Favorite "dark" or "mature" Japanese dramas/films

These are my favorite Japanese dramas and films that I would label "dark" and/or "mature" for various reasons: the subject matter, the intensity of the plot or the storyline, etc. The two terms don't always mean the same thing, and shouldn't always be conflated. Some of these dramas are certainly dark, but some just require a more mature audience to appreciate them. They aren't for everyone, but for whatever reason (acting, superior writing) they captivated me. They're listed in order of preference here. 

This list is in progress.

Popcxqueen Aug 20, 2021
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  • Imawa no Kuni no Alice

    1. Imawa no Kuni no Alice

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

    10

    "Alice in Borderland" on Netflix US.  One of the best dramas out there, period.

  • Todome no Kiss

    2. Todome no Kiss

    Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes

    10

    Brilliant from beginning to end. Make sure you watch Todome no Parallel after this!

  • Ase to Sekken

    3. Ase to Sekken

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 9 episodes

    10
  • Utsukushii Kare

    4. Utsukushii Kare

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

    10

    One of the best BL's out there. Complicated and fiery love is simply the best.

  • 30 Kin Sore wa 30-sai Miman Okotowari no Koi

    5. 30 Kin Sore wa 30-sai Miman Okotowari no Koi

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

    9.0

    This is sweet romantic goodness with Suzuki Jin breaking your heart at every turn.

  • Shijukara

    6. Shijukara

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

    9.0

    Layered and intricate and intense, all wrapped up with some phenomenal acting.

  • 100-manen no Onna-tachi

    7. 100-manen no Onna-tachi

    Japanese Drama - 2017, 12 episodes

    9.5

    "Million Yen Women" on Netflix US. I had no expectations going into this, and I was completely blown away by the acting (especially from the ML) and the writing.

  • Colorful Love: Genderless Danshi ni Aisareteimasu

    8. Colorful Love: Genderless Danshi ni Aisareteimasu

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    9.5

    This isn't dark at all, in fact the whole drama is bursting with color. But it takes a mature audience to grasp the profound lessons this drama wants to teach.

  • Chijo no Kiss

    9. Chijo no Kiss

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    9.5

    Their chemistry was fire, from beginning to end.

  • Love Shuffle

    10. Love Shuffle

    Japanese Drama - 2009, 10 episodes

    9.5

    I loved it, full stop.

  • Tomodachi Game

    11. Tomodachi Game

    Japanese Drama - 2017, 4 episodes

    9.0

    More people should watch this! Tightly-paced, and interesting, and Yoshizawa Ryo shines like a well-polished diamond.

  • Silent

    12. Silent

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 11 episodes

    10
  • Colorless

    13. Colorless

    Japanese Movie - 2020

    9.0

    Kaneko Daichi has a film and a drama on this list for good reason.

  • Shiro demo Kuro demonai Sekai de, Panda wa Warau

    14. Shiro demo Kuro demonai Sekai de, Panda wa Warau

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 10 episodes

    9.5

    This drama had multiple things going for it: 1) Yokohama Ryusei showing off how ridiculously talented he is; he's not only a great actor,  he's apparently also a gymnast and parkour expert as well. 2) Funny costumes and action on the slippery slope towards slapstick, but with a serious undertone that keeps you glued to the screen.  And 3) "Panda!"

  • One Night Morning

    15. One Night Morning

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    10

    This is surprisingly sweet and emotional. Really interesting stories.

  • Sixteen Shoukougun

    16. Sixteen Shoukougun

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

    9.5
  • Hatsu Joji Made Ato 1 Jikan

    17. Hatsu Joji Made Ato 1 Jikan

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

    9.0
  • Fujoshi, Ukkari Gei ni Kokuru

    18. Fujoshi, Ukkari Gei ni Kokuru

    Japanese Drama - 2019, 8 episodes

    8.5

    Excellent character development and great acting. I didn't love all of the characters' choices, though, however it felt more 'real' than other dramas.

  • Nibiiro no Hako no Naka de

    19. Nibiiro no Hako no Naka de

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 6 episodes

    8.5

    You have to watch the whole way through to figure out what's going on, and for me the ending made it worth the wait.

  • Boku wa Mari no Naka

    20. Boku wa Mari no Naka

    Japanese Drama - 2017, 8 episodes

    8.5

    It was weird, and dark....and weird. And I liked it way more than I thought I would.  I was confused for a while in the middle, but the final episode pulled it all together.  The drama highlights the concept of fragmented selves and the ways the mind will do whatever is necessary to make meaning out of seemingly meaningless and disparate things. Ikeda Elaiza is an absolute revelation here, and Yoshizawa Ryo is great, as usual.

  • 17.3 About a Sex

    21. 17.3 About a Sex

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 9 episodes

    9.5

    This should be shown in sex ed classes.

  • Kuzu no Honkai

    22. Kuzu no Honkai

    Japanese Drama - 2017, 12 episodes

    8.0

    This is a polarizing drama - you either love or passionately hate it. I happen to love it...mostly, that is. Yes, there are a few scenes that made me angry, but honestly it's closer to the overly-hormonalized adolescent angst that many of us experienced - much more so than the all of the too-syrupy-sweet, too-pure-for-words high school dramas out there. However, in no way would I ever recommend making a few of the choices they made (in fact at least one of them was outright illegal), but there is something to be said for finding comfort in the arms of a friend, even if the reasons why are iffy.

  • Kenja no Ai

    23. Kenja no Ai

    Japanese Drama - 2016, 4 episodes

    8.5

    Revenge hurts everyone, but is often interesting to watch.

  • Majo no Jouken

    24. Majo no Jouken

    Japanese Drama - 1999, 11 episodes

    8.0

    I certainly didn't agree with all of the characters' choices here, but the drama was really well done.

  • Double Fantasy

    25. Double Fantasy

    Japanese Drama - 2018, 5 episodes

    8.0

    It's total trash, but quite enjoyable.

  • Anata no Ban Desu - Counterattack

    26. Anata no Ban Desu - Counterattack

    Japanese Drama - 2019, 10 episodes

    9.0

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