Top 10 Japanese Dramas that Contributed to the Global Popularity of J-Dramas

March 27, 2024

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In the past few years, Japanese dramas, or J-dramas, have gained immense popularity globally. With their captivating plots, top-notch production quality, skilled actors, and distinctive directing techniques, J-dramas offer something for every viewer.
Here are the top 7 J-dramas that you should definitely watch, ranging from heart-wrenching romances to thrilling action-packed series. Whether you're a newcomer to J-dramas or a seasoned fan, these shows are a must-see for everyone.



1: GOOD MORNING CALL

Good Morning Call is a fun romantic comedy based on a popular manga series. It follows high school student Yoshikawa Nao as she moves into an apartment on her own, only to end up sharing it with Uehara Hisashi, a playboy she can't stand. Despite their differences, they embark on a comedic journey of bickering, awkward moments, and eventually friendship and romance.

Good Morning Call is a must-watch J-drama for fans of cute romantic comedies. The chemistry between the two leads is fantastic, and their silly arguments will keep you entertained throughout both seasons. It's a lively and feel-good show that will leave you smiling.



2: ERASED

If you're into mystery thrillers, you've got to check out Erased. It follows Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist with a unique ability - he involuntarily goes back in time right before a dangerous event, giving him the chance to prevent it.

When his mom is killed by an unknown attacker, Satoru is sent back 18 years to his elementary school days. Now, he has the opportunity to stop a series of kidnappings and deaths that happened when he was a kid, including saving his classmate Kayo Hinazuki. But time is running out before his future self returns to the present.

Erased is a suspenseful show with plenty of twists to keep you hooked. If you're a fan of suspenseful thrillers with time travel and high stakes, this one's for you.




Hanzawa Naoki is a thrilling drama about a bank employee seeking revenge after being unfairly demoted. Naoki was a rising star in the banking world until he was suddenly moved to a rural branch. Convinced it was a setup by higher-ups, he sets out to take down the bank and restore his reputation.

Masato Sakai gives a powerful performance as the vengeful Naoki, earning praise from audiences. With its focus on corporate corruption and one man's mission for payback, Hanzawa Naoki is a gripping suspense series.



4: NIGERU WA HAJI DA GA YAKU NI TATSU

"Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu" is a fun romantic comedy about a contract marriage between kind-hearted Mikuri Moriyama and anxious Yūsuke Kamuro. Mikuri needs to get married to access her inheritance, while Yūsuke could use some financial support. They decide on a contract marriage to split living expenses, but soon find themselves developing real romantic feelings. Yui Aragaki shines as Mikuri, and Gen Hoshino brings laughs as Yūsuke. Watching their fake marriage turn into real love is a joy for rom-com fans.



5: LEGAL HIGH

Legal High is a super funny legal show with Masaki Okada playing the role of the unconventional lawyer Kensuke Komikado. Komikado is all about using crazy and unexpected tactics to defend his clients, which drives his bosses crazy but actually gets the job done. He teams up with newbie lawyer Machiko Mayuzumi and together they tackle difficult cases in their own unique way.

Okada is amazing as the smart and cocky Komikado, delivering his speeches with lightning speed and hitting all the funny moments just right. If you're looking for a fresh legal series with lots of courtroom drama and hilarious moments, Legal High is the perfect choice.



6: TOKYO LOVE STORY

Before the rise of trendy J-dramas targeting young audiences, there were emotionally complex dramas like Tokyo Love Story that catered to adults. This show from 1991 follows the lives of four friends - Kanji, Sakamoto, Rika, and Satomi. As they navigate their careers and relationships, things get complicated when Kanji and Satomi start to develop feelings for each other.

Tokyo Love Story offers a realistic portrayal of love and adulthood, showing the characters' growth in a nuanced way. Unlike many J-dramas focused on young romance, this series depicts its characters as mature adults dealing with tough decisions. Known for its slice-of-life approach, Tokyo Love Story is considered a classic in Japanese drama.




Nodame Cantabile is a super cute and heartwarming show about these students at this fancy music school. Chiaki is this really talented pianist who wants to be a conductor in Europe, but he's kind of a control freak and not great at leading. Then he meets Nodame, this messy and weird piano student who just plays by ear.

Chiaki ends up helping Nodame get her act together, and in the process, he learns to be more patient and caring. They start getting closer because they both have big dreams in music, and it's this really sweet and quirky romance. Nodame Cantabile is all about these young artists going after what they love and finding love along the way. Plus, the classical music in it is just amazing. It's like the cherry on top of an already awesome cake.

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