Japanese DRAMAs (テレビドラマ terebi dorama, television drama), also called dorama (ドラマ), are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily. All major TV networks in Japan produce a variety of drama series including murder romance, comedy, detective stories, horror, and many others. For special occasions, there may also be a one- or two-episode drama with a specific theme, such as a drama produced in 2007 for the 60-year anniversary of the end of World War II.

Japanese drama series are broadcast in three-month seasons, with new dramas airing each season. The majority of dramas are aired week-days in the evenings around 9:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m., or even 11:00 p.m. Dramas shown in the morning or afternoon are generally broadcast on a daily basis, and episodes of the same drama can be aired every day for several months, such as NHK's asadora, or morning dramas. The evening dramas, however, air weekly and are usually nine to twelve episodes long, though sometimes there will be an epilogue special made after the final episode if the drama has been a huge success.

Japan has four television seasons: Winter (January–March), Spring (April–June), Summer (July–September), and Autumn or Fall (October–December). Some series may start in another month though it may still be counted as a series of a specific season.

One characteristic of Japanese drama that differentiates it is that each episode is usually shot only a few (two to three) weeks before it is actually aired. Many fans have been able to visit their idols shooting scenes even as the show is still airing.

taken from wikipedia

Here is a place for all of you to discuss your favorite Japanese drama or recommend one for others to watch. I will post a review every once in a while along with links as to where to watch them

SPOILER!!: { index of recommendations }

• 1 Litre of Tears

First, you must know that this drama is based on a dramatic tragedy diary written by a girl named Aya Kito. In her diary, she talks about coping with her teenage life along with a degenerative disease. She was diagnosed with a disease called spinocerebellar atrophy when she was 15 years old. The disease causes the person to lose control over their body, but because the person can retain all mental ability the disease acts as a prison. Aya discovers this disastrous news as the disease has already developed. There is no cure. She keeps a diary of not only what she does but how she feels and the hardships she must endure. Initially, the diary’s purpose was for Aya to chronicle impressions she had about how the disease was affecting her daily life as was suggested by her doctor. As the disease progressed, however, the diary became Aya’s outlet for describing the intense personal struggles she underwent in coping, adapting, and ultimately trying to survive her disease. As she notes in one entry, “I write because writing is evidence that I am still alive.” After her death some ten years after being diagnosed, another diary was published, one written by her mother, telling about a mother’s struggle to cope with her daughter’s incurable illness.

Synopsis (taken from Wikipedia)

The story begins as Aya prepares for the new semester. Despite being happy, she suffers from slight physical problems, which only her mother seems to notice. However, one day, she falls unconsciously on the floor. After she is sent to the hospital, she is shortly diagnosed with the disease. Despite the fact that she is diagnosed with the terminal illness, she does not lose the will to survive.

She still makes friends with others, including her first love, Yuji. She later develops an interest in Haruto. Although somewhat cold, Haruto was still kind to her. Meanwhile, her health continues to deteriorate. Knowing that she will not survive for long, she returns the gift Haruto has given, who discovers the fact when he reads the love letter that Aya gave him.

Aya Kitō proved her courage and positive attitude towards an uncertain future when suffering such an illness, spinocerebellar ataxia. The drama spans a decade, during which she graduates from school while her conditions worsen.
This drama examines the complex range of feelings that patient, family, friends, and the general community, undergo during the painful process when someone so young is diagnosed with a terminal disease. In doing so, the script considers particularly the domestic situation of caring for an ill relative who requires specialized attention, but it also critiques general attitudes towards the disabled in Japanese society. Every new day for Aya means accepting new obstacles and new losses. Therefore, most importantly, this series commemorates the indomitable spirit who wrote a “record of a girl who was chosen by this strange disease.”

This drama is extremely powerful and real. I found myself crying nearly every episode and thinking about if I was in the same situation, would I be as strong as Aya? There is a scene near the end of the series where Aya is not hospitalized because she can no longer walk. Also, she has to be watched carefully while she eats because she can no longer control her body’s movements enough to properly eat food without chocking. During the middle of the night, Aya manages to get to a pay phone to call her mother because Aya is afraid. However, her movements are so restricted that she cannot dial the number fast enough to actually connect and she is now too weak to get herself back to her room. Moments like this, others worse and others not so worse, really made me think a lot about my life. I know this does not sound like the most cheerful drama, but I highly recommend it.

Like all Japanese dramas, some stock characterization is evident: the angelic and sacrificial mother, the aloof and enigmatic boy-hero who proves to be truly loyal, and the jokester father. But where this drama succeeds so perfectly is the brilliant interpolation from the real Aya’s diaries: the words, examples, and deeds are part the work of screenwriters, but mostly the true and authentic words of the sick Aya. The script moves magnificently between the various moods of tragic and heroic that a life-threatening illness bring out in both the one suffering, and those who suffer with her. It is impossible, or was for me, to get through an episode without shedding pure tears of awareness.

You can watch the entire drama here: 1 Litre of Tears | Watch 1 Litre of Tears Japanese Drama Online

I highly recommend Tumbling and Atashinchi no Danshi. They were really fun to watch and I actually only spent a day or two to watch them!

Highly recommend these comedy!!


1. My boss My Hero

synopsis:
Sakaki Makio, also known as "Tornado" is a tough 27-year-old high school drop-out. By academic standards, he's pretty dumb. His father decides to force Makio to return to high school to receive his diploma and he asks an old friend who happens to be the principal of a nearby school to admit Makio. If Makio doesn't graduate, the position of boss will be given to his younger brother, Mikio.

Furthermore, he must pose as a 17-year-old during school hours and in the presence of any classmates or teachers outside of school. If his cover is blown, it would be the end of his high school career as well as his hopes to become boss. Things start out rough and tough as Makio's violent temper is tested. As the lessons and days go by he learns there is much more to school than just tests and studying.

2. Nodame Cantabile
synopsis:
Adapted by manga which is created by Tomoko Ninomiya. Megumi Noda, or "Nodame" is a piano student at Momogaoka College of Music. An extremely talented pianist who wants to be a preschool teacher, she prefers playing by ear rather than reading the music score. She is messy and disorganized, takes baths several days apart and loves to eat, sometimes stealing her friend's lunchbox when it is filled with delicacies.
Shinichi Chiaki is Momogaoka's top student. Born into a musical family, he is talented in piano and violin and has secret ambitions to become a conductor. An arrogant multi-lingual perfectionist who once lived abroad in the music capitals of the world as a young boy (namely Prague), he is trapped in Japan because of his childhood phobia of airplanes and the ocean.
They meet by accident. Nodame quickly falls in love, but it takes much longer for Chiaki to even begin to appreciate Nodame's unusual qualities. Their relationship causes them both to develop and grow. Along the way, they meet some crazy people (like Masumi, Mine, and Stresemann) and make lasting friendships. Because of Nodame, Chiaki gets the opportunity to lead a student orchestra and begins to have a broader appreciation of people's musical abilities. Because of Chiaki, Nodame faces her fears and enters a piano competition. Opportunities open up as both begin taking risks, stretching themselves far more than they ever thought possible.
After graduation, Nodame succeeds in curing Chiaki from his phobia and they both move to Paris where Nodame continues her piano studies at the Conservatoire de Paris while Chiaki starts a professional career as a conductor. In Europe, they encounter new friends and rivals, as well as keep in touch with their friends from Japan.

I highly recommend Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu known as I Give My First Love to You.. starring Mao Inoue and Masaki Okada.

If you like action-packed high school dramas, I suggest Gokusen.

for this season drama, I recommend Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato De (Mystery solved after dinner), 11 Nin mo Iru! and Runaway