1 Pound no Fukuin [1ポンドの福音] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) A great drama from start to finish. Lots of comedy, but also character development and excitement. And great acting performance by Kame. Top notch! | Ace wo Nerae! [エースをねらえ!] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) A part of me wants to dislike this drama - because it's unrealistically unrealistic and has some really lame acting (I don't blame the actors here - I blame the scriptwriters for the lame lines). However, there's still something in it that keeps you hooked until the last episode - I don't know what or why, but it's there. | Around 40 [アラウンド40] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A good drama, with complex characters and well-written storylines. Most of the actors do excellent jobs too, and each episode feels natural and down-to-earth. |
At Home Dad [アットホーム・ダッド] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) A highly entertaining drama, with the great Abe Hiroshi in the lead role. And for once the child actors are good too, which is refreshing. The story feels original enough and the pacing is good. Nothing breathtaking, but good nonetheless! | Attack No.1 [アタック No.1]
| Bara no nai Hanaya [薔薇のない花屋] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) A very good drama, with a complex plot and great acting. The only thing keeping it from getting a perfect score is that it lacks the extra "it". But it's one of the best in a long time, no doubt. |
Beautiful life [ビューティフルライフ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Really good drama, where you grow to understand the characters more and more as the episodes go by. | Bijo ka Yajuu [美女か野獣]
| Boku dake no Madonna [僕だけのマドンナ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Simply a masterpiece! The chemistry between the main actors is fantastic, and each episode is different from the other. Boku Dake no Madonna goes through all different kinds of feelings, and the viewer will feel them all. Words cannot describe just how good some parts of this drama are - you have to see it to understand. This is Takizawa's best performance ever, and Hasegawa Kyoko is magical in her role as Surumi. Yet another must-watch drama! |
Bus stop [バスストップ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) After rewatching this drama, all I can say is that it's definitely one of my favorites. It's just so good! | Chakushin Ari [着信あり] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) This drama is very similar to Ringu Saishusho in many ways, but it may in fact be even better! Very high-paced, with a few corny moments (and some parts of the final episode are a bit too B... ), but overall it has a very interesting storyline with lots of great plot-twists. I like it! | CHANGE Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Undoubtedly a great script, and brilliant actors. Of course Kimura and Abe do magnificent jobs as always, but the story lacks an extra something to get a perfect score. Still great though! |
Chiipu rabu [チープラブ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Wow. Just when I thought I had seen everything, I found Cheap Love. One of the most exciting and intelligent dramas I have seen. It arouses many feelings, and not one episode is boring. And a great cast! A must-watch for everyone. | Chuushingura 1/47 [忠臣蔵 1/47] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Fantastic actors, great story and excellent directing. Truly a great piece of work with Kimura Takuya at his best! | D&D (dangerous angel x death hunter)
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Dekichatta Kekkon [できちゃった結婚] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This is just a fantastic drama, I can't find anything negative to say about it. I'm surprised it's not more popular! Not only are the actors doing a superb job, but the storyline is just amazing as well! This is definitely a must watch, a drama that makes you feel great in all ways! | Densha Otoko [電車男] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Amazing drama! It hooks you from the very first episode with its charm and spirit. All the actors do a great job, and the fact that it's based on a real story just makes it all even more worthwile! Fantastic, and a must-see! | Dragon Zakura [ドラゴン桜] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) I was rather impressed by this drama - the acting was good in most cases, and excellent (as always) in Abe Hiroshi. Although there isn't that much of a storyline, the drama still has that 'something' that makes you want to watch it, which is why I am giving it a 9 rather than 8. Overall, a nice drama! |
