Japanese shows that are available in Canada when I watch them. Series are grouped together. General theme, number of episodes. My favorite lines from the shows I have watched. This doesn't include shows I felt were too "naughty" for me. Most are happy endings. S=sad ending to LOVE story. C=cliffhanger

With ❤ from Japan

Fuji TV

What would other people do in the situation? Sumire Iwaya (Noriko Iriyama) is a well educated, successful journalist who has a string of misfortunes.

Sumire graduated from Tokyo University and Harvard and works as an editor for a renowned newspaper. But her fiancé dumps her because he becomes tired of living under the shadow of her greater achievements. Then, Sumire fights off the advances of her drunk boss and gets demoted at work.

After the series of bad events, Sumire comes home one day to find a homeless young man, Takeshi Goda (Jun Shison), in a cardboard box outside her apartment. Takeshi resembles Sumire’s beloved former dog, Momo, and she has a strong desire to take Takeshi in as a pet.

What will become of this strange new relationship between a woman and her human pet?

“Kimi Wa Petto” is a 2017 Japanese drama series directed by Izuru Kumasaka. It is based on the manga “Kimi Wa Petto” written by Yayoi Ogawa. Two previous adaptations of the manga originally aired in 2003 and 2011.

You’re My Pet - Kimi Wa Petto

Fuji TV TWO

A girl with average looks and poor grades sees a boy on the first day of high school and falls head-over-heels in love with him. Kotoko (Honoka Miki) admires Naoki (Yuki Furukawa), the most handsome and smartest boy in school, from afar for three years. But fate throws them together under one household when her family home is struck by a falling meteor and destroyed. During her home’s reconstruction, Kotoko’s family stays with her father’s childhood friend, who just happens to be Naoki’s father. Despite living under one roof, can Kotoko possibly get Naoki to think of her as more than just a nuisance? “Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo,” also known as “Playful Kiss: Love in Tokyo,” is a 2013 Japanese drama series. This is the fifth television adaptation of the Japanese manga “Itazura Na Kiss” by Tada Kaoru, following the original Japanese series “Itazura Na Kiss” (1996), the Taiwanese series “It Started With a Kiss” (2005) and its sequel “They Kiss Again” (2007), and the Korean series “Playful Kiss” (2010).

Mischievous Kiss: Love in TOKYO

Mischievous Kisser Team

Will life be one of married bliss for Naoki and Kotoko? In one of the most-anticipated sequels, the unlikely couple of the average Kotoko (Honoka Miki) and the brilliant Naoki (Yuki Furukawa) from “Mischievous Kiss: Love in TOKYO” returns for a second season! After the original series ended with the wedding of Naoki and Kotoko, the special episode “Mischievous Kiss 2: Love in Okinawa” follows Naoki and Kotoko on their honeymoon, where a strange couple turns up and meddles in their romantic getaway. As they settle back in their new lives after the honeymoon, can Naoki and Kotoko handle the pressures of marriage and their careers? “Mischievous Kiss 2: Love in TOKYO” is the sequel to the popular “Mischievous Kiss: Love in TOKYO” (2013). It is the fifth live adaptation of the popular Japanese manga “Itazura na Kiss,” following the original in 1996, Taiwan’s “It Started With a Kiss” (2005) and “They Kiss Again (2007), and Korea’s “Playful Kiss” (2010).

Mischievous Kiss 2: Love in TOKYO

Mitari Yo (Adachi Rika) is a manager at a company that makes shoes, while Ishida Ren (Shirasu Jin) works in urban redevelopment. 

They have been best friends for years, and their close platonic friendship dates back to their high school days.

But on Mitari Yo’s 29th birthday, they make a fateful wager – whoever marries first will receive a 300,000 yen (approx USD 2,780) cash gift from the other, providing the wedding takes place before Mitari Yo turns 31.

However, the duo soon discovers that love can be very unpredictable – and that Cupid can strike at the most unexpected moment.

A young junior employee in Ishida Ren’s company appears to be developing feelings for him, while things get even complicated for the friends when Mizusawa Ryusei (Asaka Kodai) – Mitari Yo’s ex-boyfriend – reappears on the scene.

Who will claim the 300,000 yen prize? Will new admirers and old flames win the day? Or will Ishida Ren and Mitari Yo discover that their feelings actually go beyond friendship after all? 

This drama is based on the Taiwanese series of the same name, which first aired in 2011.

“In Time With You” is a 2019 Japanese drama directed by Izuru Kumasaka.

In Time With You (JP)

Always With You Team

Mild-mannered and friendly, Satoh Aya (Miori Takimoto) may not stand out in a crowd but that’s never really bothered her. Living a very ordinary life, she works as a temporary employee at a large office, where she’s known for her ability to communicate any idea with a single sticky note. Never really expecting fate to play a role in her simple, ordinary life, Satoh lived each day very much like the last, completely unaware that her destiny was about to change forever.

The young successor of a large company, Ichijo Kei (Takumi Kizu) was the ideal son. Handsome and successful, Ichijo was everything his family hoped he would be and as such, he spent his life adored by his grandmother, the chairman. Always eager to please the woman who gave him so much, Ichijo was a little shocked when his grandmother told him to marry early, but he was willing to do so, to make her happy. There was just one problem, none of the women in his life were able to capture his attention, let alone his heart. But all that changed, the day Satoh walked into his life.

