Learn Japanese with Dramas: The 20 Best Japanese Dramas to Get Started

Have you ever watched a Japanese TV drama? For learning Japanese, it is beneficial to use them to acquire natural expressions. Through watching dramas, you can learn how to talk with friends, discuss work, and attract a man/woman. You can certainly learn Japanese by watching Japanese movies. Since movies usually take two hours to watch, it is difficult to make a habit of watching them. It takes approximately 50 minutes to an hour to watch a Japanese TV drama as opposed to a movie. Despite watching it every day, the program is not stressful, so you can study Japanese.

The results of drama learning are not immediate. Studying requires continuity. Persevere for a year. Your listening comprehension will improve as your Japanese vocabulary grows with this article.

Can you learn Japanese by watching dramas? 

Yes, Japanese dramas are effective for learning because:

  • There is nothing more fun or entertaining than Japanese dramas. If you’re too tired to do something more intense (e.g. talking to a language partner or reviewing flashcards), you can reserve them for these times.
  • In addition, they tend to speak Japanese naturally in conversation.You don’t need to speak Japanese to watch a drama – just listen and infer the rest from what you hear!
  • It is a great way to gain cultural fluency by watching Japanese dramas. You can connect with Japanese friends by discussing a popular Japanese drama. If you didn’t know any celebrities, you wouldn’t be able to participate in many English conversations.
  • There is something fascinating, entertaining, and addictive about Japanese dramas. Japanese courses don’t offer you the opportunity to learn natural, conversational Japanese. Furthermore, you gain a deeper understanding of the Japanese culture and can connect with your friends from Japan.
  • Studying Japanese dramas will allow you to hear native Japanese used in every conversation. The best way to learn practical conversation skills is through dramas, even though other forms of entertainment, including music and anime, can also help.
  • It is easy to incorporate Japanese dramas into your daily study routine because they are usually short (40-50 minutes). In dramas, regardless of genre, the language is more common.
  • The genre of drama tends to use common expressions and gendered expressions. It won’t happen overnight, just like any other kind of study, and commitment and consistency are still required. Watch one episode every day, and use the study tips below.
  • It’s fun to play them! Japanese dramas are among the best in the world. The episodes are usually short and emotionally intense, with eleven in total. Furthermore, they are highly addictive. Typically, only one actor speaks at a time in dramas. The language used in dramas is useful and conversational. 
  • You can learn things like 相槌(あいづち), which are sounds used during conversations as indicators of understanding. Drama series is constantly being produced that tackle current cultural concerns or problems. In addition to learning the language, you will also gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.
  • The best way to become culturally fluent is by watching Japanese dramas. You can connect with Japanese friends by talking about a popular Japanese drama. If you didn’t know any celebrities, you wouldn’t be able to participate in English conversations.
  • There is no doubt that Japanese dramas are one of a kind. In addition to tackling all sorts of genres (rom-coms are a popular choice! ), they also offer viewers a glimpse into Japanese culture and lifestyles (albeit exaggerated).
  • The length, intricate storylines, and palpable chemistry between the leads make Japanese dramas (or drama) easy to watch. Dramas never feel like they drag on, unlike movies, where you learn to love characters as the episodes go on.
  • Develop your Japanese listening skills and cultural awareness of Japan

A number of Japanese television dramas (J-drama) or doramas are available in Japan. In addition to manga and anime, Japan’s major TV networks also produce a wide variety of drama series, including horror, romance, comedy, and more. Immersing yourself in Japanese television dramas is one of the best ways to do so.

The best 25 Japanese Drama You Must watch 2022

1.Hanzawa naoki

A loan manager at the Tokyo Central Bank’s Osaka Nishi branch, Naoki Hanzawa (Masato Sakai), is one of the items in the collection of this biography. One day, Naoki made a loan contract with Nishi Osaka Steel Company for 500 million yen. As a result of the branch manager’s order, Naoki had to approve the loan. Through fraudulent accounts, Nishi Osaka Steel Company hides massive amounts of debt. A company has been caught. Bankruptcy followed three months later for Nishi Osaka Steel Company.

