I know, the last episode still holds the title of most watched television program ever in Japan. Doesn't change anything for me. Everything about the show was terrible and didn't capture the feel of anime nor manga at all.
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Let's talk about Japanese Dramas!
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I know, the last episode still holds the title of most watched television program ever in Japan. Doesn't change anything for me. Everything about the show was terrible and didn't capture the feel of anime nor manga at all.
Nope, there are no big differences. The major one is, obviously, the language.
fudgey_lumpkins
Member
There is a difference between KDramas and JDramas. KDramas focus strongly on personal bonds between people and love. JDramas while also having that connection, tend to focus more on the situation that the characters are in then the characters themselves. There are exceptions of course but thats just the general overview.
And Nodame is a good Drama. I loved it. The complete series is 2 seasons and a movie.
Actually it's 1 season, 2 SP and 2 movies.
So...
I watched the first episode of Galileo, Orange Days and Haikei, Chichiue-sama.
Galileo is mystery drama based on Higashino Keigo's books. It's pretty good, the main duo is really likeable. I'm sure I like it as much as Kagi No Kakatta Heya.
Orange Days (which is, I guess, a well-known drama around here) is a romance drama where a guy falls for a deaf girl. Even without talking she's one of the best characters.
Haikei, Chichiue-sama focuses on a young cook in small town. The first episode basically introduced the characters and whatnot, there's not much to say. It's off to a great start though, I really like the setting and since Kazunari Ninomiya is the lead...
I watched the first episode of Galileo, Orange Days and Haikei, Chichiue-sama.
Galileo is mystery drama based on Higashino Keigo's books. It's pretty good, the main duo is really likeable. I'm sure I like it as much as Kagi No Kakatta Heya.
Orange Days (which is, I guess, a well-known drama around here) is a romance drama where a guy falls for a deaf girl. Even without talking she's one of the best characters.
Haikei, Chichiue-sama focuses on a young cook in small town. The first episode basically introduced the characters and whatnot, there's not much to say. It's off to a great start though, I really like the setting and since Kazunari Ninomiya is the lead...
I honestly have no idea since non U.S viewers can't see what they have... (or maybe France is one the countries you can't watch them from)
I think they mostly have Korean dramas anyway.
Started watching Going My Home and I love it. I had no idea Koreeda Hirokazu was behind the show but soon as I had watched about 30 minutes I knew it had to be him, then I checked it from IMDB and I was right. It kinda has that Still Walking feel to it, it's just more light hearted. Actors have done superb job so far and Koreeda knows how to create nice mellow atmosphere not to mention he has great knack of showing nature. Too bad the show didn't do too well in Japan since I really would like to see more shows from Koreeda. I guess his career is in the movies.
oyoshimaru
Member
Great Teacher Onizuka(1998), Hana Yori Dango, Ikebukuro West Gate Park, my three favorites.
Memento_Mori15
Member
There's a Japanese drama thread and no one mentions One litre of Tears?
It's the only series I've watched from beginning to end. I also bought the book but still haven't read it. I'm looking for a new one but I tend to find that Japanese dramas have cringe worthy acting...unless it's only those low-budget dramas I've seen at 11pm.
Edit: But the freeter buying a house has an NHk vibe and thus sounds interesting. I think I'll watch it.
It's the only series I've watched from beginning to end. I also bought the book but still haven't read it. I'm looking for a new one but I tend to find that Japanese dramas have cringe worthy acting...unless it's only those low-budget dramas I've seen at 11pm.
Edit: But the freeter buying a house has an NHk vibe and thus sounds interesting. I think I'll watch it.
Even the prime time shows do have cringe worth acting or they are just other vise overly melodramatic. There are shows here and there where the acting is bordering normal to western sense. Current show that I'm watching (going my home) is really good acting vise but I guess the subject of the show isn't for all but I would still recommend it to everyone.
Tokyohive's preview of the Spring dramas
http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/04/prime-time-drama-preview-–-spring-2013/
I think I'll watch :
Kazoku Game
Galileo 2
Sennyu Tantei Tokage
TAKE FIVE
Sora Tobu Kouhoushitsu
Kumo no Kaidan
http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/04/prime-time-drama-preview-–-spring-2013/
I think I'll watch :
Kazoku Game
Galileo 2
Sennyu Tantei Tokage
TAKE FIVE
Sora Tobu Kouhoushitsu
Kumo no Kaidan
I watched some of Freeter, ie wo kau when I was in Japan, but it didn't do anything for me, even though it ought to be very interesting to analyze. I really don't like Ninomiya and the general tone of the drama just seemed... off to me. I don't know, I just watched half of two episodes and ended up changing channels.
