SumiTheCat

Thanks again for this poll, it's always entertaining to participate.
I'm also surprised at the numerous votes for Suki na hito ga iru koto, as enjoyable as it was, it's far from being the best drama of the year. it was a nice watch for summer time, but you can't seriously call it (the drama) and its actors the best of this year. the favourite, maybe, the best, no!
maybe the poll should be called "favourite of", instead of "best of"...

i'm still sad Kiseki no Hito was not qualified for the best drama category. it was the most striking one imo.
All in all, contrary to what most of people are saying, i found that 2016 was quite a good year (drama speaking only), with topics people from my age can relate a lot to. probably 2016 dramas are not strong plot and acting speaking, but some are definitely worth the watch.

Best Japanese Drama of 2016: Kiseki no Hito (Miracle Man), Itsuka Kono Koi wo Omoidashite Kitto Naite Shimau (Love that makes you cry), Juken no Cinderella (Cinderella Formula)

Best Japanese Movie of 2016: -

Best Romance Drama: Koe Koi, Itsuka Kono Koi wo Omoidashite Kitto Naite Shimau

Best Comedy Drama: Mr Nietsche in the convenience store, Ie uru Onna

Best Romantic/Comedy Drama: Sekai Ichi Muzukashii Koi, Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni tatsu (even though it’s ending around December the 13th if I’m not mistaken),

Best Historical Drama: -

Best Family Drama: Kazoku no Katachi (Family’s form), Kiseki no Hito,

Best Action/Thriller/Suspense Drama: Soshite, Daremo inaku natta, Boku no yabai Tsuma

Best Mystery Drama: Watashi wo Hanasanaide (Never Let me go)

Best First Episode of a Japanese Drama of 2016: Boku no Yabai Tsuma, Soshite, daremo inaku Natta, Watashi wo Hanasanaide

Best Manga/Anime Adaptation: Juhan Shuttai!, Koe Koi

Best Medical Drama: -

Best Japanese Actor(and for which role?): Koizumi Kotaro in Juken no Cinderella, Mineta Kazunobu in Kiseki no Hito, Kora Kengo in Itsuka Kono Koi wo Omoidashite Kitto Naite Shimau

Best Japanese Actress(and for which role?): Kuroki Haru in Juhan Shuttai! Kitagawa Keiko in Ie uru Onna

Best Japanese Supporting Actor(and for which role?): Kusakari Masao in Sanada Maru, all cast of Juhan Shuttai! (lol)

Best Japanese Supporting Actress(and for which role?): -

Best Up and Coming Actor of 2016(and for which role?): -

Best Up and Coming Actress of 2016(and for which role?): still a child, but definitely Sumida Moeno in Kiseki no Hito

Best Villain: Kimura Yoshino in Boku no yabai Tsuma, Mizukawa Asami in Watashi wo Hanasanaide

Best Idol Actor(or Actress): Ohno Satoshi in Sekai Ichi Muzukashii Koi (I won’t even try to give other names :p)

Best Couple: Aragaki Yui and Hoshino Gen in Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni tatsu, Koizumi Kotaro and Yamaguchi Sayaka in Juken no Cinderella, and (not sure it could count) Koike Eiko and Kitamura Kazuki in Sekai Ichi Muzukashii Koi

Best Bromance: Saito Takumi and Kubota Masataka in Rinsho Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri, Matsumoto Jun and Kagawa Teruyuki in 99.9: Keiji Senmon Bengoshi

Best OST: Sanada Maru (opening)

Given the difficulty to access Japanese shows, and especially movies, it’s hard to vote for Best Movie’s category (I personally only found one I wanted to watch with subs), and second part of 2016 stands absolutely no chance to be nominated, except maybe for MDLers who are living in Japan. Not a criticism though, just the observation of the hardships of Japanese fans.
Thanks for the poll!

お誕生日おめでとうございます　小野さん!!!

totally hypnotised by the poster...

Thanks for the article.
I added too many of them, but subbers will be the one to decide wich one to watch at last.

The relationships between the characters are the main points of interest in this drama, the two main leads ahead. Koizumi did a great job portraying Igarashi-sensei. And a very strong last episode which doesn't disappoint.

now it's subbed.

