Asian DramaWiki Forum

ajennell wrote:Ok, I need some suggestions! I just watched two dramas in a row that just weren't what I was looking for and know you guys would have a better eye than I. I'm looking for something to watch either like Gokusen (I love the funny, kickin' butt, and secrecy) or something like Hana-Kimi, Hana Yori Dango, and Lunch Queen.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!
Amber

1. Yukan Club - It's about six bigshot students from prominent families studying in a school for the ridiculously rich (like Hanadan). They head the school's student council but instead of doing their job, they just laze around in boredom. To ward off their boredom they form the Yukan Club (pun on You Can) and solve mysteries or get out of trouble that they got themselves into in the first place. There's a lot of kickin' butt, outrageous story lines, animé-like fx.
2. Itazura na Kiss - This runs the gamut from manga to animé to 2 live action series (Japan and Taiwan). Kotoko is a Class F student who's been in love with Irie, a cold-hearted genius from Class A, since their first day in high school. In their senior year, Kotoko decides to confess her feelings to Irie in a letter which Irie publicly refuses to accept. That night, Kotoko and her father are rendered homeless (earthquake in animé, fire in jdrama). Her father's friends take them in. The friends turn out to be Irie's parents. Irie couldn't care less except he demands that she keeps their living arrangement a secret. Sooner than later the secret gets out. Kotoko gets Irie in all sorts of trouble but her "can do" spirit attracts him and cracks his cold heart. The jdrama is funny and ridiculous, compact but loses steam in the final episode. I think the animé is the best version.
3. Gakko ja Oshierarenai! - This is American Pie Japan version. Touai Academy used to be an all girls school but tough times forces it to accept male students. The first 5 male enrollees get into all sorts of trouble just by being typical teenage boys (translation: perverts). An optimistic, naive, Disney-obsessed teacher, Aida Mai, invites them to join the Social Dancing Club she is forming by promising to grant them one wish (the wish: she wear a sexy thong). She also invites 5 girls (school outcasts) to join the club. The super-strict vice principal and lesbian-stalker-kiss-stealing student council president oppose the SDC at every turn that's why they have to meet and practice in secret. Each episode unravels the emotional baggage of the members of the SDC. It's a hilarious comedy that tackles surprisingly serious issues like pregnancy, abortion, suicide and homosexuality with a comical and light-hearted twist.
4. Mukodono - Yuuichiro is a cool pop idol who falls in love with Sakura. They get married and live with Sakura's family -- father and 2 older sisters. Yuuichiro tries to fit into ordinary life while keeping his marriage a secret from the public.
5. My Boss, My Hero - Makio is a tough 27 year-old high school drop out. His father demands that he goes back to high school to get a diploma or else the position of being "Boss" will be given to Makio's younger brother. Makio is forced to go to a nearby school and pretend he is 17 years old. If his secret is found out, he can kiss being boss goodbye.
6. Hanayome wa Yakudoshi - Akiko, 32, gets fired from her job as a tv announcer in favor of a younger woman. In her new job, she is required to go undercover to experience life as a farmer's wife. She pretends to be engaged to her ex-boyfriend, Ichiro, and begins bride-training at his parents peach farm.
7. First Shop of Coffee Prince - Kdrama. Eun Chan is a responsible 24 year old woman with a flaky mom and a dependent younger sister. Her father died before she finished high school, so she had to drop out and earn a living for her family. She holds down several jobs all of them unglamorous and not at all feminine (one of them is being a tae-kwon-do instructor, so there's some butt kicking). Han Kyul is the irresponsible sole heir of a wealthy family. He's 29 years old and his sick grandmother is forcing him to settle down and get married. He crosses paths with Eun Chan whom he mistakes as a young boy. He pays Eun Chan to pretend to be his gay lover to fend off the marriage meetings arranged by his mother and grandmother. When cornered into taking responsibility of a failing coffee shop, Han Kyul revives the shop by renovation and hiring only men ("princes") to serve coffee. Still thinking Eun Chan is a boy, Han Kyul hires her. Needing the money, she couldn't tell him the truth. Han Kyul finds himself strangely attracted to the boy. He goes into a lot of trouble fighting off his feelings (like taking a pill to cure homosexuality). In the end he gives in to his feelings so Eun Chan had no choice but to tell the truth. This is funny and engaging. But I don't get the whole leaving-the-country thing Koreans are so fond of.
8. Ouran High Host Club - This is an animé. Again, ridiculously rich school, outrageously rich students, bored. Six boys form a Host Club (like escort service but platonic and only in the unused 3rd music room of the school). In comes Haruhi -- poor girl, school's charity scholar. Dressed in drab pullover and jeans, she stumbles into the 3rd music room while looking for a quiet place to study. The Host Club initially mistakes her as a boy. She accidentally breaks an 8-million-yen vase. They make her into a male host to pay for the vase. They keep her gender secret so she can go on entertaining female clients as a boy. Tamaki, the head host, finds himself attracted to her but fights the feeling because in his experience, love breaks bonds like family and friendship. He deludes himself into thinking he loves Haruhi as a daughter. This is funny and ridiculous, outrageous and unapologetically silly, especially Tamaki.
9. Young Americans - this is neither jdrama nor animé; it's not even from this continent. This is a short-lived American drama series initially touted as a spin off of Dawson's Creek. This is sort of like Hana Kimi. Again, ridiculously rich teenagers in a boarding school. Scout, a senator's son, attends Rawley -- Billionaire Boys Club but high school, situated in a middle class town with the same name. In town he meets Bella (Kate Bosworth - Lois Lane from the new Superman), daughter of the town mechanic. They fall in love quickly but Bella's dad drops the bomb -- they might be brother and sister. Scout's roommate, Will, is the school's charity case. He has all sorts of baggage like an alcoholic dad, the works. Hamilton (Ian Somerhalder from Lost), the dean's son, meets cool, motorcycle-riding, leather-jacket wearing, computer-hacking, rich kid Jake . Before the first episode is over, they KISS. Which leads Hamilton to think he's gay but Jake is hiding a secret -- she's Jacqueline (Kate Moennig from The L Word), posing as a guy to get her actress-mom's attention. This is a really old one - 1999; before Bosworth, Somerhalder and Moennig had careers.This includes a lot of other would-be big stars like Michelle Monaghan (M.I. 3, Made of Honor and Eagle Eye), Charline Hunnam (Nicholas Nickelby), Matt Czuchry (Gilmore Girls). I loved Hamilton and Jake's story which made me interested in First Shop of Coffee Prince and Hanazakari no Kimitachi e.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I've already seen Nobuta wo Produce (loved it!), and Yukan Club (...), and the Ouran High School Host Club manga is one of my all-time faves! Will definitely check out the rest. Thanks!!

