I made a thread earlier for 80s drama but recently I've found myself watching alot of 00s dramas again.
I love this era alot. I first came to Japan in 2008 and there's a certain lingering nostalgia I have for this time even if I missed most of it.
I love seeing older dramas with the crossover remnants of the 90s into the early 00s with the highlights and spikey flicked hairsprayed hair. It's really starting to have it's own identity. It's a funny decade as alot of shows after 2005 still feel fairly modern to me in style unless they were on a cheap budget but it's just easier to group by decade.
Here's a few recommendations I've watched more recently:
The 2004 version of Kurokawa no techou thought this was really good. I generally like Yonekura Ryoko in anything though so this didn't dissapoint. Very good suspense.
In the past I've seen some of the bigger name shows. I'm currently in the middle of rewatching 14 sai no haha and I honestly forgot how incredible most of the actors in this are. A real powerhouse drama that really owes alot to it's cast IMO.
I recently watched Shiawase ni naritai! from 2005 and really enjoy this. Just a lovely story full of likeable characters. Very light hearted and a nice comfy drama that won't make you feel anything too intense or feel heavy. One of the best fluff shows I've seen I think.
Now from memory:
Scandal - This felt like Japan's answer to the Desperate Housewives tv show boom in the late 00s. Similar sort of premise here with 4 very different housewives all coming together when a friend mysteriously dissappears. I remember really enjoyed this although I feel like the ending was a bit of a fizzle but I honestly can't even remember how it ended now (which probably says alot). The journey was fun though and probably started my obssesion with Momoi Kaori who really outacts everyone else.
Last I recommend Around 40. This is actually one of my favourite dramas ever. It's nothing incredibly mindblowing or special but somehow it just really clicked with me. I describe it as Sex and the City without the Sex. It's very wholesome and the characters are all likeable and different and It introduced me to 3 of my favourite actresses all at once, Otsuka Nene , Amami Yuki and Matsushita Yuki. This is a comfort drama for me and it just makes me feel happy. If you want a pleasent drama that you can just relax and forgot your day this is a nice recommedation. I also liked the plot centering around older women and their different lives.
To go a bit older try something like 2001's, Love Revolution, this drama first introduced me to both Esumi Makiko and Yonekura Ryoko. I can't actually remember this now and am very overdue a revist. I think I first watched this back in 2007 but I remember enjoying it.
Anyway just wanted to get the ball rolling and I think all the above are fairly well known. Anyone else watch alot of 2000s dramas? What are you faves and recommendations. Thought it would be fun to share shows and meet others who like the same stuff. Have fun!
