr: 2016
Watch It On: Amazon Prime Japan, UNEXT (VPN Required)
Don’t be shocked if the identify of this present rings a bell. It is a Japanese remake of the American present “Chilly Case,” and a reasonably good one at that.
Actress Yoh Yoshida, who’s gained quite a few finest actress awards, takes on the position of Yuri Ishikawa, a murder detective in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Collectively together with her workforce, she investigates chilly instances to convey justice to victims considered misplaced to time. The episodes flash between the previous and the current, displaying the occasions the witnesses within the present-day describe as they unfolded years earlier.
Lots of the instances on this adaptation are taken from the American present, which is a superb alternative to see how the identical story will be interpreted between cultures. This present has additionally been widespread sufficient in Japan to earn two sequels!
Japanese Medical Dramas
Physician X
Japanese Title: ドクターX (どくたーえっくす)
Yr: 2012
Watch It On: Amazon Prime Japan
This well-known collection boasts a whopping six seasons, which is sort of unprecedented for a Japanese drama. That ought to provide you with loads of binge materials!
Ryoko Yonekura performs Michiko Daimon, a contract surgeon who works at numerous hospitals all through Japan, represented by her supervisor Akira Kanbara.
A lone wolf, she takes on probably the most difficult surgical procedures, snubbing hospital politics with the intention to deal with her sufferers. No person is aware of how she obtained her expertise, however her potential to function efficiently regardless of the extremely delicate procedures required has earned her one other nickname: Physician X.
If you happen to loved the American present “Home, MD,” you’ll love this drama.
Medical mysteries abound at each flip, and it additionally dives into the politics of Japanese hospitals.
Michiko is proof against all of it, merely going about her enterprise as a physician. Her aloof demeanor and mysterious aura are completely fascinating, as are her performances.
There have additionally been references to “Physician X” in different dramas and Japanese media, so catching up on this one is a superb first step into understanding Japanese popular culture!
Unnatural
Japanese Title: アンナチュラル (あんなちゅらる)
Yr: 2018
The place to observe: Viki
This medical drama has a unique tackle the style: by wanting into the world of forensic pathology, a science that determines the reason for dying in those that have died in an uncommon method.
That includes a brand new case each week, “Unnatural” options forensic pathologist Mikoto Misumi (Satomi Ishihara) and her workforce at a medical analysis institute referred to as the UDI, who uncover the mysteries behind weird deaths.
Not solely does this present study the deaths, but additionally societal points that happen in Japan, starting from a girl main in a male-dominated area to battle round trendy know-how.
This present performs very true to life, taking practical approaches to not solely the drugs but additionally to the bereaved households and their grief.
And I’m not alone in praising this present—it additionally gained a swath of awards on the 96th Drama Academy Awards in 2018, together with Finest Drama!
Jin
Japanese Title: JIN-仁- (じん)
Yr: 2009
Watch on: Amazon Prime Japan
Some of the widespread dramas of 2009, “Jin” combines medical science and time journey multi functional partaking bundle.
The titular character, Jin (performed by Takao Osawa), is a mind surgeon combating the guilt of placing his fiancée right into a comatose state throughout an error he made throughout her surgical procedure.
After an accident, he finds himself waking up within the closing years of the Edo interval (1603-1867)
. Having to reside on this new world, he opens up a clinic to are inclined to these in want of care, whereas on the identical time looking for a method again to his personal time. All of the whereas, he struggles together with his fears of fixing the longer term in a time of intense political unrest in Japan.
This drama supplies a beautiful look into the political drama of 1860s Japan whereas on the identical time showcasing the medical therapies Jin has to carry out with out the advantages of recent know-how. If you need a unique tackle a “time-traveling physician,” give this award-winner a shot!
Sci-fi Japanese Dramas
Alice in Borderland
Japanese Title: 今際の国のアリス （いまわのくにのありす)
Yr: 2020
Watch on: Netflix
Primarily based on a manga of the identical identify, this is likely one of the latest Japanese dramas to focus on a world viewers. It was so widespread after its December 2020 launch, Netflix renewed it for a second season simply weeks after it aired!
“Alice in Borderland” stars Arisu, a shut-in who’s obsessive about video video games. When he’s not gaming, he’s goofing off together with his two mates.
At some point, after hiding from the cops in a toilet after a prank gone mistaken, they arrive out to seek out Shibuya fully empty. They’ve been transported to a world of survival video games, the place they need to compete in opposition to the opposite gamers to remain alive.