Bank branch manager Asano is in charge of the branch. Trying to shift the blame to Naoki, he is an ambitious man. At the bank’s headquarters in Tokyo, Naoki attends an inquiry about the loan failure. As far as the 500 million yen loan is concerned, Naoki denies any fault and promises to retrieve it. In order to survive as a banker, Naoki had to do this.

Hanzawa Naoki (Hanzawa Naoki) was 2013’s most popular drama, so it seems fitting to wrap up the year with a review. After drawing 19.4% of Kanto viewers in its first episode, its ratings climbed episode-by-episode to a peak of 42.2% in its finale. Normally I wouldn’t bring up ratings during an interview, but I’ve never seen anything like this before (I’m sure it’s happened, but I’ve never witnessed it). Yeah, that raised my eyebrows.

2. Lair game

For 100 million yen, would you lie about anything? If you ever played this mysterious game called Liar Game, you would ask yourself that question. The only way to avoid debt is to beat your opponent. Nao Kanzaki (Erika Toda), a college student, is suddenly drawn into this crazy game where you have to compete on how well you can lie. In spite of the fact that she is too honest to win such a game, she survives each tournament with the aid of a genius con artist. Betrayed and lied to so many times. Greed can make people ugly in a way you’d never expect. In spite of this, she never loses hope in people. A young girl experiences the same desperation, frustration, and hope that we do as the true motive of the game is revealed in this suspenseful drama.

3. Hope : kitai seiro no shinnyu shain

Yuto Nakajima (Ayumu Ichinose) has been playing the game of Go since an early age. His goal was to become a professional Go player, but he repeatedly failed the tests. His age is now 22. Due to the age limit of under 23 years old, this is his last chance to turn professional. Overwork causes his mother to collapse the day before he takes his test. Another failure for Ayumu.

As a part-time worker, Ayumu is dejected about his inability to become a professional Go player. Heartbroken, Ayumu’s mother asks acquaintances to arrange for him to take the last step of an employment test at a general trading company. Lastly, there is a one-month internship at the company’s general trading company. He begins to work there as an intern, aware of his mother’s heartbreak. Around the office, he quickly became known as an intern who knew nothing and couldn’t make copies of simple documents. Despite this, Ayumu stays with the company and becomes an employee.

4. The Full-Time Wife Escapist

Aragaki (Yui Moriyama) is 25 years old. Despite having a graduate degree, she has no boyfriend or job. Mikuri Moriyama feels unwanted every day. She is arranged to work as a housekeeper by her father, who cannot bear to see her suffering any longer. Hiramasa Tsuzaki, a 36-year-old man, employs her. In addition to working for a company, he is single. Their marriage is a result of a series of events.

5. Rich Man Poor Woman

Toru Hyuga (Shun Oguri) is a 29-year-old wealthy man. His hobby began making Toru Hyuga a lot of money when he started running an internet website from his small room. With his friend Kosuke Asahina (Arata Iura), he formed the software company Next Innovation. A lot of success was achieved by the company. Among young people, Next Innovation is the most sought-after tech company. His mother, Chihiro Sawak, is mother, and Toru has difficulty recognizing faces. When Toru Hyuga was very young, his mother left him. Chihiro Sawak is a woman Toru finds one day.

6. Boys Over Flowers

Hana Yori Dango is about Makino Tsukushi (Mao Inoue), a poor but bright high school student attending an exclusive high school. In the end, she meets and falls in love with the bachelor F4.

7. Mr. Hiiragi’s Homeroom

Ibuki Hiiragi (Masaki Suda) is an art teacher. His current high school is where he started teaching two years ago. His class is 3rd Grade A. Ibuki Hiiragi stands in front of 29 students, including Sakura Kayano (Mei Nagano), and tells them they are hostages from now on.

