Best Japanese dramas of 2023-2024

So it is that time again where I share what I think 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 lists includes 1 Asadora, 2 slice of life (yeah my fav genre), a road trip human drama, a social commentary comedy and lastly suspense horror one.

Tora ni tsubasa

Let me start with a bold statement that Tora ni tsubasa is the most progressive asadora in a sea of progressive asadoras. Morning NHK shows aka Asadora is 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 it is not forced inclusion it really will 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 legislative and judiciary system of Japan as well the the equality among marginalize group of people.

Great pacing, fun characters, family and friendship theme. The pacing is among the best in all asadoras that I have watched zero filler episodes. The characters are just what you expect in any asadora, from family and friends, they all colorful full of life but also have their own stories to tell. All of them contributes 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

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

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 ever 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

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. This drama is the epitome of that. The story is about Asami who one day find herself in front of death door then it is said her next life she will be an ant eater. Asami didn't like the idea so she ask 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 breath. The conversation between friends is perhaps its best part, relatability is really high because at the end of the day we experience what this 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.

Makanai

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 put 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 familial bond aspect which is Koreeda is really good at.

The story is about Kiho and Sumire two childhood friends from 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 the life for the moment, giving one hundred percent to whatever you do and love it.

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

0.5 no Otoko

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

Not only the theme of Hikikomori was explored there are other underlying themes as well like immigration for example, but it is not in your face it remain 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 convenient 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. A social commentary about modern family dynamics, relationship and character growth and development with some of the most unique directing or meta-cinema ending I've seen in a Japanese drama.

Gannibal

I don't really watch horror dramas it's not that there are many anyway especially this one which have folklore elements as well so it is no surprise that this anomaly would receive high budget from its producers. The production quality could rival or even better than Japanese dramas on Netflix. There are sequence 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 Japanese countryside Gannibal is a horror mystery human drama with your 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 peaked his interest as he starts 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.

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