Top 19 Must-See Romantic Japanese Films

Informa: Yakuza Confidential

• Release Year: 2023
• Duration: 30 minutes per episode
• Number of Episodes: 10
• Genres: Slice of Life, Action, Comedy, Romance
• Starring: Kiritani Kenta, Kita Kana, Sano Reo

The film Informa: Yakuza Confidential follows the story of a struggling tabloid journalist. One who was once a member of the Yakuza organization and now deals in sensational information trading. The two collaborate to write articles about a series of gruesome murders.

This is the best Yakuza film of 2023 from Japan. In the film, Mishima Kanji, a reporter for Weekly Times, often faces tasks to uncover the truth. However, he feels empty and dissatisfied spending days chasing scandals of celebrities without feeling the spirit of journalism he craves. One day, under the direction of editor-in-chief Nagasawa Asuka, Mishima goes to Amagasaki to meet someone. Nagasawa pushes him there as an opportunity to fulfill his dream - 'to see the world from a perspective impossible to see living a normal life.'

However, this encounter leads him to Keijiro Kihara, a man known for his formidable reputation in various fields, including the underworld, politics, and entertainment. He is also an urban legend in the world of information providers, known as the 'Information Provider.'

The Sumo Sanctuary (Sankuchuari)

• Release Year: 2023
• Number of Episodes: 8
• Genres: Comedy, Romance, Drama, Sports
• Director: Kan Eguchi
• Starring: Kutsuna Shioli, Sometani Shota, Ichinose Wataru

The Sumo Sanctuary stands as one of Japan's finest films, depicting the journey of a young, resilient individual determined to become a sumo wrestler, leaving a profound impression on fans with his confident demeanor. However, he also becomes a controversial figure within the long-standing tradition of the sport.

The film focuses on the character Enno, a novice sumo wrestler, who has faced numerous hardships and unstable life, even with debts and a broken family. With a determination to advance in the world of professional sumo, Enno embarks on a quest to fulfill his dreams. When the owner of a sumo stable named Enshō recognizes Enno's talent and unique physique, he seeks to create opportunities for Enno to rise in the sumo ranks.

However, Enno doesn't take long to climb the sumo ranks for money, without much dedication to the sport. This action sparks negative reactions from sumo managers and the sports community, criticizing Enno's recklessness and lack of respect for tradition.

Makanai: The Maiko's Chef - Best Japanese Film 2023

• Release Year: 2023
• Duration: 40 minutes / episode
• Number of Episodes: 9
• Genres: Drama - Romance
• Director: Sato Takuma, Okuyama Hiroshi, Tsuno Megumi, Koreeda Hirokazu
• Starring: Mori Nana, Makita Aju, Deguchi Natsuki, Matsuoka Mayu, Matsuzaka Keiko, Hashimoto Ai

Makanai: The Maiko's Chef is a Japanese television series starring Nana Mori, Natsuki Deguchi, and Aju Makita, released by Netflix on January 12, 2023.

The series follows the story of two close friends who immerse themselves in pursuing the dream of becoming maiko in Kyoto. However, during their learning and experiences living with maiko artisans, they gradually discover different passions they want to pursue. Despite living under one roof, they question their self-understanding and the path they want to take in the future.

The Village

• Release Year: 2023
• Duration: 120 minutes
• Genres: Action, Romance, Drama, Adventure
• Director: Michihito Fujii
• Starring: Ryusei Yokohama, Haru Kuroki, Arata Furata, Shido Nakamura, Wataru Ichinose, and others. Main Characters: Ryo Yukizane and Michiaki Tsunoda

The Village portrays life in a village once beautiful like a painting, now overshadowed by a vast landfill. In the village, there's a young man longing to escape the misery he's been bound to by that very land. This young man carries a fervent desire to seek a better life, away from the adversity and desolation of the landfill area.

He refuses to be confined in that polluted and gloomy environment. Thus, he is determined to venture out and seek opportunities to break free from the village, and pursue a brighter future. On his arduous journey, this young man must confront many challenges and difficulties. He may face opposition and resistance from the villagers, as well as confront threats from the landfill area. However, faith never fades, and he continues to strive and fight to change his destiny and seek a better, freer future.

Handsome Boy (Part 2)

• Release Year: 2023
• Director: Sakai Mai
• Duration: 24 minutes / episode
• Number of Episodes: 4
• Genres: Boy Love, Drama, Romance
• Director: Sakai Mai
• Starring: Hagiwara Riku, Yagi Yusei, Nimura Sawa, Wada Soko, Ochiai Motoki, Takano Akira

Handsome Boy Part 2 is a meaningful Japanese film continuing the story of Hira, a shy, introverted boy who always lives in seclusion in society. His personality becomes more complex as he struggles to communicate due to his stuttering speech. Meanwhile, Kiyoi Sou - a handsome, arrogant, and aloof boy - always attracts attention and has many admirers.

Despite differences in status and position in class, Hira and Kiyoi Sou coincidentally meet, and their worlds begin to change. The story closely follows the complex relationship and emotional development between the two, along with the difficulties and challenges they face in their journey of understanding and empathizing with each other.

First Love

• Release Year: 2022
• Duration: 9 episodes
• Genres: Romance, Drama
• Director: Kanchiku Yuri
• Starring: Satoh Takeru and Mitsushima Hikari

The series follows the romantic high school love story of Harumichi Namiki and Yae Noguchi, two individuals with contrasting personalities. While Noguchi dreams of becoming a flight attendant, Namiki harbors the opposite desire. However, their contrasting fates lead them to each other.

