Best Underrated Japanese Dramas

Here is my list of the best japanese dramas of the last decade 2010s. You probably missed some of these since most of them go under the radar and yes some are what we called underrated dramas. I should also note that all of the dramas mentioned got subs so there should be no problem for you to watch them if you want. I won't mention sites or method on how you can watch them, just ask your friend Google for that.

Suzuki Sensei (2011)

Drama: Suzuki Sensei
Romaji: Suzuki Sensei
Japanese: 鈴木先生
Director: Hayato Kawai, Kojiro Hashimoto, Kengo Takimoto
Writer: Kenzi Taketomi (manga), Yuko Iwashita, Ryota Kosawa
Network: TV Tokyo
Actors: Hiroki Hasegawa, Asami Usada, Tao Tsuchiya, Mayu Matsuoka

Synopsis

Akira Suzuki (Hiroki Hasegawa) is the home room teacher for 2-A. After graduating from college Akira Suzuki did not work for 3 years. Instead, he spent his time thinking about ways to solve problems once he works as a teacher. Because of this, Akira Suzuki has a knack to solve problems and the principle trusts him. Mr. Suzuki always listens to his students' problems and gives them creative solutions. Due to this, Mr. Suzuki is popular among the students.

One of the best school dramas Japan has produced. If you think of school setting Japanese drama you would think of over the top acting and students you couldn't relate. What I like about Suzuki Sensei is the acting is very natural they really act like real student. Another thing this drama excels at is the way the teacher teaches his student, it's very out of the box. You would learn a thing or two from him even if you're already an adult. The setting is school but society in general would also learn from it. The kids in this drama are all great and most of them became famous actors now like Tao Tsuchiya and Mayu Matsuoka.

Mahoro Ekimae Bangaichi (2013)

Drama: Tada's Do-It-All House
Romaji: Mahoro Eki Mae Bangaichi
Japanese: まほろ駅前番外地
Director: Hitoshi One
Writer: Shion Miura (novel), Hitoshi One, Hikari Kurozumi, Hisakatsu Kuroki (ep.9-10)
Network: TV Tokyo
Actors: Eita, Ryuhei Matsuda

Synopsis

Set within the fictional city of Mahoro, Keisuke Tada and Haruhiko Gyoten are two thirty something divorced men who run a “benriya” (odd jobs for hire) business. The drama series depicts their interactions with clients in their agency, which is located across the street from a station.

This slice of life, atmospheric, light hearted comedy drama is probably the most underrated drama of the last decade. It has one the best tandem where Gyoten, one of the duos is probably the quirkiest character ever. These two set up an agency where they will provide help at anything from menial task like walking a dog to helping yakuza member. The appeal is the interaction between this characters every time they fall into a hilarious situation. The Japanese humor is strong in this one. Played by two of the biggest actors in Japan Eita and Ryuhei Matsuda, I mean if you love Japanese comedy there should be no reason for you to skip this drama.

Tenno no Ryoriban (2015)

Drama: The Emperor's Cook
Romaji: Tenno no Ryoriban
Japanese: 天皇の料理番
Director: Yuichiro Hirakawa, Shingo Okamoto
Writer: Hisahide Sugimori (novel), Yoshiko Morishita
Network: TBS
Actors: Sato Takeru, Haru Kuroki, Ryohei Suzuki

Synopsis

Tokuzo Akiyama is a young man living in a rural area. One day, he eats cutlet. That experience leads him to become a cook for western style food. He first goes to Tokyo and then Paris, France to learn about the culinary arts. Fighting against discrimination and prejudice, he becomes a chef at the Hotel Ritz in Paris, France. At the age of 26, he becomes the chef for the Emperor of Japan.

Quite possibly the most inspiring Japanese drama of the last decade, and definitely Sato Takeru's best performance to date. Here is when Sato transformed from an ikemen actor to a real actor and currently enjoying his status as an A-Lister among the list of other great Japanese actors. The drama is about a guy who became emperor's chef, you might think it's a cooking drama but no it's not just food it's about the struggles and the sacrifices he had to get to his position as emperor's chef. You might shed tears while watching this drama but you'll be inspired as well.