Any suggestions for dramas that are romance with a touch of comedy....?

kharst wrote:Any suggestions for dramas that are romance with a touch of comedy....?

Zettai Kareshi - About an unlucky- in-love girl who finds love in a prototype "perfect boyfriend" robot.
Buso no Hitomi - About a burnt out tv exec who finds love in an ugly woman. What's different about this is that the lead girl really isn't the pretty, idol type "uglified" by cosmetics.
Hotaru no Hikari - About a himono-oona (dried up woman) who finds love with the help of her stoic, no nonsense boss who turns out to be a real yenta.

kharst wrote:Any suggestions for dramas that are romance with a touch of comedy....?

I just started Oishii Proposal which, so far, I just love!

Kimi wa Petto was great, though it's more of an emotional exploration/change with comedy and romance.
Lunch Queen was cute, but more of a comedy with romance thrown in.

help! i'm running out of dramas to watch!

I'm looking for a cute/romantic-comedy series or ones similar to the list below. I've seen most of the newer ones. If anyone could suggest newer or older dramas with romance/serious/maybe action? OR are REALLY worth watching that would be great!

I tried a series like gokusen or my boss my hero but couldn't get into it after the 3rd episode or so


Thank you for the help!

jdramas i've seen:
HYD1&2--
First kiss
14 sai no haha
zettai kareshi--
boys este
hana kimi--
innocent love--
itazura na kiss
kimi wa petto
koizora
last friends--
nodame cantabile--
nobuta wo produce
proposal daisakusen
seigi no mikata--
stand up!

For older cute/romantic-comedy, you can try

Kekkon Dekinai Otoko
Beauty or Beast
Boku Dake no Madonna
Ive Been Married to Hell

For just good romance, you can try

Pride
Good Luck
H2

Hey, I'm not very new to this forum since I have been a lurker for quite a while now.
But I finally registered as I need some help and I'm starting to get addicted to Jdramas O.O
I wanted some suggestions on some good girl/girl shows.
I absolutely loved ~
- Last Friends.
- Mendol.
- Love my life.
- Sukeban Deka.
- Ace wo Nerae.

But I'm starting to find it hard finding similar shows to watch these days. Anyone have any suggestions?
I'm also currently following;
- Hokaben.
- Nodome Cantabile.
Help! I'm running out of dramas... please can someone recommend some It'd be much appreciated.

