20 Japanese Dramas to Watch: Romance, Suspense and Drama

This selection brings together 20 essential titles. From gripping thrillers to gentle romance, each drama japonais on this list provides excellent material for training your ear whilst discovering the multiple facets of Japanese society.

1. Bloody Monday

This technological thriller follows Takagi Fujimaru, a seemingly ordinary student who conceals exceptional hacker talents. He finds himself confronted by a terrorist organisation threatening Tokyo with a deadly virus. The rapid pace of dialogue matches the urgency of the situation.

It’s an excellent starting point for suspense enthusiasts. The vocabulary revolves heavily around technology and police urgency. The exchanges are lively, which trains the ear to follow rapid speech patterns.

• Usage: Computing and police vocabulary
• To remember: Sustained pace ideal for intermediate levels

2. Alice in Borderland

This successful series plunges friends into a deserted, alternative Tokyo where they must survive deadly games. Beyond the action, this work offers a striking vision of modern Japanese culture transposed into a dystopian universe.

The dialogue varies between very familiar language amongst friends and precise game instructions. One often hears expressions like 生きる (ikiru – to live) or ゲームオーバー (gēmu ōbā – game over). The series also allows virtual visits to iconic locations in the capital.

3. Liar Game

Nao Kanzaki, a young woman of disarming honesty, finds herself involved in a tournament where lying is king. She must ally with a genius swindler to avoid lifelong debt. The series relies on logic, psychology and manipulation.

The language used is very articulated, as characters often explain complex rules or strategies. Terms like 嘘 (uso – lie) and 正直 (shōjiki – honesty) constantly recur. It’s a perfect drama japonais for working on logical sentence construction.

4. Une Famille en flamme (Burn the House Down)

This domestic thriller features Anzu, who infiltrates her wealthy stepmother’s house as a governess to prove that the latter destroyed her family in the past. The plot unfolds in a luxurious closed setting where appearances are deceptive.

The language register alternates between keigo (honorific language) used by the governess and the informal language of inner thoughts. This allows for clear distinction between levels of politeness. It also addresses social themes such as hikikomori.

5. Ouroboros

Two orphans who witnessed the murder of their maternal figure choose opposite paths to find the culprits: one becomes a policeman, the other a yakuza. They secretly collaborate to infiltrate the system and unmask the truth.

The series offers an interesting contrast between police jargon and yakuza slang. The interactions between the two protagonists are rich in masculine and familiar vocabulary. It’s effective entertainment that combines action with strong bonds of friendship.

6. Hana Yori Dango

An absolute classic of the school genre, this series tells the story of Tsukushi, a poor student in an elite high school, who stands up to F4, a group of four wealthy, tyrannical boys. It’s a foundational work of Japanese entertainment from the 2000s.

The vocabulary is typical of high schoolers, with lots of slang and emotional expressions. One learns words like 最悪 (saiaku – the worst) or 信じられない (shinjirarenai – unbelievable). It’s ideal for understanding hierarchical dynamics in Japanese schools.

7. Rouge Éclipse (Switched)

The body-swapping theme is revisited here in a dramatic way. A popular high school girl wakes up in the body of her bullied classmate, whilst the latter has stolen her life. The series explores themes of self-image and jealousy.

The dialogue is rooted in school daily life. The difference in tone between the two main characters before and after the swap helps understand how personality influences the way of speaking in Japanese (intonation, word choice).

8. Let’s Get Divorced

This political comedy follows a couple who no longer love each other but must stay together to preserve the husband’s electoral image. They paradoxically unite with a common goal: to succeed in divorcing without losing face. The script offers a satire of traditions and politics.

It’s a goldmine for vocabulary related to elections, marriage and social conventions. One hears very formal public speeches contrasting with bitter private disputes. The word 離婚 (rikon – divorce) is central.

9. First Love

Inspired by Utada Hikaru’s songs, this romantic series spans several decades. It tells of the reunion of a first love, exploring how life separated then reunited two people. The direction is polished and the pace measured.

The language is poetic and nostalgic. The dialogue is often clear, which facilitates oral comprehension for beginners. Expressions about destiny, like 運命 (unmei – fate), are frequent. It’s a very aesthetic drama japonais.

10. Love Shuffle

Four residents of the same floor of a luxury building, all facing romantic problems, decide to swap partners each week to find true love. The quirky concept gives rise to comic and touching situations.