Egao no Hosoku [笑顔の法則] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Not bad, but not very good either. A solid driving force is missing, and the storyline just never gets under your skin. It's a nice drama, but unfortunately nothing else. | Engine [エンジン] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This is Kimtaku at his peak! Fantastic performance by every actor, and the storyline is compelling enough to keep you wanting more and funny enough to have you laugh out loud several times in each episode. And there are also plenty of those moments when you find yourself smirking because it's just so nice. A must-watch, and one of the best dramas to grace the TV in years! | Erai Tokoro ni Totsuide Shimatta! [エラいところに嫁いでしまった!] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) This just isn't good. Nakama Yukie's charisma alone isn't enough to make a drama worth watching. It tries hard to be funny, but only occasionally succeeds. There is close to zero character development, and you just don't identify or like any of them. The story had lots of potential, but didn't even come close. |
First Kiss [ファースト・キス] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Very uplifting story, and filled with funny moments and great acting. Good pace and dialogue too. Not too original, but when the result is so good, who cares? | Food fight [フードファイト] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) This one will keep you hooked, simply because it's so uplifting. A great drama because of that reason, but it's not very good compared to the likes of Long Vacation, Orange Days, etc. | Fukigen na Jiin [不機嫌なジーン]
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Galileo [ガリレオ] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) Many seem to like this drama but I can't fathom why. It's a poor attempt at creating a new 'Trick', only with a very silly approach (though the writers/producers try to make it seem realistic) and unfortunately bad acting. There are some good parts, but they are too few. | Gokusen [ごくせん] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This is without doubt one of the funniest dramas I've ever seen. It's in the same vein as GTO, but it doesn't have quite the same depth however, but the young actors are better. It is NOT as good as so many other people make it out to be. Still a must-see, though! | Gokusen 2 [ごくせん2] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) Same thing as Gokusen 1, only with worse actors, worse lines, and Nakama Yukie grossly overacting. Everything that made Gokusen season 1 good is gone here... It's basically pretty boring too, after the first 3 or so episodes... :p I'm sad, because I was a big fan of Gokusen 1. It annoys the heck out of me to see people give this one a 10 rating, with the reason being "--- is so kakkoi" or something. |
Gokusen 3 [ごくせん 3] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) The storyline is EXACTLY the same as in previous, only this time with some of the WORST "cute-guy-who's-supposed-to-be-cool-and-all-girls-love" actors ever... especially Takaki Yuya. Gokusen is Gokusen, but come on... at least use good actors!!! Still occasionally very funny. | Good Luck !! [グッドラック!!] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Probably my favorite drama - it gets you hooked instantly, each episode has a tons of things happening, and the storyline develops in a brilliant way. The acting is superb! | GTO [麻辣教師] Rating: 10/10 The first drama I ever saw, and it sure has a special place in the JDorama world. It's great, and gets really intense in the end. |
Hachimitsu to Kuroba [ハチミツとクローバー] Rating: 6/10 (Watched) The first few eps are okay, but because of the insanely bad acting (or rather, bad character) of the female lead and unrealistic characters (in a bad way), it just doesn't cut it. The only positive things about this drama are the sub-plots. | Hana Yori Dango [花より男子] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Corny, unrealistic, and just so frickin' good! Hana Yori Dango really pulls you in and just doesn't let go - even after the final episode you just want more! Great drama, and although some of the male side acting could have been better, the female lead is fantastic! Her acting made this drama what it is - without her, it wouldn't be even half as good! | Hana Yori Dango Season 2 [花より男子] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Just as corny, silly and unbelievable as the first season. But also just as good, and somehow with more emotional truth. Although not even close to perfect, it's a very entertaining and funny drama! |
Hanaikusa [花いくさ]
| Hanazakari no Kimitachi e [花ざかりの君たちへ]
| Hero Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This was a drama that really surprised me - I was sceptic for the first 10 minutes or so, but after that I was hooked. It's really worth watching! |
HERO Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A pretty good special episode! Clever plot, albeit with a slightly anticlimatical solution to the mystery. Good tempo though! | Himitsu no Hanazono [ヒミツの花園] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Basically it's not a very good drama. Most of the actors are mediocre, although funny, and the story doesn't really have the necessary beats in it to create tension and excitement. But still it's a nice, fun, feel-good drama. | Hotman [ホットマン] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) A very heartwarming drama! The rather low score says nothing about Sorimachi's acting, which is in fact superb. He is one of the best drama actors out there - period. The problem that arises however, is that basically _everyone_ in Hotman (maybe with the exception of Yada Akiko) is outshone by him. Their acting is on such a different level that at times (especially by the two twins) it just feels pathetic. If you can look beyond that, it's a nice drama, without any special plot-twists. |
