Sometimes we all need a little romantic excitement in our lives. And what’s better than immersing ourselves in love and all its emotions by watching a Japanese romantic drama? Whether you are a hopeless romantic or someone who just likes to see sensitive love stories unravel on screen, there are some Japanese dramas here for you that will pull on your heartstrings. Ranging from innocently crushing to complicated relations, these offer different love stories that will hook you in. So, let’s check out 7 of the best Japanese romantic dramas on Netflix that’ll make you swoon and maybe even cry in a good way.
Best Japanese Romantic Dramas to Watch on Netflix
Eye Love You
There is this irresistibly charming flavour about Eye Love You, also known as Ai Rabu Yuu. Just think of how it would be if you could literally hear people’s inner thoughts when they looked into your eyes. Sounds like a superpower, right? That is the premise of this drama where Nikaido Fumi plays Motomiya Yuri, a woman burdened by the hearing of people’s true feelings when they look into her eyes.
Everything changes when she meets Yoon Tae-oh, played by Chae Jong-hyeop. Week by week, Yuri’s walls slowly crumble as the barriers between them continue to fall, with undeniable chemistry. Their relationship will make your heart flutter, especially the more intimate moments-those which feel personal yet universal-in the first love story.
First Love
Who doesn’t love a good first love story? Inspired by the famous song by Hikaru Utada, First Love: Hatsukoi is a movie that stars Takeru Satoh and Hikari Mitsushima, rediscovering their feelings for each other and figuring out how to love with all that nostalgia and tenderness this great song only helps to convey. It’s a drama of how deep first love can be, especially after so many years, and rekindled it would be. If you are a sucker for romance and the series makes you reminisce about your very own past loves, then this would hit the spot.
I Will Be Your Bloom
I Will Be Your Bloom is a perfect choice if you want a blend of sweet moments and a little bit of drama. Tsubasa Honda stars as Nakamachi Asuka, a lady who ends up doing the managing for a boy band, which is on the verge of collapse, while striking a bond with the lead vocalist, played by Fumiya Takahashi. Their work and personal interactions perfectly mingle to make their romance genuinely and incredibly relatable. What really makes this show so heartwarming is how the characters slowly open themselves up to each other, building a bond on mutual understanding and affection. Chemistry is undeniable, and you will root for them at every step.
An Incurable Case of Love
Another drama Takeru Satoh stars in is An Incurable Case of Love, also known as Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo. Mone Kamishiraishi plays Sakura Nanase, who’s a nurse and has been nursing a crush for her doctor, Tendo, played by Takeru Satoh. The twist? He’s an icy and very professional doctor that makes it really difficult for Sakura to make the move. But love finds its way. And before you know it, the two turn into a serious bond. Scenes include tender moments where each character slowly comes to a sense of himself. The heart-warming progression of this relationship will have you feeling all those warm, fuzzy feelings only the best romantic stories can deliver.
From Me to You
From Me to You: Kimi ni Todoke is a marvelous classic, and for all the right reasons. This is a beautiful adaptation of the beloved manga, which narrates the life story of Sawako, an unsociable, high school student who is quite shy and misunderstood. She is not one of the most popular students in her school because of her appearance and quiet nature. But things begin to change when the lovely and kind-hearted Shota Kazehaya takes an interest in her. Their slow-burn romance is laced with wholesome moments as Sawako gains confidence and lets her heart fall in love. If you relish stories in which two people break down each other’s emotional walls, you should watch From Me to You.
Meet Me After School
Meet Me After School is yet another drama, but it chases an unconventional path of romance. Then there’s Kasumi Arimura as Hijiri, a student teacher who gets emotionally involved with one of her students and therefore negotiates delicate responsibilities and personal feelings. The drama is as heartbreaking as it’s compelling, especially when the chemistry shared between Kasumi Arimura and co-star Koshi Mizukami unfurls in a relationship often high on the list of societal pressure and criticism but throughout gets us rooting for them nonetheless. This is more of an intense romance, but it is definitely one that will remember long after the last episode.
Date My Daughter!
If you want something light, quirky, and also somewhat romantic, Date My Daughter! is at the top. Here, we see Miho Kanno as a single mother who realizes her daughter, played by Minami Hamabe, has yet to experience love. They take each other on a sitcom-like quest to find the perfect man for her daughter. The mother-daughter relationship, although cute, is pretty entertaining, and the show is fresh in its take on a more traditional drama romance. It’s fun, cute, and laugh-filled, so it is a good choice if you are in the mood for something a little more upbeat.
These Japanese romantic dramas start with first love in sweet and quirky romantic comedies and dramatic depressions along straight lines when it comes to complicated relationships. From the oriental fantasy to delinquents and keeping it real, there’s something for everyone-there’s a twist on the genre, memorable characters, and touching moments to keep viewers hooked from start to finish.
Which one of these has been your favourite? Let us know in the comments!
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