Japanese dramas or Doramas as referred to by some are different from anime. For one thing they run in hour time slot instead of a half hour ones. They run for10 to 12 episodes with a definite ending, or at least that use to be the case. Lately I’ve seen some shows running for more that 12 episodes as well as spawning second series. Interest seems to have picked up in Dormas as well. There are tons of new subtitled releases coming out.

I’ve added a few Hong Kong and Taiwanese dramas as well. Most of these tend to be more on comedy side than the serious side.

Quality Rating is for video only and is very subjective. Normally for other problems (i.e. audio or subtitles), I’ll add a note describing the problem.

My Rating is my opinion on the show. i.e. a 5 rating means I really like the show and 1 rating means I hated the show. So far I haven’t found a show I hated or even disliked. For shows with a ??? under My Rating, it means I haven’t watch the show yet.

For more info on Dorama check out John Leo’s Renzoku Ren'ai Dorama http://www.halfaya.org/dorama/renzoku.html

24hrs. Emergency Ward II 1-12 (6 tapes)

A Little More Time (12 episodes total)

Kamisama, mou Sukoshi Dake

Digital Remastered (1-6 by Blackdeath Studios) 7-12 (5 tapes total)

Quality Episodes 1-6 (-4), Episodes 7-12 (-2)

My Rating: 5

Description: This a traject dorama about a young high school girl who contracts the AIDS virus from doing prostitution. A really great dorama which is probably my favorite so far.

Starring: Kaneshiro Takeshi, Fukada Kyoko, Nakama Yukie, Kato Haruhiko & Miyazawa Rie

Akimahende 1-11 (6 tapes)

A Measure of Time 1-2 (1 tape)

Arrange Marriage 1-2 (1 tape)

A Star no Koi (A Star Love) 1-10 (5 tapes)

A Step into the Past

Episodes: 1-8 (4 tapes)

Quality: 4

My Rating: ???

Description: Drama based on a novel by Huang Yi. First set in modern day Hong Kong, police agent, Hung Siu Lung (Louis Koo), is transported back into the past, three years before the ascension of the Chun King, who is often erroneously credited with building all of the Great Wall of China

Starring: ???

Bakuyu Sentai Rangers 1-2 (1 tape)

Beautiful Live (13 episodes total)

1-13/Oyaji 1 (7 tapes total)

Episodes: 1-11 (6 tapes) digital versions 12-13 (1 tape)

Quality Episodes 1-2 (4) Episodes 3+ (2/3)

My Rating: 3+

Description: Beautiful Life (futari de ita hibi) Pretty-boy actor Kimura Takuya and soap queen Tokiwa Takako join forces in this highly rated new series. A bike-riding hair stylist meets a wheelchair-bound woman who refuses to let her disabilities prevent her from enjoying life. Neither gets a good first impression of the other. But as Shuji watches Kyoko deftly handle her job at the library, and as Kyoko notices that Shuji doesn't treat her any differently from other girls, their impressions improve.

Starring: Kimura Takuya, Tokiwa Takako, Mizuno Miki, Ikeuchi Hiroyuki, Matoba Koji, Watabe Atsuro

Beauty or Beast 1-10 (5 tapes)

Be Nice to People

Episodes: 1-11 (6 tapes)

Quality: 4

My Rating: 4-

Description: Three guys Qiantian Qian, Shantian Tailang and Daping Quan were known as the toughest dudes in Harajuku Middle School. But all 3 of them now live in a house which they call 'Peace', abiding to their self-proclaimed motto of "a cheerful, fun, and funky" life. Suddenly one day, they find a 1st-grader, a boy named Wushilan Ming at their doorstep and a note left behind by his mother, asking them to help take care of Wushilan Ming for a while. The boisterous guys soon discover that Wushilan Ming is very different from them. The rich little boy is quiet and sheltered and his presence proves to be a life-changing force in their lives. It's not all guys' talk in this drama. Look out for the brewing love between Nozomi (Wushilan Ming¡¯s teacher) and Qiantian Qian. They started out squabbling but Nozomi finds herself attracted to Qiantian Qian. And there is also Hanako, Nozomi's friend, who likes Shantian Tailang. This 3-men-and-a-baby-esque drama traces the changing lives of the 3 guys as they learn to take care of the young kid and in turn learn more about themselves in the process.