8.Nodame Cantabile

A meticulous pianist and an out-of-control mess. They create the unique wonderful world of music with the help of a group of colorful, young classical musicians and an eccentric world-famous conductor. Each of them strives to make the most of their lives through humor and a passion for music, in opposition to conventional orders and rules. All characters have a special (or weird) story to tell, and they confront each other hard and unite. Comedy with an ensemble cast of brilliant young actors and wonderful classical music based on the popular comic.

9. Dragon Zakura

An ex-member of a motorcycle gang, Kenji Sakuragi is a destitute lawyer. As a failed attorney, he takes a job as a high school teacher and prepares an advanced class for admission to the prestigious Toudai University.

10. Nobuta wo Produce

In his school, Shuji Kiritani (Kazuya Kamenashi) is a popular guy. For some reason, when his eccentric classmate Akira Kusano (Tomohisa Yamashita) is around, he can show his true self. Although he pretends to care for his classmates, deep down, he’s quiet and doesn’t open up to others.

Nobuko Kotani (Maki Horikita) comes to Shuji’s class one day. Nobuko means Nobuta. The harassment was devastating. Her lunch gets ruined, a vase of flowers is left on her desk, indicating she has passed, and she even gets water splashed while she is in the toilet booth. After finding out that the bullying is being perpetrated by Bando (Fumiko Mizuta), Shuji and Akira advise Nobuko to try to harmonize with her peers. It has never worked out well for Nobuko in the past, and she has tried it several times. Nobuko is told by Shuji to be more positive, and he protects her from harassment. However, Shuji believes the bullying won’t be easily stopped.

11. Dr. Storks

The gynecologist Sakura Konotori (Go Ayano) is also a pianist known as “Baby.” He is a member of an ob-gyn team and is respected by his colleagues.

A club in Tokyo invites him to play the piano. A pregnant woman calls the hospital 10 minutes later, asking whether he should accept her. Rushing to the hospital, he seeks medical attention. The hospital doesn’t even know how long the pregnant woman has been pregnant as she has never had an examination. Even though the pregnant woman is at high risk, Sakura decides to accept her. The Neonatology team is able to help him. As the leader of the Neonatology team, Takayuki Imahashi (Nao Omori) prepares the woman to give birth.

12. Raise de wa Chanto Shimasu

Momoe Omori (Rio Uchida), who works at CG production company Studio Delta, is featured in “Raise de wa Chanto Shimasu.”. Omori, 27, is single. There are five male friends with whom she has intimate relationships. As a hobby, she considers physical intimacy free.

13. Omameda Towako to Sannin no Motootto

Having divorced three times, Omameda Towako now lives with her 15-year-old daughter, Uta. A new position has been created for Towako at Shirokuma Housing, a construction company. Despite her marital problems, she remains enthusiastic, bold, and confident in her pursuit of a fulfilling life despite her troublesome former husbands.

14. Konin Todoke ni Han wo Oshita dake desu ga

A 27-year-old designer at Morita Design, Akiha Okada (Nana Seino), is single and 27 years old. Her single life is enjoyable, and she does not intend to get married. Her first encounter with Shu Momose (Kentaro Sakaguchi) occurs while she drinks. They drink together, and she tells him that her grandmother wants to get married, but she doesn’t. She is suddenly asked to marry Shu Momose. His marriage proposal is rejected by her because she finds it ridiculous.

Currently, Shu Momose is 30 years old and works for an advertising agency. His colleagues and clients trust him for his diligence at work. The reason for his search is that he wants to have a fake marriage with someone. That’s why he proposed to Akiha Okada.

There is a threat of bankruptcy for the restaurant owned by Akiha Okada’s grandmother. Shu Momose offers Akiha Okada five million yen in exchange for her acceptance of his fake marriage proposal. The couple soon registers their marriage and begins living together as a married couple. After living together for a while, Akiha Okada develops an attraction for Shu Momose.