I've been watching Densha Otoko with my mom (we're at episode 10 now) and we're both enjoying it lots! There are times when I'm screaming at the TV because I'm angry with Yamada and his lisp annoys me to no end, but that's part of the experience, I guess? I love the depiction of the Internet culture with all its linguistic and social intricacies. It's a shame so much of it gets lost in translation... The subtitles are shit to begin with and I feel bad for my mom because she's missing out on so much on the language level.
I've been watching Densha Otoko with my mom (we're at episode 10 now) and we're both enjoying it lots! There are times when I'm screaming at the TV because I'm angry with Yamada and his lisp annoys me to no end, but that's part of the experience, I guess? I love the depiction of the Internet culture with all its linguistic and social intricacies. It's a shame so much of it gets lost in translation... The subtitles are shit to begin with and I feel bad for my mom because she's missing out on so much on the language level.
Ah I actually finished Priceless a few days ago.
It was good yeah, I was just annoyed by the kids. Really liked the main actor, Kimura Takuya.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
I want to recommend IS: Intersexual if only because it's a topic that really isn't discussed in the media. Of course, the jdrama is full of Japanese acting, but the issues it raises make up for that.
Strawberry Night is interesting because it's a lot like a Japanese version of The Closer or Prime Suspect. It just needs more money to look as good as its American or British counterparts.
Strawberry Night is interesting because it's a lot like a Japanese version of The Closer or Prime Suspect. It just needs more money to look as good as its American or British counterparts.
Kyuuketsu_Night
Member
Ventilaator
Banned
What @ Liar Game.
Here's money. You lose it if you give it away. Oh no, I got tricked into giving it away!!
...What? How?
Here's money. You lose it if you give it away. Oh no, I got tricked into giving it away!!
...What? How?
I personally hate Kimura Takuya. He seems to do the same role every time and his relationship with women is always the same. Nonetheless watch Hero if you haven't already. Kimura Takuya is starring in that one as well but it was actually great show. Priceless wasn't bad either but not just my cup of tea.
Interesting list of doramas. I've actually sat down and seen a few of them; others I've seen second-hand from being the same room as my wife while she's watching TV.
Seems you really like your Nino;D Then again, it's pretty hard to find a drama that doesn't have Arashi or another member from Johnny's.
There are a few things I really don't care for about Japanese dramas. A lot them are content to just rehash the same old themes. You can predict what character developments (if any) are coming, and usually any plot twists because they're just so cliche. It's rare that you get a solid acting performance as characters are frequently way too one-dimensional. Half the time, it seems like the drama exists to push some new single.
I'm being harsh though. I liked Ono in Kagi no Kakatta Heya. Actually, Ono in general is pretty fun to watch because he gets himself into weird roles like the one he played in Monster. Rich Man, Poor Woman was good, but predictable. The special that was on last night was pretty bad. Liar Game got decent reviews, but I still need to see it.
I imagine part of the trouble with J-Dramas is their need to cram everything into one, 8-12 episode season. I'm not saying that you need long ass dramas spanning multiple seasons, but look at western TV shows like Breaking Bad, The Wire, The West Wing, Homeland and how the characters / storylines progress over a long period of time. I tend to think that the best shows have interesting characters that change meaningfully as the story progresses. J-Dramas tend to focus more on the event happening in the story rather than the characters. I wonder if that is a product of shorter seasons or just cultural differences.
It's definitely an acquired taste.
I'd recommend checking out some of KudoKan's dramas like Ikebukuro West Gate Park, or my favorite - Tiger & Dragon.
Yeah, seriously. KimuTaku has got to be getting close to Ossan territory. I don't know how much longer Johnny's can keep throwing him in as the main love interest and rake in the cash. Dood is starting to look old and not in a good way.
Seems you really like your Nino;D Then again, it's pretty hard to find a drama that doesn't have Arashi or another member from Johnny's.
There are a few things I really don't care for about Japanese dramas. A lot them are content to just rehash the same old themes. You can predict what character developments (if any) are coming, and usually any plot twists because they're just so cliche. It's rare that you get a solid acting performance as characters are frequently way too one-dimensional. Half the time, it seems like the drama exists to push some new single.
