Best Japanese Dramas of 2023-2024

So it is that time again where I share what I think are the best Japanese dramas for these past two years. I only have 6 on my list not a lot because I want to make it shorter this time and I feel we have 2 consecutive weak years where 2024 is the weakest year in a long while. I only include dramas that I really really like and I only have 1 this year. I also didn't include Shogun and One piece for obvious reasons as they are American produced series. We also have tons of Netflix dramas but sadly I didn't like most of them. My list includes 1 Asadora, 2 slice of life (yeah my favorite genre), a road trip human drama, a social commentary comedy and lastly suspense horror one.

Tora ni tsubasa (虎に翼)

Drama: Tora ni Tsubasa, Tiger with Wings 

Screenwriter: Yoshida Erika

Network: Fuji TV

Actors: Ito Sairi, Ishida Yuriko, Nakano Taiga, Matsuyama Kenichi

Duration: 15 min.

Let me start with a bold statement that Tora ni Tsubasa is the most progressive Asadora in a sea of progressive Asadora. Morning NHK shows aka Asadora are not new for progressive themes in fact you could argue that most Asadoras are feminist but Tora ni Tsubasa crank it up a bit higher, it is revolutionary.

It is written by Yoshida Erika, the same writer of Koisenu Futari, the drama with asexual female lead and asexual male lead. The first in Japan and maybe in Asia. What I like about her writing is that it is not forced inclusion. It really makes sense in the story and Tori ni Tsubasa is the same. I won't talk too much about it because I don't want to spoil it.

It is one of those stories that spans decades it started from when Tora is 17 up to old age. Her story is based on a real person, the first female judge in Japan even before the time women was allowed to vote. This drama is about women's rights that explores the legislative and judiciary system of Japan as well as the equality among marginalized groups of people.

Great pacing, fun characters, family and friendship themes. The pacing is among the best in all Asadora that I have watched zero filler episodes. The characters are just what you expect in any Asadora, from family and friends, they are all colorful and full of life but also have their own stories to tell. All of them contribute to the drama's overall theme. Watch it as I rank it as the best drama for these past two years and maybe best Asadora ever.

Grace no rireki (グレースの履歴)

Drama: Grace no Rireki

Screenwriter: Minamoto Takashi

Network: NHK BSP

Actors: Takito Kenichi, Ono Machiko

Duration: 49 min.

An awesome road trip drama that dives deep into the humanity of its subjects, Kikuo, the husband, and Minako, the deceased wife. Following the death of her wife he managed to access the GPS connected to her car, found the navigation history of all the places she went without his knowledge. It is a wholesome journey where the husband tried to trace his wife's last 2 months before she died.

Each episode peels layers off of these characters, the husband who in the process of grieving encounters his past, and the wife whose image is clear to him becomes more mysterious. There is a hint of infidelity in the first few episodes but let me spoil it to you there is none. It is basically a story of a wife's devotion to his husband.

Grace no rireki is one of the most thought provoking human dramas I have ever watched and when Japan explores that area it will dissect it to the tiniest bit that every character's action will make sense. Wonderfully acted all throughout with perfect pacing and that soulful ending song this drama is a zen to watch. My quintessential Japanese drama of 2023. 

Brush up life (ブラッシュアップライフ)

Drama: Rebooting

Screenwriter: Bakarhythm

Network: NTV, Netflix

Actors: Ando Sakura, Kinami Haruka, Mizukawa Asami, Kaho

Duration: 55 min.

In my years of watching Japanese dramas I came up with this conclusion that even the most absurd plot has a scene that will move you or in my case make you cry, Brush up life is the epitome of that. The story is about Asami who one day finds herself in front of the death door then it is said her next life she will be an anteater. Asami didn't like the idea so she asked for a second chance which she was given, another chance in life. If she did more good deeds then her next reincarnation will be better. The writing for the most part is situational comedy that takes jabs into issues in the society.