Hotman 2 [ホットマン2] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) Sorimachi's acting talent is impressive, there's no doubt about it. But that's not enough to carry a whole drama, where most of the other actors are less than mediocre. The story and overall feel of the episodes is better than in the first season though. It's a nice, warm drama, but nothing more. | Hyakunen no monogatari [百年の物語]
| Ichi Ritoru no Namida [1リットルの涙] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) One of very few dramas or movies that actually has the power to change the way people look at their lives. Great acting, especiall by the lead, and lots of emotional truth makes this one a winner. A perfect ten. |
Ikebukuro West Gate Park [池袋ウエストゲートパーク] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) A different kind of drama, with comedy, suspense and a very good feel to most of the dialogue. Several plot twists keep the story exciting and fresh, and Nagase of course does an excellent job. GREAT! | Ima Ai ni Yukimasu [いま会いにゆきます]
| Itsumo futari de [いつもふたりで] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A very nice drama that is especially good in the first 6 or 7 episodes! After that it can get slightly uninteresting, but the good really does overweigh the bad here. It's not the best drama out there, but it's definitely worth watching nonetheless! |
Joshi Deka! [ジョシデカ!] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Although Yukie is the least credible cop in film history, this drama is very exciting at times and presents a pretty clever storyline. The only problems lie with some very stupid scenes and poor acting from certain parts. | Kamisama mou sukoshi dake [神様、もう少しだけ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A good drama, with a gripping storyline. It does however lack that 'extra something' to make it a perfect 10, and the ending is a bit dragged out and far from great. Fukada Kyoko however, who otherwise is not one of the better actresses out there, does a very good job! Overall, a drama I can recommend. | Karei naru Ichizoku [華麗なる一族] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) A drama of epic proportions. High budget, fantastic acting, complex characters and a deep, emotional, psychological and philosophical story. In the beginning it can get difficult to keep up with the plot-twists, but one is soon hooked and understands what it's all about. This drama is pure greatness. |
Kekkon Dekinai Otoko [結婚できない男] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) THE funniest drama I have ever seen, and quite possibly the best. You just feel so good watching it, and I know at least I was smiling almost non-stop. A must! | Kimi Hannin Janai yo ne? [キミ犯人じゃないよね?]
| Kimi wa Petto [きみはペット] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) This is one of the oddest dramas I've ever seen, but nonetheless one of the best. It makes you think a lot - what's really important in a relationship? |
Kiraware Matsuko no Isshou [嫌われ松子の一生]
| Kisarazu Cat's Eye [木更津キャッツアイ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Interesting ways of storytelling in this one, though rather mediocre acting from many of the cast. Good fun though, and enough to keep you watching! | Konya Hitori no Beddo de [今夜ひとりのベッドで]
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Last Christmas [ラストクリスマス] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This is an unexpectedly heart warming drama - one of the best I dare to say. It's been a long time since I've felt this hooked into a drama, and the chemistry between basically all the actors is very rare. Very surprising ending as well! I can't think of anything negative for this one. | Last Friends [ラスト・フレンズ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) A brilliant drama, with lots of emotional truth and pretty good acting overall. Great script as well. | Long vacation [ロングバケーション] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) The one that got me hooked on j-dramas. The storyline is amazing in the way it captivates what is most hard to do - life itself. Excellent. |
Love and Eros [ラブとエロス] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Great acting all the time, and pretty good story and character development. Can become a little boring somewhere in the middle, but then it paces up again for a great climax. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the climax occurs at the end of episode 11, leaving the last episode... well... see for yourself. I personally disliked the ending. | Love generation [ラブジェネレーション] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Love Generation really is a great drama - I used to think otherwise, but after rewatching it I changed my opinion. It's really good, albeit not as good as the best of the Kimtaku dramas. | Lunch no Joou [ランチの女王] Rating: 7/10 (Watched) This drama has a pretty original main story with many un-original elements. What brings the rating down however, is Takeuchi Yuko and Tsumabuki Satoshi - they have both made excellent jobs in other dramas, but here their acting (and their lines, not their fault there) makes the characters seem unnatural. Yamashita Tomohisa is good though, and Tsutsumi Shinichi is of course excellent. Overall, the drama just doesn't have enough chemistry to keep you interested and wish it wasn't over. |
