Top 25 Japanese Actresses on MDL
Photo credit:https://letsjapan.wordpress.com/2010/01/31/valentines-and-white-day-in-japan/
It was February 11th and also my Anniversary (25 years) because I told my husband, who wanted to get married on Valentine's Day, he wasn't getting out of 2 presents. LOL Little did I know what that meant to our February budget! So when I found doramas and the tradition of Valentines Day and White day, I jumped on the chance to help our deficit burdened the second month.
Wait you don't know what White day is?
White Day is a day that is marked in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam,Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and China on March 14, one month after Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day in countries which observe White Day is typically observed by girls and women presenting chocolate gifts (either store-bought or handmade), usually to boys or men, as an expression of love, courtesy, or social obligation.
On White Day, the reverse happens: men who received a honmei-choco (本命チョコ, 'chocolate of love') or giri-choco (義理チョコ, 'courtesy chocolate')on Valentine's Day are expected to return the favor by giving gifts.Traditionally, popular White Day gifts are cookies, jewelry, white chocolate, white lingerie, and marshmallows. Sometimes the term sanbai gaeshi (三倍返し, 'triple the return') is used to describe the generally recited rule for men that the return gift should be two to three times the worth of the Valentine's gift. - Wikipedia
I thought it was time to write another article on romance titles. Since my 2018 Article, I have watched MANY more romance titles and here are my Faves, and out of this, I will highlight a few more of them. A tiny note I tend to be easy on drama ratings, that why I include the community rating. Also, Character Growth earns points for me; it's like "my thing". : )
Semi Otoko (2019)
Subber(s): See Watermark in upper Right-hand corner (thanks Ladies!)
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy
Tags: V6, Hey! Say! Jump, Transformation, Interspecies Romance, Cohabitation, Innocent Man, Tragic Past, Innocent Female Lead, Nice Male Lead, Idol Actor
OAL Rating: 8/10
Ratings: 7.8/10 from 39 users
I know what you are thinking, a cicada that turns into a man, yep I'm out. I promise you this is the sweetest, fluffiest, wrap yourself in a cute blanket Romance that I have watched, WITHOUT it being Super Sugary. Like the Leads are naive, but not "Stupid", and the character growth is showcased very well.
Afro Tanaka (2019)
Subber: eveychooey
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Life
Tags: Noritsuke Masaharu, Adapted From A Manga
OAL Rating: 9/10
Ratings: 7.3/10 from 55 users
I like this because it showcases a messy romance like nothing is going to be storybook perfect, and maybe even horrific embarrassing moments... that you will be able to bore your kids with someday. Features Japan's unique style of comedy, so this may not be for everyone. Also if you saw the 2012 Matsuda Shota Movie, I think this was a better telling of the story.
Yuube wa Otanoshimi Deshita ne (2019)
Subber: Monchi
Genres: Comedy, Romance
Tags: Gamers, Nerdy ML, Opposites Attract, Miniseries, Online Gaming, Cohabitation, Nice Male Lead, Adapted From A Manga
OAL Rating: 8/10
Ratings: 7.7/10 from 223 users
Two game nerds in love, cohabitation, and as it is almost the rule in MMORPGs, playing opposite genders. (There is a gag among us players that MMORPG stands for Mostly Men Online Role Playing Girls... in reality, is Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game). This is a cute, 5-episode love story that will leave you with warm and fuzzies and still have enough time to make the Valentine's Day event online to get the reward.
Ossan's Love (2018)
Subber: Kangarooo
Genres: Friendship, Business, Comedy, Romance
Tags: Gay Relationship, Office Romance, Gay Character, Bisexual Male Lead, Cohabitation, Sexual Harassment, LGBTQ+, Friends To Lovers, Obsessive Second Lead, Boss/Employee Relationship
OAL Rating: 9/10
Ratings: 8.4/10 from 1,528 users
As a woman, I found myself empathising with the main male lead in this, like this crap in the office COULD happen. I like this story because you could have very easily swapped the gender of the lead and made a traditional love story out of it. The downside is while it addresses some of the conflicts that a gay person may face, it still sugar coats the stigma that may occur.
Majo no Jouken (1999)
Subber: Nya! fansubs
Genres: Romance, School, Drama
Tags: Tackey & Tsubasa, Star Crossed Lovers, Selfish Mother, Lovers Separated, Taboo, Forbidden Love, Award-Winning, Infidelity, Older Woman/Younger Man, High School
OAL Rating: 9.5/10
Ratings: 7.6/10 from 1,420 users
With all the Age Gap Romance I watch, at least one had to make it to this list, and this is my favourite. Judging a person's maturity by age is what the drama addresses (and no, I am not looking to argue about this topic). She is not mature for her age and has a hard time thinking for herself, while he has had to take one too many responsibilities not normal at his age, and mentally they meet in the middle. I cared about the couple and their fate, and for a romance, this is crucial for me.
Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku (2010)
Subbers: Stormy Team and separately Sora-D (Credit stripped by every streaming site I tried -_-)
Genres: Comedy, Romance
Tags: Older Woman/Younger Man, Personal Growth, Death Of Spouse, Show Business, Unrequited Love, Love Triangle, Entertainment Industry, Arashi, Single Parent, Arrogant Male Lead
OAL Rating: 10/10
Ratings: 7.3/10 from 1,541 users
Looking at my discrepancy in rating, you might think what is wrong with my taste in dramas. (which is also why I post both). Character growth is VERY important to me. Also dating with a child is not something to be done easily. So for me and my views and life experiences, this drama is great. (should prolly lower to 9... but I will have to rewatch it first). Also, the intro sequence just melts me (not the song but the imagery).
And for those familiar with me know that I have a super soft spot for Hana Yori Dango and Meteor Garden 2018, but those are talked about enough and have apparently lost their hold with western audiences that want softer, nicer Male Leads. I feel so privileged to be old school. : )
