So I'm looking for Japanese drama series or especially a movie

Something preferably:

-A little more realistic, slice of lifey - not too glittery or glossed
-Romance (not necessary)
-No horror, not too much violence
-Depicts mundane/student/country life? (not necessary)

Linda Linda was a cute little movie.

Rebound and Absolute Boyfriend, Ouran Host Club, Hana Kimi are nono's.

I'll take Taiwanese or Korean drama/movies.

Last edited by Sphear at 3:24 pm, Oct 25 2013

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Favorite Art:
Oboreru Knife
19 Days
Gangsta

IWGP only one I've watched to be honest. But there's a reason for that, and that's because it is very good.

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Sarcasm just doesn't work over the internet.

I suggest you to try Osozaki no Himawari and Soredemo, Ikite Yuku. Both drama had a realistic story and a realistic ending that are somewhat unusual in jdramas.

Osozaki no Himawari is a story of 7 young adults living their ordinary days near the Shimanto river of Kochi prefecture, renowned as the last of the crystal clear streams. Somewhat nostalgic, somewhat new, they hold on to their dreams and insecurities. It's a true-to-life portrayal of the days in young adulthood.

Soredemo, Ikite Yuku tell a story about a man whose younger sister was killed by a friend, who meets the friend's sister 15 years after the incident. Both of their families have been burdened with grief, but through their meeting they struggle to find a brighter tomorrow.

http://www.mydramalist.com/japanese-movie/309/taiyo-no-uta

Here is a suggestion, you can also search on this site for dramas depending on what you are looking for.

I highly recommend the J-drama version of Hana Yori Dango (not the Korean version, which I found far too over dramatic). The Japanese version does a great job of depicting the manga. Kimi wa petto is also good, but the manga is better to be honest.

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The pen is mightier than the sword...and considerably easier to write with.

Can't wait to start on these

________________
Favorite Art:
Oboreru Knife
19 Days
Gangsta

I'm Korean, so this is all Korean stuff. xD

Dramas
Heaven's Garden Takes place in the country. It's about family, and it is very sweet.
Master of Study About student life (or really, studying).
Pasta Not sure if this fits, as there is plenty of drama brewing but I enjoyed this one.
Protect the Boss This one is pretty fanciful. It's primarily a comedy, so the usual dramatic tropes are mostly played for laughs.
The Master's Sun Yeaaah, this one is a stretch. It just finished airing a while ago and I thought it was a lot of fun. Despite being about the occult (don't worry, it's more funny than scary), it seems less unrealistic than some melodramatic crap that I've watched.

Movies
Very Ordinary Couple As the title suggests.
Sunny
Finding Mr. Destiny A little on the whimsical side (it is pretty much a chick flick), but I liked this a lot.
Speedy Scandal Family comedy. Very funny.

Japanese hana yori dango is suck big time, i watch all the 3 adaptations Taiwan, korea and japanese only the korean get my vote, atleast the korean can act.

Back to the topic i recommend this http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Nobuta_wo_Produce The story is good, acting superb and the character feel so real.



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First thanks for opening such a thread - that is with both "realistic" & "jdrama" keywords ; i had given up hope on the possible compatibility of these words.

Back in the days the only one series i truly enjoyed was One liter of tears. It is based on the true story of a girl (and her family) dealing with a serious illness. The story is obviously romanticized to some extent, but still compelling. Warning : prepare packs of tissues

Summer Snow was kind of okay too. Not over-melodramatic.

Next are animated movies that imo were much more realistic and touching slices of life than many live action movies / series i've seen (sorry if you absolutely didn't want anime, me likes being offtopic) :
Only Yesterday
Millenium Actress (well, more like several slices of life with psychedelic bits here and there)
Ocean Waves
Otona Joshi no Anime Time: Kawamo o Suberu Kaze & Otona Joshi no Anime Time 2 (these are OVAs infact)

Last edited by maquisard at 2:22 am, Nov 27 2013

Thank you for all the suggestions. I cannot promise that I'll complete all of them but I'm giving everything a try.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

@maquisard
Millennium Actress had an amazing storytelling and a great ambient. I've already watched it before but I just had to comment on how awesome it is. I'll look into your other animated film suggestions.

________________
Favorite Art:
Oboreru Knife
19 Days
Gangsta

How about the Live-action film of ASANO Inio's Solanin? I haven't seen it yet but I saw the title on your lists and judging by the manga's great original story and lyrics, it sure looks promising. Here are some trailers with English subs:

Solanin Trailers


Last edited by Tripitaka at 7:02 am, Nov 27 2013

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"Stories are what death thinks he puts an end to.
He can't understand that they end in him, but they don't end with him."
- Ursula K. Le Guin, Gifts

To be savoured:
- Blood Alone by TAKANO Masayuki
- Otoyomegatari by MORI Kaoru
- Gangsta. by Kohske
- Seishun Kouryakuhon by AKIZUKI Sorata

Hey Sphear, sorry I've got another one for you, all thanks to Betmen :
Hana and Alice ; this time it is not anime, as far as i remember the direction, acting and light drama were good.

No sh*t they made a movie out of solanin ?

@Tripitaka
Thanks for letting me know about the Solanin live action. ASANO Inio's work has always been so amazing, so I'm sure it'll be worth a look.

Somewhat happy to say that I've already watched Hana to Alice. It is a nice film.

________________
Favorite Art:
Oboreru Knife
19 Days
Gangsta

Always: Sunset on Third Street
The Chef of South Polar
A Boy and His Samurai
Dearest
A Story of Yonosuke

I haven't seen these yet, but judging from the trailers, they look pretty realistic and have good story.

A Boy Called H
Miracle Apples/Fruits of Faith
The Great Passage
Don’t Lose Heart


And here are some anime movies to freshen things up

Chie the Brat
My Neighbor Totoro
Kiki's Delivery Service
Whisper of the Heart
My Neighbors the Yamadas
Miyori no Mori
Colorful
Mai Mai Shinko to Sennen no Mahou
A Letter to Momo

Ghibli FTW!


If you're looking for more great live-action films, I recommend checking out Australia JFF's excellent selections.

Last edited by SlyzertVoltrond at 8:03 am, Nov 30 2013