Thanks a lot for this article.
I've never been a SMAP fan, at least not as a music band, yet their disbandment made me sad. Maybe because they are linked to my first trip to Japan : SMAPxSMAP was the first japanese variety show i've ever seen, and, their CM was fascinating me whenever i travelled on the Yamanote Line (for those who wants to have fun, watch this : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsy0UON4GJU
There are part of those good memories. To the point i can't help taking pics of Kimura's CM whenever i'm finding one.
Kimura, indeed, is definitely the most appreciated one, at least the one that can federate the larger range of J-dramas fan. Japanese entertainment world wouldn't be the same without him, i guess. I've yet to watch most of his earlier work, so thanks for the recs. I really enjoyed him in Pride (that kitchen scene...) and in Ando LLoyd (for the reasons you give). Strangely, i didn't like Mr BRAIN that much, and my favorite of him is defintely Hero (but the entire cast is just awsome).
I've also got a soft spot for Katori, and i enjoyed him the most in Kazoku no katachi (family's form). His portrait of modern man was really accurate, and we can really relate to the characters, at least people of my age. I need to watch more of him.
Kusanagi is also an actor I enjoy a lot, though i've seen few of him. Contrary to you, i totally fell for his character in Dokushin Kizoku, he defines to the perfection the notion of gentleman. His clumsiness makes him so charming, it's really one of my favorite character in Dramaland. And i think fans of cinema of the XXth century would like this one. But to be honest, the best drama i've seen with him is Ninkyo Helper. It's a real gem. Giving the awkward plot, i was expecting some kind of overacted story; on the contrary, it's one of those heartwarming slice of life Japan is excelling in providing. I will definitely check his other dramas mentionned.
As for the last two, i must admit i'm not that interested in them as actors, though Nakai's acting in Ataru was amazing.
Once again, thanks a lot for putting in the highlights a group of actors inextricably linked to the Japanese dramas world. sorry for the long post.

Thanks for this artcle, once again a very good idea. Hope it will help new j-dramas watchers to find their way in J-Dramaland. As for veteran watchers - though i'm not confident to be called like that yet, it a good recall of the old j-dramas we can have missed. Nice set of actors, i like all of them!!

I just wanted to point out the fact that legal streaming sites are not an easy way to enter J-dramas world. i've tried a few times some of them, especially cruchyroll. It may have a fair amount of j-dramas for american watchers, but that's not always the case for other countries. All the dramas i wanted to watch were not available in my country, and the one availables are dramas i'm not interested in (there are about 35 availables in my country, i'm feeling like the website is just insulting j-drama fan in me !) . i'm still waiting for a legal streaming site dedicated to j-dramas lovers all around the world.

thanks a lot for this guide.

Kamiki is definitely my favorite actor of his generation. I think i first saw him Kirishima... where i totally adored him. Nevertheless i started to be interested in his work with Kazoku Game. This role as well as his character in Gakkou no kaidan (his performance really amazed me in this one) are my favorite.
I've watched some of his other works and i"m always so happy to see im cast in a drama or movie. i'm looking forward to his next performance, but thanks to your guide, i'll had some more stuffs on my PTW list.
as a note side, he was quite cute in Namida wo fuite (but he was so young then).

your statement made me want to comment, precisely because i'm having the opposite point of view. I like that the japanese dramas keep their native name (translated into romaji at least because not everybody can read Japanese), because its name has a special meaning to it. For example famous Japanese movie translated in English "Like Father Like Son" : i'm disappointed with the translation. not that it's not good, not that it's not realted to the movie, but the original name "Socshite, chichi ni naru" which can be transllated by "then, he becomes a father" has a stronger meaning and underlines far more the point of the movie (imo). Same goes with love that makes you cry. the original name is harder to remember, but with a more effective meaning.
That's why i'm not that happy to see, lately, the tendency, on this website and on others to translate the japanese names.
I've always wondered if korean dramas titles are the titles Korean are giving to their drama, or another translation for the international viewers. If it's not their original name, i would prefer MDL keep the original name. Another matter of taste, but sometimes English titles makes me wonder what we are talking about.
sorry to be long, but to conclude i also wanted to underline that that's maybe because of the hallyu wave, part of the soft power South Korea had put in place in order to increase its influence worldwide, that korean dramas are known with their English titles. Japan has less interest in international viewers, his domestic market is strong enough for them not to bother with international promotion. there is no need for them to make any marketing for non Japanese viewers (though things might change, because, but not only, of Olympic Games in 2020).

Thanks fot this article, it's nice to read about J-dramas once in a while! And what a good idea for a first article!

