6 Recommendations for Japanese Dramas about Friendship, Presenting Exciting Stories and Warm Hearts

Kapanlagi.com - Japanese dramas always present interesting stories with various themes. Friendship is one theme that is often portrayed in Japanese dramas. There are quite a number of Japanese dramas about friendship that touch the heart, making the viewers feel emotional. Friendship dramas often bring complete stories about loyalty, morality, and struggle.

Japanese dramas about friendship not only depict the superficial aspects of the relationship. More than that, Japanese dramas also provide stories full of warmth with inner conflicts and sacrifices, and trust between the characters. The complex dynamics of the relationships and heartwarming sacrifices make Japanese friendship dramas a must-watch.

Interested in watching Japanese dramas about friendship? Just check out the following list of recommendations and reviews.

1. HANA YORI DANGO

HANA YORI DANGO (credit: mydramalist)

One of the must-watch Japanese dramas about friendship is HANA YORI DANGO. This drama tells the story of friendship among students with diverse social backgrounds in an elite school. The drama highlights the bonds formed among them in a successful adaptation of a popular manga.

The story of HANA YORI DANGO revolves around Tsukushi, a poor student at Eitoku Gakuen who deals with F4, an elite group that rules the school. Despite receiving a red notice from F4 for defending her friend, Sakurako, Tsukushi catches the attention of Tsukasa. However, problems arise when Tsukasa's mother, Domyoji Kaede, opposes their relationship, while Tsukushi is interested in Rui, who loves her childhood friend, Shizuka.

2. NOBUTA WO PRODUCE (2005)

NOBUTA WO PRODUCE (credit: mydramalist)

NOBUTA WO PRODUCE is also a must-watch Japanese drama about friendship. This drama is adapted from the same book by Gen Shiraiwa. The focus of NOBUTA WO PRODUCE drama is the journey of three teenagers who try to maintain their friendship amidst social pressures at school.

The three of them are Shuji Kiritani, a popular student who is close to the most popular girl in school. Akira Kusano is his classmate who has difficulty understanding social dynamics. Their monotonous lives change when a very shy girl, Nobuko Kotani, transfers to their school.

3. GOOD MORNING CALL (2016)

GOOD MORNING CALL (credit: mydramalist)

Next on the list of recommended Japanese dramas about friendship is GOOD MORNING CALL. This Japanese drama tells a romantic story in a Japanese school. GOOD MORNING CALL depicts the unexpected friendship between Yoshikawa Nao and Uehara Hisashi.

Nao, who is just starting her life, discovers that the apartment she is supposed to live in has already been rented by Hisashi. Facing financial difficulties and having no place to stay, they decide to live together, starting their unique story in this drama.

4. FROM FIVE TO NINE (2015)

FROM FIVE TO NINE (credit: mydramalist)

Japanese drama about another friendship, FROM FIVE TO NINE depicts the friendship among a group of friends who work at a shrine, highlighting their struggles in finding the meaning of love and happiness.

Junko Sakuraba, an English tutor, works hard to save money to fulfill her dream of going to New York. However, an accident at the shrine changes her path when she accidentally scatters ashes on monk Takane Hoshikawa, who then proposes marriage to Junko. Although initially rejecting, Junko eventually agrees to Takane's conditions.

5. YOU'RE MY PET (2011)

YOU'RE MY PET (credit: mydramalist)

Drama Jepang YOU'RE MY PET mempunyai judul asli KIMI WA PETTO. Drama YOU'RE MY PET mengisahkan tentang seorang wanita karier Iwaya Sumire, seorang wanita sukses yang, setelah kehilangan pekerjaannya, menemukan pemuda tak sadarkan diri di depan pintu rumahnya. Keduanya lantas menjalin hubungan baik.

Kedekatan keduanya membuat sang pria bak 'hewan peliharaan' bagi si wanita karier. Lambat laun, hubungan keduanya semakin dalam dan hubungan persahabatan mereka yang erat berubah jadi cinta.

6. BUZZER BEAT (2009)

BUZZER BEAT (credit: mydramalist)

BUZZER BEAT is a Japanese drama about friendship that showcases the story of a group of basketball players' struggle and the influence of their friendship off the court. Naoki Kamiya, a talented professional basketball player, has difficulty controlling himself under pressure, hindering his development of skills.

When Riko Shirakawa finds Naoki's lost phone on the bus, she meets Tomoya Kawasaki, Naoki's coach, and at the same time, Tomoya's interest in Riko emerges. However, Riko is more interested in Naoki, who already has a girlfriend named Natsuki Nanami.

Those are some recommendations for warm and exciting Japanese dramas about friendship. Enjoy watching!

(kpl/psp)