Hi! Is it okay if I ask you guys about what show you can recommend? I've seen liar game, hazakari no kimi tachi e, first kiss and koizora. I'm currently on the first eps of bloody monday. I would like to watch more shows that would be really good and intersting.

I think there are already other threads like this, maybe you should have a look there?

errr have you tried these?...

Moppu Gaaru
Celeb to Binbo Taro
Hokaben
Attention Please
Taiyo To Umi No Kyoshitsu
Tenchijin
Sekai Chuusin de aiwo sakebu
1 litre of tears
Taiyo No Uta
Waterboys

Here are my favorites: Both have a movie and Drama version..

KOIZORA Sky of Love
just thinking of this makes me cry... and want to fall in love again and again...
DRAMA version:

Tahara Mika is an ordinary high school girl. One day, out of the blue, one of her classmates kisses her. His name is Sakurai Hiroki also known as Hiro. Hiro stands out because of his bleached hair and piercing. Apparently he is also dating someone. Mika is shocked and hurt that her first kiss had to happen this way. She desperately tries to forget about it. Then, her friend tells her that she should find somebody else and suggests Tatsuya, another boy in their class. However, before she even realizes it, Mika is already in love... --TBS
CAST:
* Mizusawa Elena as Tahara Mika
* Seto Koji as Sakurai Hiroki (Hiro)
* Abe Tsuyoshi as Yu
* Aoi as Aya
* Miura Shohei as Nozomu
* Haru as Saki
* Nagayama Kento as Kato Tatsuya
* Kikuchi Akiko (菊池亜希子) as Tahara Saori
* Satake Uki (佐武宇綺) as Yuka
* Kobayashi Sari (小林さり) as Hana
* Miyazawa Sae as Manami
* Ukaji Takashi as Sakurai Hirokazu
* Okunuki Kaoru as Sakurai Akemi
* Nakamura Kaori as Misono (homeroom teacher)
* Matsushita Nao as Sakurai Minako
* Hada Michiko as Tahara Yasue
* Kishitani Goro as Tahara Katsuji

MOVIE version:

"Koizora" is a love story that was originally published on the popular cell phone site Mahou no iRando. It was authored by new writer Mika, and is based on her own experiences. The story was released in book form last October, selling more than a million copies in its first month.

The story revolves around Mika (named after the author), who falls in love with her classmate, Hiroki, upon entering high school. But over the course of the novel, she ends up suffering through many trials, such as rape, abortion, and betrayal.
CAST:
Yui Aragaki Haruma Miura Keisuke Koide Karina Asami Usuda
Mika Tahara Hiro Sakurai Yu Fukuhara Minako Saki


Taiyou no Uta Song to the Sun
DRAMA version:

While working at a seaside inn with his high school buddies, Fujishiro Koji meets Kaoru Amane, a street musician. Kaoru is suffering from an incurable disease called XP (xeroderma pigmentosum), and can’t be exposed to the sun. Under the sun, the two would never have met. Still, destiny brings the two together. Since the day he suddenly lost his job, Koji has lost sight of his dreams. But when he meets Kaoru, who is making positive efforts to become a singer, Koji regains his long-forgotten passion for music. --TBS
CAST:
* Yamada Takayuki as Fujishiro Koji
* Sawajiri Erika as Amane Kaoru
* Matsushita Nao as Tachibana Asami
* Tanaka Kei as Onishi Yuta
* Sato Megumi as Matsumae Misaki
* Hamada Gaku as Kato Haruo
* Kawamura Yosuke as Tatsunami Ryusuke
* Hara Fumina as Reisa
* Kobayashi Mao as Miura Yuko
* Becky as Emily
* Kaname Jun as Kudo Yohei
* Kuroda Chieko a Amane Yuki

Movie version:

Kaoru dreamily gazes from her bedroom window each morning just before dawn. She can see a stretch of the beach in front of her parent's house on a hill in Kamakura, but focuses upon the activity at the bus stop where Koji and his two best friends meet before going surfing. The appearance of the sun causes her to lowers the blinds and go to sleep for she suffers from Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) and exposure to the sun's rays has had the potential to kill her. At night she walks to the train station, plays her guitar and sings songs she has written, commonly returning home just a few minutes before it starts getting light. One morning she is at the bus stop singing when Koji arrives. Liking the song she was singing, he promises to go and listen to her perform as a street musician the first day of summer vacation but finds a loud and off-key man has occupied her spot. Koji improvises and takes her to Yokahama on his motor bike where her singing immediately draws a crowd. Koji marvels at her extraordinary future, whereas he muses at his ordinary nature as he asks to be her boyfriend. But she breaks up almost immediately as the rising sun reminds her that she cannot live a normal life. Koji tries and make amends after being sought out by her father, and starts to earn the 200,000 yen needed to pay for a studio session and production of a CD of Kaoru's songs. As she practices on her guitar, she finds her fingers becoming immobilized, the first sign that neurological damage from the disease is progressing. Written by Brian Greenhalgh
CAST:
Yui ... Kaoru Amane
Takashi Tsukamoto ... Koji Fujishiro

i Love the CASTings also.. they are aLL kawaii and good...

