Top 10 Most Anticipated Japanese TV Dramas of 2023

The 2023 winter TV drama from Tokai TV, "Jiyu na Megami - Backstage in New York", stars Igeta Hiroe alongside Takeda Shinji and Furukawa Yuki.

This live-action adaptation is based on the manga by Otsuka Hiroki, though the setting is shifted from New York to Tokyo. The story follows 25-year-old Watanabe Sachi (Igeta), who works at a construction company in the suburbs. Despite her passion for sewing clothes, she believes she lacks the talent to pursue it. Her life changes when she meets legendary drag queen Cool Mint / Narita Toru (played by Takeda Shinji) and moves to Tokyo to chase her dream of becoming a fashion designer.

Furukawa plays Ichinose Ken, a bartender at the Little New York club and Cool Mint's friend. A former surfer, Ichinose is a man of few words but offers Sachi valuable advice, and eventually becomes her roommate.

Japanese Title: 自由な女神 ―バックステージ・イン・ニューヨーク―

Genre: Drama, Romance, Love Story

Episodes: 4

Air Date: 04/03/2023

Broadcast Network: Fuji TV, Tokai TV

The drama "Oujogiwa no Imi wo Shire!", starring Mikami Ai and Aoki Yuzu, will air on MBS and TBS starting from 07/03. This live-action is based on the psychological manga of the same name by Yoneshiro Kyo, about an office worker who can't move on from his ex-girlfriend from seven years ago. One day, he receives an unexpected phone call from her with a strange request.

The story follows Ichimatsu Kairo (Aoki), who has been unable to forget his ex-girlfriend Kusakabe Hiyori (Mikami) even after seven years. Since their breakup, Ichimatsu has been obsessed with their past and has become a devoted follower of Hiyori's cult. Unable to move on, he immerses himself in old videos and pictures of the two of them and expresses his desire to marry her again. Then, one day, Hiyori appears and makes an unusual request: "Ichimatsu-kun, I want to record my childbirth process, please give me your sperm."

Japanese Title: 往生際の意味を知れ！
Genre: Drama, Romance
Episodes: 10
Air Date: 08/03/2023
Broadcast Network: MBS, TBS

The TV drama "Kimi ni Todoke", starring Sara Minami and Suzuka Oji, has announced additional cast members: Sakurai Kaito, Kumada Rinka, Nakamura Riho, Miura Shohei, Toda Naho, and Hirayama Hiroyuki. Produced in collaboration with TV Tokyo and Netflix, the series will be available globally from 30/03.

This live-action is based on the popular manga by Shiina Karuho, which has consistently ranked among Japan's top-selling series. The manga has been adapted into anime, games, and most notably, a 2010 live-action film starring Tabe Mikako and Miura Haruma, which remains one of the most memorable high school romance films in Japanese cinema.

The story follows Kuronuma Sawako (Minami), a girl with long black hair and pale skin, who is given the nickname Sadako due to her gloomy appearance. Her classmate Kazehaya Shota (Suzuka), a popular boy admired by many girls at school, starts to become close to her, and a pure first love begins to blossom between them.

Japanese Title: 君に届け

Genre: Slice of Life, Romance, Love Story

Episodes: X

Air Date: 30/03/2023

Broadcast Network: Netflix, TV Tokyo

The drama series "Pending Train - 8:23, Ashita Kimi to" marks Yuki Yamada's first lead role in a prime-time television show. It will air on TBS every Friday at 10:00 PM, starting in April.

This entertainment piece is set aboard a train that was originally heading to a city, but suddenly veers off course into a dystopian future. A group of strangers on the same train must now find a way to survive in a harsh, radio-signal-free world, with no food or water. Among them is Kayashima Naoya (Yamada), a charming and lively hairdresser, whose talkative and cheerful exterior hides a more introverted and complex inner world.

Japanese Title: ペンディングトレイン―8時23分、明日 君と

Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Adventure

Episodes: X

Air Date: 04/2023

Broadcast Network: TBS

The TV drama series "Goriteki ni Arienai: Tantei Kamizuru Ryoko no Kaimei", starring Yuki Amami, is set to premiere this April. The lead male role will be portrayed by Kohei Matsushita. Based on a novel by Yuko Yuzuki, the story revolves around a detective duo: one is a sharp-minded investigator and master of disguise, while the other is her partner, a person with an IQ of 140.

The series follows Kamizuru Ryoko (Amami), a female detective who accepts all cases except those involving murder or injury, but demands a hefty fee of 2 million yen per case. Her partner, Nobuhiko Kiyama (Matsushita), has an IQ of 140 and seems perfect at first, but when it comes to dealing with women, he becomes somewhat clumsy.

