byrdgyrl wrote:Howdy! I'm fairly new to Jdrama as well, like everyone else here, and am in desperate need of some recommendations.
I think maybe the things I like are a little different than most. I tend to like very dark, serious, intense, adult drama, but it's hard to find. I also like things set in the Showa era, especially the war period and things relating to it. So it's probably no surprise that Fumo Chitai was my favorite drama of the past few seasons.
I know one of the NHK dramas was set in the Showa era, and I've read about it on DramaWiki, but I haven't been able to find it to download or with English subs.
I've perused a lot of others, but the recent-ish dramas I like the most (aside from Fumo Chitai) are Utahime and Liar Game.
I'm totally open to things that aren't brand new - if I can download them with English subs, that is!
Thank you so much for your help!!
I don't know much about dramas from the Showa era, but for darker stories I may have a few.
Mostly suspense dramas
Maou very dark, involves revenge, and murder.
Majo Saiban Not as dark as Maou but involves the jurors of a strange murder case being bought off/blackmaled.
Bloody Monday 1 and 2 terrorists try to destroy Japan. With help of a hacker an anti terrorist agency takes them on. Doesn't seem too dark at first wash....but the story has enough death destruction and who dunnit to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Orthros No Inu One man has the power to kill anyone with a touch, another the power to heal anyone with a touch battle each other. Mostly this one is good for the mystery. Where did they come from are they connected etc.
Zeni Geba Poor boy grows up in a horrible situation and decided he will become rich no matter what (or who) stands in his way.
The Quiz show 1 and 2 someone uses an new television quiz show to bring about revenge.
Serious subjects but not so much dark:
Last Friends this one is not really dark but deals with subjects such as domestic violence, Homosexuality, Sexual abuse and more.
Yasashi Jikan this one is might not be up your alley. It is mostly a human drama about loss and guilt. In a nut shell A boy causes his mothers death in a auto accident and disappears for a number of years. Only to find out he has been living less than an hour away from his father the entire time, watching over him.
Suspense dramas that sometimes have a bit of comedy thrown in
Untouchable Has very dark moments but on the whole has as much comedy as suspense.
Trick series mostly just a who dunnit and how. Much like Liar Game, each episode deals with a different case but the relationships between the characters grow and evolve throughout.
Ryusei no Kizuna has a lot of comedic elements, but the basic plot is that 3 siblings look for the man that killed their parents when they were young children.
I hope that some of the interest you. I tried to include a bit of variety but keep the list geared toward more adult stories.
...Basically, I've seen quite a bit of dramas and most were the usual "most voted" dramas (e.g. HYD's, GTO/GOKUSEN's, most of Kimura Takuya's shows, 85% of 100 top dramas on jdorama website..) I'm open to newer or older titles...anything that you find interesting that mightve been overlooked by most. I loved Long Vacation (my favorite drama), MBMH, Byakuyakou. I like stories with more drama or love themes mostly, but as with MBMH, i like a good comedy too. Any genre/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance....oh, btw...I LUV THIS SITE 
I really liked it, and I think that if you liked Hero you should like this one to..