Azenith wrote:Hey, I'm not very new to this forum since I have been a lurker for quite a while now.
But I finally registered as I need some help and I'm starting to get addicted to Jdramas O.O
I wanted some suggestions on some good girl/girl shows.

Mmm...I'm not sure I understand what you're looking for.
Can you be more specific?
Do you mean dramas that involve female homosexual characters (e.g. Last Friends, Love My Life), dramas that have more suggestive or fanservice type appeal (e.g. Mendol, Sukeban Deka), or dramas with a lot of (young?) female characters?


I'm having a hard time finding the similarities between all those dramas you listed, but I'm sure we can find other things for you to watch.

The first type I mentioned is more difficult to find, but there are plenty of the 2nd and 3rd around.

try celeb to binbo taro...,
change,
zettai kareshii

well i think it's interesting

I'm looking for a drama similar to LIFE, anything you can recommend?

i am looking for a comedy or a mystery, since i seem to like those best. also, i'm looking for a non-high school drama. i don't seem to like those much anymore. listed below are what i've seen, to get an idea of what i like. suggestions are greatly appreciated. in bold are jdrama names. i definitely recommend before the line. after, not so much. i also listed the genre for anyone looking for something to watch.

based on manga / anime i like
Mystery, Crime - Remote
Romance - Kimi Wa Petto
Mystery Suspense - Kindaichi Shonen
Detective Mystery - Meitantei Conan
Comedy, School - Gokusen Season 1
Drama - Cat Street (in progress, waiting on subtitles)

saw the jdrama first, but ended up watching the anime / reading the manga. i was drawn to it also, because i became a fan of Kaname Jun.
Mystery - Tantei Gakuen Q

i liked these too. they're based on recommendations from this thread. and also happen to have Kaname Jun in them. yay!!
Comedy - Himitsu no Hanazono (i became a fan of Kaname Jun because of this jdrama)
Suspense, bonds, comedy - Ryuusei no Kizuna
Human Drama - Ashita no Kita Yoshio
Mystery Comedy - Kimi Hannin Janai yo ne? (viewing in progress)

-----------------------------

these were ok. probably too h.s.
Suspense, Mystery - Puzzle (2007)
Romance - Kanojo to no Tadashii Asobikata

could not watch / finish
Romance - Proposal Daisakusen - not a yamapi fan. ... looks like my cousin. no good. also, too h.s. even though, i'm aware he keeps getting older. or this was too romantic for my taste. needed more comedy?
Comedy, School - Gokusen Season 2, 3 - i liked season 1 too much to be able to get through season 2, let alone season 3.
Drama/ romance / comedy? not too sure what its category is, probably food. - Bambino - thought i liked matsumoto jun, turns out not enough. (he was in Kimi Wa Petto, Gokusen Season 1, and one of the Kindaichi Shonen seasons?) i learned that food drama is not my genre.

download in progress
mystery, thriller, romance - million stars falling from the sky

Azenith wrote:Help! I'm running out of dramas... please can someone recommend some It'd be much appreciated.

Judging from your taste if you liked Mendol you'll love "Shimokita Glory DAYS" since it has a huge load of fanservice and nude big boobs, and light girl on girl humor.

If you liked Ace no Werae you'll probably like Attack No.1 since it stars the same main actresses and the plot is similar.

From Tear Jeckers....

Let's have something that wiLL make us smiLe and Laugh....
Drama's and Movies that wiLL take our probLems away...

I'll have.. Celeb to Binbo Taro.. even the ending makes me laugh
the death part is such a cruel jowk... hahaha

Any recommendations?

Stressed Tabs movie or dramas...

I've been out of the loop lately... I think the last drama I watched was Seigi no Mikata (one of the best, IMHO). What's been good lately?

I'll watch pretty much anything--crime, mystery, comedy, romance, action, etc.--except tragedies. Hate depressing stuff.