Majo no jouken [魔女の条件] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Fantastic drama, it will keep you hooked and emotional from the very first scene. If you decide to watch it, you're in for a great experience! | Mayonaka no Ame [真夜中の雨] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A decent drama, but it isn't as compelling as it could have been. Still, the actors do a great job with what they have. The drama is slow paced, with a few very suspenseful parts, but not bad. | Moto Kare [元カレ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) A great drama! The main actors from Summer Snow are here, with the addition of the wonderful Uchiyama Rina. Great acting by literally everyone, and the storyline is superb - you grow along with the characters and get to know them in a way that not many other dramas do. Excellent drama from start to finish! |
Mukodono 2003 [ムコ殿2003] Rating: 5/10 (Watched) An extremely poor attempt at recreating the fantastic first Mukodono. This one lacks the good story, good feeling and good acting. The lead character has become a parody and feels embarrassing most of the time. Stay clear away from this one, even if you loved the first like I did. | Mukodono! [ムコ殿/女婿大人] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This is simply a fantastic drama! It's uplifting, the acting is amazing from ALL sides, and I really have a hard time finding anything negative with it. A must-watch! | Musashi [武蔵] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This drama is just so good. I can't find any flaws in it - sure, a couple of the 49 episodes may be a bit slow, but the rest is just fantastic. Ichikawa really BECOMES Musashi in all ways. Musashi is filled with so many stories that it never becomes boring. A must-see! |
My Boss, My Hero [マイボスマイヒロ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) One of the better dramas I have seen this year. Some of the funniest scenes I have ever seen, and charismatic acting as always by Nagase. The show keeps you hooked, 'nuff said! | My Little Chef Rating: 7/10 (Watched) This is a nice little drama, but it's not going to keep you really hooked... it's more like something to watch for the sake of relaxation. | Nemureru mori [眠れる森] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Exciting, enthralling and well written. Sometimes it's boring, but the good parts are enough to give it a high rating. |
Nobuta wo Produce [野ブタ。をプロデュース] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) A surprisingly good drama! It is funny, deep, beautiful and smart. Although it's not perfect, the acting is very good and the storyline keeps you hooked. And it is lightyears ahead of other high-school dramas. Top notch! | Nodame Cantabile [のだめ カンタビ−レ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) It's difficult not to love this one! Very funny at times, and though it's silly you're swept along into this unrealistic world created by a great script and good actors. | Odoru Daisousasen [踊る大捜査線] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Great script from the first episode 'til the last, leaving you craving for more. An utterly compelling police drama with plenty of funny scenes! |
Oishii puropozu [おいしいプロポーズ]
| Orange Days [オレンジデイズ] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Wow. This is definitely one of the best dramas I've seen, if not THE best. The actors are amazing, and it's just fantastic how they can convey so much emotion through silence. Brilliant. | Pride [プライド] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Excellent drama. Good development of characters! After seeing it twice I can only find positive things to say about it! The chemistry between the lead actors is very apparent and warm. A must-see! |
raiaa geemu [ライアーゲーム] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Toda Erika can only play one role - the smiling fool. So she is perfect for this entertaining drama. The character development is weak, but the way the episodes unfold makes up for it. It's fast paced most of the time, and unique in some ways. Good! | Ringu saishusho [リング] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) I was sceptical before I started watching it, but let me tell you - I couldn't stop as soon as I had started! It's probably the most suspense-filled drama ever, I highly recommend it! | Sapuri [サプリ] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) A very romantic drama that, although lacking originality, hooked me from the very first episode. Good acting by most of the cast, and the dialogue wasn't bad. Overall, it's a compelling story. |
Sekai no chuushin de, ai wo sakebu [世界の中心で、愛をさけぶ]
| sengoku Jieitai [戦国自衛隊〜関ケ原の戦い〜]
| Shinsengumi [新撰組] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Superb. A surprisingly historically accurate drama with great actors and very few dull moments. A must watch for anyone interested in the history of Japan, or just a good samurai drama. |