Starring: Shingo Katori (Qiantian Qian), Mitsuru Matsuoka (Shantian Tailang), Koji Kato (Daping Quan), Kenta Suga (Wushilan Ming)

Brand (11 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-11 (6 tapes)

Quality: 4-

My Rating: 3

Description: When the company tells Midori that she is worn out and to take a week off, she has not yet quite absorbed that, at 35, she has become so patently efficient at her job that she may be on her way out the door.  While floundering about looking for something to do with all that time, she finds herself in front of the monkey compound at the zoo, where she runs into Koichiro. He has one year left of the three-year reprieve he talked his father into giving him before he must return to his assigned cage in the iemoto system, and he has just unsuccessfully applied for a job at the zoo. His father has also chosen a fiance for him, a traditional woman who is patiently awaiting his return.

Starring: Imai Miki & Eisaku Yoshida

Bright Girl 1-2 (1 tape)

Cheap Love

Episodes: 1-6 (3 tapes)

Quality Rating: 4

My Rating: 3

Description: Cheap Love (Chiipu Rabu) Junichi is a scout for a hostess bar. He's been at the job for seven years, but he's too softhearted to be a real success. Junichi and Nanami, a music teacher, have a disastrous first meeting. However, by the fourth time they bump into each other, Nanami begins to see Junichi as the man who just might save her from a mediocre life.

Starring: Sorimachi Takeshi, Tsuruta Mayu, Sawamura Ikki and Naito Takeshi

Chou Seishin Gransazer 1-10 (2 tapes)

Condor Heroes 95 1-4 (HK Drama) (2 tapes)

Dai Rangers 1-5 (1 tape)

Dekichatta Kekkan

Shotgun Marriage

Episodes: 1-8 (4 tapes)

Quality Rating: 3-

My Rating: ???

Description: Ryoko Hirosue stars as Chiyo, 20, a department store clerk, whose first encounter with Ryunosuke (Yutaka Takenouchi), 30, a carefree bachelor friend of her sister's, leads to a pregnancy.

Starring: Takenouchi Yutaka, Hirosue Ryoko, Katase Nana, Abe Hiroshi, Ishida Yuriko

Delicious Relations (10 episodes total)

Oishii Kankei

Episodes: 1-10 (5 tapes total)

Quality 3

My Rating: 3+

Description: Oishii Kankei (Delicious Relationship) is one of my favroite Japanese Dramas. It aired in the fall season of 1996 on the Fuji Network. It deals with a woman named Momoe (Nakayama Miho) whos life has changed after the death of her father and an encounter at a restauraunt named Petit Lapin meaning Little Rabbit

Starring: Momoe Fujiwara played by Nakayama Miho Oda played by Karasawa Toshiaki Head Chef of Petit Lapin with Starring Inamura Kanako played by Iijima Naoko, Kazuma Kimura played by Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Takahashi Kaoru played by Takuma Shin Chef of Amour also Oda's rival an Mori played by Morimoto Leo Owner of Petit Lapin Father of Yumi and Midorikawa Yoko as Yumi.

Farewell Firefly 1-6 (3 tapes)

Fighting Girls 1-2 (1 tape)

Files of Young Kindachi III 1-6 (3 tapes)

aka Farewell from the Witches (11 episodes total)

Majo No Jouken

Episodes: 1-11 (6 tapes total) includes Love Generation 1

Quality 4

My Rating: 4

Staring: Matsushima Nanako, Takizawa Hideaki, Bessho Tetsuya, Nishida Naomi, Shirokawa Yumi

Info Aired in Japan on April 8, 1999 through June 17, 1999 on TBS

Description: Michi, a 26-year-old high school math teacher, is dissatisfied with her everyday existence. Hikaru is a student who has just transferred from another school. Attraction turns to love, and soon a witch hunt of sorts begins as Michi is attacked for her “shocking” behavior.