I love Hotaru no Hikari, Hanayome to Papa, and Himitsu no Hanazono (although the last isn't TOTALLY romantic. )

Hanayome to Papa, Hotaru no Hikari, Nodame Cantabile, Long Vacation. I LOVED Ryokiteki na Kanojo (Japanese adaptation of Korean My Sassy Girl)

Densha Otoko and Hana Yori Dango.

I'm watching Zettai Kareshi at the moment too. I've only gotten up to episode 2 but needless to say it's hilarious!

Manhattan Love Story. By far the best jdrama ever. Comedy, romance, total ridiculousness, and a brilliant script. What more could you ask?

Hi guys. Could you reccomend me something in the comedy/romance/ school setting drama? Ive seen

Gokusen
Yukan club
Hana yori dango
dragon zakura

^--My Boss My Hero. Check it out. You'll love it.

Azenith wrote:I wanted some suggestions on some good girl/girl shows.

Yama Onna Kabe Onna

--- groink

Yukan Club is aLso it the Number 1 List of Worst JDrama ever? hayz..

reaLLy.. thanks guys.. I'll look for those dramas... and movies.. hehehe..

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e - a romance coated with layers and layers of comedy. This got me hooked on jdramas like a rock star on heroin.

Zettai Kareshi - romance that pits reality versus fantasy with a lot of comedic twists along the way. Surprise-surprise, the girl chooses fantasy and gets reality by default.

Hotaru no Hikari - Subtle vs. Obvious. If you're like me, you'd be cheering on the subtle and be so ecstatically overjoyed that you'd get what you wish for in the end. You can't help screaming at Ayase Haruka, "You dolt! He's sooooo in LOVE with you!" But at the same time you'd forgive her for not noticing because she plays clueless really convincingly.

I have to second HanaKimi; even though the main love story is completely predictable and boring (and slightly creepy in that Horikita Maki plays a total stalker), the supporting cast makes up for it and it's actually super funny and entertaining. Another drama I'd recommend is Tiger & Dragon; it's not a romance (although there is some romance thrown in), but it is absolutely hilarious and really worth watching.

HYD and Nodame Cantabile. Hana Kimi is hilarious, but not very romantic to be honest.

i would say brother beat, it's not romentic comedy genre but it has 98% comedy , 50% romance with the older brother, and the rest is about the family which is hilarouss.
zettai kareshi is hilarous as well.

Kekkon Dekinai Otoko

Wedding Planner

Hello.

I have stopped watching Jdramas recently,

and now I want to start watching them again,
is there any recommended NEW dramas?
(I prefer completed series where I can download all the series from d-addicts)

Thank You

So, I've been watching quite a few J-Dramas recently, and I've been noticing something, that as time goes on, and I watch more and more of them, I am starting to find really annoying. To put it simply, it seems just about every J-Drama has a moral, or a lesson that needs to be taught. Basically, sometime during the episode, the actors sit there and talk about the lesson learned, whatever it may be. Some of the shows with the best premises are ruined for me by this issue. Hataraki Man, Mop Girl, QED, are some of the shows I've been watching recently that all featured this. All 3 are shows that would otherwise be great if it wasn't for the crappy lesson they feel the need to include. A couple other shows I can remember seeing this in offhand are, Love and Farm, and Gokusen. And I'm sure there are many others. I could probably name a dozen more like that if I tried.

My question is, are there any good shows without this moralistic preaching? Shows that just try to tell a good story in an entertaining way, rather then preach to you? If so, I'd love to know which ones to look for. Suggestions are appreciated!

Um... all storytelling requires a moral message. It's part of story structure. How loud the message is and whether it is positive or negative, is what you are talking about.

And without the moral lessons Hataraki Man would a really horrible show. Because the morals were the point.
The morals and messages made Hataraki Man deep and touching. Without it... it would be people sitting in an office all day. How boring is that?

If you want mindless entertainment with no soul, that's fine. But being deep doesn't make a show bad.

All Japanese dramas are like that. If you don't like those type, I suggest watching US sitcoms. They're no brainers mostly. Or sappy Korean dramas. Other options if you want Japanese are some movies or just pick any fighting ones.

You are of course correct in that all shows have some sort of moral. Bad guys are bad, good guys always win, this kind of thing. But its the level of preaching involved that differs. And thats where I have a problem. See, a good story should use the characters and their actions and environment to capture our interest. To make us care about them, and the trials and experiences they go through. Thats not mindless, soulless entertainment, thats merely good storytelling. A show shouldn't need to be blatant, or preachy in order to get the subtle messages across, to treat others right, to be honest etc. It doesn't need to be shoved down our throats.

