The Most Romantic Japanese Drama, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the drama you think is the most romantic!

Updated on May 6, 2024 06:57

Fans of Japanese dramas know that the heart-tugging plot twists and deeply moving moments of romance can vary widely from one series to another. Each viewer has their own favorite when it comes to the stories and characters that resonate most deeply. A ranked list of the most romantic Japanese dramas helps to highlight which stories are capturing the hearts of the audience and sparking the most joy and emotional investment. By participating in voting for your favorite romantic dramas, you help create a guide that can be invaluable for new viewers looking for recommendations or diehard fans interested in seeing how their favorites stack up against the consensus. This dynamic ranking continuously shifts with each new vote, painting a fresh and updated picture of public opinion and ensuring that the list always reflects the current preferences of the community.

What Is the Most Romantic Japanese Drama?

1

46
votes
Love in Tokyo

This classic 1966 drama follows the story of a young Japanese girl falling in love with a handsome Indian man, and the challenges they face in their relationship. It is considered a timeless romance and has been remade several times.
Love in Tokyo is a popular Japanese drama series that premiered in 2013. It follows the romantic story of a young girl named Kotoko Aihara who falls in love with Naoki Irie, a cold and intelligent boy. The drama showcases their journey through various obstacles and challenges, ultimately leading to their deepening love and understanding for each other.

Original release: March 14, 2013

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Episodes: 16

Main cast: Miki Honoka, Yuki Furukawa

Average viewership rating: 12.5%
2

29
votes
One Litre of Tears

This tearjerker tells the true story of a young woman who is diagnosed with a rare disease that slowly destroys her body. Despite her tragic fate, she finds love and hope in her relationships with family and friends.
One Litre of Tears, also known as 1 Litre no Namida in Japanese, is a highly emotional and heartwarming Japanese drama based on a true story. It depicts the life of a young girl named Aya Kito who is diagnosed with an incurable and rare degenerative disease called Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Despite her deteriorating physical condition, Aya remains resilient and continues to inspire those around her with her positive outlook on life and unwavering determination.

Genre: Romance, Drama

Episodes: 11

Original network: Fuji TV

Original release: October 11 – December 20, 2005

Main cast: Erika Sawajiri, Ryo Nishikido, Hiroko Yakushimaru
3

14
votes
Nodame Cantabile

Tomoko Ninomiya

This romantic comedy follows the love story of a talented pianist and his quirky and talented classmate, who helps him discover the joy of music and love.
Nodame Cantabile is a popular Japanese drama based on the manga of the same name written by Tomoko Ninomiya. It follows the story of Shinichi Chiaki, a talented classical pianist aspiring to become a conductor, and Megumi Noda, a free-spirited and eccentric pianist, as they navigate their musical journeys and personal lives in a prestigious music school in Tokyo.

Genre: Romantic comedy, Music

Episodes: 11

Original network: Fuji TV

Original run: October 16, 2006 – December 25, 2006

Director: Hideki Takeuchi
Nodame Cantabile in other rankings
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular Japanese drama
4

13
votes
Hana Yori Dango

Yoko Kamio

This popular drama tells the story of a poor high school girl who falls in love with a rich and handsome classmate, and the obstacles they face due to their social and economic differences.
Hana Yori Dango, also known as Boys Over Flowers, is a popular Asian drama based on the Japanese manga series by Yoko Kamio. The story revolves around a bright and feisty girl named Makino Tsukushi, who finds herself attending an elite high school dominated by the wealthy and powerful F4 group. The plot follows Makino's journey as she navigates the challenges, love triangles, and difficult relationships within the school.

Genre: Romantic drama

Original Language: Japanese

Number of Episodes: 51

Original Release: October 21, 2005

Country of Origin: Japan
Hana Yori Dango in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Japanese drama
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular Asian drama
5

8
votes
My Love Story!!

This lighthearted romantic comedy follows the story of a young man who is not conventionally handsome, but falls in love with a beautiful girl who sees past his appearance and values his kind heart.
My Love Story!! is a romantic Japanese drama that centers around the seemingly unlikely love story between a gentle giant named Takeo Gouda and the shy and sweet Rinko Yamato. Takeo is a kind-hearted guy with a towering physique, but his intimidating appearance often scares away the girls he likes. However, when he saves Rinko from a harasser on the train, their love story begins to unfold. The drama follows their journey as they navigate the ups and downs of teenage romance, conquer their insecurities, and support each other through various challenges.

Genre: Romantic comedy

Original release: April 8, 2015 - September 23, 2015

Episodes: 24

Network: NTV

Runtime: 22 minutes per episode
6

7
votes
Orange Days

Shoji Kokami

This drama follows the love story of a deaf girl and a musician, and the challenges they face in their relationship due to their different communication abilities.
Orange Days is a Japanese drama series that aired in 2004. It tells the story of a group of university students who form a band and face various challenges and personal growth together.

