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[History] Japanese Dramas and Films

Lyoness

Okay :D From here on out it's a little introduction and after that the new list follows!


My sources for this list include the MDL database, a rough overview on Japanese eras by a Professor at the Columbia University, another a little more detailed overview by Japan-guide.com (this includes info about samurai etc.),  and a detailed summery of Japanese historyby the Enzyclopedia Britannica (about 13 pages). If you know of any other great sources for Japanese history, please let me know :)


As for Cheer's introduction, I mostly agree with her and the structure of the list won't change much. There are just a few things I'd like to add:

I have included shows that don't necessarily play in Japan (very few seem to exist though), and shows that are fictional or have fantasy elements because I'm not qualified to decide which dramas are too inaccurate to count as historical.


The shows added to Heisei (present) era have connections to the past such as timetravel, ghosts from the past or historical figures in a modern setting, or they will feature important events that will become - or kind of are already - historical such as the Kobe earthquake.


I'm not sure when I'll be able to add links, but I am planning on doing that.

I'd also like to link articles and lists that are relevant to this topic, so please let me know if there's anything relevant/ interesting out there ;)

For example I have added a list of all Taiga dramas made by Geanina and I'm thinking of adding my list of historicals featuring women's stories later on. If there's anything else you'd like to see or add please let me know!!

If you see any typos, mistakes,  or think something should be added, deleted, changed, etc. just let me know! Please, please let me know! This is a huge list and it's very possible that I've missed something or made some mistakes :)

Informational links

Shows that I have not included inspite of being tagged as "Historical" are

  • Shows that can't be sorted into a timeline because they are mostly fantasy (e.g. Seirei no Moribito)
  • Kamen Rider Movies
  • Godzilla
  • Hyoten (is this even historical? Idk? )
  • shows that are extremely violent or pornographic. (shows tagged as "Mature", or "Horror" that still seem to be historically informative or interesting, I have noted as such in the list)



Japanese Historicals 

(almost  "complete" list up to the year of production: 2017)


I) Ancient Japan


1. Paleolithic Period / Pre – Ceramic Era (ca. 30.000 bce – ca. 10.000bce)


2. Joumon Culture (ca. 10.500 bce – ca. 300 bce)


3. Yayoi Period (ca. 300 bce – ca. 250 ce)



4. Kofun Period (250 ce – 538 ce)


5. Asuka Period (538 ce – 710 ce)



6. Nara Period (710 ce – 784 ce)



7. Heian Period (794 ce – 1185 ce)


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Lyoness

II) Medieval Japan


1. Kamakura Period (1185 – 1333)



2. Kenmu Restauration (1333 - 1337)


3. Muromachi / Ashikaga Period (1338 – 1573)



4. Sengoku (“Warring States”) Period (1467 – 1573)



5. Azuchi – Momoyama Period (1573 – 1603)





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Lyoness

III) Early Modern Japan



1. Edo (Tokugawa) Period (1603 – 1867)



a. Bakumatsu (1853 – 1867)


  • Ansatsu (1964 movie)
  • Bakumatsu (1970 movie)
  • Bakumatsu Gurume Bushimeshi! 1, 2 (2017,2018 drama)
  • Bakumatsu Kitan Shinsen 5 – Kengo Korin, sequel (2013 movie)
  • Bakumatsu Kokosei (1994 drama)
  • Byakotai (2013 special)
  • Byakkotai (1986 special)
  • Byakkotai (2007 special)
  • Free and Easy: Samurai Edition (1998 movie)
  • Goyokin (1969 movie)
  • Hana Moyu (2015 drama)
  • Hidamari no Ki (2012 drama)
  • Hitokiri (1969 movie)
  • Hitoya ni Saku Hana (2010 movie)
  • Koto Nakazawa: The beautiful Swordswoman (2017 special)
  • Kurama Tengu (2008 drama)
  • Okita Souji – The Last Swordsman (1974 movie)
  • Ooku (2003 drama, special)
  • Ryoma Den (2010 Taiga drama)
  • Sakurada Gate Incident (2010 movie)
  • Samurai Assassin (1965 movie)
  • Samurai Sensei (2015 drama)
  • Sego-don (2018 drama)
  • Shinsengumi (1969 movie)
  • Shinsengumi! (2004 Taiga drama)
  • Shinsengumi!! Hijikata Toshizo Saigo no Ichi-Ichi (2006 special)
  • Shinsengumi Chronicles (1963 movie)
  • Shinsengumi Keppuroku (1998, 2011 drama)
  • Shinsengumi of the Dead (2015 movie)
  • Shinsengumi PEACE MAKER (2010 drama)
  • Time Trip App (2014 movie)
  • Tsuma wa Kunoichi 1, 2 (2013, 2104 drama)
  • Wachigaiya Itosato (2007 special)
  • Yae no Sakura (2013 Taiga drama)