Japanese Title: 合理的にあり得ない ～探偵・上水流涼子の解明～

Genre: Drama, Action

Episodes: X

Air Date: 04/2023

Broadcast Network: Fuji TV

The TV drama "Boogie Woogie", also known as Bugiugi, stars Shuri and introduces a talented supporting cast including Toshiro Yanagiba, Asami Mizukawa, Kurumi Shimizu, Kazuki Tsubasa, Rikka Ihara, Rinko Kikuchi, and Yuki Katayama. Set to air in the second half of 2023, this NHK asadora (morning drama) is inspired by the life of post-WWII jazz singer Kasagi Shizuko.

The story follows Hanada Suzuko, born in 1914 to a family who ran a public bathhouse in Osaka. With her powerful voice, she earns fame as the Swing Queen, beloved by many. However, the war casts her music as the enemy's, leading to severe restrictions on her career. After the war, Suzuko marries, only to lose her husband in battle. To support her daughter and help heal a war-torn nation, she continues to sing and becomes known as the Boogie Queen.

Japanese Title: ブギウギ

Genre: Drama, Romance

Episodes: 120

Air Date: Second Half of 2023

Broadcast Network: NHK

The TV drama "Hitori Bocchi - Hito to Hito Tsunagu Ai no Monogatari", starring Masaki Aiba, has announced new cast members: Aya Ueto, Fuyumi Sakamoto, and Ichiro Maki. Ueto plays the female lead, Uchida Chiaki, a regular customer at the Tachibana store, who helps Shinya find his way. Chiaki is a pregnant woman living in the area where Shinya works as a meter reader. Though friendly and approachable, she feels insecure about having her first child alone while her husband is away. The series will air on TBS in the spring of this year.

The story revolves around love and the miraculous encounter between a young man and a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to his late sister. Shinya Sugi (Aiba), a water meter reader, has closed off his heart ever since the tragic loss of both his parents and his beloved sister as a child. He believes he has always been alone. One day, his friend invites him to the Tachibana rice ball shop, where he meets the owner, Kaoru Tachibana (Sakamoto), who looks exactly like his late sister. Kaori, with her warm and caring nature, connects with customers from all walks of life, unintentionally bringing smiles to their faces.

Japanese Title: ひとりぼっち ―人と人をつなぐ愛の物語―

Genre: Drama, Romance

Episodes: TBD

Air Date: 2023

Broadcast Network: TBS

The taiga drama "Dou Suru Ieyasu", starring Jun Matsumoto, has announced additional cast members: Kento Nagao (Naniwa Danshi), Jin Shirasu, Taiiku Okazaki, Katsuya Maiguma, and Aoi Ito. This is the 21st taiga drama produced by NHK, written by Ryota Kosawa ("Confidence Man JP", "Date", "Legal High"). The series portrays the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu (Matsumoto), the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The story follows Takechiyo (later known as Ieyasu Tokugawa), the son of a poor and powerless daimyo. After his father is killed in battle, Takechiyo grows up in isolation, far from his mother's care. Unsure of what the future holds, he later experiences a dramatic encounter with the young Nobunaga Oda.

Japanese Title: どうする家康

Genre: Historical, Life, Drama

Episodes: 50

Air Date: 08/01/2023

Broadcast Network: NHK

Hitomonchaku nara Yorokonde! is a live-action adaptation based on the manga of the same name by Yatsumi Tsumu. The romantic comedy revolves around the fateful meeting between a 'guardian angel' HR consultant and a strict, authoritarian company president, who are determined to challenge and reform the dark activities of the business.

The story follows Mamoru Hitomi (Yahagi), an HR consultant from Off-White, who is assigned to the apparel company Jet Black. The company's president, Shiori Sakyo (Inukai), is tough on both herself and others. With a new hire turnover rate of 100%, Mamoru, rumored to be a 'famous consultant,' is brought in to help the company get back on its feet.

Japanese Title: ひともんちゃくなら喜んで！

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Episodes: 10

Air Date: 15/01/2023

Broadcast Network: ABC, TV Asahi

The TV drama Batsuichi ga Moteru Nante Kiitemasen premiered on February 23rd on MBS and other networks. The series stars Tsuna Keito in the lead role with Takanashi Rin playing the female protagonist. Based on the manga of the same name by Kamena Yu, it tells the story of a 35-year-old divorced woman navigating love and life.

The plot follows Ono Kazuha (Takanashi), a 35-year-old editor at a women's fashion magazine. After divorcing her unfaithful husband, Kazuha boldly declares to her colleagues that she is embracing her newfound freedom. While working alongside Mitsui Kento (Tsuna), a 22-year-old new hire, Kazuha begins to form a bond with him. At the same time, Hayami Kensuke, a former colleague now a popular actor, starts pursuing her.

Japanese Title: 自由な女神 ―バックステージ・イン・ニューヨーク―

Genre: Drama, Romance, Love Story

Episodes: 10

Air Date: 23/02/2023

Broadcast Network: MBS