❤️ {Favourite} Romantic & Unique J-Dramas

These Japanese dramas had something special. Unique, heart-warming, quirky or just downright romantic stories that had me scrambling for the next episode.

These picks generally had good pacing throughout, interesting or well-developed characters, cast chemistry and had -- despite any clichés -- well-told stories.

Updated whenever the whim strikes.

Aadia Jan 3, 2021
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  • First Love

    1. First Love

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 9 episodes

    10

    What makes this special: The tie-in with Utada Hikaru's music automatically creates a sense of nostalgia and melancholy. Beautifully shot, with interesting non-linear storytelling and the young version of the leads stole the show with their youthful charm.

  • An Incurable Case of Love

    2. An Incurable Case of Love

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 10 episodes

    10

    Nanase Sakura fell in love with the caring Doctor Tendo at first sight. For a chance to meet him again she spends the next 5 years becoming a nurse, only to be immediately rejected by a cold Doctor Tendo who is nothing like she remembered. 

    Despite the setback in love, she is determined to improve herself and become the competent nurse that she dreams to be. Through her determination, Doctor Tendo might see something special in her...

    What makes this special: The romance is well balanced with the heartfelt storylines revolving around patients, and her journey to be a better nurse. A well-rounded rom-com.

  • Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
    9.5

    What makes this special: The humorous reactions at the absurd circumstance he finds himself in.

  • The Full-Time Wife Escapist

    4. The Full-Time Wife Escapist

    Japanese Drama - 2016, 11 episodes

    9.0

    What makes this special:  A look at the role of a wife through a relationship based on logical communication and mutual understanding. The actors later married in real life, so you know the chemistry is there. 

  • Kimi wa Petto

    5. Kimi wa Petto

    Japanese Drama - 2003, 10 episodes

    9.0

    After a series of setbacks, a recently dumped career woman finds a younger man injured in a cardboard box outside her home. Taking pity on him, she takes him in. His warmth and peppy nature reminds her of her childhood dog, and he's more than happy to listen to her troubles like a good pet...

    What makes this special:  An unconventional relationship that makes you ask yourself what kind of love really matters to you. This drama was thoughtful and provocative, the characters were realistically flawed (and perfectly cast) and the message was mature and healing. 

  • A Story to Read When You First Fall in Love

    6. A Story to Read When You First Fall in Love

    Japanese Drama - 2019, 10 episodes

    9.0
  • Boys over Flowers

    7. Boys over Flowers

    Japanese Drama - 2005, 9 episodes

    9.0
  • The Memorandum of Kyoko Okitegami

    8. The Memorandum of Kyoko Okitegami

    Japanese Drama - 2015, 10 episodes

    9.0

    What makes this special:  The mystery-of-the-week format, the brilliant deductions from a quirky female detective, and the unconditional love of a smitten "Watson".

  • Meet Me after School

    9. Meet Me after School

    Japanese Drama - 2018, 11 episodes

    8.5
  • You, Me and Bach

    10. You, Me and Bach

    Japanese Drama - 2019, 10 episodes

    8.5

    3 individuals from different walks of life connect through a violin class. 

    What makes this special:  You'll fall in love with the found-family that they form as they help eachother through the rough patches.

  • Kanojo wa Kirei datta

    11. Kanojo wa Kirei datta

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    8.5

    What makes this special:  If you're familiar with the original Kdrama (or it's various remakes), it takes the best parts of the source and delivers a cute, well paced, well-balanced career and romance drama that Jdramas are so good at.

  • Promise Cinderella

    12. Promise Cinderella

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    8.5
  • Cursed in Love

    13. Cursed in Love

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

    8.0

    What makes this special:  Intense and passionate, and an interesting introduction to the world of Japanese candy creation.

  • Shanai Marriage Honey

    14. Shanai Marriage Honey

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 7 episodes

    8.0

    What makes this special:  A female lead well aware of her cute charms and not afraid to hide it.

  • Last Cinderella

    15. Last Cinderella

    Japanese Drama - 2013, 11 episodes

    9.0
  • Love's in Sight!

    16. Love's in Sight!

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    8.0
  • Kamisama no Ekohiiki

    17. Kamisama no Ekohiiki

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    8.0
  • Only Just Married

    18. Only Just Married

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    7.5

    What makes this special:  An atypical male lead, awkward and unaware of social cues, makes for thoughtful social commentary of "what is love?".

  • Todome no Parallel

    19. Todome no Parallel

    Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes

    9.0