Don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered! It's easy to start watching Japanese dramas with this J-drama 101 guide!

Here is a selection of evergreen & trending dramas to enjoy. Check out our newest J-Drama favorites below. Follow the collection and share your favorites for other J-Drama beginners!

J-Drama Beginners

Five years after witnessing a doctor’s heroic act, rookie nurse Sakura Nanase (Mone Kamishiraishi) joins the same hospital, only to find out that her idol, Dr. Kairi Tendo (Takeru Satoh), is a cold perfectionist. Despite his harsh demeanor, Sakura’s relentless dedication and open affection begin to soften his heart. As she endeavors to prove her worth and win him over, the clash between her optimism and his cynicism becomes a test of love and perseverance. Will Sakura's unwavering commitment turn this cold-hearted doctor into a believer in love? This 2020 Japanese romantic comedy drama was adapted from the manga by Maki Enjoji.

An Incurable Case of Love

Tsukushi Makino (Mao Inoue), a quiet student at the elite Eitoku Academy, clashes with Tsukasa Domyouji (Jun Matsumoto), a key member of the “Flower Four” or “F4” gang, made up of devilishly handsome bullies sons of some of Japan’s richest businesspeople. The F4 orchestrates bullying campaigns aimed at forcing students they don’t like out of the academy. However, Tsukushi refuses to be pushed around and berates Tsukasa. This has unexpected consequences, leading both Tsukasa and his fellow F4 member Rui Hanazawa (Shun Oguri) to fall for her. Will love save the day – and might romance help teach F4 the error of its ways? This 2005 Japanese drama series was based on a hit manga series by Yoko Kamio.

BOYS OVER FLOWERS

🍡 A Bouquet of Dango 🍡 Team

Friendless loner Kazunari Hira (Riku Hagiwara) is having a miserable time at high school. Things get even worse for him as the new semester starts, and he finds himself in a deeply uncomfortable situation. He is unexpectedly rescued by the wildly popular Sou Kiyoi (Yusei Yagi). Hira can’t help falling for the dashing Kiyoi, but thinks he has no chance of winning his classmate’s heart. However, it turns out Kiyoi has a secret dream – one that could possibly bring them together. Will this connection drive them apart? Or could it lead them to an unlikely love? This 2021 Japanese BL series was was directed by Mai Sakai and based on a novel by Yuu Nagira.

My Beautiful Man

🥂The Ginger Ale 🥂 Team

TV Asahi

Kosuke Maruya (Ryosuke Yamada), a 29-year-old sales representative at a beer manufacturer, has always relied on his magnetic appeal to women. However, he suddenly realizes his "cuteness" has an expiration date. When Izumi Sanada (Kyoko Yoshine), a 26-year-old antisocial researcher, joins his team, their contrasting personalities create an unexpected dynamic. Despite her robotic demeanor and hidden inferiority complex, Izumi becomes an intriguing challenge for Maruya, who is grappling with the impending loss of his youthful charm. As they navigate their professional and personal interactions, a potential romance begins to simmer beneath the surface. This is a 2022 Japanese drama series directed by Takehiko Shinjo.

My Cuteness Is About to Expire!?

 🐰Super 🎠 Cute 🐹 Team

At twenty-seven, Akiha Okada (Nana Seino) is thriving in her career and personal life but faces relentless pressure from her grandmother to marry. Content with her single status, Akiha rejects a proposal from Shu Momose (Kentaro Sakaguchi), a reliable yet unromantic suitor. However, when her grandmother's restaurant faces bankruptcy, Akiha finds herself in a surprising arrangement with Shu, who offers her five million yen to marry him. As their fake marriage unfolds, Akiha and Shu must navigate the unexpected challenges of their new life together. What starts as a business deal begins to transform into something far deeper, revealing that their unorthodox union might be the key to finding true love.