Date - Koi to wa Donna Mono Kashira (2015)

Drama: Dating: What's It Like To Be In Love? (English title)
Romaji: Deto - Koi to wa Donna Mono Kashira -
Japanese: デート～恋とはどんなものかしら～
Director: Hideki Takeuchi, Junichi Ishikawa
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
Network: Fuji TV
Actors: Watanabe Anne, Hiroki Hasegawa

Synopsis

Yabushita Yoriko, a 29-year-old economics expert who holds a Masters degree from University of Tokyo and works in the field of macroeconomics research, is rigid and refuses to pander to others. As she aims to get married by 30, she registers at a marriage agency in order to find a partner. On the other hand, 35 year old Taniguchi Takumi is a jobless man who depends on his mother for a living while being absorbed in the world of literature, arts, music and entertainment. He regards himself as a educated idler  and decides to register at the same marriage agency as Yoriko in order to find a rich woman who he can depend on for a living if his mother is no longer around. The two of them who are said to be unable to love and unsuitable for love get paired up together and through a number of dates, become closer to each other while viewing the topic of marriage as a mere contract rather than the union of two people who are in love with each other.

Date as the title suggest may seem cheesy but it's a romantic comedy that you haven't seen before. This eccentric pair will make you laugh as they banter at what they think would be the ideal marriage but you'll also love them as they share great chemistry on screen. The key to the success of this show is the script is intelligently written, it is funny because you know it makes sense. Also that duck face of Anne Watanabe is a sight to behold.

Soredemo, Ikite Yuku (2011)

Drama: Still, Life Goes On (International English title)
Romaji: Soredemo, Ikite Yuku
Japanese: それでも, 生きてゆく
Director: Kozo Nagayama, Rieko Miyamoto, Michiko Namiki
Writer: Yuji Sakamoto
Network: Fuji TV
Actors: Eita, Hikari Mitsushima

Synopsis

Fukami Hiroki's younger sister was killed by a friend. Hiroki then meets the killer's sister, Toyama Futaba, 15 years after the incident. Both of their families have been burdened with grief, but through their meeting they struggle to find a brighter tomorrow.

If you're into heavy drama you should watch Soredemo, Ikite Yuku as this drama will drain the heck out of you emotionally. From the synopsis you'll know how sad this will be but it's not your typical sad drama that forces viewers to cry, it's so natural that you won't notice you're already crying. Kudos to fantastic acting by the two leads Hikari Mitsushima and Eita, these two are masterful on showing their emotions, it's like there is a switch inside them that tells them to laugh or cry any minute. The dialogue is also well written, very thought provoking and the conversation flows naturally. It's like you are watching real people.

Okashi no Ie (2015)

Drama: Candy House (literal title)
Romaji: Okashi no Ie
Japanese: おかしの家
Director: Yuya Ishii, Katsuhiko Ikeda
Writer: Yuya Ishii, Yuichi Toyone
Network: TBS
Actors: Odagiri Joe, Machiko Ono, Ryo Katsuji, Kaoru Yachigusa

Synopsis

Sakurai Taro’s parents died young. His grandmother, Akiko, has been making great effort to protect her struggling candy store, Sakuraya, in the old part of Tokyo, but it's not easy. Taro eats candy with regular customers such as chilhood friend Saegusa Hiroki who aspires to be a scriptwriter, and talk nonsense, like in their youth. However, they realize this unfettered, comfortable existence will end some day with the passage of time. Then Taro’s ex-classmate, Kimura Reiko, comes back home with her son after a divorce. He and his friends start to notice what is truly important to them as they face up to their pasts, dreams and pains.

Don't let the slice of vibe and slow pacing fool you, this drama is more than a relaxing watch, the message is deep and it has a powerful way to move you through its dialogue. It's about how being an adult can change your childhood self, things that makes you happy would change once you become an adult. The sacrifices you have to make for the sake of responsibilities. We just need to adapt, to evolve, to move on, that's the reality of life.

Osozaki no Himawari (2012)

Drama: Late Blooming Sunflower -My Life Renewed- (English title)
Romaji: Osozaki no Himawari ~Boku no Jinsei, Rinyuaru~
Japanese: 遅咲きのヒマワリ～ボクの人生、リニューアル～
Director: Junichi Ishikawa, Yasushi Ueda
Writer: Atsuko Hashibe
Network: Fuji TV
Actors: Toma Ikuta, Yoko Maki, Kenta Kiritani, Yu Kashii, Tasuku Emoto, Fumino Kimura, Ryoko Kuninaka

Synopsis

The drama is set at the beautiful Shimanto River in the Kochi prefecture and revolves around a group of seven men and women and the unfolding of their lives. Ikuta plays a man named ‘Joutarou’, who’s a typical example of the so-called ‘lost generation’ in Japan. The term ‘lost generation’ refers to people who face a scarcity of employment right after graduating from school and therefore are left without any real perspective. He was lucky to find a regular employment, but it didn’t last long and he was laid off due to downsizing. Around the same time he was also dumped by his girlfriend. Fed up with his life, he somehow ends up in a ‘revitalization group’ of the Shimanto River area in Kochi.

