4 Jdramas to See Before You Die

These 4 make you think, react and most definitely laugh your butt off. Every one of these dramas has its special quality that will either have you on the edge of your seat or laughing out loud. All these dramas have everything it takes to be awesomely awesome, and that’s what they became.  

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1.) Liar Game



Shota Matsuda… Enough said, right? He plays Akiyama Shinichi, a swindler, who was just recently let out of prison. He manages to make smart a sexy thing. His on screen presence over-powers the lead girl Toda Erika;  I think this drama would be one of the best dramas Japan had ever done.

Throughout life everyone comes across people who use others to get what they need, while not caring about the others. This drama explores the thought of being able to trust people without a doubt. Most people wouldn’t be able to do that, especially not strangers. Having blind faith in people is hard, and this drama is a good example of it.

The main character, Nao Kanzaki, unwillingly joins a game of liars. She tries to get everyone to believe and trust others in the game, and she puts spirit and faith in others. Suzuki Kosuke plays Fukunaga Yuji, who is a weird flashy looking bowl haircut man, who joins the first game. He tries to help Nao when he feels like it, and he is a character to watch out for. Through betrayal, lies and deceit eventually all is well in the land of games.  


2.) LIFE



This drama was a very touchy subject for me, as I was on both sides of the fence. This drama is about a girl who fights back against her classmate who wrongfully bullies her. Every episode has a fresh feeling and something she must face. Along the way she makes friends, who help her fight back and keep her strong. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they did more than what I had hoped for. Shiiba Ayumu is the girl being bullied and has the courage to fight back.

It's not always about fighting back, this is a drama where fights and friendship between girls have been put to the test. I believe that Kitano Kie character, Shiiba Ayumu, has lost some fights, but in the end she won the war. By not doing what everyone expects her to do, and become a sheep in all the madness in her school, she comes out a better person and a winner in life… 

3.) Gokusen (all 3 seasons preferably season 2 and 3)



Gokusen is a great comedy and action drama about a high school teacher named Kumiko Yamaguchi, or as her students call her, Yankumi, who has finally got a job as a teacher for a class of bad students. She has to hide her family background from her school but which it also helps her deal with the student as she fights to keep her kids from being expelled before graduation. This drama has an excellent cast and storyline as well as aperfect "drop out of your chair" hilarious moments. 

The action scenes were enough to keep me on the edge of my seat, waiting for more. This drama has kept me laughing in every episode, and it just got funnier as time went on. Whether it's Yankumi popping out of nowhere or trying to keep her ladylike image intact, this is certainly not a drama to pass by. Every season is a bit different and has its own unique quality, but what they have in common are family values. So in the words of Yankumi…

FIGHTO O!


4.) Jotei

 

Yes! You guessed it: another Shota drama, but  after watching this drama: you will understand. For one thing, what girl, who knows and love everything about Japan, has never ever wanted to be an empress in Japan’s Ginza? Well that’s what this story is about. The main character, Tachibana Ayaka played by Kato Rosa, wants to become the best in Ginza. Why? To get back at the people who ruined her life. This drama has everything a dangerous girl (and boy) could want: lies, gangsters, love, violence and death. Jotei is a fighter’s story, to become one of the best hostesses out there, and what you have to give up in order to get there. Jotei is a dumb girl's dream (as I am that dumb girl) to ruling Japan. 

There are so many good qualities about this drama, like making enemies and friends at the same time, finding love, and him doing anything to help you achieve your dream. Also, it's about how you keep yourself from breaking into the harsh world of competitive hostess.

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