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Lyoness

2. Meiji Period (1868 – 1912)


  • Ashio kara Kita Onna (2014 drama)
  • Hanako To Anne (2014 drama)
  • Hanjiro (2010 movie)
  • Kiyoko Ranman (2013 drama)
  • Kura (1995 drama)
  • Laughing Under the Clouds (2018 movie)
  • Mt. Tsurugidake (2009 movie)
  • Niji wo Kakeru Ouhi (2006 special)
  • Oie San (2014 special)
  • Ooku (2003 drama, special)
  • Oshin (1983 drama, 2013 movie)
  • Rokumikan (2008 special)
  • Rurouni Kenshin 1 – 3 (2012, 2014 movie)
  • Samurai Geisha (1969 movie)
  • The Ballad of Narayama (1958 movie)
  • Unforgiven (2013 movie)
  • Warotenka (2017 drama)


a. Russo – Japanese War (1904 – 1905)


  • 2013 kochi (1980 movie)
  • Saka no Ue no Kumo (2009 drama)


3. Taishou Period (1912 – 1926)



a. World War I. (1914 - 1918)


4. Early Shouwa Period (1926 – 1945)


  • A Man Called Pirate (2016 movie)
  • Beppin-san (2016 drama)
  • Carnation (2011 drama)
  • Ecchan (2017 drama)
  • Four Days of Snow and Blood (1989 movie)
  • Hakuji no Hito (2012 movie)
  • Honoo no Keieisha (2017 special)
  • In the Realm of the Senses (1976 movie, “Mature”)
  • Izu no Odorikko (1993 special)
  • Karate Bearfighter (1977 movie)
  • Karate for Life (1977 movie)
  • Kura (1995 drama)
  • LEADERS , and sequels (2014 special, 2017 drama)
  • Massan (2014 drama)
  • Niji wo Kakeru Ouhi (2006 special)
  • Oie San (2014 special)
  • Ri Kouran (2007 special)
  • Sanga Moyu (1984 Taiga drama)
  • Tenno no Ryoriban (2015 drama)
  • Tensai wo Sodateta Nyoubou: Sekai ga Mitometa Suugakusha to Tsuma no Ai (2018 special)
  • The Geisha (1983 movie)
  • The Insect Woman (1963 movie)
  • Yunagi City, Sakura Country (2007 movie)
  • Wagaya no Rekishi (2010 special)
  • Warotenka (2017 drama)


a. 2nd Sino-Japanese War (1937 – 1945)


  • Caterpillar (2010 movie, “Mature”)


b. World War II. (1939 – 1945)


  • 1942 no Playball (2017 special)
  • 99-nen no Ai – Japanese Americans (2010 drama)
  • Barefoot Gen (2007 special)
  • Black Rain (1989 movie)
  • Fumo Chitai (2009 drama)
  • Grave of The Fireflies (2005 special)
  • Haru to Natsu (2005 special)
  • Hiroshima Shouwa Nijuunen Hachigasu Muika (2005 special)
  • Honoo no Keieisha (2017 special)
  • Ichiban Densha ga Hashitta (2015 special)
  • Inochi (1986 Taiga drama)
  • Kyukei no Koya (2010 special)
  • Letters from Iwo Jima (2006 movie)
  • Life and Death on the Shore (2017 movie)
  • Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (1983 movie)
  • Nadeshiko Tai (2008 special)
  • Nijuroku ya Mairi (1998 special)
  • Nobi (2015 movie)
  • Persona Non Grata (2015 movie)
  • Red Cross: Onna Tachi no Akagami (2015 special)
  • Rokusen Nin no Inochi no Visa (2005 special)
  • Saigo no Kizuna: Okinawa Hikisakareta Kyodai (2011 special)
  • Sanga Moyu (1984 Taiga drama)
  • Satokibi Batake no Uta (2003 drama)
  • Stone Monument (2016 movie)
  • The Emperor in August (2015 movie)
  • The Eternal Zero/ Eien no Zero (2013 movie, 2015 special)
  • The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (1959 movie)
  • The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity (1959 movie)
  • The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer (1961 movie)
  • This Countrie's Sky (2015 movie)
  • Toi Yakusoku (2014 special)
  • Yuriko san no Ehon (2016 special)