I would have been happy watching Hataraki Man without the lesson. I watched the anime, and it didn't have nearly the level of preaching that the drama had. The characters didn't stand around preaching deep and meaningful lessons to each other. They simply lived their lives, and allowed us a glimpse into them. The moral doesn't make a show great, the story does. If they felt an absolute need to give that lesson, they could have simply left it at the Q&A at the beginning and end of the show, and then used the episode to add impact to it.

Please don't misunderstand either. I'm not really criticizing these other shows. I loved Hataraki Man, despite its moralistic preaching. (And I thank you for helping to sub it.) Gokusen, while the preaching was annoying and repetitive, was still a fun show. But what I'd really like, are some fun shows without all the preaching. Any suggestions?

Then like seirin said, try a different country or something with pretty much no plot. Because that is what most Jdramas are like.

Hmm, well Nodame didn't have the in your face aggressive moral. Although its the only one I've been able to think of so far though. I loved Nodame, it was a great show with a fun plot. I know what you mean though about the K-Dramas. Many of them are pretty enjoyable, though the acting in them is sometimes rather poor. My favorite Dramas lately have been K-Dramas. Just been hoping for another like Nodame.

Molenir wrote:You are of course correct in that all shows have some sort of moral. Bad guys are bad, good guys always win, this kind of thing. But its the level of preaching involved that differs. And thats where I have a problem. See, a good story should use the characters and their actions and environment to capture our interest. To make us care about them, and the trials and experiences they go through. Thats not mindless, soulless entertainment, thats merely good storytelling. A show shouldn't need to be blatant, or preachy in order to get the subtle messages across, to treat others right, to be honest etc.

I greatly enjoy Japanese dramas, but like you, i have noticed that there is an enormous amount of preaching in just about every episode. It's not the moralistic teaching that bothers me, because that's fine with me. A drama is more meaningful to me when there is a moral behind it. What bothers me is more the teaching must always be vocalized at the end of each episode. of course, sometimes it bothers me, sometimes it doesn't, and at other times it feels necessary.

my all-time favorite drama is Hana Kimi with Oguri Shun and there is a fair amount of it in there. unfortunately, being most Japanese dramas are similar in this aspect, it will be hard to find any without this. i can't remember exactly, but i think absolute boyfriend doesn't have too much. you can check that out if you want. there is a moralistic teaching but it's not just all preaching, i think.

in Molenir's defense, i don't really get this whole attitude of, "if you don't like it, go find something else that has no plot." i don't believe Molenir's thread was meant to offend anyone but rather an ask for help.

Hey Molenir, I definitely see where you're coming from. Regardless of the genre or the country of origin of a tv show, I find it super annoying when shows get to be all preachy and moralistic on us. This used to drive me out of my mind with TV as a kid (kid's tv shows tend to be particularly vocal in their morals... maybe because they think we wouldn't get it otherwise, maybe because they're totally trying to brainwash us, I dunno), but it is totally not necessary for entertainment, and certainly detracts from shows in my opinion.

It's interesting that you noted Mop Girl and Hataraki Man, because those are two of the very few shows I've started watching and given up on after the first episode. I just didn't like them either. Gokusen was sort of annoying -- I was watching it in Japan and my host mom had recommended it to me, saying she and her daughter had really enjoyed it. But I would ask her, somewhat rhetorically, why they always have to have a touching moment at the end (after fighting in a warehouse) to lead into them frolicking in a field...somewhere in there is where the moral appears.

So I think another related issue is that you might just not like really formulaic and episodic dramas. Those three seem a little junky to me, honestly.

Some ones I would recommend to try to avoid this pitfall:
-Manhattan Love Story (which I would of course recommend in any situation)
-Kekkon Dekinai Otoko
-Nodame Cantabile
-Last Friends
-Katagoshi no Koibito

Those are just a few examples. There's many more. I just watched Room of King which was very fun and definitely didn't have this issue. I think it should be entirely avoidable, so I hope you are able to find some jdramas you enjoy!

Molenir wrote:You are of course correct in that all shows have some sort of moral. Bad guys are bad, good guys always win, this kind of thing. But its the level of preaching involved that differs. And thats where I have a problem. See, a good story should use the characters and their actions and environment to capture our interest. To make us care about them, and the trials and experiences they go through. Thats not mindless, soulless entertainment, thats merely good storytelling. A show shouldn't need to be blatant, or preachy in order to get the subtle messages across, to treat others right, to be honest etc. It doesn't need to be shoved down our throats.

That's exactly the point. The bad guys are never simply bad in j-drama, that's what they are preaching about. I love the way they always try to safe the "criminals" as well, even in the most hardboiled police shows.
This black-and-white-world is what they show you in most US-shows, which I watch as well, but they mostly show life from a one-sided perspective only.

