Asian dramas like
Hitoya No Toge

Within a women's correctional facility, there exists a beauty salon where inmate Haru Komatsubara provides haircuts to individuals from outside. Haru, who has committed a serious offense, is the sole hairstylist at this salon. Her clients, each with their unique backgrounds, come to the salon to have their hair styled. Soft-spoken and composed, Haru meticulously tends to their hair while engaging in conversation, making an effort to empathize with them. She often contemplates whether completing her prison sentence will allow her to make amends for her wrongdoing. One day, her elder sister, Natsu Komatsubara, comes to visit her at the beauty salon within the prison.

Freshly appointed prison guard Oikawa Naoki is tasked with overseeing the death row unit. During his time there, he forms a bond with Mitsuru Watase, a prisoner awaiting execution for avenging his parents' murder. As their friendship grows, Naoki starts questioning the validity of capital punishment and contemplating ideas like remorse and absolution.

Tomishima Heita has been employed by a construction firm for three years, initially working on construction sites before being moved to the sales department. He becomes entangled in bid-rigging schemes within the company and learns that his father's death was linked to similar illegal activities. Now faced with the decision of either exposing the wrongdoing as a whistleblower or shielding the company he is employed by.

Kitamura Kazuki and Hamada Gaku are set to star together in the upcoming BS Sky Perfect! drama series titled Hamon. The show will premiere on Fridays at 9pm starting on 9 January. Based on the award-winning novel by Kurokawa Hiroyuki, the series follows Kitamura's character, a clever and muscular gangster, who teams up with a consultant at a construction company, played by Hamada, to uncover the wrongdoings of criminals in Osaka. Kurokawa is excited about the adaptation, noting that the drama will offer a fresh perspective on the original story, thanks to the production by Sky Perfect and the creative freedom it allows.

In this series, the conflict unfolds between the Kumoichi faction, led by Nizaemon Kumo, and the chief aide of the arsonist, Abe Shikibu. The elusive thief, Nizaemon, sets his sights on the concealed wealth in Ooku, with Takiyama as his target due to his significant influence in Ooku. At the same time, Shikibu delves into the mysterious secret hidden within Takiyama.

Takashi Hiyama is the manager of a cafe and has been raising his 4-year-old daughter alone since his wife Shoko passed away. Shoko was tragically killed by three 13-year-old boys several years ago. Despite being shielded by the Juvenile Act, the boys' actions resulted in Takashi and Shoko's mother facing intense media scrutiny. Despite the advice from Shoko's friend Kana Kurashina and cafe employee Yudai Chiba, Takashi decides to secretly search for the three boys. As the boys start to face mysterious attempts on their lives, detectives begin to suspect Takashi due to his previous threats of seeking revenge if the boys were not held accountable. In the midst of the chaos, Takashi is determined to uncover the truth about the boys' actions.

Based on the book series "The Incredible Grandmother" by Mariko Hayashi.

The story follows Takano, a short man who works as a professional locksmith, and a tall woman he meets in Bangkok named Eiko Kosaka. Despite being a foot taller than him, Takano falls for Eiko but keeps his feelings hidden due to his height insecurities. Their paths cross again in Tokyo, leading to the development of mutual feelings between them. The plot is adapted from the newspaper novel "Kimi wo Miagete" by Yamada Taichi.

Tachibana Tamako, also known as Maya, is a seasoned member of the Criminal Investigation division within the Kyoto Prefectural Police. She has a reputation for being a devoted enthusiast of maps and possesses an unparalleled knowledge of every corner of Kyoto that can be depicted on a map. Her exceptional talent as a "human GPS" is utilized by the police in creating meticulous investigation maps that are capable of debunking any false alibis. Despite her invaluable skills, there are instances when Tamako is absent from a crime scene because she has stumbled upon a location that has yet to be documented on a map. Surprisingly, this marks Maya's debut in a television drama series. With the captivating setting of Kyoto, there are compelling reasons to tune in to "Sousa Chizu no Onna" this autumn.

In the novel "Akumu no Drive" by Kinoshita Hanta, a retired professional boxer and a failed comedian join forces to establish a transportation company. Initially, they acquire a vehicle and employ it to outsmart their adversaries.

Kinami has been chosen to portray the role of Hita Nanase, a housemaid who possesses the supernatural gift of telepathy, enabling her to unveil the hidden truths within the households she serves. The character was formerly portrayed by Takigawa Yumi and Hori Chiemi.