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Lyoness

IV) Contemporary / Postwar Japan


1. Shouwa Period (Postwar, 1945 – 1989)


  • 11.25 The Day He Chose His Own fate (2012)
  • A Geisha (1953 movie)
  • A Man Called Pirate (2016 movie)
  • Akira to Akira (2017 drama)
  • Blackboard – Jidai Tatakatta Kyoshi tachi (2012 special)
  • Carnation (2011 drama)
  • Hana Ikusa (2007 special)
  • Haru to Natsu (2005 special)
  • Hikaru Hekiga (2011 special)
  • Honoo no Keieisha (2017 special)
  • Itsu Mata, Kimi to Hori Jun Zairai (2017 movie)
  • Karate Bearfighter (1977 movie)
  • Karate for Life (1977 movie)
  • Keisei Saimin no Otoko ~ Matsunaga Yasuzaemon (2015 special)
  • Moonlight Mask (2011 movie)
  • Onna no Kunshou (2017 special)
  • Setouchi Shonen Yakyu dan (2016 special)
  • Tatta Ichido no Yakusoku – Jidai ni Fuuinsareta Nihonjin (2014 special)
  • The Geisha House (1999 movie)
  • Totto TV (2016 drama)
  • Totto-chan! (2017 drama)
  • Wagaya no Rekishi (2010 special)
  • Warotenka (2017 drama)


c. Occupation by Allied Forces (1945 – 1952)


  • Blossoming Into a Family (2017 movie)
  • Gate of Flesh (1964 movie, “Mature”)
  • I want to be a Shellfish (2008 movie)
  • Inochi (1986 drama) 
  • Kaitakushatachi (2012 drama)
  • Kiku to Isamu (1959 movie)
  • Kohaku ga Umareta Hi (2015 special)
  • Makete, Katsu (2012 drama)
  • The Setting Sun (1992 movie)
  • Umechan Sensei (2012 drama)


d. Cold War (1952 – 1989)


  • A Capella (2016 movie)
  • Aka Medaka (2015 special)
  • Hanbun, Aoi (2018 drama)
  • Haru to Natsu (2005 special)
  • Kaijuu Club Kuusou Tokusatsu Seishunki (2017 drama)
  • Kamisama no Beret (2012 special)
  • Ningen no Shomei (2017 drama)
  • The Never Setting Sun (2016 drama) 
  • The Unbroken (2009 movie)
  • Ueki Hitoshi to Nobosemon (2017 drama)
  • Yunagi City, Sakura Country (2007 movie)


2. Heisei Period (1989 – present)


  • Akira to Akira (2017 drama)
  • Ashi Girl (2017 drama)
  • Blossoming Into a Family (2017 movie)
  • Hanbun, Aoi (2018 drama)
  • Kobe Shinbun no Nanokakan (2010 special)
  • Raise the Castle! (2009 movie)
  • Saigo no Restaurant (2016 drama)
  • Samurai Sensei (2015 drama, 2017 movie)
  • Utahime (2007 drama)






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Lyoness

V) Unknown


  • 100 Tales of Horror (2002 drama, “Horror”)
  • Champion of Death (1975 movie)
  • Chinyuki (2016 movie)
  • Dersu Uzala (1977 movie)
  • Edogawa Ranpo Short Stories II: Ayashi Ai no Monogatari (2016 special)
  • Homura Tatsu (1993 Taiga drama)
  • Ishi Mondainainosuke (0000 drama)
  • Jiraiya the Hero (1921 movie)
  • Lady Maiko (2014 movie)
  • Lullaby of the Earth (1976 movie)
  • My Darling of the Mountains (2008 movie)
  • Natsume Soseki no Tsuma (2016 drama)
  • Ninjou Shigure Machi (2001 drama)
  • Onmitsu Happyaku Yachou (2011 drama)
  • Record of a Tenement Gentleman (1947 movie)
  • Sabu (2002 movie)
  • Sakuya Konohana (2010 drama)
  • Shinobido (2012 movie)
  • Taiheiki (1991 Taiga drama)
  • The Romance of Yushima (1955 movie)