Friends Movie (1 tape)

Gate of Destiny Movie (2 VCDs)

The Glass Slipper (13 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-12b (7 tapes total) includes Refrain 1

Quality 4- (slight buzz in soundtrack)

My Rating: 3+

Description: The classic fairy tale of Cinderella comes alive in the Nineties, but this time, with a little twist. Toru, the heir to a large apparel company, falls in love with a beautiful librarian named Natsu. Natsu's brother is a shoemaker whose livelihood depends on Toru's firm. Toru asks Natsu to marry him, but his mean stepmother interferes, making life miserable for Natsu and her brother. Throw in a mean sister, a best friend-turned-traitor, a struggling artist-turned- blackmailer, and a fateful pair of Ferragamo shoes and you have all the ingredients for an unforgettable love story.

Starring: Kato Noriko, Sano Shiro, Hosaka Naoki, Toyohara Kosuke, Tanaka Ritsuko & Kuroda Fukumi

Go 1-2 (1 tape)

Golden Bowl 1-10 (5 tapes)

Good Luck 1-4 (2 tapes)

GTO Great Teacher Onizuka (12 episodes total)

TV 1-12 & Movie (7 tapes total)

Qaulity 4

My Rating: 5

Description: Eiji Onizuka, a graduate from a third-grade university and a gangster head, has always wanted to be a great teacher. An opportunity has came when a school is short of a teacher and he happens to get employed! Although his gangster status and attitude create lots of headaches for many, his warmth towards teaching gradually touchs them and gains their acceptance.

Starring: Sorimachi Takash

Heaven Cannot Wait (11 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-2 (1 tape)

Quality: 2

My Rating: ???

Description: Heaven Cannot Wait (Tengoku ni Ichiban Chikai Otoko) Tendo Yoshimi is the farthest thing from an angel you can think of. Dressed in black from head to toe, he loves to tease and often acts rashly. He can work neither magic nor miracles. So, why should a down-on-himself pessimist like Shiro believe him when Tendo predicts he will die if he doesn’t complete the tasks set out for him? Starring Jinnai Takanori, Matsuoka Masahiro, Okina Megumi.

Starring: Jinnai Takanori, Matsuoka Masahiro & Okina Megumi

Heaven's Coin (12 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-12 (6 tapes total)

Qualtiy 4

My Rating: 4-

Description: Following on the heels of the popular drama series, "Say You Love Me," KIKU-TV brings to Hawaii yet another touching drama about the challenges of the hearing-impaired, "Heaven's Coins." This series features a young, hearing-impaired nurse named Aya (Sakai Noriko) who works at a small clinic in Hokkaido's outback. Aya's troubles begin when the man who promises to marry her gets amnesia after falling down an escalator. Her world gets even more complicated by the manipulative people around her.

Starring: Sakai Noriko, Osawa Takao, Takenouchi Yutaka & Tanaka Minako

Heaven’s Coin III 1-10 (5 tapes)

Hero Episodes (11 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-11 (6 tapes)

Quality: 4-

My Rating: 4

Description: Kuriyu Kouhei isn’t the picture perfect Prosecuting Attorney. He looks more like a member of a jpop band, however that doesn’t mean he isn’t competent and hardworking. Kuriyu will get his man, but he’ll ruffle quite a few feathers getting him.

Starring: Kimura Takuya and Matsu Takako

Home & Away 1-10 (5 tapes)

Icy World (11 episodes total)

Koori no Sekai

Episodes: 1-11 (6 tapes total)with Long Vaction 11-12

Quality 2

My Rating: 5

Description: A who done it that will keep you thinking it could just about anyone in the cast. One of my favorite shows as you can see by my rating.

