Are you interested in watching Japanese dramas but don’t know where to start from? If yes, then let me tell you that you have come to the right place as I am, an almost obsessive, Japanese drama fan and allow me to guide you through the limited J-dramas available on Netflix.

Good J-dramas are aplenty but finding shows with good English subtitles is a difficult task. Thankfully, Netflix has been taking an interest in Japanese shows too and there are a few good doramas (drama is pronounced as ‘dorama’ in Japan) that you can watch on Netflix.

11 Best Japanese Dramas To Binge Watch On Netflix Over The Weekend

Netflix has a mixed bag of J-dramas. Here are some of the best romance, suspense, action, and even zombie dramas that you can pick to watch next.

1. Cursed In Love (2020)

Image Courtesy: NTV

Genre: revenge, suspense, and a little bit of angsty romance

Hanaoka Nao’s mother, a professional confectioner, was implicated in a murder and passed away while in prison. Nao grew up hating her mother’s employers, the Takatsuki family, who falsely accused her of a crime she didn’t commit. Years later, she re-enters the Takatsuki family as their daughter-in-law but under a new name and identity. Her only aim now is to destroy her fiancé Tsubaki, the heir to Takastsuki’s confectionery business and the sole witness to the murder.

Read the full review here.

 

2. Alice In Borderland (2020)

Image Courtesy: Netflix

Genre: sci-fi, parallel universe, suspense

One day, Arisu Ryohei and two of his friends find themselves alone in a deserted version of Tokyo city. As they navigate through their unusually quiet and empty surroundings, they realise they are players in a game that will either help them survive or take their life. Each game puts them in a ‘do or die’ situation while challenging their intelligence and emotional quotient.

Read the full review here.

 

3. Overprotected Kahoko (2017)

Image Courtesy: NTV

Genre: Family drama, slice of life, comedy, and a little bit of ‘first love’ romance

Nemoto Kahoko is a newly graduated university student who is on the lookout for a job. However, getting a job is difficult for the young and naïve Kahoko who has always lived an overly sheltered life. She is dependent on her mother for almost everything and needs Google’s guidance for the rest. One day, she meets a struggling artist who questions her choices in life, which makes her think hard and make some tough decisions.

Read the full review here.

 

4. Tokyo Tarareba Girls (2017)

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Genre: Slice of life, female-oriented, and lots of mild romance

Kamata Rinko and her two besties have touched 30 years of age and are looking out for love. Sadly, their pickiness in their younger days has cost them heavy as they discover the harsh truth about the importance of the age factor in the dating game. The three women do find love but not without complications.

(This one is my personal favorite on this list. Do watch it.)

Read the full review here.

 

5. I’m Taking The Day Off (2014)

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Genre: office romance, older woman-younger man relationship

Aoishi Hanae is simple woman who has only been concerned about doing her work diligently and then spending the rest of her free time with her parents at home. As she turns 30, the lack of a love life bothers her as she sees everyone around her settling down with their spouses. Angry and lonely, she has a drunken one-night stand with one of her juniors at work. The next morning she decides to brush it off as a mistake but her junior wants to pursue her seriously and they start dating.

Read the full review here.

 

6. Good Morning Call (2016)

Image Courtesy: Fuji TV

Genre: high-school romance, comedy, and cohabitation

High-school student, Yoshikawa Nao is excited to live on her own away from her parents for the first time. However, she is in for a rude shock when she learns that she has been fooled by the broker and that she has to share her new apartment with a male student. Uehara Hisashi is one of the most popular students at school and is known for his condescending words. Living with Hisashi is not easy for Nao who finds him attractive despite his sharp tongue and rude behavior.

Read the full review here.

 

7. The Most Difficult Romance (2016)

Image Courtesy: NTV

Genres: comedy and office romance

Samejima Reiji is a successful businessman running a popular chain of hotels. He is strict boss and fires people for slightest of negligence at work. His arrogant nature drives women away from him. One day, he meets Misaki who works at his hotel. He falls for her the very first moment she talks to him. He then starts to pursue her seriously but the woman is not one to fall easily for his non-existent charm.

 

8. Nobuta Wo Produce (2005)

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Genre: teen drama, friendship, and makeover

Kiritani Shuji is a popular guy in school and is friends with Kusano Akira who is known for his whimsical side. One day, a new girl named Kotani Nobuko is admitted to their class. Her meek nature makes her a target for bullies. Shuji and Akira decide to help Nobuko develop her personality so that she becomes pretty and no one ever bullies her again.

 

9. Signal (2018)

Image Courtesy: Fuji TV

Genre: murder, suspense, time-travel,

Fifteen years ago, Saegusa Kento witnessed the kidnapping of a girl who was later found dead by the police. In the present day, Kento himself works as police investigating another crime when he happens to chance upon a walkie-talkie that enables him to talk to the detective investigating the murder of the little girl he witnessed fifteen years ago.

 

10. Hiiragi’s Homeroom (2019)

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Genre: suspense, hostage drama, and bullying

Hiiragi Ibuki is the homeroom teacher of a class that will be graduating in ten days. One day, he takes his 29 pupils as hostages to teach them an important lesson of life. This lesson pertains to a student who passed away a few months ago. Mr. Hiiragi wants the kids to learn about the consequence of their comments and remarks and how they affect a person.

 

11. Love You As The World Ends – Season 1 (2021)

Image Courtesy: NTV

Genre: suspense, zombies, and apocalypse

Mamiya Hibiki is a car mechanic who lives with his long-time girlfriend, Ogasawara Kurumi. One day, he decides to propose to Kurumi but instead meets with an accident that has him trapped in a tunnel for the next four days. When he finally escapes the tunnel he realizes that there are no people on the streets and that everything seems out of normal. He tries to find his girlfriend Kurumi while also discovering more about the harsh circumstances he has landed in.

 

So, for now, these are the most exciting J-dramas on Netflix. Hopefully, Netflix will update their library soon and we will get to see more doramas.

 

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