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Best Slice of Life Japanese Dramas

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Best Slice of Life Japanese Dramas What makes Japanese dramas different from other dramas from other countries such as Korean dramas or Chinese dramas is how diverse it is. From mystery thrillers, Romance Manga live actions, tearjerkers, quirky comedy to job oriented ones, but my favorite and without a doubt their forte is the thought provoking slice of life genre. The slice of life genre is very broad. There are romance with slice of life elements or job oriented dramas with relatable life aspects but I want to focus on purely slice of life like how Japan likes to do it. I watch a lot and I notice there is a formula to it, laidback, meaningful dialogue, fun characters, symbolism, and Japanese sensibility at its core. These Japanese script writers are very good in observing the human connection, exploring the Wabi Sabi philosophy, and inserting the theme of Ikigai into their stories. Nagi no Oitoma (2019) One principle of Wabi Sabi says that we should find the beauty in imperfections b...
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Wakatte Ite mo: The Shapes of Love (2024) Review

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Nevertheless: The Shapes of Love Review Drama: Nevertheless: The Shapes of Love Network: AbemaTV Screenwriter: Nakagawa Ryutaro Actors: Yokohama Ryusei, Minami Sara Duration: 30 min. I haven’t watched the Korean drama or read the webtoon this story is based on but it seems this Japanese drama is a less toxic version. I don’t see any super toxic relationship in this drama like most reviews from the korean version is saying. From the main couple to side couples they are still fine to me just to compare this is a more mature, less toxic Coffee and Vanilla minus the cheesiness. There are a lot of indie people behind the production, it was produced by Fujii Michihito (Yakuza and The Family, The Parades, 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days), directed by Nakagawa Ryutaro (Summer Blooms, Mio on the Shore, Tokyo Sunrise) so there is that indie vibe and I love it. Each episode is just 20 to 30 minutes so the pacing can appear fast. The setting is an art school where the female lead, Hamasaki Miu, an art ...
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Smells Like Green Spirit Live Action Review

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Smells Like Green Spirit Live Action Review Drama: Smells Like Green Spirit Network: MBS, TVK Actors: Araki Towa, Sono Shunta, Abe Alan, Fujimoto Kodai Duration: 30 min. The song “smells like teen spirit” by Nirvana is a song without official interpretation. It is up to the listeners to interpret it, it will mean whatever means to you, and this is where this story came about. Based on the manga of the same name Smells like Green spirit seems like Saburō Nagai, the mangaka, own take on the song, a coming of age revolution of LGBTQ+ people set in the 90s somewhere in Japanese countryside. Growing up in the countryside of a conservative country like Japan, everyone has an eye on you, people will expect you to conform to their social norms. Mishima, the protagonist in this drama, while never coming out is obviously gay and everyone knows it. He was bullied at school for acting feminine and people from their town make fun of him, but he never rattled; he was confident for who he is. One day...
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Usotoki Rhetoric Live Action Review

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Usotoki Rhetoric Review Drama: Usotoki Rhetoric Japanese:  嘘解きレトリック Network: Fuji TV Actors: Suzuka Ouji, Honoka Matsumoto Set in the early Showa era, the story is about Urabe Kanoko, a girl who can hear lies from people. This ability became a curse to her as she was ostracized in her village even with her own mother. She left her village with no money in her pocket, traveled to another town, broke and began to look for jobs. There she met Iwai Soma who is a detective with no client. Soma spends his day freeloading for food and from time to time does jack of all trades work. Once he discovers that Kanoko can hear lies he offers her to be his assistant. Usotoki Rhetoric is a comedy Agatha Christie mystery type of drama, I am very a huge critic when it comes to the genre but the mystery is surprisingly engaging and fresh that I ended up really loving it. The vibe is an upbeat Showa period drama. The comedy doesn't try hard but it is funny. Since it is a period drama the production q...
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Talentless Takano (Muno no Taka) Review

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Muno no Taka Review Drama: Talentless Takano Romaji: Muno no Taka Japanese: 無能の鷹 Screenwriter: Nemoto Nonji Network: Netflix Actors: Nanao, Shiono Akihisa In the opening scene we see Hiwada Michito sitting on a toilet bowl just minutes before his interview. He is a person with no confidence and stress and anxiety cause him stomach pain. There in the interview she met Takano Tsumeko, another interviewee. She is very confident, gorgeous and poised like she is a Miss universe candidate. Her very competent aura helped her pass her job interview with ease. Michito miraculously passed the interview as well. Shockingly Takano was very incompetent, she works in an IT company but is not even computer literate, her knowledge in computers is the same as those of old age. Michito who joined the company at the same time is good at his work but he lacks confidence and since they work in sales it affected his work. Takano on the other hand has no problem negotiating with clients, she manages to close...
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Beach Boys (90s Japanese Drama Review)

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Beach Boys Review Drama: Beach Boys Screenwriter: Okada Yoshikazu Network: Fuji TV Actors: Sorimachi Takashi, Takenouchi Yutaka, Hirosue Ryoko If you are looking for a slice of life Japanese drama with some of the hottest 90s Japanese actors on it then Beach Boys is for you. It also recently got added to the Netflix library so the accessibility is very good, no reason to watch it on other sites. Beach Boys is such a legendary drama that every time you see a Japanese drama recommendation this drama is on it. Until now there are people in Japan that visit its filming location, a pilgrimage for Japanese drama fans. I like the symbolism like these two men were brought ashore to this cafe on the beach managed by this old failed surfer dude and his granddaughter with mom issues. If you like found family tropes then this is for you. One is Hiromi, an easy going lucky guy with no direction in life and Kaito, an elite employee of a large multinational trading company suddenly loses the urge t...
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Beyond Goodbye (Sayonara no Tsuzuki) Review

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Beyond Goodbye Review Drama: Beyond Goodbye Romaji: Sayonara no Tsuzuki Japanese: さよならのつづき Screenwriter: Okada Yoshikazu Network: Netflix Actors: Arimura Kasumi, Sakaguchi Kentaro, Ikuta Toma At times this Japanese Netflix TV series, Beyond Goodbye felt like a giant coffee ad with Wabi Sabi philosophy that is ever present with this type of stories in Japan. The symbolism of trains and coffee is a nice touch so this drama has depth and not just simple romance genre. Finding the beauty in imperfections whether in an inconvenience where trains needs to stop, fixing an old coffee maker or maybe an event when a loved one died, each has different effects, some affected us little, but finding the beauty in it will help us to cope and eventually move on. Saeko (played by Arimura Kasumi) loses her fiancé, Yusuke (played by Ikuta Toma) due to an accident, one day he met a man named Kazumasa (played by Sakaguchi Kentaro), a man who received a heart transplant from Yusuke but also shares memo...
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