Drama top 20...mmm 22.
Just a quick post before I head out on Friday night as I was just thinking about my all time favorite Japanese dramas. It seems that in the past I would find myself watching sometimes up to 3 shows a week as I would set the timer so that I wouldn't miss a single episode! And although I haven't watched a new one recently I find that I can watch my favorites time and again. Sometimes the best dramas can cause a box of Kleenex to become your best companion on these emotional journeys in t.v. land while others simply make you laugh and get engrossed in your favorite on screen character's dilemmas. But whatever the case I find my favorite dramas to always have heart in them!
Above is my favorite Japanese actor Takenouchi Yutaka and below is my favorite female actress Matsu Takako. The great thing is that they're both in my #1 favorite drama of all time!
22. Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake
A tragic but moving love story involving a young girl who contracts aids (played by Fukada Kyoko) who searches for refuge in a popular rock musician (played by Kaneshiro Takeshi).
21. Oyaji-i
20. Renai Kekkon no Housoku
19. Summer Snow
A sheltered girl (played by Hirosue Ryoko) begins to live life fully finding love and adventure in a seemingly unlikely relationship. (Also stars Domoto Tsuyoshi)
18. Otousan
17. San Nen B Gumi Kinpachi Sensei (silly me can't remember the season number but the theme song is "Atarashii hito e." This is the first time that I saw Ueto Aya and she played quite a controversial role here! Such a beautiful series as you can really relate to the situations that face these characters in a show that always promises multiple story lines all of which are explored fully.
16. Strawberry on the Shortcake
Wonderful soundtrack and a very engaging show starring Fukada Kyoko & Takizawa Hideaki!! One of the cutest dramas that I've ever seen!
15. To Heart Koishite Shinitai
Fukada Kyoko and Domoto Tsuyoshi star in this story of a young boxer and the trials and tribulations he faces in his daily fight to succeed. Add in the adorable Fukakyon and mix well! :)
14. Second Chance
13. Koori no Sekai
Takenouchi Yutaka & Matsushima Nanako star in this mystery/murder thriller that will have you guessing till the very end! Also has one of the best theme songs ever: "Diamond Dust" by Himuro Kyosuke!!
12. Aoi Tori
Great moving drama starring Toyokawa Etsushi, Nagasaku Hiromi, and Suzuki Ann!
11. Riso no Joshi
10. Hoshi no Kinka
Stars my favorite non H!P pop idol Sakai Noriko along with Takenouchi Yutaka and Osawa Takao. An often tragic drama about a hearing impaired nurse who falls in love with a doctor only to have him lose his memory in an accident.
9. Musashi
The most wonderful year long drama (and you thought Korean dramas were long!!...well actually they are!) which chronicled the incredible life of one of Japan's most revered figures in history, Miyamoto Musashi!
8. Pure
Beautiful drama although the ending may have you thinking...eh? The theme song is Mr.Children's incredible song "Namonaki uta."
7. Virgin Road
Stars Wakui Emi and Sorimachi Takashi in a romance stemming from a chance meeting of destiny. Theme song is Amuro Namie's beautiful ballad "Can You Celebrate?"
6. Hitotsu Yane no Shita 2
I could write an entire post about this one show...you just have to see it! The cast is amazing as this show stars: Eguchi Yosuke, Fukuyama Masaharu, Sakai Noriko, Ishida Issei, and Oji Megumi along with many other familiar faces!
5. Kagayake! Rintaro
Powerful drama about an advertising salesman and his journey filled with love, heart, humor, and life situations anyone can relate to. Stars Karasawa Toshiaki, Kiki Kirin, and Esumi Makiko.
4. Konna Koi no Hanashi
Sanada Hiroyuki plays a wealthy but cold and lonely businessman who learns that he only has a short while to live as he's developed cancer but finds love and redemption in a relationship in which a crucial business deal may forever affect. Also stars Tamaki Koji and the beautiful Matsushima Nanako!
3. Aishiteiru to Itte Kure
The first Japanese drama that I watched and it came by chance one night while going through the channels! A hearing impaired artist played by the incredible Toyokawa Etsushi finds an unlikely romance with a young actress (played by Tokiwa Takako) and the inevitable trials and tribulations of such a relationship ensue. Incredibly moving story and performances!
