by Old_Anime_Lady, December 2, 2019
34

The time of year is coming, in certain countries, where shoppers are scrambling to buy presents and some people seem to be extra cheerful and nice. There is a small percentage of the population that this time actually triggers a depressive state, which has been labeled "Holiday Blues".  I figured this would be the BEST time to spotlight some of my favorite Tearjerker dramas and movies. Why? Why not something funny to lighten the mood?  Because it doesn't work.

When I first started watching Japanese dramas I never understood why anyone would want to watch something that made you cry.  Life does that enough, right?  For me that answer is no.  I will never cry because of what life throws at me, maybe tears of anger, but not "cleansing tears" the ones that actually relieve some of the stress. These dramas gave me an excuse to allow myself to shed these cleansing tears.  


1 Litre of Tears

Well you can't make a list like this and not include this title,  It is the quintessential tearjerker title.  Based on a true story, the diary of the the girl afflicted was used for the core of the book.

My Rating:  8/10
Ratings: 9.1/10 from 13,652 users
# of Watchers: 24,180
Reviews: 91 users




Koizora/Sky of Love

Koizora is a 6 episode drama that will rip your heart to shreds.  The punches it throws never stop until maybe the middle of the last episode.

My Rating:
 8/10 

Ratings: 8.0/10 from 8,625 users
# of Watchers: 15,109
Reviews: 25 users


I have not seen the movie Sky of Love but it is the same story told in less than 2 hours.

Ratings: 8.2/10 from 10,225 users
# of Watchers: 15,737
Reviews: 24 users

 

Yuuki

This has every terminal illness cliche in it, YET the cast really sells it.  Based on a true story. Not gonna lie Kame's smile is just radiant in this. This was originally a special for 24 hour TV.                                               

My Rating:  8.5/10

Ratings: 8.1/10 from 1,319 users
# of Watchers: 2,622
Reviews: 8 users


14 Sai no Haha

This story tackles teen pregnancy in a different way than Koizora but is still difficult, if you know someone who had a child before society deems it "okay" this will definitely hit some familiar chords.

My Rating:  8.5/10
Ratings: 7.5/10 from 2,571 users
# of Watchers: 4,372
Reviews: 6 users




Budo no ki 

The facts about adopting children with behavioral issues.  Zero sugar coating.  I think I commented before that I wasn't sure if this was promoting or discouraging adoption.

Your Rating:
 8/10

Ratings: 7.6/10 from 57 users
# of Watchers: 157
Reviews: 1 user (me-lol)



Algernon Ni Hanataba O 

I talk about this one a lot, while it changes some of the details of the book "Flowers for Algernon" from which it is based (like a flower shop instead of a bakery).  It kept the message. For me this is the Perfect Drama. 


My Rating:
 10/10
Ratings: 8.2/10 from 1,859 users
# of Watchers: 5,023
Reviews: 22 users


Your Lie in April 

This didn't grab me like it did a lot of other users, but it is definitely good and deserves a spot on this list.


Your Rating:
 7.5/10
Ratings: 8.0/10 from 2,668 users
# of Watchers: 6,669
Reviews: 10 users



I searched my watched list for titles from 2017, 2018, and 2019 but none of them hit the tear ducts like these did, not even Sachiiro no One Room because while the things that caused her to run away were despicable, the tone of the drama was different. 

Here's a link to all the Jdramas that carry that tag, because I have not watched them all.  


Have you seen any of these?  

What were your impressions?  

What are your recommendations for this topic?