My recommendations for Japanese drama

I was born and raised in Japan, so I watched my share of Japanese dramas
until I moved to US in my early 20s.

Some of the dramas I recommend are old and not sure they are that good,
but they are good enough to come to my mind.

Kou Kou Kyoshi (1993)(Not 2003 version)
It's a story about a high school teacher (Sanada Hiroyuki) and his student (Sakurai Sachiko)
fall in love.
The screenwriter, Nojima Shinji is genius on writing dark stories, and since this drama
was probably the first drama ever to cover rape, it caused controversy.
I was only 6th grade when it was aired, so my mother didn't like me watching it, but
I begged her to let me watch.
For downloading, go here.

Furikaereba Yatsugairu (1993)
Read under "Projects I'm interested in."

29-sai no Christmas (1994)
Read under "Projects I'm interested in."

Okane ga Nai (1994)
Fun to watch.
Click the title, it will lead you to the Timelessub, where you can download
subbed videos.

Kira Kira Hikaru (1998)
It's a story about a rookie medical examiner (Fukatsu Eri), her colleagues (Suzuki Kyoka,
Kobayashi Satomi) and a detective (Matsuyuki Yasuko). Their conversation is funny
and witty, and I used to adore those independent women.
I heard some group is planning to sub this series, so I hope they'll release the subs soon.

Ikebukuro West Gate Park (2000)
I had never seen a drama like this at that time, so I remember I was quite shocked
when I watched it.

Gokusen (2002)
I loved the first season, but not the squeals.

Shiroi Kyoto (2003)
Based on Yamazaki Toyoko's novel.
Karasawa Toshiaki did a great job.

Nodame Cantabile (2006)
Almost all my girlfriends were hooked on it.

Jiko Keisatsu (2006)
Fun to watch.

Kekkon Dekinai Otoko (2006)
Abe Hiroshi and Natsukawa Yui did a perfect job.
Their subtle humor is just perfect.
I can watch it again and again, and still be able to enjoy it.

Hagetaka (2007)
This is a business drama. Well-directed, and well-acted.
The music director also did an amazing job.

Karei Naru Ichizoku (2007)
Based on Yamazaki Toyoko's novel.
I didn't know Kimura Takuya could actually act until I watched this drama.

Gaiji Keisatsu (2009)
Unlike most of Japanese terrorist-related dramas, this drama tried to be as realistic as
they could.
Read more on withs2.com.

Saru Lock (2009)
Fun to watch.

Shiroi Haru (2009)
Only Abe Hiroshi can act like that.
If not for Abe Hiroshi and Endo Kenichi, this drama would have failed, but
they turned the ordinary script into something worth watching.

Fumo Chitai (2009, 2010)
Not as great as other Yamazaki Toyoko's dramas (Shiroi Kyoto, Karei naru Ichizoku),
but still the quality is good, and actors are just amazing, especially Karasawa Toshiaki,
Harada Yoshio, and Kishibe Shiro.

Chase (2010)
This drama is written by the same screenwriter of Mother (Sakamoto Yuji).
The story is about a tax fraud investigator of Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau.

Mother (2010)
The best drama I ever watched.
Just amazing.
When I heard about this drama, I didn't feel like watching it, since I thought the drama
was nothing but a dark drama. But I gave it a try since I like the lead actress, Matsuyuki
Yasuko. I was hooked on this drama right away.
Beautiful cinematography, talented actresses, great directing, and well-written script will
blow you away.

You should be able to find easily the raws for most of the dramas I listed.
If you need a help to find them, contact me.
I subbed Okanega Nai, Saru Lock, Fumo Chitai and Mother.
(No one have subbed Kira Kira Hikaru and Chase yet.)

Projects I'm interested in

29-sai no Christmas (1994)
For synopsis and casts, check here.
I was 14 when I watched this drama, and I loved it.
I haven't been able to find decent quality raws, and the chances I ever find them
are pretty dim.