ONLY JUST MARRIED

Love Under Contract team 

Asagi Soramame (Suzu Hirose), an energetic and bright young woman from rural Kyushu, follows her childhood friend and fiancé to Tokyo. There, she has a fateful encounter with Umino Oto (Ren Nagase), a man she never expected to meet again. After her fiancé breaks up with her, Asagi starts to find herself. Now, at 23, she and Umino find themselves living in the same boarding house. Asagi discovers a passion for fashion, while Umino struggles to make it as a composer. Despite his parents’ disapproval, he works part-time at a café to make ends meet. Meeting Asagi reignites Umino’s dream, and together, they inspire each other to pursue their passions.

Hold my hand at Twilight

Love in the twilight 

Fuji TV

At twenty-eight, Junko Sakuraba (Satomi Ishihara) dreams of living and working in New York City but is stuck teaching English. While disappointed by her unfulfilled aspirations and lack of romantic experience, she attends a funeral where she meets Takane Hoshikawa (Tomohisa Yamashita), a handsome monk. After accidentally knocking a bowl of ash onto him during the service, Junko is mortified. Her embarrassment deepens when she is tricked into a matchmaking session and discovers Takane is the other party. Their unexpected encounters raise questions about whether their relationship is coincidental or destined. Adapted from the manga series by Miki Aihara, 5→9 From Five to Nine is a 2015 Japanese romantic comedy drama directed by Shin Hirano, Hideyuki Aizawa, and Masaki Tanimura.

5→9 From Five to Nine

From 5→9 Straight to Burnout

Sota Aoki’s (Shunsuke Michieda) life takes an unexpected turn when he borrows an eraser from his crush, Mio Hashimoto (Riko Fukumoto), only to discover she’s written another boy’s name on it. Devastated, Aoki drops the eraser, but it’s picked up by Kousuke Ida (Ren Meguro), who now mistakenly believes Aoki has a crush on him! As Aoki scrambles to clarify the situation, he finds himself caught in a whirlwind of romantic misunderstandings and comedic chaos. Will Aoki manage to set things straight with Ida, or will this mix-up lead to surprising new connections? This 2021 Japanese romantic comedy drama was directed by Shogo Kusano and Tadaaki Horai and was adapted from the manga of the same name by Wataru Hinekure.

My Love Mix-Up!

Lend Me Your Eraser Team💛💙

In response to rising crime and unusual deaths, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare establishes the Unnatural Death Institute (UDI), led by Director Yasuo Kamikura (Matsushige Yutaka). Mikoto Misumi (Satomi Ishihara), a skilled 33-year-old forensics expert with over 1500 autopsies, heads a team including lab assistant Shoji Yuko (Ichikawa Mikako) and forensics expert Kei Nakado (Arata Iura). The UDI investigates perplexing cases, including a suspicious suicide and a mysterious "poisoning" involving a heart disease victim. As they unravel these complex mysteries, the team's expertise and determination are put to the test.

Unnatural

🧬 Mysterious Murders 🧬

Principled gossip magazine reporter Satoshi Onoe (Keito Kimura) clashes with his polar opposite – the slobby photographer Motoharu Kaburagi (Yamanaka Jyutaro) – when they are forced to work on celebrity stakeouts together. As they strive to catch exclusive scoops, their rivalry gradually gives way to unexpected romantic feelings. Will their tension escalate, or is an unlikely workplace love story on the horizon? This 2022 Japanese drama was based on a hit manga series by Isaku Natsume and was directed by Tomoyuki Furumaya.

Candy Color Paradox

🍬Candy Crush🍬

Kota Fukuhara (Sota Ryosuke) is a bumbling college student plagued by constant bad luck, making it difficult for him to make friends. In contrast, fellow student Naoya Shinomiya (Yusuke Sato) seems to have it all -- good fortune and immense popularity. When Naoya saves Kota from an accident, Kota tries to befriend him. However, Naoya mistakenly believes Kota wants a romantic relationship and surprisingly agrees! This misunderstanding sets off a series of comedic and heartfelt events as Kota and Naoya navigate their new relationship. Will this awkward situation lead them to true love? And can Naoya help break Kota’s unlucky curse? This 2022 Japanese drama series was based on a manga series by Tsuyu Gamoko and was directed by Yoshino Mamoru.

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