Brought together by fate, Satoh and Ichijo soon find themselves caught up in a completely unexpected situation that is destined to change their lives forever. But will this change really be for the better?&nbsp;

Adapted from the Taiwanese drama, “Fated to Love You” (2008), “You Are My Destiny” is a 2020 romantic comedy drama directed by Katsutoshi Hirabayashi and Takashi Ninomiya.

You Are My Destiny (JP)

💗👰🏻 You Are My Destiny 🤵🏻

One of the most admired and beloved romance manga writers of her time, Hanai Ao (Fumika Baba) has dedicated her entire life to her work. From sunup to sundown, she pours one hundred percent of herself into what she does and it shows. With countless fans clamoring for her latest work, Hanai is at the top of her game. As one of the best romance writers in the country, you’d think Hanai would be experienced in the world of love, but in reality, she’s never even had a boyfriend. A fact that her editor likes to point out. Frequently.

Completely fed up with the constant nagging of her editor, Hanai decides to take a walk, completely unaware that she looks like she's just survived a typhoon. Completely indifferent to anything but her work, Hanai has never bothered with her appearance. At least not until she catches her reflection in a shop window and has to do a double-take. Feeling inspired to make a change, Hanai walks into a nearby salon, where she’s immediately greeted by Riichi (Eiji Akaso), a charismatic and charming stylist who promises to give her a look she’ll love. Struck by Riichi’s charm, Hanai soon finds herself falling for this man she can’t seem to resist. Lucky for her, the feeling seems to be mutual.

With love in the air, it’s only a matter of time before Hanai finds herself experiencing all the joys of a first love, but her strict work ethic could become a problem. Can a workaholic really keep a steady relationship when she frequently forgets her boyfriend even exists?

Based on the manga of the same title by Aya Asano, “Hey Sensei, Don’t You Know?” is a 2019 romance drama directed by Keijiro Tsubakimoto and Tatsuya Aoki.

Hey Sensei, Don't You Know?

Love At First Sight Team

Since first picking up a bow in middle school, An Kishimoto (Elaiza Ikeda) has been in love with kyudo, or the Japanese martial art of archery. Having devoted herself to the study of the art for the past six years, An has grown into quite the proficient. Now in her final year of high school, An realizes that it’s time to find someone talented enough to take her place as the president of her school’s kyudo club. But who?

Though there are several talented members of the school’s club, none can compare to the raw talent of Youta Mikami (Masaki Nakao). Though he has rarely lost in competition, Youta shows no real enthusiasm for either the art itself, nor the club; leaving An to wonder if he’s really the best choice for such an important position. Despite her reservations, An eventually decides to name Youta as her successor but as soon as she does, things get… interesting.

Showing an unexpected interest in An, Youta takes it upon himself to sweep the resigning president off her feet. Does An really have time for love when her high school career is quickly coming to an end?

Based on the manga of the same name by Yakko Kaga, “Make a Bow and Kiss” is a 2017 romantic high school film directed by Takeshi Furusawa.

Make a Bow and Kiss

 💘Straigh To The Heart Team💘

When her father’s work suddenly transfers him, Yu Akahane (Nana Komatsu) finds herself forced to move into one of the school dormitories. Excited to be living in the same dorm as the school’s “White Prince'', Shirakawa Takumi (Yudai Chiba), Yu can’t wait to move in. With a head full of dreams of the kind Shirakawa sweeping her off her feet, Yu tries to settle into her new home quickly. But all her hopes of a happy dorm life are squashed, the moment she meets Haruto Kurosaki (Kento Nakajima).

Known at school as the “Black Devil”, Haruto is anything but nice. A bully through and through, Haruto not only steals Yu’s first kiss, but also demands that she become his slave. Unable to escape Haruto’s cruelty, Yu’s only glimmers of light come from the shining White Prince, who has taken a keen interest in her; especially now that Haruto has made his intentions towards her clear. Driven by curiosity, more than anything, Shirakawa begins to pay more attention to Yu, helping her as she suffers under Haruto’s bullying. The more time Shirakawa spends with Yu, the more he begins to realize that she has inadvertently captured his heart.

Caught between the Black Devil and the White Prince, Yu isn’t sure which way to turn. Struggling to unravel the mysteries of her own heart, she begins to wonder which is better to follow, the heart or the mind?

Based on the manga “Defying Kurosaki-kun” by Makino, “The Black Devil and the White Prince” is a 2016 high school romance film directed by Sho Tsukikawa.

The Black Devil and the White Prince

🎹 The Extra Piano Key🎭 Team 

A young woman who survives a major surgery finds reason to go on living.

Aoi (Nanami Sakuraba) is studying photography in Tokyo but is forced to give up on almost everything in her life due to her health. She undergoes a heart transplant surgery and goes to stay with her uncle in Okinawa to recover.

When Aoi walks around the island with her camera, she crosses paths with Ji Oh (Byung Hun), a young man whose only prized possession from his parents is a trumpet.

Can Aoi and Ji Oh support each other through life’s many challenges, or will fate throw another major obstacle in their way?

“Trumpet on the Cliff” is a 2016 South Korean-Japanese co-production film that is written and directed by Han Sang Hee.

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