I'm being harsh though. I liked Ono in Kagi no Kakatta Heya. Actually, Ono in general is pretty fun to watch because he gets himself into weird roles like the one he played in Monster. Rich Man, Poor Woman was good, but predictable. The special that was on last night was pretty bad. Liar Game got decent reviews, but I still need to see it.
I imagine part of the trouble with J-Dramas is their need to cram everything into one, 8-12 episode season. I'm not saying that you need long ass dramas spanning multiple seasons, but look at western TV shows like Breaking Bad, The Wire, The West Wing, Homeland and how the characters / storylines progress over a long period of time. I tend to think that the best shows have interesting characters that change meaningfully as the story progresses. J-Dramas tend to focus more on the event happening in the story rather than the characters. I wonder if that is a product of shorter seasons or just cultural differences.
It's definitely an acquired taste.
I'd recommend checking out some of KudoKan's dramas like Ikebukuro West Gate Park, or my favorite - Tiger & Dragon.
Yeah, seriously. KimuTaku has got to be getting close to Ossan territory. I don't know how much longer Johnny's can keep throwing him in as the main love interest and rake in the cash. Dood is starting to look old and not in a good way.
To each their own I guess.
Thanks for the recommendations guys, got a nice backlog :lol
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
Thanks. Ive always wanted to watch " last friends " too. Just because hikki sang the theme for it prisoner of love. If anybody saw it let me know if its good.
Oh yeah, that was a fun drama. A lot of Nagase's dramas are good, if only for the fun factor. His last drama, Naku na, Haru-chan was baaaaaaaaaaad. I liked him in MBMH, Tiger & Dragon, Unobore Keiji, and Ikebukuro West Gate Park.
Priceless was pretty meh imo. A typical golden time drama for housewives with Kimutaku playing Kimutaku.
On the other hand, +1 for Going my home, best show of the season it was aired (fall 2012 I think?)
As for this season, I'm definitively going to watch Tokage and Take five, unless they end up sucking fast... I'm not sure about the others, maybe if I'm not busy when they air.
On the other hand, +1 for Going my home, best show of the season it was aired (fall 2012 I think?)
As for this season, I'm definitively going to watch Tokage and Take five, unless they end up sucking fast... I'm not sure about the others, maybe if I'm not busy when they air.
Weird. Live action Akiyama looks creepy.
ToLateToLove
Member
Man I can't remember the last jdrama I watched. And I have probably seen 50+ dramas. I mostly watch kdramas now, had a lot to catch up on.. I think I lost the patience to look for good dramas.
Memento_Mori15
Member
Just came to post that Freeter is really good so far. I was hooked right from the first episode. I still have a couple episodes left but figured I'll look for another drama since it's only 10 episodes long.
As for Liar Game, I heard it's not close to the manga but good. I rather just read the manga even with the constant hiatus.
As for Liar Game, I heard it's not close to the manga but good. I rather just read the manga even with the constant hiatus.
I got sick and had time to kill so I marathoned My Boss My Hero in two days. It was pretty good, silly fun all around. I did fast forward couple of the last episodes but they weren't bad episodes. I just kinda figured out where it was going so I just didn't have the patience to sit through the later episodes.
On other note there is only 4 more episodes of Going My Home left for me
It's been a great show so far and I wish there was more of it since I really don't want it to end. I have been saving the last four episodes but since I'm still bit ill I might finish the show today. After that I'm pretty much out of shows to watch. I'll try to pick up Bloody Monday and Liar Game again but I doubt results will be any different then on my previous attempts.
Strawberry Night might be something. I'm still looking for good cop drama since even Shinzanmono turned out to be unwatchable.
On other note there is only 4 more episodes of Going My Home left for me
It's been a great show so far and I wish there was more of it since I really don't want it to end. I have been saving the last four episodes but since I'm still bit ill I might finish the show today. After that I'm pretty much out of shows to watch. I'll try to pick up Bloody Monday and Liar Game again but I doubt results will be any different then on my previous attempts.Strawberry Night might be something. I'm still looking for good cop drama since even Shinzanmono turned out to be unwatchable.
John Dunbar
correct about everything
Because I have no life and am highly susceptible to words, I started watching Freeter Ie wo Kau (because it was the first show mentioned), and have watched 6 episodes now.
Generally speaking I like it. There are some things that, as someone used to western shows, strike me as odd, like the excessive use of flashbacks of things that just happened. My memory is not so bad I need to be reminded of a scene from 10 minutes ago. But as a whole I have enjoyed the show, and I like it that these all seem to be more like mini series, and not something that just goes on and on for years as long as the ratings hold up (by the way, does Japan have shows like that, with actual seasons? Googling the shows mentioned in the thread, they all seem to have 10 or 11 episodes max).