1. Unknown Pre Meji Era


  • Akahige (2017 drama)
  • Azumi 1, 2 (2003, 2005 movie)
  • Blade of the Immortal (2017 movie)
  • Bonkura 1, 2(2014, 2015 drama)
  • Denshichi Torimonochou seasons 1, 2 (2016, 2017 drama)
  • Futagashira seasons 1, 2 (2015, 2016 drama)
  • Gin Nikan (2014 drama)
  • Gintama: Mitsuba hen (2017 drama)
  • Gintama (2017, 2018 movie)
  • Hatsu Tsubomi (2003 special)
  • Ichiro (2015 drama)
  • Incident at Blood Pass (1970 movie)
  • Inn of Evil (1971 movie)
  • Kagero Ezu (2016 special)
  • Kagero no Tsuji 1 - 3 (2007 - 09 drama)
  • Kaze no Toge ~ Ginkan no Fu (2015 drama)
  • Kenkaku Shoubai Kagerou no Otoko (2015 special)
  • Kozure Shinbe seasons 1, 2 (2015, 2106 drama)
  • Lady Ninja (1998 movie)
  • Lone Wolf and Cub movies (1972 - 1974)
  • Manmakoto ~ Asanosuke Saiteichou (2015 drama)
  • Naniwa no Hana - Ogata Koan Jikencho (2009 drama)
  • Ninja the Monster (2016 movie)
  • Oedo Yoshiwara Jikencho (2007 drama)
  • Otokomae! (2008 drama)
  • Otome Sakura (2017 movie)
  • Oyari Haishaku – Yoidore Kotoji Tomegaki (2013 special)
  • Rise Against the Sword (1966 movie)
  • Samurai Fiction (1998 movie)
  • Samurai Rock (2015 movie)
  • Sanada Taiheiki (1985 drama)
  • Sansho the Bailiff (1954 movie)
  • Semishigure (2003 drama)/ The Samurai I loved (2005 movie)
  • Sugata Sanshiro (1943,1965 movie)
  • Sugata Sanshiro (2007 special)
  • Suzakumon (1957 movie)
  • Tachibana Noboru Seishun Tebikae (2016 drama)
  • The Life of Oharu (1952 movie)
  • The Love Suicides at Sonezaki (1978 movie)
  • The Magnificent Nine (2016 movie)
  • The Sword of Doom (1966 movie)
  • Three for the Road (2007 movie)
  • Throne of Blood (1957 movie)
  • Tsubaki Sanjuro (2007 movie)
  • Tsukahara Bokuden (2011 drama)
  • Vendetta of Samurai (1952 movie)
  • When the Last Sword is Drawn (2003 movie)
  • Yamazakura, The Cherry Tree in the Hills (2008 movie)
  • Yoshiwara Uradoshin (2016 special)
  • Yukinojo Henge (1963 movie, 2008 special)


2. Unknown Modern/Imperial time (Meji and after)


  • Arai pitcher Inairo Monogatari (1959 movie)
  • Asaichi no Yome-san (2014 special)
  • Hyakunen no Kei, Watashi ni Ari (2016 special)
  • Koshiji Fubuki Monogatari (2018 drama)
  • Kindaichi Kosuke vs. Akechi Kogoro (2013 special)
  • Kindaichi Kosuke vs. Akechi Kogoro Futatabi (2014 special)
  • Manpuku (2018 Taiga Drama)
  • Saigo no Ouhi – Saigo no Koutei (2003 drama)
  • Senkai Musashi 1, 2 (2016 special)
  • Street of Shame (1956 movie)
  • Tobuga Gotoku (1990 Taiga drama)
  • Tokyo Daikushu (2008 drama)







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Lyoness
reserved 7
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SumiTheCat
I don't think I can be of any help, but thank you for taking this challenge of updating this thread. At least I might be interested in some eras and that would be great to have updated informations about historical Japanese dramas. Ganbatte ne!
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Lyoness
Ohhhh :D Thank you for letting me know, that you're interested as well! I'm pretty much done with the list and will start posting it now. That might take a while because of the formatting and stuff :/ but other than that there's not much left to do.
Of course it would be a huge help if you could see if you know some of the shows I wasn't able to sort? If you know where to place them that would be great! If not then that's okay too :)
Anyway~ I'm happy some life got back into this post :)
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SumiTheCat
I'm far from being a specialist of historical dramas, that's not what I'm watching the most, but if I can be of any help, that will be with big pleasure.
As for the Kamen rider series, i don't understand why it is labelled as historical, even if the serie started decades ago...
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Lyoness
I'm not really a specialist either xD
It seems like some Kamen Rider movies involve Time travel? But I don't really know...
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SumiTheCat
Wow! amazing job!

From your unknown list, I only know
- Aka Medaka, if I remember well, is from the Showa era (post war) = your Cold war section.
- eien no Zero (eternal zero) : haven't seen the movie yet, but it takes place during WWII

Oh, and i haven't seen on your list the recent Akira to Akira (drama), which is taking place in the end of the Showa era and the beginning of the Heisei era (it's a pretty good drama by the way, highly recommended!)
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Lyoness
Thank youu!!! I've updated the list accordingly :)
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Lyoness

Updated:

 Lyoness:
I'd also like to link articles and lists that are relevant to this topic, so please let me know if there's anything relevant/ interesting out there ;)

and I've added links to sengoku and azuchi period and Taiga drama Info

Links have been added up to: Edo Period





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Silent

I haven't seen an Japanese historical drama/film but I am interested in some can someone please recommend me some really good ones to watch.

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