Furikaereba Yatsugairu (1993)
Do not look up Dramawiki or JDroma.com for synopsis, since they pretty much say
how it ends.
I'm not good at writing synopsis, but the story is about two doctors, one is very
sincere and popular with patients(played by Ishiguro Ken) and the other one
is very talented but arrogant and cold-hearted.(played by Oda Yuji).
I have access to the raws, but I haven't had a chance to download them all yet.

Upcoming season
I haven't found any interesting dramas to sub for upcoming season (2010 summer) yet.
I like the screenwriter of GOLD (Nojima Shinji) and the author of the novel for Mioka
(Ishida Ira), but last time I chose a project based on screenwriter, I failed.
So I have to watch the drama before I take up any project.

Shinzanmono

Synopsis
Kaga Kyoichiro is a detective who was newly transferred to Nihonbashi Police
Station in Tokyo. He has very keen eyes, and little is known of his private life.
One day a woman was murdered in Ningyo-cho¹ of Nihonbashi, and all the residents
have become suspects. He untangles complicated relationships and exposes the
secrets of the residents in order to solve the case.

Ningyo-cho¹
Ningyo-cho is located in Nihonbashi area. Nihonbashi belongs to Chuo City.(Chuo-ku)
Ningyo-cho is famous for traditional restaurants and shops, which reminds people of
the old days in Japan.

Cast
Abe Hiroshi as Kaga Kyoichiro
Kuroki Meisa as Aoyama Ami
Mukai Osamu as Kyose Koki
Mizobata Junpei as Matsumiya Juhei
Kimura Yuichi as Kojima Kazumichi
Sasano Takashi as Kishida Yosaku
Harada Mieko as Mitsui Mineko
Miura Tomokazu as Kiyose Naohiro

Guest stars
Ep01
Kagawa Teruyuki as Takura Shinichi
Ichihara Etsuko as Kamikawa Satoko
Kobayashi Takashi as Kamikawa Fumitaka
Ann as Kamikawa Naho

Ep02
Natsukawa Yuias Edagawa Yoriko
Terajima Susumuas Edagawa Taiji
Ishiguro Hideoas Sasaki Shuhei

Ep03
Baisho Mitsuko as Yanagisawa Suzue
Ohkura Koji as Yanagisawa Naoya
Shibamoto Yuki as Yanagisawa Maki

Ep04
Harada Yoshio as Terada Genichi
Megumi Toshiaki as Mitsuoka Akifumi

Ep05
Konno Mahiru as Kitamura Miyuki
Ayado Chie as Fujiwara Machiko

Ep06
Kusakari Tamiyo as Yoshioka Tamiko
Tanihara Shosuke as Tachibana Koji

Ep07
Maiko as Miyamoto Yuri
Saotome Taichi as Uesugi Kazuhiro

Ep08
Yoshi Rei as Tokiko

Ep09
Hayami Komomichi as Kishida Katsuya
Nakansihi Ryuga as Kishida Shota
Chisun as Kishida Reiko

Find subs at
D-addict

Mother (2010 Spring)

Synopsis
Suzuhara Nao (Matsuyuki Yasuko) is a substitute teacher
at an elementary school.
She meets 7-years-old girl, Michiki Rena (Ashida Mana), who is
abused by her mother and her mother’s boyfriend.
Seeing Rena’s misery, Nao impulsively takes Rena into her own
custody in the attempt to save her.

Regardless the dark story, directors manage to create sophisticated
drama with artistic cinemagraphy.
Matusyuki Yasuko is doing a great job as usual,
and Ashida Mana, who plays 7-years-old elementary school girl,
is doing an amazing job. I can't believe she is only five in real life.

Cast
Matsuyuki Yasuko as Suzuhara Nao
Ashida Mana as Michiki Rena
Yamamoto Koji as Fujiyoshi Shunsuke
Tanaka Yuko as Mochizuki Hana
Takahata Atsuko as Suzuhara Toko

Find subs at
D-addict

Mother Ep09

Subs for Mother Ep09 is uploaded to D-addict.
Click here.
It's another great episode.

I'd love to hear how you think of this episode!