Starring: Takenouchi Yutaka, Matsushima Nanako, Nakamura Toru, Uchida Yuki, Kaneko Ken, Katase Nana

I want to be in Love 1-4 (2 tapes)

Kairo Movie (2 VCDs)

Kamen Rider 555

Episodes 1-40 (7 tapes)

Quality 4-

My Rating: 3+

Description: This is your typical Good Guy in a power suit versus an evil organization. Except that the good guys aren’t that likable. There’s allot reluctance in the main character to even be a Kamen Rider and he has a cat’s tongue, which makes the brunt of allot jokes. You can actually sympathize with some of the bad guys. For a Tokusatsu (Special Effects) show, this one isn’t too bad.

Kamen Rider Ryuki 1-5 (1 tape)

Kintaro 3-4

Le Bel Homme (10 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-10 (5 tapes)

Quality Rating: 4 (sounds is petty bad in episode 1, haven’t watch beyond that, so ?)

My Rating: 3+

Description: Beauty (Utsukushii Hito) Misaki Kyosuke is a plastic surgeon who lost his violinist wife four years previously in an accident while she was on tour. His only wish now is to live a quiet life and watch his teenage daughter grow up. He is faced, one day, with a moral dilemma when a young woman comes to him for surgical help

Starring: Tamura Masakazu, Tokiwa Takako, Morishita Aiko and Osawa Takao

Love Complex 1-2 (1tape)

Love & Fight

Episodes: 1-2 (1 tape)

Quality Rating: 4

My Rating: ???

Description: "Koi wa Tatakai (Love is a battle/Love & Fight)" is a sort of Japanese version of popular American TV show "Sex and the City". One of the star in this Japanese version is Manami Hounjou (27). The story itself is a light-hearted romantic comedy and will revolve around unsuccessful love affairs and the straightforward way Honjou and the other women discuss their feelings. In the Japanese version, Honjou plays the part of a divorced freelance writer named Hanako Takamori

Starring: ???

Long Vacation (12 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-11b (6 tapes total) with Koori no Sekai

Quality 2-

My Rating: 4

Starring: Sena Hidetoshi played by Takuya Kimura, Minami Hayama played by Tomoko Yamaguchi, Shinji Hayama, "Animal" played by Yutaka Takenouchi, Momoko Koishikawa played by Izumi Inamori, Ryoko Okusawa played by Takako Matsu, Rumiko, Ru played by Ryo, Sugizaki played by Kyosuke Toyohara and Saito Takako played by ryoko hirosue.

Description: Long Vacation is one of my favroite Japanese Dramas. It aired in the spring season of 1996 on the Fuji Network. It deals with a woman named Minami (Yamaguchi Tomoko) whos life has changed after the disappearance of her soon to be husband Askura. While looking for her husband at hi old apartment she meets a pianist named Sena (Takuya Kimura).

Love Generation (11 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-11 (7 tapes total) with Farewell from the Witches 11

Quality 4-

My Rating: 4

Staring Kimura Takuya, Matsu Takako, Uchino Masaaki, Junna Risa, Fujiwara Norika, Kawabata Ryuuta, Itsutsu Shinsuke, Hirata Mitsuru.

Info Aired in Japan Fall 1997 on Fuji TV

Description: Story about the relationship between Teppei Katagiri (Kimura) and Riko Uesugi (Matsu). It's late at night Teppei missed the last train and is smoking outside. He sees Riko getting out of of a car and seems upset. They get to talking and he ask if she wanted to sing Kareoke. She agrees but Kareoke at a love hotel? Teppei wakes up gets to work. He's informed that he got transferred from the creative department to the business department of a advertisement firm. This is where he meets Riko again..