15. Enjiya

A false accusation of sexual harassment is made against Tomoki (Hayato Isomura) the day before his wedding. His fiancee leaves him after the false accusation costs him his job. Tomoki commits suicide. He sees a woman running toward him while standing on a ledge of a rooftop building, and a knife-wielding man attacks her. As a result of Tomoki’s involvement, the man stabs him, but it turns out it was a staged attack. When Tomoki learns that the staged event is called “enijya,” it takes place upon a client’s request. He hears about Eniya for the first time. To avenge his false accusations of sexual harassment, Tomoki hires Aika (Nao).

16. Kikazaru Koi ni wa Riyuu ga Atte 

As a designer for ‘el Arco Iris’, Kurumi Mashiba (Haruna Kawaguchi) works as part of a team of home decor experts. She is responsible for the company’s PR activities. El Arco Iris’ social media pages are managed by her, and she has over 100,000 followers. As a result of her busy schedule, she forgets to renew her apartment’s lease. This leads to her being kicked out of her apartment and having nowhere to live. She has been told she can live with her friend Koko Saotome, who is a famous food stylist. 

17. Story of My House

The former popular wrestler Juichi (Tomoya Nagase) is no longer. As a result of his age and injury, he competes in a small professional wrestling league. A day later, Juichi learns his father, Jusaburo is critically ill. To see his father, he returns to his hometown. The important cultural property Nogaku belongs to Jusaburo. Juichi was Jusaburo’s heir in the past. However, Juichi defied his father’s strict teaching methods and left home. In the past 20 years, Juichi has not contacted his family. Jusaburo’s critical condition miraculously recovers. Afterward, Jusaburo introduces his family to a woman. Her job is to provide care for the elderly. Announcing his engagement, he will leave everything to her.

18. Uchi no Musume wa Kareshi ga Dekinai

In her 40s, Aoi Minase (Miho Kanno) is a Japanese actress. As a writer of romance novels, she is very popular. Her daughter was raised by her alone as a single mother. She has a 20-year-old daughter. Aoi Minase lives in an upscale high-rise apartment building with her daughter due to her success as a romance novelist. Concerned for her daughter, Aoi is worried. She does not know who her daughter’s boyfriend is. The reason for this, according to Aoi Minase, is that her daughter is an otaku, a manga and cosplay enthusiast. It is her daughter’s desire to fall in love.

In the meantime, Aoi’s daughter is worried about her mother. She has a girl’s sensibility and is oblivious to worldly ways. As a result of meeting someone, Aoi and her daughter fall in love.

19. Konto ga Hajimaru

This is the story of five late 20-somethings.

Takaiwa Haruto, Asabuki Shunta & Minowa Junpei are members of Macbeth, a comedy trio that was not very popular. Their meetings always take place at Rihoko Nakahama’s (Kasumi Arimura’s) family restaurant. A younger sister of Rihoko Nakahama, Tsumugi Nakahama (Kotone Furukawa) works as a model.

20. Tengoku to Jigoku: Psychona Futari

The 35-year-old detective Ayako Mochizuki (Haruka Ayase) is the main character of this film. Despite her hard work and desire for justice, she lacks flexibility. An investigation into a murder case is conducted by Ayako Mochizuki. Haruto Hidaka (Issey Takahashi) is identified as the murder suspect according to the evidence she collects.

He runs his own company and is a chemistry researcher. His work is proficient and smart, but he also murders psychopathically. Ayako Mochizuki switches their bodies just before arresting him.

Final thought

Motivating yourself is the second biggest challenge when learning a foreign language (the first is not having enough time). Research has shown that watching movies in the target language can motivate language learners. In addition to providing a visual experience that supports cross-modal sensory learning, movement helps make learning more enjoyable and leads to long-term memory consolidation. To learn Japanese, how should one use motion.

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