Japanese Dramas

A kooky little drama with a bit of heart that was good for some laughs and smiles. I felt things didn't flow as well after the halfway mark, though, which is why I'm not rating it higher.

In general, I'd still recommend it to pass the time, though.

Can be found on iQiyi or GagaOOLala

While I appreciated the pushback they gave to common toxic work environments and the sad but true reality that today's society is largely plagued by a culture of overworking, I was incredibly disappointed by the dubious consent scenes present and thus could not fully put myself on board with this couple's relationship.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

CONSENT. IS. ATTRACTIVE. ESPECIALLY. ENTHUSIASTIC. CONSENT.

I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this one. Watch it or don't watch it *shrugs*

Can be found on GagaOOLala

Link to Drama Otaku Page with raws and subs (will need an account): https://drama-otaku.com/drama/perfect-propose/?_tt=1705114273&_success=110291_1_1&_target=563963&cred_referrer_form_id=110291#cred_form_110291_1_1

I don't have much to say about this one. At times it was a refreshing watch. Overall, I just felt like this had a lot of wasted potential.

Can be found on GagaOOLala

Its outrageousness can be very funny. I just wish we had gotten just a couple more episodes.

Link to Subbed Episodes: https://furritsubs.wordpress.com/2022/06/10/fudanshi-bartender-no-tashinami-engsubs/ 

A very unique and entertaining watch. But the narrator calling her a "slut" really got on my nerves! Shouldn't the whole point of this drama series be to show people who live their lives differently/have different relationships than others as being something that's acceptable? Calling the main FL a slut because she has multiple sexual partners goes against that if you ask me.

Regarding Representation: I found it to be a mixed bag. My biggest criticism was the execution of the presumably Transgender SFL. At times, they affirmed her and, at other times, put her down/denied her identity.

Can be found on free websites

I enjoyed the same aspects I did about the last season as well as found the same problems.

Can be found on free websites

Just felt like a natural continuation of the second season. I will say I did enjoy watching Momoe and Ken's relationship deepen.

Link to Drama Otaku Page with raws and subs (will need an account): https://drama-otaku.com/?s=Raise+de+wa+Chan

Or

Can be found on free websites

Raw Found on D-Addicts (will need an account): https://www.d-addicts.com/forums/search.php

Link to Drama Otaku page (has subs): https://drama-otaku.com/subtitle-project/raise-de-wa-chanto-shimasu-sp/?_tt=1704142844&_success=42521_1_1&_target=49498&cred_referrer_form_id=42521#cred_form_42521_1_1

Just some little in-between scenes from the second season.

Can be found on free websites

I hate to say this . . . But I found myself more interested in the plot outside of the romance. And, while they were cute together, I felt the story would have been more interesting if it had been about Sayuri coming to terms with her father's marriage and accepting Yui as her new sister.

Side Note: I was really upset that Yui not only chose a completely inappropriate moment to kiss Sayuri but that she also didn't ask for her consent. We do not let that fly here!

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdTbAAy4JGzj26Vn8LKpyHvFxFIt76UNy

They had convincing chemistry, but I found the overall story to be lacking. Not to mention, the ending seemed to just be thrown together. I'm disappointed as I really wanted to love this but couldn't.

Can be found on GagaOOLala

Or

Link to Drama Otaku Page with raws and subs (will need an account): https://drama-otaku.com/subtitle-project/chaser-game-w-unext/ 

It's just fun!

What a fun road trip detective drama! Never thought I'd say that combination of words. Lol. Only in a J-Drama!

Link to watch it on Funimation: https://www.funimation.com/shows/handyman-fellow-jellyfish/

This was wacky bordering on serious. Not gonna lie, sometimes I thought to myself "What the heck is this plot point even for?" but at least I was entertained!

Link to watch it: https://k-vid.net/videos/yamaneko-the-phantom-thief-episode-1  

They both constantly misread the situation/what the other girl was thinking. Lol. I loved it! It was cute AND funny!

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-PWvwJngGZAyNAhGi1D1J_1cpqPL5oIU

What a creative use of cuts and playing with time! Small indie projects like this just hit differently.