Love Concerto Movie (1 tape)

Marmalade Boy 1-6 (3 tapes) (HK Drama)

Matter of Customs (HK Drama)

Episodes 1-10 & 13-28 (13 tapes)

Quality: 4

My Rating: ???

Description: ???

Starring: ???

Merry Christmas in Summer

Episodes 1-10 (10 VCDs)

Quality: 3

My Rating: ???

Description: A boy and a girl grow up in an orphanage in Okinawa. Eighteen years later, they meet in Tokyo. He is now a disillusioned ex-boxer who doesn't recognize her. But she has never forgotten him. Heart-throb actor Takenouchi Yutaka stars in this tender love story about love and friendship, betrayal and redemption.

Starring: Takenouchi Yutaka, Nakatani Miki, Kato Ai and Sugimoto Tetta

Meteor Garden 1-22 (11 tape)

Meteor Garden II (HK Drama)

Episodes: 1-16 (8 tapes)

Quality: 4

My Rating: ???

Description: This is a modern Cinderella story except for the fact that there is no wicked stepmother and stepsisters. Instead, there is a very complicated and confusing relationship between the female and male leads.The female lead, Shan Cai, is a very strong and generous girl who often stands up for her friends. However, when she enters Ying De University, she becomes meek and tries to keep a low profile. That is because in Ying De, there are four bullies who call themselves F4.

Starring: ???

Meteor Rain 1-3 & Extra (2 tapes)

Monkey King (HK Drama)

Episodes: 1-14 (7 tapes)

Quality: 3

My Rating:???

Description: The prodigy of the heavens, the nemesis of the demon world, the saint of the universe - Monkey King (Dicky Cheung) has been chosen to go to the Xizhuang to retrieve the "Sanzhuang Sutras" in order to save the universe from a forthcoming disaster and to rid the world of demons in the service of the gods. In the heavenly palace Monkey meets Najia (Jimmy Lin) and the two become an odd couple. One day Monkey wreaks havoc in the palace and is punished by having to consider his actions for 500 years. The only way he can be saved is to accompany Tang Sanzhuang (Edmond Leung) to the west and retrieve the Sutra. On the way there Sanzhuang adopts the White Dragon Horse (Andy Hui), Sandy (Sam Li) and Piggy (Eric Kot) as disciples and the five travel together. Along the route they meet many demons and spirits sent by the demon king and much hardship, but the five eventually defeat them all and complete their mission.

Starring: Dicky Cheung, Andy Hui, Edmond Leung, Sam Li, Eric Kot, Jimmy Lin, Choi Cheuk Yin, Chung Yan Tung, Kristy Yeung, Tsui Wai Yuk, Fan Do Ngoi, Suen Kai Kwan, Anita Yuen, Tim Nau

Ms. Nari-sama 1-11 (6 tapes or 11 VCDs)

My Husband

Episodes 1-12 (6 tapes)

Quality 4-

My Rating: 4

Description: Mega Idol Yuchiro isn’t quite as cool as his stage persona. In fact he is totally different in reality. He is definitely not cool. He secretly marries into Sakura Family. However they aren’t quite the normal family either. Plus there a dark secret in Sakura’s family that comes back to haunt. This is a fun show with a tragic twist thrown in toward the end of the series.

My MVP Valentine 1-10 & 21-22 (6 tapes)

Narita Rikon 1-10 (5 tapes)

Overtime (12 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-4 (Digital Versions) 5-12 (Tape Version) 6 tapes total

Quality 3

My Rating: 4

Staring Sorimachi Takashi, Esumi Makiko, Kimura Yoshino, Shiina Kippei, Ishida Yuriko, Nishida Harumi, Kato Haruhiko

Info Aired in Japan on January 4, 1999 to March 22, 1999 on Fuji TV

Description: A story about Soichiro (Sorimachi Takashi) and Natsuki (Esumi Makiko) that are about as opposites they get. They get along and you know where this is going.