Genre: Romance, drama

Original network: TBS

Original release: April 11, 2004 – June 27, 2004

Number of episodes: 11

Main cast: Tsumabuki Satoshi, Shibasaki Kou, Eita, Toda Erika
Orange Days in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular Japanese drama
7

12
votes
Itazura na Kiss

This romantic comedy tells the story of a high school girl who confesses her love to a cold and distant classmate, and the unlikely romance that blossoms between them.
Itazura na Kiss is a popular Japanese romantic drama that tells the story of Kotoko Aihara, a high school student who falls in love with her cold and intelligent classmate, Naoki Irie. After a comical and embarrassing incident, Kotoko decides to confess her feelings to Naoki. Despite initially rejecting her, Naoki eventually starts to develop feelings for Kotoko, leading to a rollercoaster of emotions and romantic encounters.

Genre: Romantic comedy

Number of episodes: 25

Original network: TV Asahi

Original run: October 14, 1996 - March 24, 1997

Director: Norihiko Sutô
8

11
votes
Last Friends

Eriko Kitagawa

This drama explores the complex relationships between a group of friends and their struggles with love, identity, and abuse.
Last Friends is a popular Japanese drama series that aired from April to June in 2008. It explores various themes such as domestic violence, sexual identity, and friendship. The story revolves around a group of individuals facing their own personal struggles and finding solace in their relationships with each other.

Genre: Drama

Country: Japan

Language: Japanese

Original Network: Fuji TV

Episodes: 11
Last Friends in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular Japanese drama
9

0
votes
Long Vacation

Fuji Television

This classic drama follows the love story of a struggling musician and a wealthy woman, and the challenges they face in their relationship due to their differing backgrounds and goals.
Long Vacation is a popular Japanese drama that aired from April 15 to June 24, 1996. It is a romantic comedy series that revolves around the lives of a group of young adults and their pursuit of love and dreams. The show explores themes of friendship, relationships, personal growth, and the challenges of following one's passions.

Genre: Romantic comedy drama

Episodes: 11

Original run: April 15 - June 24, 1996

Network: Fuji TV

Directed by: Hiroshi Yoshino
Long Vacation in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular Japanese drama
10

6
votes
Kimi ni Todoke

Karuho Shiina

This heartwarming drama tells the story of a shy and misunderstood high school girl who finds love and acceptance with a popular and kind classmate.
Kimi ni Todoke is a heartwarming and beautiful romantic anime that captures the essence of pure and innocent love. It tells the story of Sawako Kuronuma, a shy and misunderstood girl with a resemblance to the ghostly character Sadako from 'The Ring'. Though she longs to make friends and find love, her scary appearance and timid nature make it difficult for her to connect with others. However, everything changes when the popular and kind-hearted Kazehaya Shouta starts showing interest in her, breaking through the barriers and bringing color into Sawako's black and white world.

Genre: Romance, Slice of Life, School

Episodes: 25

Original run: October 6, 2009 – March 30, 2010

Studio: Production I.G

Director: Hiro Kaburagi

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Discussion

Ranking factors for romantic drama

Chemistry between the lead actors

The chemistry and on-screen rapport between the main characters can greatly enhance the emotional impact of the romantic storyline.
Plot and storyline

The plot and storyline should be engaging, with enough twists and turns to keep the audience invested in the story.
Cinematography

The cinematography of the drama can greatly impact the emotions it evokes. Beautiful scenery, lighting, and camera work can enhance the mood and atmosphere of the romantic scenes.
Soundtrack

The soundtrack of the drama can heighten the emotions of the viewers, and can contribute to the overall romantic atmosphere of the drama.
Acting

The acting skills of the lead actors can make or break the credibility and emotional impact of the romantic storyline. Both lead actors should be able to convey the depth of their feelings convincingly.
Cultural relevance

Japanese culture and themes unique to Japanese romance, such as the concept of "kokuhaku" (confession of love), can add to the authenticity and appeal of the drama.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most romantic Japanese drama. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or drama is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

3539 views
144 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each drama once every 24 hours. The rank of each drama is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most romantic japanese drama

Japan is known for its captivating dramas that are popular worldwide. Among these dramas, there are several romantic ones that have gained a special place in the hearts of viewers. These dramas are a perfect blend of love, drama, and emotion, and their popularity has only grown over time. From the classic romantic dramas of the 90s to the modern-day stories, Japanese romantic dramas have always been able to capture the audience's attention with their unique storytelling style. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular and romantic Japanese dramas that have left a lasting impression on viewers. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive into the world of romantic Japanese dramas.