Every recreation incorporates a class and an issue degree, they usually have to determine easy methods to survive. They encounter different gamers with whom they type alliances and rivalries, together with Usagi, a mountain climber who’s decided to outlive the sport.
“Alice in Borderland” is a brutal, heartbreaking collection that’s nice for lovers of survival horror. You’ll be on the sting of your seat as Arisu struggles to unravel the twists and turns by means of the video games.
Truthful warning, although: this collection does comprise graphic content material, so maintain that in thoughts earlier than clicking on that first episode.
Faculty Japanese Dramas
You Taught Me All the Necessary Issues
Japanese Title: 大切なことはすべて君が教えてくれた (たいせつなことはすべてきみがおしえてくれた)
Yr: 2011
Watch It On: n/a; DVD Solely
“You Taught Me All the Necessary Issues” explores the relationships between lecturers and college students, and is superb for bettering your informal Japanese language expertise.
Haruma Miura (三浦春馬, みうら はるま) performs a instructor who wakes up with a hangover to find an unknown lady in his mattress. She retains most of her face lined and as he has to hurry to work, he offers her his key so she will be able to lock up when leaving. He apologizes and leaves.
At work, we discover out that he’s a instructor to a bunch of youngsters. On the finish of the category, one of many college students stays behind, calling out 先生 (せんせい, instructor). He seems to be at her to find she is holding up his key.
Miura is engaged to a different instructor who works on the identical faculty, however issues shortly escalate as he has to take care of his guilt about what occurred, fend off the attentions of a woman who’s additionally in his class, whereas the coed concurrently works to destroy his relationship together with his fiancée.
Nevertheless, all just isn’t because it appears as one thing fairly complicated is driving each of those characters, and in the end we now have to surprise what truly occurred on that first night time.
35-year-old Excessive Faculty Pupil
Japanese Title: 35歳の高校生 (さんじゅうごさいのこうこうせい)
Yr: 2013
Watch It On: Hulu Japan (Requires VPN)
This school-based drama begins with a really uncommon premise: a brand new pupil goes to hitch the category and she or he’s 35 years previous.
After all, all the college students are very suspicious as to why this lady has joined their class, and we additionally shortly perceive the complicated dynamics of the category with widespread and unpopular children, others who’re bullied and one who consistently sits silently within the nook.
In every episode, the 35-year-old unravels a unique pupil’s drawback. Nevertheless, this simply makes everybody an increasing number of suspicious about her intentions. The viewers as nicely has to surprise what’s driving her, and it seems that there are secrets and techniques behind her—tragic secrets and techniques.
1 Last and Very Well-known Japanese Drama
Prepare Man
Japanese Title: 電車男 (でんしゃおとこ)
Yr: 2005
Watch It On: n/a; DVD Solely
This specific drama is in the identical league as “Housekeeper Mita.”
It got here from an especially widespread e-book that was pulled off from the apparently true story of an オタク, which was posted on a public discussion board. It spawned this drama and likewise a film model.
It follows the trials and tribulations of an オタク (somebody with obsessive pursuits, usually equated as a geek) who helps a woman being harassed by a drunk on the prepare and who begins relationship her.
It’s a romantic story that additionally makes an attempt to rehabilitate オタク folks as being simply regular folks, who’re additionally extremely supportive of one another, though it have to be famous that the Prepare Man’s efforts to be an appropriate boyfriend do lead him to be much less of an オタク.
I feel the most effective issues about this drama, moreover its actually good plot, is you could additionally go surfing and skim the precise transcripts from the unique discussion board the place the true Prepare Man posted.
The above are my suggestions and embody specific dramas which had been very profitable in Japan, however as I mentioned earlier than, one of the best sort of drama to observe is one that draws you.
In case your Japanese degree is intermediate or increased, I’d suggest watching with out subtitles, however in case you’re a newbie you may nonetheless take pleasure in these nice TV dramas.
After watching with subtitles, it’s a good suggestion to observe once more with out them. And take a look at this publish for much more Japanese drama suggestions!
Quickly sufficient you’ll find that your Japanese comprehension has improved!
Obtain:
This weblog publish is offered as a handy and moveable PDF that you simply
can take wherever.
Click on right here to get a replica. (Obtain)
And One Extra Factor…
If you happen to love studying Japanese with genuine supplies, then I also needs to inform you extra about FluentU.
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FluentU has a broad vary of latest movies as you may see under:
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And FluentU has a study mode which turns each video right into a language studying lesson. You may all the time swipe left or proper to see extra examples.
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