Oyaji

Episodes 1-11 (11 VCDs or 6 tapes)

Quality 3

My Rating: ???

Description: Tamura Masakazu brings his unique acting/personality to this story about a family. Tamura plays the "oyaji" - the stubborn head of the household with his strict rules and high expectations. He has a devoted wife and three children each of whom causes a family crisis that threatens to drive the family apart. In the mist of these various family issues the oyaji continues to flirt with a hostess at a hostess bar he frequents which also threatens his marriage. With all of the forces pulling at the family will they be able to remain a family or will they all go their separate ways?

Starring: Tamura Masakazu, Hirosue Ryoko, Oikawa Mitsuhiro and Okada Junichi

Perfect Bride 1-11 (6 tapes or 11 VCDs)

Pretty Girls (9 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-8 (8 VCDs or 4 tapes)

Quality: 3

My Rating: ???

Description: Pretty Girls Inamori Izumi stars in this comical fantasy about Hana, a bright and cheerful heroine who works at Andrews, a huge department store in Ginza. She has a magical way with troubled people, as well as with animals.

Starring: Inamori Izumi, Yonekura Ryoko, Katase Nana, Tanabe Seiichi, Katahira Nagisa and Utsui Ken.

Reaching Out 1-4, 7-8, 11-26. 29-32, 35-36 & 39-40 (15 tapes)

Refrain (12 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-12 (6 tapes or 12 VCDs)

Quality: 3

My Rating: 4

Description Refrain (Meguriai) They say we all have one unforgettable love in our life. For Eri, he is Shuji. Tokiwa Takako stars as a dancer whose career is cut short by an accident. And Fukuyama Masaharu plays the love of her life. Although they are strongly drawn to each other, circumstances conspire to tear them apart. Still, fate brings them back together time and again like a bittersweet refrain.

Starring: Tokiwa Takako, Fukuyama Masaharu, Ooji Megumi, Okamoto Kenichi, and Inagawa Junji

The Returner Movie (2 VCDs)

Ring (12 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-12 (6 tapes)

Quality 3+

My Rating: 4

Description: This drama is based off the book and movie of the same name, but with a different ending and some new characters. The basic story is about a video tape that will kill you 12 days after you’ve watch it.

Starring: Yanagiba Toshiro, Nagase Tomoya, Kyono Kotomi, Kuroki Hitomi & Yada Akiko

Romantic President Movie (1 tape)

Sensei Shiranaino (12 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-12 (6 tapes total)

Quality 3+

My Rating: ???

Description: ???

Starring: Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Shinohara Tomoe & Sugawara Bunta

Seikei Bijin 1-8 (4 tapes)

Sleeping Forest 1-2 (1 tape)

Shomuni (12 episodes total)

1-12 (6 tapes)

Quality 3+

My Rating 4+

Description: This drama also known as "Power Ladies". The life of female office workers is given a comic slant in "ShomuNi" (The Second General Affairs Section, Wednesday, 10 p.m., Fuji TV). The drama's central figure, played by Makiko Esumi, is an older "office lady" who refuses to be controlled by circumstances and destiny. She is pretty headstrong, but her fellow office workers also have their own idiosyncrasies. The story of Shomuni is this is the department within a corporation that people don't want to work in. "The Department of Errands" is where people who get demoted for doing something wrong go to. But at this department, the six women of shomu-ni are the last people people want to piss off.

Starring: Esumi Makiko, Hosho Mai and Morimoto Leo

Shomuni II (12 episodes total)

1-12 (6 tapes)

Quality 3+

My Rating 4+

Description: The second series of Shomuni follows in the footsteps of the first series. This time around will the OL be able to save the company.

Starring: Esumi Makiko, Hosho Mai and Morimoto Leo

Shota no Sushi (17 episodes total)

Episodes: 1-17 (9 tapes or 17 VCDs)

Quality: 3

My Rating: 3