2. Hitotsu Yane no Shita
While its sequel is great this one's even better!! Six siblings must cope with every day life on their own as their parents are killed in an accident. The story may sound simple but I can't stress enough how much this drama will engross you and have you in deep anticipation of each next episode. Make sure the Kleenex is right beside you at all times! :) Incredible cast including: Eguchi Yosuke, Fukuyama Masaharu, Sakai Noriko, Ishida Issei, and Oji Megumi just to name a few!
And my favorite Japanese drama is...
1. Long Vacation
I definitely don't have enough time to do this drama justice right now so let me just say...I love this series so much and I think it's the best drama ever written! Stars Kimura Takuya, Yamaguchi Tomoko, Takenouchi Yutaka, Matsu Takako, Ryo, and Inamori Izumi.
The DVD box set was released in late 2001! Beautiful packaging for such a beautiful drama! Hmmm...I'm not sure if I'll be able to get back online until Monday. Everyone have a great weekend! :)
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lately i've been watching a few japanese dramas yet I dont think I've watched enough to have a favourite yet :)
I haven't seen any of the ones you've mentioned so maybe I'll check them out :)
I'll concede that "Long Vacation" is the best, but there's some other dramas that I like that didn't make your list. I can't really put them all in order, but here's a few of my favorites:
HYD (Hana Yori Dango) 1 and 2 - Cartoonish? Yes. Realistic? Not at all. Do I care? No! It is a wild romp filled with highs and lows, the end of the first series leaving you wanting more and the end of the 2nd making you jump for joy.
Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu - The "gold standard" for "pure love" (jun ai) stories. Beautifully written, filmed, and acted.
1 Litre of Tears - No matter how much you may dislike Erika Sawajiri as an actress or person, her performance in this drama is excellent. I was in tears in the first 5 minutes of the first episode and found myself crying throughout it.
H2 - Now this is how you do high school sports dramas correctly! Most directors would completely botch doing a 3 year story in 12 episodes. Thankfully, this doesn't. Also, check out Satomi Ishihara in this. She absolutely steals every scene she's in.
Dekichatta Kekkon - A funny, yet poignant tale of unplanned pregnancy. Most people meet, fall in love, do it, marry, and have kids. Others... the order isn't so exact. Yukata Takenouchi and Hirosue Ryoko make an unlikely but surprisingly nice on-screen couple.
Boku to Kanojo to Kanojo no Ikiru Michi - In my opinion, the best of Tsuyoshi (SMAP) Kusanagi's recent dramas. He stars as a salaryman consumed by his work, so caught up with climbing the corporate ladder as to neglect his family until the day his wife leaves him and his 5 year old daughter. He literally does not know a thing about his daughter and must learn 5-years-after-the-fact to become a father. Karen Miiyama (as the daughter "Rin") absolutely shines.
Densha Otoko - Do I really need to go into this? OK, it might have gone overboard, and it surely is overrated, but I'll be damned if it isn't downright hilarious.
Kekkon Dekinai Otoko - A great comedy about a man in his 40s who is so set in his ways he refuses to date, let alone get married. Hiroshi Abe proves he's one of the best actors in TV today.
Beautiful Life - Starring Kimutaku and Tokiwa Takako, this is probably my 2nd favorite Kimura drama, next to "Vacation." Kimura is a fashionable hair designer who, by fate, meets a wheelchair bound woman. They fall in love, even though she does not have much time left.
Ikebukuro West Gate Park - Tomoya Nagase is content idling away working part time at the bowling alley and his mom's fruit shop in his native Ikebukuro district of Tokyo. That is, until a serial murderer, gangs, and the cops start moving in on "his" turf. Mystery, drama, and comedy abound. BTW, looking back, this cast is absolutely LOADED - Ken Watanabe, Kato Ai, Tsumabuki Satoshi,Koyuki. Christ, it's like a "who's who" of Japanese stars! Oh yeah, who's that as Nagase's side kick?! OMG! It's a young YamaP!
There's more I've seen. Some good, some not so good. I might write about some more if I recall them.
Does "Shogun" count as a Japanese drama?
