Hiroaki Yuasa

TV Asahi

Third-year advertising company employee Aoi Morita (Rinka Kumada) has long struggled with her self-confidence, as her tall height makes her an anomaly among Japanese women. While taking the elevator at work one day, Aoi's director teases her about her height, but an unexpected savior swoops in to defend her: aloof sales manager Tomonari Kurosawa (Fuma Kikuchi), whose direct manner of communication gave him a chilly reputation despite his genuine care for others. As Aoi starts to learn more about Kurosawa, she begins feeling more drawn to him, but can't quite get a read on how he feels. Meanwhile, Kurosawa has largely steered clear of relationships, wishing to avoid anything that makes his life more complicated, but even he isn't immune to feeling jealous when others get close to Aoi. Will these coworkers eventually find their way to romance together? This drama was adapted from the manga of the same name by ma2.

THE REASON WE FALL IN LOVE

📝 Reasons to Love 💕✨

As the daughter of the powerful Sanjo Empire, Meika Sanjo (Nako Yabuki) has no choice but to live up to certain expectations, including agreeing to an arranged marriage. Desperate to defy her father, Meika convinces her devoted bodyguard, Kou Fujimiya (Ryusei Fujii) to agree to a sham wedding. What she doesn't know, however, is that Kou secretly has genuine feelings for her. As their new relationship begins to develop, will Meika be able to grasp the true meaning of love? Adapted from the manga “18-sai, Niizuma, Furin Shimasu” by Shiho Watanabe, this 2023 Japanese romantic comedy series was directed by Hiroaki Yuasa.&nbsp;

The Princess Bodyguard’s Love

The Guard My Heart 💕 Team

Growing up in a small, rural town, Reiji Kurose (Towa Araki) has never once believed he would ever have a chance to escape his small, dismal life. Living with his hard-working mother, his shut-in brother, and his unstable grandmother, Reiji’s life has been anything but cheery; which would explain why his outlook on life is far more grim than that of his childhood friend, Sakuko Akiyama (Miyu Honda).

Sharing her dreams of one someday moving to glamorous, chaotic Tokyo, Sakuko tries to help Reiji see past the gloomy nothingness of his small town. Unfortunately, even her best efforts can’t seem to draw her friend out of his growing depression. For Reiji, only the performances of his favorite idol group, Acrylic, and the group’s most beautiful member, Nagi Aoe (Hinako Kitano), can chase away the ever-present dreariness of his life. Needless to say, when he discovers Nagi working at a convenience store in his hometown, Reiji’s life takes an unexpected turn.

Unwittingly dragged into a series of scandals, Reiji’s once gloomy life takes an even darker turn as he’s pulled deeper into an intricate web of lies, obsession, and betrayal. With his world becoming ever-darker, will Reiji find a way to escape the dismal abyss that threatens to swallow him whole?

Adapted from the manga of the same name by Ryou Minenami, “Boy’s Abyss” is a 2022 Japanese psychological thriller drama directed by Hiroaki Yuasa.

Boy's Abyss

🌞 Light or Darkness 🌚

BS Japan, TV Tokyo

The 26-year-old Wakako Murasaki (Takeda Rina) lives in Tokyo and works in an unassuming office job. But when she isn’t punching the clock, she loves to spend her time exploring the Tokyo food scene. She is especially fond of pairing whatever she eats with a suitable alcoholic beverage. In fact, few things in life bring her more satisfaction than matching a good meal with a tipple that fits the feast! She is occasionally joined by Aoyagi (Kamakari Kenta), a male colleague from the office. She has also become friendly with an older uncle-like figure, Taisho (Nozoe Yoshihiro), the owner of one of her favorite restaurants.

As her adventures continue, Wakako Murasaki is delighted to discover Tokyo restaurants that serve specialties from her home Prefecture of Hiroshima. She also finds an eatery that specializes in unusual canned food-based recipes. She explores Okinawan preparations, and even tries some foreign fare – such as Thai food. And when the office decides to throw a party – wouldn’t it be natural that the managers turn to her when it is time to find a suitable restaurant? What further adventures will this food-loving young woman embark upon?

This series was based on a manga series of the same name, which was authored by Chie Shinkyu.

“Wakako Zake 2” is a 2016 Japanese drama series.

Wakako Zake 2

🍙 Itadakimasu 🍜 Team

The Tokyo-based Wakako Murasaki (Takeda Rina) appears to be a very ordinary 26-year-old office worker from Hiroshima. She spends the daytime doing her relatively menial and uninspiring work just like everyone else. But in the evening, she transforms into an intrepid culinary adventurer! She heads out to restaurants, diners, drinking holes, street food stalls, friends’ houses – and even her own kitchen. She is particularly fond of finding a good alcoholic tipple to compliment the meal she is having!

On occasion, she is joined by Aoyagi (Kamakari Kenta), a male coworker she has become close to – and another fan of great-tasting Japanese food! She also gets to know Taisho (Nozoe Yoshihiro), the owner of one of the many restaurants that Wakako Murasaki likes to visit. Will she manage to find more friends at work? Will she manage to win them over with her love of fine food? And where will this food-curious young woman’s gourmet instincts lead her next?

This live-action series was based on a manga of the same name, which was authored by Chie Shinkyu.

“Wakako Zake” is a 2015 Japanese drama series.

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