Pursuing dream/career with mentor guidance

I like this kind of drama when:

The MC starts from zero, preferably is an underdog and not genius/talented in the field
Meets strict seniors/mentors and learn from them
Makes a lot of beginner mistakes and thinking of stopping in the middle
Grows at the end of drama
Lesser romance involvement

The list contains all dramas in the genre, with those meeting above criteria the most are sorted higher.

TimiZero Apr 15, 2018

37 Titles 10

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1. Attention Please

Japanese Drama - 2006, 11 episodes

8.5
2. Police in a Pod

Japanese Drama - 2021, 9 episodes

8.5
3. Bambino!

Japanese Drama - 2007, 11 episodes

8.0
4. Amachan

Japanese Drama - 2013, 156 episodes

8.5
5. Real Clothes

Japanese Drama - 2009, 11 episodes

8.0
6. We are Medical Interns

Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

8.0
7. Good Luck!!

Japanese Drama - 2003, 10 episodes

8.5
8. Miss Pilot

Japanese Drama - 2013, 11 episodes

8.0
9. Nodame Cantabile

Japanese Drama - 2006, 11 episodes

9.0
10. Ace wo Nerae!

Japanese Drama - 2004, 9 episodes

8.0
11. Big Money!

Japanese Drama - 2002, 12 episodes

8.5
12. Diary of a Surgical Resident: Madoka

Japanese Drama - 2025, 10 episodes

8.0
13. Kirakira Kenshui

Japanese Drama - 2007, 11 episodes

7.5
14. Hidarikiki no Eren

Japanese Drama - 2019, 10 episodes

7.5
15. Hibana: Spark

Japanese Drama - 2016, 10 episodes

9.0
16. Hokaben

Japanese Drama - 2008, 10 episodes

7.0
17. Bengoshi no Kuzu

Japanese Drama - 2006, 12 episodes

8.0
18. Legal High

Japanese Drama - 2012, 11 episodes

9.0
19. Sleepeeer Hit!

Japanese Drama - 2016, 10 episodes

9.5

This is one of the best dramas I have watched, but ranked lower in here due to the fact that there's not so much learning curve for the MC in the drama.
20. TOKYO AIRPORT - Tokyo Kuukou Kansei Hoanbu

Japanese Drama - 2012, 10 episodes

7.5
21. Gokuaku Ganbo

Japanese Drama - 2014, 11 episodes

8.0
22. Haikei, Chichiue-sama

Japanese Drama - 2007, 11 episodes

8.0
23. 1 Pound no Fukuin

Japanese Drama - 2008, 9 episodes

7.5
24. Koe Girl

Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes

8.0
25. Fragile

Japanese Drama - 2016, 10 episodes

8.0
26. Angel Bank

Japanese Drama - 2010, 8 episodes

7.5
27. Egao no Hosoku

Japanese Drama - 2003, 12 episodes

8.5

In this one, the mentor is not in the field but teaches MC to be a better person.
28. Gakeppuchi Hotel

Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes

8.0
29. Keiji Yugami

Japanese Drama - 2017, 10 episodes

8.5
30. Kurokouchi

Japanese Drama - 2013, 10 episodes

8.5
31. Iryu Team Medical Dragon

Japanese Drama - 2006, 11 episodes

9.0

Although it was a side-plot, I loved how MC trains an intern to become better surgeon in this drama.
32. Gin to Kin

Japanese Drama - 2017, 12 episodes

8.0
33. Tiger and Dragon

Japanese Drama - 2005, 11 episodes

8.5
34. Descending Stories: A Life in Rakugo

Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes

8.5
35. Aquarium Girl

Japanese Drama - 2016, 7 episodes

7.5
36. The Golden Egg

Japanese Drama - 2025, 12 episodes

7.5
37. Draft King

Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

8.0

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