Anyway, thanks for the recommendation. Always good to try new things.
Generally speaking I like it. There are some things that, as someone used to western shows, strike me as odd, like the excessive use of flashbacks of things that just happened. My memory is not so bad I need to be reminded of a scene from 10 minutes ago. But as a whole I have enjoyed the show, and I like it that these all seem to be more like mini series, and not something that just goes on and on for years as long as the ratings hold up (by the way, does Japan have shows like that, with actual seasons? Googling the shows mentioned in the thread, they all seem to have 10 or 11 episodes max).
Anyway, thanks for the recommendation. Always good to try new things.
Some shows do have multiple seasons yes, but you often have a single season of 10-11 episodes and if the show was popular enough, a special episode (SP) like one year later.
I like it better that way to be honest, thus you can watch a lot of "fresh" shows when a new season (Winter, Spring...) starts.
There are some long running shows, some shows have been running even from 60s. Many of the historical dramas seem to run for many years. Just by quick Google search I found Atsu-hime (56ep) and Junjo Kirari (123ep). I have never watched these longer shows but I might just give it a shot if I find something interesting. Or are these just Japanese equivalent of day time soap opera?
Edit. Apparently NHK has something called Taiga drama http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiga_drama
Didn't see this thread until now. I've been out of the drama loop for some years now but I feel like getting in again, even though I don't have the time to follow that many at the same time anymore. Anyway here are some of my absolute favorites:
Byakuyako: very dark and twisted drama & love story.
Summer Snow: great slice of life-ish story with an impeccable cast, young Shun Oguri was impressive.
1 Litre of Tears: stands out from your typical "young girl with a incurable disease falling in love" type of story thanks to the terrific performance from Erika Sawajiri.
Proposal Daisakusen: nice romantic story with a great emphasis on time travel and it somehow works.
Papa to Musume no Nanokakan: quirky body swapping story. I though it was hilarious then but maybe that was just me having a crush on Yui Aragaki.
Currently I'm trying to finish Biblia Koshodou no Jiken Techou before moving on to I don't know, maybe Rich Man, Poor Woman. I also would like to continue with Last Friends, I never finished it for some reason.
Byakuyako: very dark and twisted drama & love story.
Summer Snow: great slice of life-ish story with an impeccable cast, young Shun Oguri was impressive.
1 Litre of Tears: stands out from your typical "young girl with a incurable disease falling in love" type of story thanks to the terrific performance from Erika Sawajiri.
Proposal Daisakusen: nice romantic story with a great emphasis on time travel and it somehow works.
Papa to Musume no Nanokakan: quirky body swapping story. I though it was hilarious then but maybe that was just me having a crush on Yui Aragaki.
Currently I'm trying to finish Biblia Koshodou no Jiken Techou before moving on to I don't know, maybe Rich Man, Poor Woman. I also would like to continue with Last Friends, I never finished it for some reason.
"For the sake of the future where we were together"? I've started watching this recently. It's about a 22 year old guy (Atsushi Horigami) who's not all too happy with the life he's currently leading. He appears to have a lot of regrets etc. On new years eve 1999 something happens to him and he somehow finds himself in the past, 4 years earlier as his 4 year younger self with all of his memories in tact. He decides to take this opportunity to lead a perfect life and fix his mistakes. During he rise to fame Atsushi one day meets a mysterious man who tells him to remember his face. He thinks nothing of it. Anyway, he gains fame and fortune but will he get the happiness he seeks? Also, what is the meaning of this mysterious man?
Heh liked that series. The ending was a bit out there... still a fun series to watch.
Wolf Akela
Member
Densha Otoko is the only one I watched. The feels...
Is Ito Misaki retired from showbiz to take care of the family?
Is Ito Misaki retired from showbiz to take care of the family?
She's been gone a long time.
NHK's taiga drama are yearly affairs mostly semi-historical in nature. They vary in quality, but the most recent one that was very well received (if I'm not wrong) was Ryomaden, chronicling the life of Sakamoto Ryoma. I've watched it, and it's interesting if you're into Japanese history, but otherwise it doesn't really hold up against other top notch drama series.
sleeping_dragon
Banned
Just finished Buzzer Beat, thought it was great and sometimes i wonder if im watching a korean drama which is quite resfreshing since they mix some melodrama in it plus the 2 leads has great chemistry. So check it out if you haven't.
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