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKBUT-3OTTEtr1IUBFP8N5tCc2HboEu7X&si=GgGbYQMo_1m4KyFb

It was well-acted and kept my attention.

But, at some point, it felt like they were just adding tragic event after tragic event to just pile on the misery rather than say something.

And the fact that physical abuse from a partner was basically brushed aside left a bad taste in my mouth.

Note: .5 out of my rating is just pity points, though.

Alright. So, sometimes, it was sweet and charming. But, overall, I just felt this was SO clumsily put together. As if they were just like, "Okay, forming a connection around food. Now what?"

I'd say you can skip this one, my dear MDLers.

Can be found on GagaOOLala

I don't necessarily mind an open ending with a hinted future romance. But when you spend the majority of your time on a poorly built-up mystery, all the while teasing about two of the leads getting together, I'm left with nothing to really fall back on. What did I watch this for?

I'm just disappointed as I felt this had potential. 

I'd say you can skip this one, my dear MDLers.

Can be found on GagaOOLala

I have no explanation. I've watched this five or more times at his point. 

Why? I have no idea!

It's trash. 

Can be found on Netflix

Looking back, I don't really like this drama as much as I used to. And I definitely don't like this relationship anymore. I honestly can't believe I ever did.  I couldn't understand the more negative reviews I read about this show. But, I decided to rewatch it, and I can definitely see how messed up Uehara and Nao's relationship is.

Uehara almost never expresses his feelings, never really apologizes, doesn't put Nao first, doesn't consider Nao's feelings, waits too long to clear things up or never does, and doesn't pay enough attention to Nao.

Everything that is wrong with this couple, from the beginning and in the future episodes, can be found in season 1, episode 10.

Daichi summed it up best a third of the way into the episode: "What's wrong with you? Are you even thinking about Nao's feelings? If you make a promise, then keep it! You got her hopes up and played with her feelings. She just giggles and brushes off whatever you say. Have you ever thought about her feelings?"

Can be found on Netflix

*Ahem* YOU. NEED TO. ASK. FOR. CONSENT.

Well, I knew what I was getting into when I started this for the "rep."

I'm actually going to seemingly do things backward and answer the question usually reserved for the end of my review: Do I recommend it? Absolutely not!

There is touching without consent, unprovoked inappropriate and suggestive jokes and comments that either border on or are definitively sexual harassment, completely inaccurate statements, definitions, and comments about any sexuality other than heterosexuality, and constant excusing of stereotyping, bullying, stalking, harassment, and emotional/physical abuse.

All in all, this was like toxic soup for my brain.

You know what? I don't want to elaborate any further! I'm tired and this was awful.

Peace! Noir out!

Can be found on Rakuten Viki

It's a special so I guess I'll put it here.

Sweet, funny, and gives more insight into Adachi and Kurosawa.

It's a special so I guess I'll put it here.

My feelings about this are kind of mixed. It was very well-acted and shot.  But, personally, I was a bit uncomfortable with the constant dirty words. I knew what I was getting into when I watched this, though. I just didn't expect it to be SO upfront about the premise. I almost skipped this entirely, but I'm sort of glad I didn't. But, I DID have to skip a couple scenes that were too much for me.

It did hold my attention though. And I found the characters compelling and different than what I've seen before. But, I'm still not sure how I feel about the climax, or the ending.

I think it's possible to find something here and may be worth watching once. 

Non-Con/Dub-Con Warning!

Can be found on Rakuten Viki or GagaOOLala

In preparation for watching this, I rewatched most of The Pornographer. This does have some more artistic shots and colors, but I think that just comes down to this having a bit of a different style.  

It wasn't as engaging as The Pornographer. And the motivations of the characters didn't make sense sometimes. Plus, there was a disgusting incident that wasn't fully addressed.

If you liked The Pornographer, maybe give this a shot if you want some background story for Kijima. But, if you came for Kido, you'll just be annoyed. And if you came for the same amount of chemistry, you won't find it here.

It's objectively a 7/10 from me. Beyond that, I'm not sure what would be a proper rating to give.

