J-Drama

Fuji TV, FOD

At sixteen years old, Hana Nonomura (Aisa Takeuchi) was the last person you’d ever expect to be going on a blind date, especially one meant for finding a suitable marriage partner. But when her older sister, Yukari (Arisa Deguchi), refuses to go, Hana finds herself forced to be her stand-in, or risk bringing shame to the entire family. With no other options, Hana agrees to go, hoping to get the entire thing over with as quickly and peacefully as possible; but when she meets Takane (Mahiro Takasugi), everything changes.

The heir of the Takaba Group, 26-year-old Saibara Takane is the epitome of perfection. With killer looks and a fabulous career, he’s the man every woman dreams of having. There’s just one problem, he’s a haughty, arrogant snob who thinks of no one but himself. With such a nasty attitude, his plans to ruin his impending blind date would be easy enough, he just had to be the right amount of awful to chase her away. His plan should have been perfect, but he never expected to meet someone as fiery as Hana Nonomura.

Intrigued by Hana’s complete lack of concern over his looks, position, and money, Takane finds himself drawn to this most unusual girl. When fate brings this spunky girl back into his life, Takane finds himself falling for her but can such polar opposites really attract?

Based on the manga series, “Takane to Hana” by Yuki Shiwasu, “Takane and Hana” is a 2019 romantic comedy drama directed by Yusuke Ishii.&nbsp;

Takane and Hana

💕 Trapped by the Love 💕

It’s not quite what she meant when she said she wanted to be small again. Chiyomi Horikiri (Maika Yamamoto) is a peppy high school girl who has a crush on Shunichi Minami (Taishi Nakagawa), a fellow classmate who is both smart and good-looking. They used to be very close when they were small kids and each other’s first love, but they grew apart after Shunichi’s father disappeared and changed his outlook on life. On a stormy night, Chiyomi has an argument with her parents and runs out of her house. While trying to avoid getting wet, Chiyomi wishes that she could go back to the happier time of her childhood. But suddenly, Chiyomi shrinks in size and becomes 15 cm tall! When Shunichi happens to come by and sees the tiny Chiyomi, he takes her home with him. Can Shunichi figure out how to help Chiyomi return to her normal size or is Chiyomi doomed to live out her life as Shunichi’s unseen companion? “My Little Lover – Minami Kun No Koibito” is a 2015 Japanese drama series directed by Kazuya Konaka. It is based on the manga “Minami Kun No Koibito” by Shungiku Uchida and produced by the same production team of the popular dramas “Mischievous Kiss: Love in TOKYO” and “Mischievous Kiss 2: Love in TOKYO.”

My Little Lover - Minami Kun No Koibito

Little Lover Team

Fuji TV TWO

Kotoko Aihara (Yahagi Honoka), an average girl with poor grades, falls head-over-heels for Naoki Irie (Yuki Furukawa), the smartest and most handsome boy in school. For three years, she admires him from afar, but fate intervenes when a meteorite destroys her home, forcing her family to stay with Naoki’s. Living under one roof, Kotoko seizes her chance to win Naoki’s heart. Can she convince him to see her as someone he truly cares for, or will her dreams of love remain unfulfilled? This 2013 Japanese drama, directed by Koto Nagata, Koji Kawano, and Masakazu Abe, is the fifth TV adaptation of Kaoru Tada’s manga series Itazura Na Kiss.

Mischievous Kiss: Love in TOKYO

Mischievous Kisser Team

Fuji TV

Back in high school, a meteorite crashed into Kotoko (Honoka Yahagi)'s home, leaving her with no choice but to move in with classmate Naoki (Yuki Furukawa). For Kotoko, this was a dream come true, as she’d had a longstanding crush on Naoki. Despite his initial disdain for her, Naoki eventually fell for Kotoko, and they ended up getting married. However, married life may not be the sweet fantasy they’d dreamed it would be. Kotoko has decided to become a nurse, but her studies aren’t going well. Plus, having a charming, good-looking husband has its drawbacks – as Naoki seems to have no shortage of female admirers! Can they overcome these hurdles and ensure their love survives the test of time? This 2014 Japanese drama, based on the hit manga of the same name by Kaoru Tada, follows 2013’s Mischievous Kiss: Love in TOKYO. It was directed by Kazuya Konaka and Takashi Ninomiya.