Re doing life is a trope that has been used in film and dramas before the difference in Brush up life is you will not feel that the stakes is that high no bombastic Hollywood level like saving from a bad guy or stopping a derailed train most of the time it is just mundane aspects of life. Brush up life is still a slice of life drama at its core giving its audience a much needed space to breathe. The conversation between friends is perhaps its best part, relatability is really high because at the end of the day we experience what these characters went through . . . friendship. You will feel nostalgic for some reason even if you didn't live in Japan.

A drama with an awesome premise but with a more awesome execution. Friendship theme to the highest level. A deep thought provoking drama but also entertaining, perhaps the highest re-watch value I have given to a Japanese drama.

The Makanai (舞妓さんちのまかないさん)

Drama: The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House

Screenwriter: Koreeda Hirokazu, Sato Takuma, Tsuno Megumi, Okuyama Hiroshi

Network: Netflix

Actors: Mori Nana, Deguchi Natsuki

Duration: 43 min.

The Makanai is the first drama collaboration between Netflix and the legendary director Hirokazu Koreeda with the help of his protegees/co-filmmakers. If the name Koreeda puts you off the pacing won't be slow at all and it won't be heavy of a drama like most of his movies. This series just adapts the familial bond aspect which Koreeda is really good at.

The story is about Kiho and Sumire, two childhood friends from the countryside. They move to Kyoto to study to become a Maiko, an apprentice of Geisha. Sumire is naturally gifted while Kiho got relegated to a cook. The theme of this drama is living life for the moment, giving one hundred percent to whatever you do and love it.

One of the best slice of life dramas I've ever watched with a nice soft and comfy vibe. Set in Kyoto where the drama showcases the good and the ugly side of this culture in Japan. But mostly on the positive side so the drama will not suffocate you but instead it will uplifts you with its message that is universally true for all people, generations, races and gender time periods.

0.5 no Otoko (0.5の男)

Drama: 0.5 no Otoko

Screenwriter: Okita Shuichi

Network: WOWOW

Actors: Matsuda Ryuhei, Usuda Asami, Shiratori Tamaki, Nishino Nanase

Duration: 60 min.

Hikikomori is one of Japan's domestic issues. It has been explored in film and dramas before but those portray them to the extreme where some appear to be unrealistic representations. Masaharu the Hikikomori in this drama felt like a real person. He has worries and goals like your normal person. Each day he focuses on small steps, gradual steps that will someday lead him to return into society.

Not only was the theme of Hikikomori explored there are other underlying themes as well like immigration for example, but it is not in your face it remains subtle till the end. All these other themes will lead to one core theme which is connection. Masaharu's interaction with his online gaming friends, the foreigner convenience store guy, his parents and lastly his improved relationship with her niece are the important factors for his improvement.

Watch it if you like something wholesome with heartfelt writing. 0.5 no Otoko is a social commentary about modern family dynamics with some of the most unique directing or meta-cinema ending I've seen in a Japanese drama.

Gannibal (ガンニバル)

Drama: Gannibal

Screenwriter: Oe Takamasa

Network: Disney+

Actors: Yagira Yuya, Kasamatsu Sho, Yoshioka Riho

Duration: 55 min.

I don't really watch horror dramas. It's not that there are many anyway, especially this one which has folklore elements as well so it is no surprise that this anomaly would receive a high budget from its producers. The production quality could rival or even better than Japanese dramas on Netflix. There are sequences here that felt like a high budget action movie; they even got the Oscars nominee Oe Takamasa (drive my car) as screenwriter.

Set in a small remote village in the Japanese countryside Gannibal is a horror mystery human drama with its usual eerie vibe, mystery in the people living in the village but there is mystery for our main character as well, Agawa Daigo the newly assigned police officer in the village. A rumor of cannibalism being practiced in the village piqued his interest as he started investigating the Goto family, the leader clan of the village.

The strongest appeal of this drama to me is that the main character is not your typical nice guy. A very hot tempered, righteous and definitely not one sided character played by Yuya Yagira to perfection. It just made the drama interesting from beginning to end. It is also the right time to watch this drama now as the second season was scheduled early next year 2025.

Other dramas I like but didn't made this list:

Unmet: Aru Nogekai no Nikki, Trillion Game, Tsuiraku JK to Haijin Kyoshi, Vivant, Anti-Hero and Sanctuary: Seiiki