Non-Con/Dub-Con Warning!

Can be found on Rakuten Viki

Honestly, this low rating hurts my soul because Japan and food usually result in something special and wonderful.

I hate to say what I'm about to say:

My disappointment has ended with this drama's conclusion as I will finally be free of watching it next week.

This one is a skip, my dear MDLers. The beginning episodes will fool you into thinking it will be good, but it will become frustrating to an inconceivable degree until you can only sigh as you watch it (if you have NDD and can't drop for shit, that is).

Can be found on GagaOOLala

Felt like I finally had to watch this. It was definitely nowhere near as good as the original drama or the following spinoffs/sequels.

Can be found on GagaOOLala

This is the first drama I'm rating 1/10. I just cannot think of anything redeeming about it whatsoever, any reason to recommend it to anyone, anything positive or so-bad-it's-good at all: Not even the Queer rep (one of my reasons for completing this).

The FL is a shivering bunny rabbit, a blob, a glob of jello with nary a spine to speak of who is there to be molded, shaped, and manipulated as anyone would like, without protest.

Every side character either wants to steal the ML from her or assault/force their feelings onto her. And after she inevitably gets saved by her "Knight in Shining Armor," she then forgives/apologizes to her assaulter and/or apologizes for being assaulted. Yay! Victim-blaming! ?*feel the intensity of my sarcasm*

And the ML? He is the "perfect" man. Except--wait--he's not. He's the walking, talking, living embodiment of a red flag. He lies, pressures, manipulates, and is toxic and overly possessive of the FL.

In other words, this is flaming hot garbage I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole again, not even if you paid me.

Can be found on Rakuten Viki

Have to rewatch this before rating it.

Have to rewatch this before rating it.

CW

Link to Drama Otaku page where it will hopefully get subbed (will need an account): https://drama-otaku.com/drama/25-ji-akasaka-de/

Or

Can be found on GagaOOLala

CW

Link to Drama Otaku page with raws and subs (will need an account): https://drama-otaku.com/drama/jitenshaya-san-no-takahashi-kun/

PTW

Coming June 19th

Platform/subber not known yet

Link to Drama Otaku page (will need an account): https://drama-otaku.com/drama/tsuiraku-jk-to-haijin-kyoushi-lesson-2/?swcfpc=1

For Japanese LGBT+ List

Waiting for Subs

Can be found on free websites

Link to Drama Otaku page (will need an account): https://drama-otaku.com/drama/zettai-bl-2024/

For Japanese LGBT+ List

PTW Soon

Link to Fansubber's Page (only has subs): https://2023paprikart.carrd.co/

For Japanese LGBT+ List

PTW Soon

Can be found on GagaOOLala

For Japanese LGBT+ List

PTW Soon

Link to Drama Otaku page with subs (will need an account): https://drama-otaku.com/subtitle-project/ossan-no-pants-ga-nandatte-ii-janai-ka-1080p-dramaclub-2/

For Japanese LGBT+ List

On-Hold (will have to wait for it to be subbed)

Link to Subber: https://x.com/mikilove13fs/status/1751024740876067310?s=46

For Japanese LGBT+ List

On-Hold (waiting for subs/for it to come to a platform available to me)

Platform/Subber not known yet

For Japanese LGBT+ List

On-Hold (will have to wait for it to be subbed)

Platform/Subber not known yet

For Japanese LGBT+ List

On-Hold (will have to wait for it to be subbed)

Platform/Subber not known yet

For Japanese LGBT+ List

On-Hold (will have to wait for it to be subbed)

Platform/Subber not known yet

On-Hold

Ep 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INP86oVaICs

Ep 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19OIRDJCKWo

Ep 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K79DTP89hIo

Can't find Ep 4 anywhere with Eng Subs!

Priority for Rep Reasons

Priority for Rep Reasons

Priority for Rep Reasons

Priority for Rep Reasons

In-between romance and bromance apparently. 

Notes: Set to come out January 24th. Likely will need to be picked up by a fansubber.

Interested

Interested

Interested

Interested

Interested

Interested

Interested

Interested