To this date, i've watched about 200 of them (yes, i counted what i can remember because I was curious). The reason i prefer japanese ones over other asian's one is because I LoVe Japanese language, and thanks to the subbing community, my listening skill have improved a lot, which leads to improved speaking skill, and two is because the series are short, normally 11 episodes. I cannot stand those series that goes to forever (unless it is japanese anime), thirdly is because Japanese drama's format is pretty predictable, episode 1 is usually a good indicator whether I will want to continue to watch every episodes or skip to the last one because the rest in the middle are not really important. The recommended drama series are my favourites and of course I watched every episodes.
Although I must admit that compare to korean series and movies, japanese ones are mostly darker or have more serious themes (and a lot about cops and detectives, a genre not really my favourite as i favour slapstick comedy).
Out of 200 something, I can only find15. Here they are in random order:
1. Shinobi (2005)
Genre: Action fantasy
My brother introduced this movie to me, well he was watching it and i joined and i've watched this movie more than once. This is a rare movie where i reckon the supporting casts' acting out-shined the main characters (the top left and the bottom right on poster. Seems like Nakayama Yukie and Odagiri Joe (who played the cross-starred lovers) are like icing on the cake, they are there because they are good looking and look good together.
The plot is pretty simple. Two ninja clans which hated each other for hundred of years have developed inhuman superpower such as the ability to kill just by looking into enemy's eyes, immortality, time manipulation, appearance manipulation, as well as 'normal' inhuman ability like flying and high jumping, were being ordered by the ruler at that time who feared for their lives to kill each other. 5 representatives from each clan were picked by the late head village (who fought and died together) and there should be only 1 survivor in the end who will get reward from the ruler. The ending is disappointing, nonetheless it is quite entertaining.
2. Liar Game (the franchise - season 1&2, 2 movies, and 2 spin offs)
Genre: Suspense drama, human drama
It is quite dark and serious. Serious drama is not a kind that I can stand to watch one episode let alone 11 episodes per season and a movie. But the plot will get you hooked from the first episode. Though I am annoyed with the goody two shoes main character played by Toda Erika (girl in the poster), I tried to look past that and just enjoyed the plot. Basically it is a game in which the players must try to convince (by lying or manipulation) the other party to believe them in order to win millions of yen. Season one started on 2007. I have not watch one of the movies, Liar Game Reborn (2012).
3. Last friends (2008)
Genre: human drama
Warning: domestic violence, lesbian love, angst, bullying, love triangle and rape. I think this drama is nicely cast. The acting were good especially the main character played by Ueno Juri (the crew-cut haired girl in the middle) and the passive aggressive character played by Nishikido Ryo (far right). The only character that is annoying is the other main character (second from right). Her character is similar to Liar Game's Toda Erika's character which is whimsy and weak (though i still prefer Liar Game's one). The plot is interesting and cover unusual topic in Japanese drama, and as the icing on the cake, the actors are all good looking.
4. Battle Royale (2000)
Genre: Teenage angst, Action, Thriller
As far as i remembered, this is the first Japanese movie I watched (in 2003). It is bloody and dark, definitely not the kind of movie I would pick. Yet, somehow I watched it and I like it straight away that I watched it more then once. There is just something about this movie, which was a big hit outside japan and has a cult following. The casts are mostly under 21 years old. Fujiwara Tatsuya's acting as the main character won me over. I became his fan since. The plot is very simple: Within 3 days, kill your classmates or be killed. The sequel is disappointing though.
5. Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutsujo (2009) or Kochikame (in short)
Genre: Comedy, Human drama
Surprisingly I quite enjoyed this short drama (8 episodes), which was a live adaption of a popular manga. There are few funny episodes, although main character, ryo-chan (played by Katori Shingo) , a money lover police man, can be over the top and in your face at times. As with a lot of Japanese dramas, this one has morale messages.
6. Mr Brain (2009)
Genre: Detective comedy thriller
Although some episodes are not fit for children, well they all are, because they can be scary, some of the plots are interesting and made me want to stay tune to find out how the main character (played by Kimura Takuya) uses science (solely on how human brain works) to solve mysterious cases. For every episodes there are all-star guests. The ending is again disappointing, it seems they can make a sequel to it, but a sequel is very rare to Japanese dramas unless they are very successful.
7. Suteki na kanashibari (2011) or A ghost of chance (in English)
This movie was chosen as one of Japanese festival movies in 2011. Directed by a director who likes to do things differently (think Quentin Tarantino minus the violence), Mitani Koki, this movie is sweet and funny. Of all all-star casts, the one who shines are the main character (Fukatsu Eri) and supporting villain character (Takeuchi Yuko)
8. Ninkyo Helper (2009)
Genre: Human drama
The only human drama that got me. It is about a bunch of yakuza's area leaders ordered by the head yakuza to work (undercover) at a nursing home facility that care for elderly people who were sick and usually have no family or abandoned. It has some fighting (what yakuza movie that does not involve one), but the story is touching and there are characters' developments. Kusanagi Tsuyoshi who played the main character has proven once again to be one of the best underrated japanese actor. I am looking forward to the movie which will be released on november 2012.
9. Rabukon (2006) or Lovely Complex the movie
Genre: Comedy
10. Azumi (2003)
Genre: Action Adventure
Another bloody made in japan movie that i watched till the end. Surprisingly i wanted to watch till the end. Aya Ueto's acting, who played azumi, was quite good. Out of the 15 movies here, I can confidently put this on number 15.
11. Casshern (2004)
Genre: Fantasy, adventure, human genre
The setting is dark, the scene is bloody, yet at the same time it is touching and carries message about human discrimination. Like shinobi, i have watched it many times. Nothing else is needed to say, it is one of must watch asian movies.
12. Maiko Haaan (2007)
Genre: Comedy
It is one of those quirky japanese movies that is, well, very japanese. And if you happen to like kansai ben or kansai dialect (in this case, it is kyoto-ben), this movie will definitely entertain you. Abe Sadao played an office worker who developed an unhealthy obsessession with maiko (geisha's apprentice) since he accidentally met one of them when he got lost in kyoto during school excursion.
13. Waterboys (2001)
14. Death Note (2006)
Genre: Fantasy, thriller
Simply because it has Fujiwara Tatsuya who didn't disappoint me (he's good with this kind of genre) and the battle between the two geniuses.
15. Marumo no okite
Genre: Family
I wanted to watch it because of a dog. Though the dog is disappointing (look and acting wise - i don't think it is cute and i love dogs!), but the story is touching. A must for kids and family as it has good morale message.
Next is the top 15 Japanese movies and dramas to avoid.
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