Mischievous Kiss 2: Love in TOKYO

At 24-years old, Taiga Kohinata (Kentaro Ito) is the very definition of the average salaryman. Doing what he can to eek out his own meager living, Taiga has never experienced any of the pleasure life has to offer. Single all his life, he often wonders if he’ll ever meet a woman who makes his heart sing. Something he doubts will ever happen, considering he can barely muster up the courage to speak to a woman, let alone ask one out.

But all of that changes the day 32 year-old Shogi chess player, Tae Komada (Kashiwagi Yuki), walks into his life. Nothing more than a beautiful woman he happens to cross paths with during his daily commute, Taiga shouldn’t have had any problems getting Tae out of his head. But there’s just something about her he can’t seem to forget.&nbsp;

As fate continues to throw them together, Taiga comes to realize Tae is actually the woman of his dreams. But with such a difference in their ages, is this love doomed before it even begins?

Based on the manga of the same name, by Shito Torishima, “Is This Love Checkmate?” is a 2018 romantic comedy directed by Dan Ogawa.

Is This Love Checkmate!?

Shōgi Lovers

One of the most admired and beloved romance manga writers of her time, Hanai Ao (Fumika Baba) has dedicated her entire life to her work. From sunup to sundown, she pours one hundred percent of herself into what she does and it shows. With countless fans clamoring for her latest work, Hanai is at the top of her game. As one of the best romance writers in the country, you’d think Hanai would be experienced in the world of love, but in reality, she’s never even had a boyfriend. A fact that her editor likes to point out. Frequently.

Completely fed up with the constant nagging of her editor, Hanai decides to take a walk, completely unaware that she looks like she's just survived a typhoon. Completely indifferent to anything but her work, Hanai has never bothered with her appearance. At least not until she catches her reflection in a shop window and has to do a double-take. Feeling inspired to make a change, Hanai walks into a nearby salon, where she’s immediately greeted by Riichi (Eiji Akaso), a charismatic and charming stylist who promises to give her a look she’ll love. Struck by Riichi’s charm, Hanai soon finds herself falling for this man she can’t seem to resist. Lucky for her, the feeling seems to be mutual.

With love in the air, it’s only a matter of time before Hanai finds herself experiencing all the joys of a first love, but her strict work ethic could become a problem. Can a workaholic really keep a steady relationship when she frequently forgets her boyfriend even exists?

Based on the manga of the same title by Aya Asano, “Hey Sensei, Don’t You Know?” is a 2019 romance drama directed by Keijiro Tsubakimoto and Tatsuya Aoki.

Hey Sensei, Don't You Know?

Love At First Sight Team

What would other people do in the situation? Sumire Iwaya (Noriko Iriyama) is a well educated, successful journalist who has a string of misfortunes.

Sumire graduated from Tokyo University and Harvard and works as an editor for a renowned newspaper. But her fiancé dumps her because he becomes tired of living under the shadow of her greater achievements. Then, Sumire fights off the advances of her drunk boss and gets demoted at work.

After the series of bad events, Sumire comes home one day to find a homeless young man, Takeshi Goda (Jun Shison), in a cardboard box outside her apartment. Takeshi resembles Sumire’s beloved former dog, Momo, and she has a strong desire to take Takeshi in as a pet.

What will become of this strange new relationship between a woman and her human pet?

“Kimi Wa Petto” is a 2017 Japanese drama series directed by Izuru Kumasaka. It is based on the manga “Kimi Wa Petto” written by Yayoi Ogawa. Two previous adaptations of the manga originally aired in 2003 and 2011.

You’re My Pet - Kimi Wa Petto

MBS, TBS

At 26 years old, Kanoko Tsukishiro (Aoi Morikawa) may not be an expert at love but that doesn’t mean she isn’t living the dream. Working as an editor in the literature department of a prominent publishing company, Kanoko has settled into the job of her dreams, and nothing in the world could make her happier. Or so she keeps telling herself. Deep down she knows that she’d like to experience love at least once in her life. But work has always come first and love will just have to wait. But not for long...