Slow Dance [スローダンス] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Great drama! Although the name of it implies that it has a slow pace, I disagree with that! There are many sub-plots that keep on growing while the main plot is developing in all ways. This drama is up there with the best! | Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi [空から降る一億の星] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This is one deep drama! It can get a bit depressing, but if you have a philosophical viewpoint, you will get a lot from it! It basically is a very good drama, I would like to give it a 10, but there's just something that keeps me from doing it. But you have to see it to know how good it is! | Strawberry on the shortcake [ストロベリー・オンザ・ショートケーキ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) This is one really interesting piece of work... It can be boring sometimes, but in the end you'll find just how much substance and philosophical hidden meanings it had. It's definitely a must-watch. |
Suekko chounan ane san nin [末っ子長男姉三人]
| Summer snow Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Excellent drama, maybe even my favorite. There really are no flaws in this one. | Tentai Kanzoku [天体観測]
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Tiger & Dragon [タイガー&ドラゴン] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This drama is just soooooo good that it would be a crime to not give it a perfect 10! It's extremely funny and has a very special charm to it, it's a must! | To heart ~ koishite shinitai [to Heart 恋して死にたい] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) Actually, it wasn't until maybe episode 5 or 6 that I started to realize just how great this drama is. It's one of those that just makes you feel so good! | Tokyo rabu sutori [東京ラブストーリー] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) This is a highly entertaining drama, and a classic among j-dorama lovers. I wish I could give it a 10 - because quite often it feels like it's worth a 10 - but I just can't. The main characters suffer too much from the syndrome that is all too familiar in the drama-world, namely that they are morons. This becomes evident in the last 3-4 episodes, and I found myself thinking "oh come on, give me a break, this can't be happening!" all too often. It's still a good drama though, and well worth watching! |
Tokyo Wankei [東京湾景] Rating: 8/10 (Watched) This drama has can be described to be in three phases - good beginning, boring middle and great ending. The acting is good by the most of the actors, and the story itself is very gripping. There is something fundamental missing, however. I can't really put my finger on it, but it's something that often makes this drama slightly boring to watch. That doesn't mean it's not worth watching though! | Toukyou tawaa [東京タワー2007]
| Trick [トリック] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) This drama is just sooooooo funny! In reality, there's not much in terms of depth in Trick, but there's just something so appealing in the dialogue between the main characters that you just simply have to love it. And Nakama Yukie and Abe Hiroshi are excellent, as always! |
Trick 2 [トリック2] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) Fantastic drama again, just as good as the first one. It's amazing how they can keep the comedy up at that level! | Trick 3 [トリック3] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Trick 3 is just as good as the former two seasons, but the ending is really what makes it all worthwhile. Superb! | Utahime [歌姫] Rating: 10/10 (Watched) An amazing story. Simply one of the best in years. Great acting and cast. The ending splits the audience in two when it comes to the heart - but the brain says it's the way it should be. A perfect 10! |
Virgin road [バージンロード] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) I was really surprised with this one - I had no expectations whatsoever when I started watching it, but already after one episode I was completely hooked. Great storyline, and great acting, especially by Takashi Sorimachi. | Water Boys [ウォーターボーイズ]
| Wonderful Life [ワンダフルライフ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) A warm-hearted, fun drama. Not much depth, but enough to keep one interested from the first episode til the last. And of course, Sorimachi's acting is top notch. |
Yamato Nadeshiko [やまとなでしこ【大和撫子】] Rating: 10/10 This is definitely one of my favorite dramas. The acting was superb from all sides. Great beginning, great middle, and great ending. Almost a flawless drama. | Yan Papa [やんパパ] Rating: 9/10 (Watched) Although a little predictable (except for the ending!), it is a highly enjoyable drama and definitely deserves the high score. Nagase Tomoya does a great job, as always, and the rest of the actors are surprisingly good as well. Good storyline that keeps you hooked! | Yoshitsune [義経]
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Zettai Kareshi [絶対彼氏] Rating: 7/10 Well... this storyline is pretty messed up. And the acting is pretty much on par with the story. That aside, it's still an enjoyable drama at times, with a few funny moments here and there. | | |