But you could try out:

- Unfair
- Sora kara furu Ichioku no Hoshi

mokudekiru wrote:Some ones I would recommend to try to avoid this pitfall:
-Manhattan Love Story (which I would of course recommend in any situation)
-Kekkon Dekinai Otoko
-Nodame Cantabile
-Last Friends
-Katagoshi no Koibito

I'd agree with those choices... Though Last Friends is an eventual train wreck.

Though Last Friends is an eventual train wreck.

Agreed. Right up until the last episode it was fantabulous. And then it was just like, wtf. But the stupidity at the end had nothing to do with morals...

Molenir wrote:You are of course correct in that all shows have some sort of moral. Bad guys are bad, good guys always win, this kind of thing.

That's not really true. Normally you would think all things end happily. Unfortunately, NHK doesn't think so. Nanase Futatabi's ending made me go WTH. There's not really any preaching there until you get to the final episode. Other than the final episode I found it pretty entertaining.

About last friends. I couldn't get past episode 2. Nishikado was too scary for me to watch. He makes me cringe.

Another drama that's pretty good without all the in your face moral type might be Bloody Monday. But then last episode sucked too. Other than that the drama was pretty intense.

Some other ones you can try are:
Mystery
---------------
A Sleeping Forest
Ice World / Koori no Sekai
Detective Conan
Iryu (maybe?)
Yasha
Security Police


Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake (I hate kyoko fukada but it was popular)
Lunch Queen


Romance
---------------
With Love
Absolute Boyfriend
Hana Yori Dango
Itoshi Kimi E
Last Christmas
Love Generation
Love Revolution

If you want less in your face type of moral, you might want to try Japanese movies. I find them touching and entertaining without the preaching but there's a story behind it. Course, you might find the pace to be slow though. I liked ima ai ni yukimasu, closed notes, G@me, Death Note and a few others.

mokudekiru wrote:

Though Last Friends is an eventual train wreck.

Agreed. Right up until the last episode it was fantabulous.

It would've been fantabulous had they resolved the DV/Stalker BS a whole lot sooner and spent more time developing the other homeshare characters rather than going for the fangirl ratings grab.

But the stupidity at the end had nothing to do with morals...

True... Though it did show how to not write a drama for television.

Wow, some really good suggestions here, thanks. Some of these I've seen, some I don't think I've heard of before. Very much appreciate it. I suddenly have a lot of downloading to do.

Hello! I look for all the d-addicted and wikipedia, but I can't find a way to search doramas by genre..is there a way to do that^? Anyway, I looking for action(like bloody monday and Sh15buya) new or old and good sad dramas.. Can anyone help me?

For Action.. how about Crows Zero, its a movie though.. for drama.. hmmm...

Maybe SP (Security Police) or Unfair?

Hello!
Does anyone knwos if there is here some epic japanese dramas,cause I love this kind of movie or series, novels!
Sincerely,
Marlon.

Please define epic.

I'm guessing you mean like historical manga/manhwa, things like Ouke No Monshou and Anatolia Story?

The nhk taiga drama Musashi is as good as it gets. I highly recommend it.

marlosbv wrote:Hello!
Does anyone knwos if there is here some epic japanese dramas,cause I love this kind of movie or series, novels!
Sincerely,
Marlon.

You can try Fuurin Kazan too!

I'm looking for Romantic comedies.. I don't want bitter sweet endings.. just sweet and happy endings..

I think 2004 is the best year regarding the romance lovers. Come on look at these consecutive series! Pride and Last Christmas was my top 2 and they aired in same year!
I still could not find better drama that beats the actings and solid characters in those dramas.

2004
------------------
Pride
Itoshi Kimi e
Tokyo Wankei
Last Christmas

colyn7 wrote:I'm looking for Romantic comedies.. I don't want bitter sweet endings.. just sweet and happy endings..

like you..I do not like sad endings too. So, I am looking for recommendations as well.

Here's what I like and watch
Boku Dake no Madonna
Good Luck
Beauty or Beast
Kekkon Dekinai Otoko
Engine
Hotaru no Hikari

^thanks...

gamercloud wrote:Hello! I look for all the d-addicted and wikipedia, but I can't find a way to search doramas by genre..is there a way to do that^? Anyway, I looking for action(like bloody monday and Sh15buya) new or old and good sad dramas.. Can anyone help me?

the dramawiki isn't set up to search by genre, but that's what this thread's for.
if you're looking for action, here're a couple you might try:
umizaru
SP (security police)
unfair

not quite "action", but might still be up your alley...
ashita no kita yoshio
byakuyakou
iryu
rondo

Hello everyone!