I'm wondering if you're able to watch these shows on cable, or do you have to wait for the DVD's? (-I have basic cable)
I'm glad to see a Kimutaku drama in the first position, although I'd personally put t Love Generation over Long Vacation... Well, there would be some others before it anyway. And Great Teacher Onizuka is definitely going to be the first one. I'd need a week to write something I'd be happy enough with about GTO though, an explanation of the things I like about it would end up including every scene in the series. I'll do it someday...
Ah I own the movie version of "Sekai no chuushin de ai wo sakebu." 2 friends have suggested the drama version here on VOX but since I'm so attached to the actors/actresses in the movie version I'm not sure how I would react to different actors/actresses playing those same parts. I love dramas though so perhaps I should watch it too! I loved this movie so much and it stayed with me for weeks afterwards as I would sometimes think about it. I have a friend here who had that same reaction x 20!!! This one made me cry so much and the direction was immaculate!
My friend Saburo is going get me the drama "1 Liter of Tears." I was surprised to hear that he already had it and I think he's looking for it right now. :) I'm going to have my box of Kleenex ready!
"Dekichatta Kekkon" sounds great! Well you already know that I love Takenouchi Yutaka but add in Hirosue Ryoko and I really need to see this! I have her CDs, pvs, and concert releases and I really adore her. There are quite a few dramas that I loved her in, "Summer Snow" being such a great role for her. That is an unusual pairing!!
I love Smap and Tsuyoshi does act a lot in dramas doesn't he! This sounds like a great one too! I wonder if it's available somewhere online.
Hahah Saburo gave me "Densha Otoko" too!!
I really like Abe Hiroshi and he's too great in "Bubble e go!", a comedy in which he stars with Hirosue Ryoko!! Ito Yuko is really cute in this too and so funny! This is one of the best comedies that I've watched recently and I wrote a post about it here on VOX sometime ago. I hope you will watch it too if you haven't already seen it! :) In the past Abe Hiroshi's character was a womanizer and it's funny every time he gets smacked by women! He has this funny reaction that you just have to see!! He also had a part in the year long drama "Musashi." He can play the cool parts really well!
"Beautiful Life" was aired here in Hawaii a few years ago and I recorded and watched it. Hmmm...I had mixed feelings about this drama though. I love both of the main actors but somehow it just missed with me. I did love the B'z theme song! Tokiwa Takako was really great in the drama "Tabloid." This was such great storytelling and you really get engrossed in it. But of course "Aishiteiru to itte kure" will always be my favorite Tokiwa Takako drama...my first Japanese drama. :)
The cast in "Ikebukuro West Gate Park" sounds incredible!! I especially like Koyuki, Ken Watanabe, and Kato Ai. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on dramas here! You must have quite a collection too!
A lot of these dramas were aired here in Hawaii on a local station as well as a pay station but I think they may also be available online at fan sites. What's amazing is that fans will subtitle these dramas themselves if no station carries it!
I thought that I was the only person who loved "Love Generation" and it really should be part of this list. It's in my honorable mention list along with a lot of other favorites ranking just outside this list. Now I think that I should have included it here as well. :P Kimutaku and Matsu Takako together again and in such great starring roles too! I loved everything about this show from the way they met and went to that love hotel where she fell asleep just as he thought he was going to get lucky! :) The karaoke part was funny too because she's really a great singer! I'm planning on writing about Matsu Takako in the near future. I have all of her releases as I may be somewhat obsessed with her! :P If you get a chance watch "The Hidden Blade", she's so great in this and the story is to notch too! The ending of "Love Generation" was sooo picture perfect and I love the little "twist" of sorts that the viewer experiences! Matsu Takako is too adorable!!
Ah I have both the drama series and movie versions of GTO!! And I think they're both great! Sorimachi Takashi is such a wonderful actor and this often over the top series is soooo much fun to watch!! The humor is so great and in the t.v. series I love the little inside joke with Matsushima Nanako's character having a poster of Takenouchi Yutaka on her wall!!! :D It cracks me up every time I see it. Hahah I have a Takenouchi Yutaka poster on my wall as well! :P I also have some Sorimachi Takashi CDs too. I love his theme songs "Forever" and "POISON." Some may not like his voice but I like the way that he sings! The movie version was great too with Fujiwara Norika and Tanaka Rena! I once went through a Tanaka Rena phase and even bought her calendar that year. "Beach Boys" is another drama that I really love and should have been on this list somewhere. Sorimachi Takashi, Takenouchi Yutaka, and Hirosue Ryoko together in one drama!!! :)
Wow! Very cool!