As time passes, 20 years later, both main characters seem to have completely disappeared from each other's lives. However, Namiki unexpectedly discovers that Noguchi is now a taxi driver and begins searching for her everywhere. The series captivates viewers with its combination of past and present, seamlessly navigating the storyline and creating a beautiful interplay between the sweet memories of high school love.

Fight Song

• Release Year: 2022
• Duration: 10 episodes
• Genres: Comedy, Romance
• Directors: Murao Yoshiaki, Okamoto Shingo, Ishii Yasuharu
• Starring: Kikuchi Fuma, Mamiya Shotaro, Kiyohara Kaya

Fight Song Movie narrates the story of Kisara Hanae, a retired karate athlete due to an accident. Fatefully, she meets Ashida Haruki, a songwriter behind the songs she used to listen to before every match. However, the bitter truth unveils that Haruki isn't the inspiring songwriter Hanae thought he was. Instead, he's eccentric and has had a failed music career, with only one hit song.

Can Hanae overcome disappointment and continue to hold onto her admiration for Haruki over the years? All will be revealed in this 10-episode Japanese romantic drama.

Two Unlovable Souls - Japanese Romantic Drama Film

• Release Year: 2022
• Duration: 8 episodes
• Genres: Slice of Life, Romance
• Director: Doi Shohei
• Starring: Takahashi Issei, Kishii Yukino

The film Two Unlovable Souls - Koisenu Futari intricately details the unique story of two individuals utterly indifferent to love. The protagonist, Kodama Sakuko, moves to a new place due to her mother's constant pressure to get married. For Sakuko, living in a society where love is deemed essential poses a challenge.

After meeting a supermarket employee named Takahashi Satoru and hearing Satoru talk about people in the world who have never loved and are indifferent to romantic relationships, Sakuko becomes intrigued by the young man. Fate seems to favor both as they decide to live together to avoid trouble while those around them perceive them as oddities. Exploring the lives of inadvertently loveless individuals, the film's narrative about how characters break free from stereotypes in the ordinary world will prompt viewers to recognize many new and intriguing aspects of the differences around them.

Polygamy Law

• Release Year: 2022
• Duration: 9 episodes
• Genres: Comedy, Romance
• Director: Ninomiya Takashi
• Starring: Yanagi Yurina, Asakawa Nana, Inaba Yu, Shimazaki Haruka

Based on the popular manga of the same name, Polygamy Law is a romantic comedy harem drama. It follows Koharu, an office worker fed up with the men around her who are either playboys, liars, or already married. To escape this predicament, she decides to return to her hometown but unexpectedly finds her family in financial crisis. Soon after, a stranger appears and offers to help her repay the debt if Koharu agrees to marry him. However, he already has two other wives. With few options, Koharu agrees to marry Date Ryunosuke.

In his family, she also encounters Ryunosuke's other two wives, Date Madoka and Date Yuzu. The newlywed life of the quartet, their quirky daily stories, and the blossoming romantic relationship between Koharu and Ryunosuke are the elements viewers eagerly anticipate in each episode.

No Joking: I'm the Boss Here

• Release Year: 2022
• Genres: Office, Romance
• Duration: 10 episodes
• Directors: Kariyama Shunsuke, Inomata Ryuichi
• Starring: Shison Jun, Takahata Mitsuki, Matsuda Shota

The series follows the life of Takanashi Hinako, a 30-year-old secretary at Relation Gate where she has worked for 8 years. Every day, she faces numerous difficult and seemingly impossible tasks assigned by the company president. These responsibilities consume her life to the point where she has no time for personal life.

However, everything changes when the president decides to appoint her to head the new subsidiary company. The arrival of new subordinates, colleagues, and a host of troubles creates a challenging situation for Hinako's professional life. With a talented cast, the series offers a humorous and touching look at the work and love life of a woman in the corporate environment.

Fading First Love

• Release Year: 2021
• Genres: Comedy, Romance
• Duration: 10 episodes
• Directors: Horai Tadaaki and Kusano Shogo
• Starring: Michieda Shunsuke, Meguro Ren

Fading Like My First Love

Love at First Misunderstanding

• Release Year: 2021
• Duration: 120 minutes
• Genres: Romance, Love, Drama
• Director: Nobuhiro Doi
• Cast: Yamane Mugi, Hachiya Kinu, Kaji Kohei, Hachiya Sachiko

The movie narrates a 5-year-long love story between Yamane Mugi (portrayed by Suda Masaki) and Hachiya Kinu (portrayed by Arimura Kasumi). Their story begins when they coincidentally miss the last train of the day. From that coincidence, they embark on a relationship filled with affection and romance, built upon small commonalities like shared interests in movies or songs. Their love quickly blossoms and grows, leading them to start living together.

Their story continues through various stages of life, from job hunting, naming their pet cat, to enjoying peaceful moments together. The movie presents a beautiful and sweet love, following their journey through months of reunions and happiness together.

Becoming a Gangster for You

• Release Year: 2021
• Duration: 120 minutes
• Genres: Action, Romance, School
• Director: Tsutomu Hanabusa
• Starring: Takumi Kitamura, Yamada Yuki, Sugino Yosuke

The story revolves around Takemichi, a man facing failure at 26. One day, he discovers that his childhood sweetheart was murdered by a member of the Tokyo Manjikai Gang. In a sudden twist of fate, Takemichi unexpectedly gains the ability to time travel, taking him back to his high school years. To save his future love, Takemichi embarks on a journey to become the leader of a notorious school gang.

Here is a list of the best Japanese school-themed romantic films of 2023 compiled by Mytour. If you're a fan of this genre, don't miss out on this article. Stay tuned for more updates on the most meaningful Japanese romantic films of 2023 and beyond!