I'm looking for teenager, romantic dramas. Any suggestions would be great. =D

Thanks.

Never noticed this thread.

It will really help make it easier for me to decide which shows to watch.

aoiichan wrote:Hello everyone!

I'm looking for teenager, romantic dramas. Any suggestions would be great. =D

Thanks.

Which ones did you watched already.... ?

TW dramas nice in that sense I think. If you did not watched already check

Hana Yori Dango
Goong-princes hours
Corner with love
Devil Besides You
Smiling pasta
ISWAK

I've watched tons...

My List is according to my favorites..

1. KOIZORA
2. TAIYOU NO UTA
3. ZETTAI KARESHI
4. Densha Otoko
5. Celeb to Binbo Taro
6. Honey and Clover
7. bLoody Monday
8. Gokusen 3
9. Gokusen 1
10. Nobuta Wo Produce
11. Waterboys
12. Waterboys 2
13. Hana Kimi
14. Hana Yori Dango
15. ---- Innocent Love? (am still gonna watch this!)


Not in order.. just dramas I've watched

Binbo Dashi
FireBoys
H2 Kimi to Itahibi
Gokusen 2
Hana Yori Dango 2
Sexy Voice and Robo


Looking at it.. I still haven't watched that much.. hahaha..

Anyway, as you can notice those are full of Oguri Shun, Yamada Takayuki, Hiro Mizushima, Kennichi Matsuyama and Haruma Miura dramas... those are my fave actors by the way..

ja ne!

@talays,

Here are my suggestions:

1. KOIZORA
2. TAIYOU NO UTA
3. ZETTAI KARESHI
4. Densha Otoko
5. Celeb to Binbo Taro
6. Honey and Clover
7. Hana Yori Dango

colyn7 wrote:@talays,

Here are my suggestions:

1. KOIZORA
2. TAIYOU NO UTA
3. ZETTAI KARESHI
4. Densha Otoko
5. Celeb to Binbo Taro
6. Honey and Clover
7. Hana Yori Dango

Looking at your first 2, you do not seem to favor happy endings ...
Unfortunately I favor them so HYD would be the top one

bloody monday
its new and cool

try "oh my girl "also

hahaha.. It was a touching story.. If you're looking for a romantic comedy then It's Celeb to Binbo Taro... Mostly Jdramas have a touching ending.. *sob*

Hello!

I'm looking for j-drama(s) which would be comedy & romance, with bishies ^^. If possible quite new. Oh, and i already know Hana Kimi and Mei-chan no shitsuji (I like both very much).

Thanks for help.

Hi! I was looking for Romance doramas! I really enjoyed "orange days", "slow dance" or "to heart". So there is any other dorama similar to those. Maybe with "happy ending" ^^U and not a high-school dorama. Well, maybe it's too sepecific... But I'd really appreciate your help!!!!

Thanks!!!!!

Nao-chan wrote:Hi! I was looking for Romance doramas! I really enjoyed "orange days", "slow dance" or "to heart". So there is any other dorama similar to those. Maybe with "happy ending" ^^U and not a high-school dorama. Well, maybe it's too sepecific... But I'd really appreciate your help!!!!

Thanks!!!!!

You can try Nodame, Last Christmas, Long Vacation if you haven't watched it already

Koi no Chikara is good too, although romance is not the main focus of the series.

Thank you very much xploring!! ^__^[/quote]

Hello, I just recently started watching Japanese dramas and I'm loving them. I am learning Japanese and it helps to watch a drama and catch a few words that I know. I tried it with anime, but most anime's have improper or ghetto Japanese.

This being said, I'm asking if some of the more experienced fans of JDramas could recommend a few good shows for me. The genres that I enjoy are romance, sci-fi (I haven't really found any sci-fi drama's), comedy and action.

So far here are the shows I've watched:

Innocent Love- One of my absolute favorites. I really enjoy watching Hirokita Maki act.

GTO- I haven't finished it, yet, but so far I love it. I never knew a television show could be so inspiring.

Maou- I watched the first episode and to be honest I found it a bit boring. It seems like a lot of people like it and so I will give it a few more episodes.

Last Friends- I finished this series and I wasn't very happy. I think it's because I never really connected with the characters. However, I did hate Sousuke throughout the entire series.

Bloody Monday- I have watched the first two episodes and I find this show boring as well. I will give a few more episodes, hopefully it will grow on me.

Orange days is a really good dorama.

And if you like Maki, give Nobuta wo Produce a try.