Given the task of overseeing the works of wildly popular mystery writer, Saku Kagaya (Yu Shirota), Kanoko suddenly finds herself working side-by-side with the very man whose lessons on love have shaped all her dreams and ideas on the subject. Having learned all about love through Saku’s books, Kanoko can’t help but feel a little something special when it comes to her new work partner. Unfortunately for her, Saku seems to feel nothing at all.

Petty and aloof, Saku’s greatest pleasure seems to come from picking on poor Kanoko. Determined to help Saku produce yet another top-selling novel, Kanoko puts up with all of her writer’s nonsense but it isn’t easy. Especially not when, despite everything, she finds herself falling for him. Pondering the decisions of her heart, Kanoko has to wonder, can an unlovable man and a woman who’s never been in love really find happiness together?

Based on the webcomic, “Bungaku Shojo” by Mayaka Nakano, “A Virgin Woman of Literature” is a 2018 romance drama directed by Smith.

A Virgin Woman of Literature

♥Literature Woman♥

Mild-mannered and friendly, Satoh Aya (Miori Takimoto) may not stand out in a crowd but that’s never really bothered her. Living a very ordinary life, she works as a temporary employee at a large office, where she’s known for her ability to communicate any idea with a single sticky note. Never really expecting fate to play a role in her simple, ordinary life, Satoh lived each day very much like the last, completely unaware that her destiny was about to change forever.

The young successor of a large company, Ichijo Kei (Takumi Kizu) was the ideal son. Handsome and successful, Ichijo was everything his family hoped he would be and as such, he spent his life adored by his grandmother, the chairman. Always eager to please the woman who gave him so much, Ichijo was a little shocked when his grandmother told him to marry early, but he was willing to do so, to make her happy. There was just one problem, none of the women in his life were able to capture his attention, let alone his heart. But all that changed, the day Satoh walked into his life.

Brought together by fate, Satoh and Ichijo soon find themselves caught up in a completely unexpected situation that is destined to change their lives forever. But will this change really be for the better?&nbsp;

Adapted from the Taiwanese drama, “Fated to Love You” (2008), “You Are My Destiny” is a 2020 romantic comedy drama directed by Katsutoshi Hirabayashi and Takashi Ninomiya.

You Are My Destiny (JP)

💗👰🏻 You Are My Destiny 🤵🏻

With the number of women who still believe in “happily ever after” rapidly dwindling, the government created a top secret agency dedicated to supporting those still in search of their perfect match. Using high-tech equipment on par with any other national intelligence agency, the Peanut Butter Sandwich, or PBS, is well equipped to handle any job, be it big or small. As the newest recruit to the PBS, Tsubaki (Honoka Yahagi) is tasked with monitoring four new targets and assisting them in finding their one true love; but the job won’t be easy.

A successful manager at an IT company, Katagiri Sayo (Akane Hotta) is convinced that you can obtain everything you need in life through hard work and she lives her life as proof. Setting extraordinarily high standards for herself, she doesn’t see why a man can’t live up to her standards as well. So far, none have and Sayo is beginning to wonder if anyone ever will. Meanwhile, Morimoto Miharu (Miori Takimoto) is a nurse desperately holding onto the hope that her long-time boyfriend will finally propose; but after six years together, the odds aren’t looking so good. It may be time to let go but how? Equally desperate for love, Yamashita Miwa (Miwako Kakei) works at a local bank and suffers from such low self-esteem that she’s willing to give herself to anyone willing to pay her even the slightest bit of attention. She’s well aware that none of these men are interested in love, but she just can’t seem to find a way to say no. And then there’s the stunningly gorgeous Matsuoka Akane (Niwa Niki), an executive assistant who has no problem drawing a man’s attention but can’t seem to find one who isn’t exceedingly dull.

With four completely different targets assigned to her, Tsubaki can think of only one way to help these women and close her first case. Infiltrating their ranks by joining their yoga class, Tsubaki becomes one of the group but the job before her is monumental. Can this rookie agent really help these love-starved souls find their perfect match?

Based on the webcomic of the same name by Mitsouko, “Peanut Butter Sandwich” is a 2020 romantic comedy drama directed by Keijiro Tsubakimoto and Kazuyuki Yamagishi.

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