I'm looking for a recent Japanese drama that has been fully subbed. I prefer to watch a good-looking cast. It mustn't be a tear-jerker because I don't want to watch something depressing after a long day at work. Thrillers, detective shows or romances are fine, as long as they aren't too depressing, like Smile, Shiroi Haru or A Litre of Tears.

The shows I've really enjoyed so far are:
- Galileo
- Iryu 1 and 2
- SP Security Police
- Nodame Cantabile

I've watched Mr Brain, which was quite watchable but definitely not one of my favourites. I think Galileo was much better.

Any recommendations?

Gwynnie wrote:

I'm looking for a recent Japanese drama that has been fully subbed. I prefer to watch a good-looking cast. It mustn't be a tear-jerker because I don't want to watch something depressing after a long day at work. Thrillers, detective shows or romances are fine, as long as they aren't too depressing, like Smile, Shiroi Haru or A Litre of Tears. Any recommendations?

This one isn't recent, it's over 10 years old, Odoru Daisousasen is probably on everybody's short list of "Best detective drama":http://jdorama.com/drama.290.htm

Gwynnie wrote:

I'm looking for a recent Japanese drama that has been fully subbed. I prefer to watch a good-looking cast. It mustn't be a tear-jerker because I don't want to watch something depressing after a long day at work. Thrillers, detective shows or romances are fine, as long as they aren't too depressing, like Smile, Shiroi Haru or A Litre of Tears. The shows I've really enjoyed so far are: - Galileo - Iryu 1 and 2 - SP Security Police - Nodame Cantabile I've watched Mr Brain, which was quite watchable but definitely not one of my favourites. I think Galileo was much better. Any recommendations?

Good looking cast... a thriller, Bloody Monday. Miura Haruma is nice to look at and Nariyama Hiroki is hot. Nobuta wo Produce is another excellent drama with beautiful cast. Its funny with a bit of everything.

Need help with a new mystery, thriller, suspense-oriented drama. Any suggestions? : )

tofuuuuu wrote:

Miura Haruma is nice to look at

If you like girly-men.

Lifo wrote:

Need help with a new mystery, thriller, suspense-oriented drama. Any suggestions? : )

New: The Quiz Show 1 & 2, Bloody Monday, Gonzo, Unfair
Old: Trick series, Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi, Gift, and Sleeping Forest.

bmwracer wrote:

If you like girly-men.

Yes I do but this particular guy get plus points for his ability to weild a standard metal ruler into a formidable katana.

tofuuuuu wrote:

New: The Quiz Show 1 & 2, Bloody Monday, Gonzo, Unfair Old: Trick series, Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi, Gift, and Sleeping Forest.

u cud add the dorama TRIANGLE as well
_________________

gaijinmark wrote:

This one isn't recent, it's over 10 years old, Odoru Daisousasen is probably on everybody's short list of "Best detective drama":http://jdorama.com/drama.290.htm

Thanks for the recommendation, will check it out. I do hope the fashion isn't strange or out-dated. I find it distracting to see characters dressed or accessorised funnily. :p

tofuuuuu wrote:

Good looking cast... a thriller, Bloody Monday. Miura Haruma is nice to look at and Nariyama Hiroki is hot. Nobuta wo Produce is another excellent drama with beautiful cast. Its funny with a bit of everything.

Great recommendations. I've watched them and did enjoy both.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a thriller, I'm fine with romance or medical dramas too, as long as the subject matter isn't too heavy-going and it isn't the tear-jerker type.

Gwynnie wrote:

I do hope the fashion isn't strange or out-dated. I find it distracting to see characters dressed or accessorised funnily. :p

Hmmm, that could be a problem. One of the running threads throughout the series is Yuji Oda's big, ugly overcoat and why he keeps wearing it.

gaijinmark wrote:

Hmmm, that could be a problem. One of the running threads throughout the series is Yuji Oda's big, ugly overcoat and why he keeps wearing it.

But that coat was already unfashionable in the 90ties when this drama aired.

So what's crackin' with the dramas? Has there been anything that came out this year that was particularly good or worth recommending?

Tu_triky wrote:

So what's crackin' with the dramas? Has there been anything that came this year that was particularly good or worth recommending?

I think the standouts this year were Shiroi Haru and Ninkyo Helper...

bmwracer wrote:

I think the standouts this year were Shiroi Haru and Ninkyo Helper...

Thanks, man. I'll look into 'em.

bmwracer wrote:

I think the standouts this year were Shiroi Haru and Ninkyo Helper...

I would add Love Shuffle and perhaps Jin, which is currently airing, but other than that it has been a gritty year.

EstherM wrote:

I would add Love Shuffle and perhaps Jin, which is currently airing, but other than that it has been a gritty year.

Okay, thanks.

EstherM wrote:

I would add Love Shuffle

Yeah, I guess it's worth a watch, but the other two I mentioned were more watchable.

I would pass on Ninkyo Helper probably Kusanagi's worst drama in a long time.

One nobody's mentioned is Arifureta Kiseki:http://jdorama.com/drama_1372.htm. Restored my faith in Yukie.

gaijinmark wrote:

One nobody's mentioned is Arifureta Kiseki:http://jdorama.com/drama_1372.htm. Restored my faith in Yukie.

Why? Is it like Gokusen 12?


I'll check it out...

Tu_triky wrote:

Why? Is it like Gokusen 12?

Maybe lucky 13...