J-Dramas for Beginners

It can be hard getting into Japanese dramas, especially if you're used to Korean, Taiwanese or HK ones, or are completely new. So I decided to review some of the dramas that are popular among beginners. For the readers who aren't used to the surname - given name, I have written character names in the western style (the actors' names are surname - given name, though).

Hana Yori Dango (9/10)

This is one of the most popular J-Dramas among beginners. It is based off a manga by the same name, which was created by Kamio Yoko. The plot tells of a girl named Tsukushi Makino, who is a commoner among the rich kids. One day, she gets a red card from the F4, the elite of the elite. The F4 consists of Tsukasa Domyouji, Rui Hanazawa, Sojiro Nishikado and Akira Mimasaka. As the drama progresses, you see the bonds formed between the characters and the obstacles they face. I personally liked the drama because of the actors. They chose talented actors who complimented each other, and who seemed perfect for the role. This is one of the few dramas where I want both the lead and the second lead to get the guy.

Actors: Inoue Mao, Matsumoto Jun, Oguri Shun, Matsuda Shota, Abe Tsuyoshi.
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Related dramas: Hana Yori Dango 2, Boys Before Flowers (Korean), Hana Yori Dango (1995 movie; Japanese), Meteor Garden (Taiwanese)

Hana Kimi; Hanazakari no Kimitachi he (9/10)

This is another Japanese drama based off (one of my favourite) manga by the same title. It tells the story of Mizuka Ashiya, who transfers to an all-boys high school to try to encourage Izumi Sano to high jump again. There's one problem - she's a girl. This comedy is about her time at the high school, and all the hilarious things that happen. Compared to the Korean version, this drama focuses on the comedic side, rather than drama. I liked the choice of actors as well as the events chosen. I instantly fell in love with Oscar, because he's exactly how I imagined him to be if he was real. This drama also has a high re-watch value. I'm not kidding; I've watched it about seven times now. It's one of those dramas that no matter how much you watch it, it never gets old.

Actors: Oguri Shun, Horikita Maki, Ikuta Toma, Yamamoto Yusuke.
Genre: Comedy, Romance.
Related dramas: Ikemen Paradise (2011 remake), To the Beautiful You (Korean), Hana Kimi (Taiwanese)

Gokusen (10/10)

This is yet another drama based off a manga. Kumiko Yamaguchi enters Shirokin Gakuen as a new teacher. They place her in charge of class 3-D... which can only spell trouble. 3-D is a class full of yankis, or delinquents. Yet, as the story progresses, we find out Kumiko - or Yankumi, according to the students - isn't entirely innocent; she's a part of the yakuza. Once again, I enjoyed this drama because MatsuJun played a lead role, but I also liked the character development, and the way the directors weaved in the backgrounds of the main characters. I also enjoyed Yankumi's personality, but sometimes I had to pause for a bit because I felt so embarrassed for her.

Actors: Matsumoto Jun, Nakama Yukie, Oguri Shun, Matsuyama Kenichi.
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Action.
Related dramas: Gokusen 2, Gokusen 3

Great Teacher Onizuka (10/10)

By this, I'm referring to the 1998 one. Now, I'm just going to put it out there that this is quite literally my favourite drama, and has remained in that position for two years now. Eikichi Onizuka is a graduate of a third-rate university, who gets hired at a private high school, after the director sees him standing up to the head teacher for two trouble-maker students after they were called trash (this is where his gang days were useful). During the drama, you see how the majority of his class fight for him to be fired, and how he deals with it. I love this drama as a whole. I love Eikichi's pervy nature, as well as the speeches he gives after doing something completely reckless. I love the cast and how the drama was made. There was nothing I disliked about this drama. To me, it was perfect.

Actors: Sorimachi Takashi, Matsushima Nanako, Kubozuka Yosuke, Kondo Yoshimasa.
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Action.
Related dramas: GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka (2012 remake)

Nobuta wo Produce (8/10)

This spot was a toss-up between Nobuta wo Produce, and Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge. I chose this drama because it's easy to watch and entertaining, whereas Yamato Nadeshiko isn't for everyone (unfortunately). I haven't watched this in ages (a year and a half), so this is a summary taken from dramacrazy:

Shuji Kiritani is one of the most popular guys in his school. He is pretending to care for all of his classmates,but deep down, is quiet and doesn't open up to others. But for some reason,when his eccentric classmate Akira Kusano is around, he can show his true self. One day, a new girl from another school comes to Shuji's classroom. Her name is Nobuko Kotani. From her gloomy looks, she begins to get harassed by the class bullies in no time.The harassment was devastating. Hearing about this, Akira comes up with the idea to makeover Nobuko from her looks to her personality, so that she'd become one of the most popular girls in their school. That way, there's no way the bullies can harass her.And so Shuji and Akira's greatmake-over begins. A Cinderella story which portrays the social life of Japanese teenagers. Can this gloomy girl really become popular in her school?

This was I believe my third drama, and it was probably what sucked me into Japanese dramas (beside GTO and Hana Kimi). I fell in love with Horikita Maki's role. It was much different to what she played in Hana Kimi, yet it was so perfect and so real. Kame and Yamapi's roles were amazing, too. Although a lot of people cringe at Yamapi's role in this, I liked the playful personality he portrayed, and the funny gestures he made. At the start, Kame seemed a little annoying to me, but as I watched, I grew to like him. I have to say the ending made me frustrated and happy and tearful all at the same time, which is hard to do. I'm not quite sure about the music used since it has been a long while since I watched it, but the drama as a whole was entertaining and sucked me right in.

Actors: Kamenashi Kazuya, Horikita Maki, Yamashita Tomohisa, Toda Erika.
Genre: Drama, School, Frienship.
Related dramas: -

That concludes my 'Beginners Guide to Japanese Dramas'. I hope this was informative and helpful to you.