#amami yuki
Drama’s can be one of the most enjoyable ways to practice your Japanese listening ability, expand your vocabulary, and understand Japanese language used in every-day situations. For those reasons and more, I present to you 5 of my favourite ‘vintage’ and easy to watch Japanese dramas!
5.電車男 [Densha Otoko] (Train Man)
Episodes: 11
Wiki:Link
Year: 2005
So we start with one of the most popular Drama’s of all time in Japan. Densha Otoko (“Train Man”) tells the story of an Otaku who gets to know a beautiful woman on a train after attempting to rescue her from an attack. He posts about this relationship on a Japanese message board, and the drama centers around the advice he receives from the board’s users.
This drama is amazing and you will love it regardless of your interests. It’s wacky, cheesy, hilarious, but also sincere and there are some tear-jerking moments. Most of all, it shows human emotion in a lovely way. I have to warn you though, it’s a rollercoaster ride (train ride?) - your emotions will be up and down with each episode!
4. 結婚できない男 [Kekkon Dekinai Otoko] (The Man Who Can’t Marry)
Episodes: 12
Wiki:Link
Year: 2009
Next we have a drama with another male protagonist, a 40-year old architect who can’t marry. Or rather, he doesn’t want to. The drama revolves around this man who prefers to be alone but is forced to make friendships and relationships with people around him.
I love Natsukawa Yui who plays the love interest in this drama, and the way the relationship between her and Kuwano (main guy) develops. This drama is really heartwarming and addictive, definitely worth a watch.
Note: trailer is for the second series, “The man who still can’t marry”, released this year!
3. 私が恋愛できない理由 [Watashi Ga Renai Dekinai Riyuu] (The Reason I Can’t Find My Love)
Episodes: 12
Wiki:Link
Year: 2011
This is a different drama to the previous two, in that it revolves around 3 women. However, similarly they cannot find love. This is supposedly a common problem in Japanese society in general and is the topic of many dramas.
This is a great show about the friendships between modern working women who have trouble finding love.
2. 結婚しない [Kekkon Shinai] (I won’t Marry/Wonderful Single Life)
Episodes: 11
Wiki:Link
Year: 2012
Another drama centering around being unable to find love, but I just loved this drama. The three main actors are great, I especially love Amami Yuki as the main actress (she also appears in BOSS, a good old drama), and Kanno Miho (main actress) is super cute.
1. TOKYOエアポート[TOKYO Ea-po-to] (TOKYO Airport)
Episodes: 10
Wiki:Link
Year: 2012
Finally, my most favourite drama of the 2010′s. This takes a different genre to the other drama’s as it isn’t based on a love story but on the difficulties faced working as a newbie in the Tokyo Airport control tower.
I knew nothing about aeroplanes, airports or control towers or had any interest in them, but this is so beautifully filmed and well acted that I was actually really interested in it. The drama is great quality and still feels modern.
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