The Most Popular Japanese Drama, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the drama you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 17, 2024 06:42
Fans of Japanese dramas understand that choosing what to watch next can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of available series. By assembling a frequently updated list of top-rated dramas, viewers can save time and dive straight into watching quality content. This ranking provides an accessible guide to identifying which dramas resonate most with audiences, helping new viewers and seasoned fans alike make informed viewing choices.
Your votes directly influence the live rankings on this site, making it a dynamic and crowd-sourced tool for drama discovery. Whether you're a fan of poignant romances, thrilling mysteries, or intense dramas, your participation helps shape the list. This democratic approach ensures that the rankings reflect current trends and viewer preferences, providing a continually refreshed lineup of must-watch television.
What Is the Most Popular Japanese Drama?
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140votes
Hana Yori Dango
Yoko KamioA classic romantic drama that has been remade numerous times. Based on the manga series, it follows the story of a working-class girl who attends a prestigious school and falls in love with the leader of the famous F4 clique.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 4 of 10 in Most romantic Japanese drama
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular Asian drama
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222votes
1 Litre of Tears
Rie YokotaA heart-wrenching drama based on a true story of a girl named Aya who was diagnosed with a degenerative disease. The show portrays her life with the disease and how she copes with it with the help of her family and friends.1 Litre of Tears is a Japanese drama based on the true story of a young girl named Aya Kito who suffers from an incurable degenerative disease, Spinocerebellar Ataxia. The drama follows Aya's journey as she copes with the physical and emotional challenges of her illness while remaining optimistic and strong-willed.- Genre: Drama
- Original network: Fuji TV
- Original run: October 11, 2005 - December 20, 2005
- Episodes: 11
- Based on: 1 Litre no Namida by Aya Kito
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328votes
Nobuta wo Produce
Screenwriter: Gen ShiraiwaA high school drama that explores the themes of friendship, bullying, and self-identity. It follows two students who try to make a shy and introverted classmate popular.Nobuta wo Produce is a Japanese drama series that aired in 2005. It follows the story of two high school boys who team up to transform a shy and introverted girl, Nobuko, into a popular and confident student. The drama explores themes of friendship, identity, and the struggles of adolescence.- Genre: Drama
- Original network: NTV
- Original run: October 15, 2005 – December 17, 2005
- Episodes: 10
- Main cast: Kazuya Kamenashi, Tomohisa Yamashita, Maki Horikita
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414votesA comedic drama about a young teacher who is the granddaughter of a yakuza boss. She becomes a teacher at a high school filled with delinquent students and tries to change their ways while keeping her family ties a secret.Gokusen is a popular Japanese drama that follows the story of Kumiko Yamaguchi, a young and passionate teacher who becomes the homeroom teacher of a group of trouble-making students in an all-boys high school. The drama focuses on Kumiko's efforts to guide and inspire her students, while also dealing with various challenges and personal growth.
- Genre: Drama, School, Comedy
- Original network: NTV
- Original run: April 1, 2002 – July 3, 2013
- Episodes: 3 seasons, 12 special episodes
- Main cast: Yukie Nakama, Yuko Ogura, Yuma Ishigaki, Tomohiro Waki, Kazuya Sato, Jun Matsumoto, and more
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515votes
Long Vacation
Fuji TelevisionA romantic drama that follows the story of a struggling pianist who falls in love with a beautiful girl who happens to be the ex-girlfriend of his friend.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 9 of 10 in Most romantic Japanese drama
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616votes
Orange Days
Shoji KokamiA drama about a group of college students who are deaf and hard of hearing. It explores their challenges and relationships as they navigate through school and life.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 romantic Japanese drama
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74votes
Good Morning Call
Miki AiharaA romantic comedy about two high school students who accidentally end up living together. They try to keep their living situation a secret from their classmates while navigating their growing feelings for each other.Good Morning Call is a popular Japanese drama that tells the story of a high school girl, Nao Yoshikawa, who mistakenly signs a lease for an apartment with a popular delinquent boy, Hisashi Uehara. As they navigate through cohabitation, romance, and the challenges of school life, their relationship slowly transforms from animosity to camaraderie and eventually to love.- Genre: Romantic comedy
- Episodes: 17
- Original network: Fuji TV
- Original run: 2016-2017
- Based on: Good Morning Call manga by Yue Takasuka
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85votes
Last Friends
Eriko KitagawaA drama that explores the themes of abuse, identity, and friendship. It follows a group of friends who try to support their friend who is in an abusive relationship.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 romantic Japanese drama
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95votesA drama about four couples who participate in a game where they switch partners to find their ideal match. It explores the themes of love, relationships, and self-discovery.Love Shuffle is a popular Japanese drama that aired from January to March 2009. It is a romantic comedy series that revolves around four main characters who participate in a unique social experiment called 'Love Shuffle', where they swap partners in order to find true love. The drama explores themes of relationships, fate, and personal growth.
- Genre: Romantic comedy
- Episodes: 10
- Original network: TBS
- Original release: January 16 - March 20, 2009
- Main cast: Tamaki Hiroshi, Karina, Yoshitaka Yuriko, DAIGO
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108votes
Nodame Cantabile
Tomoko NinomiyaA romantic comedy that follows the story of a talented but eccentric pianist who falls in love with a talented conductor. It explores their relationship and their journey in the world of classical music.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 3 of 10 in Most romantic Japanese drama
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Ranking factors for popular drama
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RatingsThe television ratings for each episode, including both the average and peak ratings, will give you an idea of how many viewers tuned in to watch the drama.
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PopularityThe buzz and interest surrounding the drama on social media, online forums, and other platforms can be a key indicator of its popularity.
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Critical acclaimReviews and feedback from critics and industry experts should be taken into account. This will give you an idea of the drama's quality and appeal to different audiences.
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Awards and recognitionsThe number of awards and nominations a drama has received can be a good indicator of its popularity and quality.
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LongevityThe number of seasons and episodes a drama has, as well as its ability to maintain or increase its ratings and fan base over time.
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Viewership demographicsThe age, gender, and other demographic factors of the audience can help determine the overall popularity of a drama.
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Cast and crewThe popularity and talent of the actors, directors, scriptwriters, and other personnel involved in the production of the drama can contribute to its overall appeal and success.
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Commercial successThe revenue generated by a drama, including advertising, merchandise sales, and overseas licensing, can give an idea of its financial success and overall popularity.
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International popularityThe ability of a drama to appeal to audiences outside of Japan can be an important factor in determining its overall popularity.
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Cultural impactThe influence a drama has on popular culture, including trends, catchphrases, and social issues addressed, can be a key factor in determining its long-lasting popularity and success.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular 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
- 3133 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 popular japanese drama
When it comes to Japanese dramas, it's hard to pinpoint the most popular one. Japanese dramas, also known as J-dramas, have gained a massive following worldwide due to their unique storylines, relatable characters, and excellent cinematography. They offer a glimpse into Japanese culture, traditions, and social norms, making them not only entertaining but also educational.
Some of the most popular J-dramas include "Hana Yori Dango," "Nodame Cantabile," "Great Teacher Onizuka," and "Naruto." These dramas have captivated audiences with their heartwarming stories, memorable characters, and unforgettable soundtracks. However, the most popular J-drama can vary depending on who you ask and what their personal preferences are.
At StrawPoll, we've hosted thousands of polls on various topics, including Japanese dramas. Our community has voted on the most popular J-dramas, and the results are always fascinating to see. Whether you're a die-hard J-drama fan or just getting into the genre, StrawPoll is the perfect place to discover new shows and engage with like-minded individuals.
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