J-Dramas & Movies | Must Watch/All Time Favorites
Sharing a list of my favorite J-Dramas and Movies over the years. They are here cause they are forever etched in my memories for their memorable plots/characters or simply were the start for me. While the biggest competitor for J-dramas/movies will be anime and manga, in fact many of these are originally from there, these still have made their own place.
While this is purely my opinion, these are shows/movies that I usually would recommend to people. Welcome any comments/thoughts on these!
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1. From Me to You
Japanese Movie - 2010
I saw this movie, then saw the anime and then read the manga. All formats are good in their own rights, but this movie will always have my heart. Possibly a part of it is cause of Miura Haruma, whose portrayal of the ML character that will live forever in my mind/heart (even though we miss him).
A simple tale with beautiful execution, cinematography, acting - that all stays almost close to the original story. Before Miura passed away, it was one of my fell-good movies that I could rewatch again and again. It still is, just that seeing Miura makes my heart ache cause I miss him, but his beautiful smile lights up my mood/day, as always!
Also the FL, Mikako Tabe is adorable and naive as Sawako. Though over the years I have come to know what an amazing actress she is. But in this adaptation, her journey is wholesome and makes you want to root for her!
10/10 will recommend to watch, any time by any body! -
2. Koidesu! Yanki-kun to Shiro Tsue Garu
Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
When I first saw the poster, I thought this would be a tear-jerker. But I still gave it a chance and am glad I did. It was NOT a teary affair but rather was such a fresh narrative - of romance between two very unlikely sets of people (I mean the leads and a supporting couple).
With the main leads - the romance build up is so beautiful and real, that even if you are cynical about love, I think you will start believing again. Cause I did, or rather I hope, love is as pure as depicted in this show. Another thing that is well done is addressing the topic of being specially abled. The actress does a fine job of being a visually impaired person, and how she is working to find her place in the world. People around her are usually sorry for her, which anyone would dislike, but it is the ML who from the beginning treats her as an equal and more. Slowly this is scene by her close friends and mainly family, and they realise how they need to change as well.
All in all an wholesome drama about love, friends, work and equality! 10/10 must watch
This is my first work of Sugino as a main lead - and boy did not take much time becoming my Japanese bias wrecker! Also, bias wrecker sometimes is better than your bias, cause if he is wrecking it, it means you might light him more than your bias :P -
3. Barakamon
Japanese Drama - 2023, 11 episodes
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4. Tonight, At Romance Theater
Japanese Movie - 2018
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5. Itazura na Kiss: Love in Tokyo
Japanese Drama - 2013, 16 episodes
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6. Signal: Choki Mikaiketsu Jiken Sosahan
Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes
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7. 30Sai made Doteida to Mahotsukai ni Narerurashi
Japanese Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
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8. Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo
Japanese Drama - 2020, 10 episodes
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9. Imawa no Kuni no Alice
Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
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10. Todome no Kiss
Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes
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11. Kieta Hatsukoi
Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes