by Old_Anime_Lady, March 19, 2018
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*The images used in the banner and Icon were used according the Netflix logo rules and the understanding of the article writer, for the guidelines go here*

The purpose of this article is to highlight the recent influx of Japanese live-action dramas and movies becoming available on Netflix.  I am super excited about this and hope that they keep weaving the maze of copyright laws Japan is noted for.   

The article writer is only familiar with Netflix in America so if you are in a different country the same shows may not be available.  I watched some of these just to make this article as complete as possible...in the end I could not watch the last 4 , they are linked at the bottom. I am posting my thoughts but including the community ratings so that you may decide for yourself what you may want to watch.

I enjoyed Good Morning Call but the community as whole rates it lower than me.  


Kotoko annoys me but I still love this drama the community and I are in almost agreement : )
  • MY Rating: 8/10
  • Ratings: 8.1/10 from 9,940 users
  • Too many sequels and adaptions to add here, go to MDL page


My rating may be high because of my love for Noda Yojiro  and Lily Franky .  It is also an original story line, not a cookie cutter trope fest.


  • MY Rating: 10/10
  • Ratings: 8.5/10 from 731 users
  • # of Members: 1,411
I was familiar with the story having already seen Minami-kun no Koibito Season 3.  It is definitely a different couple in the same situation. I think that impressed me, being able to twist the same story line to fit the new generation.

  • MY Rating: 8/10
  • Ratings: 7.7/10 from 2,111 users
  • # of Members: 4,209


Having been burnt by Manga to Live Action before I was "Nervited" -Nervous and excited- when the announcement for this came out.  I was pleasantly surprised and if you read my articles you know "getting it right" gets you bonus points.  Was the anime better?  I think they are on par with each other.

  • MY Rating: 9.5/10
  • Ratings: 8.8/10 from 937 users
  • # of Members: 2,436


More attention is being paid to this since the actor Osugi Ren passed away in February of this year.  This heart touching tale of a family re-bonding makes me smile just remembering it.

  • MY Rating: 7.5/10
  • Ratings: 8.0/10 from 224 users
  • # of Members: 459


This is not something I would normally watch by reading the description.  I love the opening song (Pain, Pain go Away) and I just kept watching.  Can't wait for the movie.

  • MY Rating: 8/10
  • Ratings: 7.5/10 from 307 users
  • # of Members: 737
Ok I am definitely not the target audience for this. Other than the dessert porn, the drama itself was terrible.
  • MY Rating: 4/10
  • Ratings: 7.7/10 from 92 users
  • # of Members: 240
  • Reviews: 0 users


Ok honestly this might have been better if I was intoxicated in some form or another.  The story did not keep me engaged and I caught myself multitasking rather than concentrating on the subtitles.  Just not my kind of story. 
  • Your Rating: 6.5/10
  • Ratings: 8.0/10 from 93 users
  • # of Members: 400


Silly, childish, and yet there is a message in most episodes.  It kept me entertained, even if sometimes it was only interest like someone who stares at a train wreck about to happen. I was sad to see it end, but any longer and it would've lost it's appeal.

  • MY Rating: 8/10
  • Ratings: 7.5/10 from 145 users
  • # of Members: 411


My family and friends watched this without me about a year back. However, I am hesitant of their Japanese recommendations because they don't watch dramas.  They just go, "Here. It's in Japanese, you'll like it. Me: That's Korean. Them: Oh? Same thing. " 
GAH! So anyhow I did not listen to them, I regret it now that I chose to do so.  Think of this as the inspiration for Hunger Games.

  • MY Rating: 7.5/10
  • Ratings: 8.0/10 from 5,147 users
  • # of Members: 7,401




If there were more flashbacks, maybe this would have been better (I NEVER say that).  There is very little movement in this drama and is all talk.  The ending was lackluster at best.  

  • MY Rating: 6.5/10
  • Ratings: 7.0/10 from 221 users
  • # of Members: 510


This um, what can I say about this? Final Destination meets Sliders . Confusing a lot of the time.

TAG or The chasing World as it is known on MDL
  • Genres: Horror, Action, Mystery, Fantasy, Suspense
  • Tags: Inspired by a Novel
  • MY Rating: 5/10
  • Ratings: 6.6/10 from 357 users
  • # of Members: 619


I like Samuari movies.  Talking to my husband he says it was over done, but I think that maybe it had been too long since I watched my Kurosawa collection or something because I loved it. All of it.
  • MY Rating: 9.5/10
  • Ratings: 7.9/10 from 674 users
  • # of Members: 1,249


There is also Sweet Bean, Atelier, Terrace House, (I am not sure which ones so I linked the earliest one), and Love and Hong Kong but I have not taken the time to watch them.  I hope this article helps a few people decide what they want to watch on Netflix.  The more viewers of these types of shows, the more they will work toward obtaining more.

Have you seen any of the above movies or dramas?  What are your thoughts? Post in the comments below.