Our lives have changed dramatically since the advent of the internet. The internet has made the world more communicative, allowing us to learn more about and better understand countries that were previously inaccessible to us. Netflix began as a DVD rental firm, but it saw the future long before the others, and in 2007, it launched its viewing service via live broadcasting.
Today, it is the most well-known streaming service in the world, offering its services in over 190 countries for as little as $10 (1,000 yen) per month and even developing its own series and movies.
With the addition of subtitles in several languages, Netflix made it easier for its users to watch programs shot in countries other than their own.
It’s not that this wasn’t feasible before, because television networks purchased the rights to foreign shows and dubbed them (thus, for example, part of the success of anime around the world).
Also read: Today’s Webtoon: Korean Adaptation of Japanese Manga
Still, it’s now much easier and there’s a lot more variety. When I was a youngster and a devotee of Japanese dramas, the concept of being able to watch them from the comfort of your own home was unfathomable.
Television networks would not buy it if it was not something that would appeal to a large number of people (such as Lost or Game of Thrones). However, thanks to Netflix, anyone can now watch Japanese, Korean, and many other countries’ series from practically anywhere in the world.
Unlike anime, which has a global following, Japanese series are less well-known and may not initially pique the general public’s interest. However, I can promise you that there are several excellent Japanese series.
One of my favorite things about Japanese series is that they have few chapters (usually 8-10) and are ideal for when you want to watch something but don’t want to become hooked on an unending series with a thousand seasons and chapters. Furthermore, the chapters are frequently brief (around half an hour).
I’ve compiled the five finest Japanese series to watch on Netflix with English subtitles. There are series for every taste, from comedies to thrillers, LGBT-friendly to those that will make you cry on multiple occasions. I hope you enjoy it
Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories
If we’re talking about Japanese Netflix programs, Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories has to be at the top of the list. The series is based on Yaro Abe’s Shinya shokud manga and has gained popularity outside of Japan as well.
The series is set in a modest izakaya, or Japanese pub, central Shinjuku. For those who are unfamiliar with Japanese culture, Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s busiest neighborhoods, with the biggest concentration of offices, businesses, and shops. There are a lot of bars in the vicinity, but this one is unique in that it only opens at night, from 0:00 to 7:00 a.m.
Furthermore, there are only a few chairs surrounding the bar, and the menu comprises meals that the owner wishes to prepare.
Each chapter tells the story of one of the customers who receive words of encouragement or counsel from the bar’s proprietor, whom they refer to as Master. The plot may appear simple, but I believe the series’ success stems from the fact that the stories are incredibly real, with which people can connect. You can also learn about various types of people and situations. Furthermore, each chapter is self-conclusive; the plot begins and finishes in that chapter, therefore it’s an easy series to follow because you don’t need to follow a story arc.
Atelier
Atelier, sometimes known as Underwear in Japanese (), is a television series about the world of fashion, notably women’s underwear. The series is similar to the well-known and popular film “The Devil Wears Prada.”
Mayuko is a recent fashion design graduate who relocates to Tokyo to pursue her dream of working in the fashion industry. Mayuko is hired as an intern at Emotion, a Ginza store. The Mayumi Nanjo company’s owner is the world’s most famous underwear designer. You can guess the rest, right? Mayuko and Mayumi’s relationship will be tumultuous and love-hate.
Mayuko discovers a world of splendor previously unknown to her, although she does not disagree with some of Mayumi’s ideals or her image of feminine beauty. Mayumi appears to enjoy Mayuko and sees potential in her, despite their conflicts and the fact that she causes difficulties for the company on multiple occasions.
Atelier is a good series, whether you enjoy fashion or not, with only 13 chapters that can be seen in a short amount of time.
Close-Knit
Close-Knit, also known as Karera ga Honki in Japanese, is an innovative series that explores the subject of transgender persons in Japan.
Tomo Ogawa, an 11-year-old girl, lives with her mother, a single and irresponsible woman who abandons her kid to accompany her new boyfriend. This is not the first time this has occurred, and whenever it does, Tomo leaves with her uncle Makio. Her uncle, on the other hand, is currently living with her transgender partner Rinkio.
Despite the unique circumstances, the three begin to live as a family, and Tomo learns the kindness and love of a mother from Rinkio. We observe the art of weaving throughout the series, which may appear insignificant or frivolous but is a bonding metaphor. The series also explores problems such as nontraditional families and Makio’s family’s acceptance of Rinkio
Giri/Haji
This series is really made in the United Kingdom, but I know you were all hoping for a series on the famed Japanese mafia, the yakuza. But don’t worry; a portion of the series was shot in Tokyo, and there are numerous sequences in which they speak Japanese. Giri/Haji (/) is Japanese for “Duty/Shame.”
The story opens with detective Kenzo Mori flying from Tokyo to London in pursuit of his brother Yuto, who has inexplicably vanished and is presumed dead. Yuto was a yakuza member who was accused of murdering the nephew of a yakuza leader before his disappearance. In his pursuit of his brother Kenzo, he came into contact with London’s violent criminal underworld.
If you enjoy police procedurals with crime, bloodshed, and katanas, this is the series for you.
JU-ON: Origins
JU-ON () is a well-known Japanese horror film series among lovers of the genre. The story centers around an abandoned house where a heinous murder occurred, and everyone who comes into contact with the house is cursed and dies as a result.
This year, Netflix Japan created an original series based on the film saga, and although being a bit different from the original films, it has received positive feedback, swiftly becoming one of the most watched series in recent months. The creators claim that the series is unique since it is based on genuine original events that inspired the movie.
The series tells numerous stories with different protagonists at different times (the story is not linear) that all have the haunted home as a common link and how it affects their life.
By the way, you don’t have to have seen the movies to watch the Netflix series, however, if you enjoy horror, I recommend you do.