I'm a J-drama watcher, I barely venture in K-Dramaland, and only if i want an easy and light rom-com. I'm even less tempted by other countries damas, though i'm aware i'm missing real gems.
I won't comment about all the points you discussed, i think Brightestar's hidden post sums up very well my feelings towards Japanese dramas (and i'm thanking her for giving such a straight to the point review of what J-dramas watchers can feel regarding this question).
Even if i disagree with first statement about Japanese actors (that i found better looking than any other asian actors, but that's a matter of taste), and can understand the number 4, that's not what surprised me the most. Even if my first japanese drama( Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge, tokusatsus from the 80's don't really count there) left me speechless, i never thought that Japanese actors are acting weird. They can act bad, they can "overact" (? does this word exist in English), but i've never thought they were acting weird. Their acting is adapted to the kind of drama they are playing in and its humour,.
As for romance in J-dramas, well, it's also a matter of taste. Though many people tend to like more J-dramas from the 90's for their way of doing romances, i personnaly prefer the recent ones regarding this matter (i absolutly adored Love that makes you cry, as well as Kazoku no katachi or even Sekamuzu). I also prefer when there are touches of romance in another drama genre than an actual japanese romance drama. The fact that love is distilled in a subtle way in the middle of other kind of stories is what makes me the more delighted. i like when things are obvious, but i adore to fantasize on untold romance between some characters (i'm still certain there was attraction between the leads in Kagi no kakatta heya, though there was no reference to this in the whole serie). A matter of taste, once again.
And I think japanse drama suit the way Japanese people are the best. When i'm going in Japan (not as often as i wish), i have the feeling that Japanese dramas are in total adequation with the population's behaviour, half restraint, half exuberant.

Last things i like in Japanese dramas is what your last gif suggests. The fact that dramas are quoting each others, thoughout time (like in this one) or channels (Mikeneko Holmes no suiri quoting Kagi no kakatta heya...) . and even sometimes throughout fiction and reality - as an Arashi fan, the president's interview issue in Sekamuzu with Sakurai caster from News Zero is a high level bonus for me!!! I don't know if other countries are doing the same in Asia, but that's not something i'm seeing in Europe. In Japan, that's something that is quite common.

Kamenashi Kazuya, from idol group KAT-TUN

I'm pleasantly surprised by this drama, better than expected. Nice evolution of feelings between the leads, Kitamura's character is deliciously despicable (but i don't hate him) and i'm overwhelmed by joy whenever Ohno's character shows his bad habits, then turns incredibly cute.

I liked it a lot, but is it really supposed to be that comic?

Disappointed by this drama, especially considering the cast and my high expectations regarding bromance. Didn't like the last epsiode, just because i found it poorly done (there were materials for more interesting things and more suspense). need to watch the mini episodes.
On a more positive note, i totally adored both of leads with their bangs (although I totally dislike women with bangs). i wanted to put my hand in their hair. And i'm really glad to see that i'm not the only one who is totally obsesssed by Saito-san.

Thanks for this article, nice to see japanese school dramas on the front page once in a while.
Unlike you, school dramas is my favourite, genre, and i've seen those you mentionned, except GTO. I will definitely add it on my PTW list now, thanks for the recs.
My favourite will always be Nobuta wo Produce. i've read below you don't consider it as a school drama. I do, but i agree that the main topic is friendship, and that's the very reason why i adore this drama.
LIFE was also really good, and is one of the most realistic i've seen, along with Taiyou to Umi no Kyoshitsu. There are dozens others that could be added too...

totally crazy and i already like it (first episode)

I've watched 20 J dramas of this year and yet i'm unable to vote in two thirds of the categories...
NB : Death Note is listed twice in the OST category. And As the Gods will is marked as a 2014 movie on MDL :P

Best Japanese Drama of 2015: Ouroboros, Siren,
Best Japanese Movie of 2015: Our Little Sister, Assassination Classroom,
Best Romance Drama: Doctors’ Affairs
Best Romantic/Comedy Drama: From five to nine; Kokoro ga, pokitto ne
Best Family Drama: Oniichan Gacha, Genkai Shuraku Kabushiki Kaisha, Youkoso Wagaya e,
Best Action/Thriller/Suspense Drama: Ouroboros, Siren
Best Mystery Drama Ouroboros, Youkoso Wagaya e,
Best Japanese Actor: Kubota Masataka (Death Note), Kamiki Ryunosuke (Gakkou no kaidan),
Best Japanese Supporting Actress: Takahata Atsuko in Dr Rintaro
Best Villain: Yagami Light in Death Note, Tachibana Kara in Siren
Best Idol Actor(or Actress:) Ikuta Toma (Ouroboros), Kimura Takuya (HERO, I’m home)
Best Couple: Okitegami Kyoko and Kakushidate Yakusuke in the Memorandum of Kyoko Okitegami,
Best Bromance: Ryuzaki Ikuo and Danno Tatsuya in Ouroboros,
Best OST: Unshouten by B’z (Gakkou no Kaidan), Siren