One of the most uplifting dramas I've watched. If you're into Ikigai stuffs, finding happiness etc. then you should check this drama. It also has theme of friendship and a bit of romance thrown into the picture. The characters are very interesting they interact naturally and watching their personal stories and inner conflicts is the highlight of this drama. The setting is also this gorgeous countryside Japan that it will make you wants to live in that area. The beautiful scenery just helps you get inspired more.

Juhan Shuttai! (2016)

Drama: Sleepeeer Hit! (English title)
Romaji: Juhan Shuttai!
Japanese: 重版出来!
Director: Nobuhiro Doi
Writer: Naoko Matsuda (manga), Akiko Nogi
Network: TBS
Actors: Haru Kuroki, Joe Odagiri, Kentaro Sakaguchi, Fumiyo Kohinata, Kenichi Takito, Jun Kaname, Kento Nagayama, Ken Yasuda

Synopsis

Kokoro Kurosawa used to be a contender for the Olympic Judo Team, but she had to give up on her dream due to an injury. In the end, she ends up working at weekly manga magazine "Vibes." The publishing industry is going through a turbulent time due to ebooks. Members of the editorial department struggle to come up with ways to sell more manga books. She learns about editing from her senior editors and becomes fascinated with the edition world, interacting with manga writers, and discovering new manga artists. But what surprises her the most is that in a competitive world such as manga publishing, not all dreams come true, and even when they do, they come with a price...
 

What would happen if you put bunch of great character actors in one drama, and then you add great writing to explore those characters, the result would be a fantastic character driven story. The setting is Manga world and that reason alone might be enough for you to watch this, but that's just the surface if you peel the layer off you would discover something deep, deep into the minds of these character, like how they think. The drama is full of inspirational quotes that you could apply in real life.

N no Tame ni (2014)

Drama: Testimony of N (English title) / For N (literal title)
Romaji: N no Tame ni
Japanese: Nのために
Director: Ayuko Tsukahara, Takeyoshi Yamamoto
Writer: Kanae Minato (novel), Satoko Okudera
Network: TBS
Actors: Nana Eikura, Masataka Kubota, Kento Kaku, Koide, Manami Konishi

Synopsis

University student Sugishita Nozomi, Naruse Shinji, Ando Nozomi and Nishizaki Masato end up coming upon the scene of the murder of the Noguchi couple, because of a plan they had devised. Nishizaki is arrested at the scene and is given a 10-year prison term because of his voluntary confession. 10 years later, Takano Shigeru, a former police officer who has misgivings about the verdict of this case, starts to pursue the truth. He is convinced that it all began as a result of an incident caused by Nozomi and Naruse on an island in the Seto Inland Sea in the summer 15 years. “They committed a crime at that time. It was for the sake of each N.”

The best mystery thriller romance of the last decade, N no tameni is just the perfect balance of the said genres. The mystery is really great, you couldn't tell what's going to happen next, and the romance at the same time is captivating, thanks to the awesome chemistry of the two leading actors. The drama is well written it's by the same author of the Japanese movie confession so you should expect gripping mystery. Lastly, technical aspects are also great, cinematography is breathtaking and the music is perfectly fitting.

Mr. Nietzsche in the Convenience Store (2016)

Drama: Mr. Nietzsche in the Convenience Store (English title)
Romaji: Niche Sensei
Japanese: ニーチェ先生
Director: Yuichi Fukuda
Writer: Koma Matsu (manga), Hashimoto (manga), Yuichi Fukuda
Network: YTV, NTV
Actors: Shotaro Mamiya, Kenji Urai, Rena Matsui, Rio Uchida, Jiro Sato

Synopsis

Matsukoma-kun, a veteran part-timer and jobless university graduate, finds himself stressed and twisted around by Nietzsche-sensei his new colleague at the convenience store. Also known as Nii Tomoharu, Nietzsche-sensei is a university student studying Buddhism and has a peculiar way of serving customers.

If you want comedy gold you'll enjoy this drama. If you're into Japanese style of comedy this is a must watch. The reason this is one of the best is simple it's hilarious as hell it has this sitcom format that's easy to watch. Nothing spectacular here in terms of technical aspects like cinematography etc. No deep message or something though provoking. They don't even cut bloopers where character are caught laughing and that's the best thing.