I've yet to add Shogun to my library, but I should be back to work and back to collecting DVD's (hopefully) by next month! (-I'm sooo behind in my collecting!!!) -I'm glad that it counts as a Japanese drama!
I was a kid when I first saw it, and I believe they re-released the DVD series with extras that weren't in the original release. -That's the one I'll look for!
Thank God for fans who are willing to make it so that others can enjoy too! -I fully support the idea of purchasing an artists work, but I also support peoples opportunity, and right, to "try before they buy". -I mean, how many times have I blindly purchased a DVD or a CD only to be greatly disappointed with my purchase?
The argument over music downloads kinda infuriates me, as many times I've purchased a band's Cassette, or CD, after having lost them to a pawn shop, or to other thieves. I mean, how many times should I have to purchase my favorite CD before I've earned the right to share them with my friends?
Back in the day, we used to share home-made cassette tapes of great songs, which definately encouraged friends to purchase official copies for themselves... -Why would they think any differently now? (-I typically don't share entire CD's, except with a small handful of GOOD friends, not my "phone book" of casual friends) -I think that makes a difference.
Sorry to talk your ear off.... -I ramble once in a while too!
;-)
GTO was a pretty different experience back when I first watched it... It was my second drama. My first was, quite understandably, Densha Otoko. It had a big following in the anime community, including the English one, since it talks about an otaku, so I ended up finding that through an anime forum. Then, when I went looking for my next watch, I found that top 50, saw GTO in the first place and so I started through that. The thing is, I already knew the anime version by name, it has a pretty big name, but it never appealed to me. The series was too big, I didn't care much for the theme of a school teacher, and I hated its weird, American-like drawing style. I still hate it, by the way, even more than before actually, because now I'm used to Takashi and can't see Onizuka any other way. The only thing I liked about it was the opening theme, Driver's High, that introduced me to L'arc. After watching GTO I automatically went after Gokusen, that didn't have such a big effect on me as GTO but was still great, and started looking for Kinpachi-sensei. Kinpachi seems to be the flagship of this "school drama" genre, I remember a part of GTO where Onizuka said he wanted to be a teacher inspired on Kinpachi. There's that, and then there's Ueto Aya on it, which alone would be enough reason for me to look for it.
It's amazing how you discovered L'arc~en~ciel through anime! I've actually never seen the anime for this show before but I understand how Sorimachi represents this character for you in a way that the anime just can't match. Right now we're getting another season of Kinpachi Sensei broadcast here in Hawaii but I've missed the beginning episodes. I had forgotten that a reference was made to this drama in GTO! Kinpachi is the best and you're really going to love this series and his character. I have the Ueto Aya season recorded on VHS and I wish I had it on disc instead. There's so many strong story lines in this show and I'm sure you'll love it too! If you have a chance watch Ueto Aya's pv for "Message." It's really my favorite song by her although I have many favorites close to it. The pv is shot with a wonderful darkness to it and it kind of stands out from anything else that she's recorded in that sense.
-Me too!
;-)
I can't disagree with you on "Long Vacation". That one was pretty good. So far no luck in locating "Hitotsu Yane no Shita". I have stuff all over the place...and there's that black hole too. haha. But, I just received the first 5 episodes of the drama "Hachimitsu to Clover". Have you seen this one? I don't know anything about it. Thanks for all your replies! :)
For a long time I was really addicted to watching dramas every week and even several times a day.....I would start watching one episode and if I had the entire series I would then be glued to the television~ watching episode after episode and before I knew it it was over (/∇＼*)！
Oh yes~ I only have the Japanese release but this one you've linked a friend has as I recognize its cover~ and it has English subtitles too~! I forgot to ask him about the subtitles but I hope they're done well as sometimes some of them aren't so well written~…(u_u*). Still it'd be understandable but a bit odd at times I think..I so hope this one is done well~!
I've seen some really bad subtitles too~ so sometimes it's easier to turn them off and just listen~...it's really odd that two discs were produced so differently. I hope this version has good subtitles for you~! And I so would love to hear your thoughts on this drama...it really is my most favorite♥ drama ever~!! o(*´∀｀)o゛