The conversations are quick and witty. It’s excellent material for learning everyday language between thirty-something adults. The term 相性 (aishō – compatibility) often recurs in the characters’ discussions.

11. Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories

In a small alley in Shinjuku, a restaurant opens from midnight to seven in the morning. The owner prepares whatever customers request. Each episode focuses on a dish and a customer’s story. The atmosphere is calm and intimate.

The speech rate is slow, perfect for learning. One discovers enormous culinary vocabulary: 豚汁 (tonjiru – pork/vegetable soup), 卵焼き (tamagoyaki – rolled omelette). The life stories offer very varied everyday vocabulary.

12. Samouraï Gourmet

A shy retiree rediscovers life’s pleasures through food and beer. When he hesitates to assert himself, he imagines a wandering samurai who inspires him to act freely. It’s a light series that celebrates simple gastronomy.

The main character’s inner monologues are very useful for understanding the structure of thoughts in Japanese. One learns to express gustatory sensations with words like 美味しい (oishii – delicious) or うまい (umai – tasty).

13. GTO Revival

The famous Great Teacher Onizuka returns to teach a new generation of students. The former delinquent turned teacher must face modern issues like social networks, whilst keeping his unorthodox methods.

The contrast between Onizuka’s “old-fashioned” language and the slang of young students in 2024 is striking. It’s a good way to observe the evolution of familiar language. The word 教師 (kyōshi – teacher) is at the heart of the plot.

14. Makanai : Dans la cuisine des maiko

This gentle series takes us to Kyoto’s geisha district. Kiyo becomes the cook (makanai) of the house where apprentice geishas (maiko) live. We follow their daily life of traditional arts and comforting dishes.

One hears Kyoto dialect, softer than standard Japanese, as well as vocabulary specific to traditional arts. Words like おおきに (ōkini – thank you in Kyoto dialect) punctuate the dialogue. It’s total cultural immersion.

15. Sanctuary

This drama japonais plunges into the brutal and sacred world of sumo. A young delinquent joins a sumo stable for money, without respecting traditions, before getting caught up in the game. The series shows the behind-the-scenes of this national sport.

The vocabulary is very specific: 横綱 (yokozuna – grand champion), 稽古 (keiko – training). One also sees the strict hierarchy of the senpai/kohai (senior/junior) system pushed to the extreme. The dialogue is often rough and direct.

16. 1 Litre of Tears (Ichi Rittoru no Namida)

Based on a true story, this series tells the struggle of a teenager with an incurable degenerative disease. It’s a moving classic that marked an entire generation of viewers in Japan and abroad.

The diary kept by the heroine offers clear and slow narration, ideal for written and oral comprehension. One learns vocabulary of health, family and emotions. Prepare the tissues, as the title is no lie.

17. Nodame Cantabile

An eccentric and messy piano student falls in love with a perfectionist conductor. This romantic comedy takes place in a music university and follows the evolution of these two geniuses with opposite characters.

It’s a perfect series for hearing rapid, comic Japanese full of onomatopoeia. Nodame’s character uses very particular language, sometimes childish, which contrasts with the formal and dry language of the male protagonist.

18. Silent

This recent romance enjoyed immense success in Japan. The heroine encounters her former high school boyfriend again and discovers he has lost his hearing. The series deals with communication, sign language and unspoken feelings.

The pace is measured and dialogue is often short and meaningful. The use of Japanese Sign Language (JSL) alongside spoken Japanese offers an interesting linguistic perspective. The words 声 (koe – voice) and 言葉 (kotoba – words) are central.

19. Hanzawa Naoki

For those wanting to learn business Japanese, this is the absolute reference. A banker fights corruption within his huge company. The cult phrase “倍返し” (baigaeshi – return double) has become legendary.

The language level is high. One practices keigo (honorific language) intensively, as well as banking and legal vocabulary. It’s a stimulating challenge for advanced learners who wish to work in Japan.

20. Dragon Zakura

A former biker lawyer takes charge of a class of academically struggling students with a crazy objective: getting them into Tokyo University (Todai). He teaches them unconventional study and memorisation techniques.

This series is very motivating for anyone learning something. One finds lots of study-related vocabulary: 勉強 (benkyō – study), 試験 (shiken – exam), 合格 (gōkaku – success). The revision advice given can even apply to Japanese.