Drawing inspiration from Hideo Aiba's novel "Chi no Wadachi."

Yayoi, a licensed nurse at Hoshimigaoka Hospital, harbors a hidden past that she keeps to herself. Abandoned by her parents at a young age, she grew up in foster care, cherishing the hospital as her home. Despite her loneliness, she remains kind-hearted, avoiding conflict and immersing herself in her work. When Todo joins as the new head nurse, Yayoi initially resists her strong-willed approach but eventually finds herself drawn to Todo's presence. With Todo's influence, Yayoi is able to let go of her past and embrace a new beginning on her own terms.

Natsuko Kotani seemed destined for deceit, while Tetsuko Ishida was a distant family member known for her integrity as a lawyer. Whenever Natsuko caused problems, Tetsuko was always called upon to resolve the situations. Feeling exploited by Natsuko, Tetsuko, who led a mundane life, started to undergo a transformation.

Set in 1955, a decade after the end of World War II, the story follows government officials at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now known as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) as they work towards making Japan as prosperous as the western world. The plot centers on Kazakoshi Shingo, also known as "Mr. Ministry of International Trade and Industry", and explores the conflict between the "industry supporters" advocating for the protection of national industry, and the "trade supporters" pushing for free trade to globalize the country. The drama received accolades at the 62nd Television Drama Academy Awards, with Sakai Masato winning Best Supporting Actor and Hirano Shunichi, Oka Susumu, and Matsuda Ayato winning Best Directors. (source: d-addicts)

After her adoptive mother, Atsuta Otomi, passed away, Endo Yuriko decides to return to her family home. She is not coming back out of concern for her father, Ryohei, who has been struggling since his wife's death. Yuriko has made the difficult decision to divorce her husband, Hiroyuki. However, upon her return, a young woman named Imoto Sachie appears at the house, claiming to have been sent by Otomi to assist with household chores until the 49th day. Sachie also reveals Otomi's wish for a celebratory feast rather than a traditional Buddhist memorial service on her 49th day. Initially hesitant, father and daughter eventually warm up to the idea after discovering a recipe left behind by Otomi.

Harashima Manji holds a typical position as a section chief at a small to medium-sized business that serves as a subcontractor for a prominent electronics company. Upon stumbling upon irregularities in a string of personnel shifts, he becomes entangled in a battle against a formidable adversary.

One day, Fujimaki Daisuke, a mundane middle-aged office worker at a trading company, is instructed to temporarily join the cheering squad at Asunaro University instead of facing a layoff. The company president's alma mater's cheering squad is at risk of disbandment. During a meeting with alumni, Fujimaki is appointed as the head of the cheering squad. He is thrust into this new role, learning the traditional customs such as always wearing the school uniform, saying "Ossu" in response, and following the seniors' instructions. Under the guidance of old boy Saito Yuichi, Fujimaki becomes captivated by the profound philosophy of providing support in a tangible way.

In Kabukicho, Tokyo, a hit-and-run incident takes place. Hamamoto Junpei, a bartender who witnessed the accident, discovers that the man arrested is not the same person he saw at the scene. It appears that the true culprit is internationally renowned cellist Minato Keiji, with his brother taking the blame. Seeking a quick profit, Junpei and Tomoki, a host he considers a younger brother, decide to extort Minato. However, Minato's manager Yuko intervenes, causing Junpei to back down in the face of her authority. On the flip side, Yuko becomes intrigued by Junpei's personality. Junpei is someone universally liked and impossible to despise. Soon, a formidable adversary of Yuko's appears unexpectedly. This chance encounter between individuals from different worlds draws in those around them: Minato; Mizuki, a hostess who followed Tomoki to Tokyo; Miki, the owner of the Korean club where Junpei is employed; Kosaka, Miki's former gangster boyfriend; and Tomoka, Minato's niece who is studying art at university. An upheaval that will reverberate throughout Japan is on the horizon.

Kanoko Saho loses her job at her father's company, Fawn, despite her dedication to the manufacturing industry. The dismissal appears to be influenced by a mysterious figure known as a "headhunter". Watari Kaori, who identifies as a headhunter, approaches Saho with an opportunity. Consequently, Saho joins the headhunting firm "Forteflows" alongside Watari. Saho now faces clients directly as a dark cloud looms over Fawn.

Kano Teppei, a medical sales representative, has been leading a simple life. However, his world is turned upside down when he discovers that his wife has been concealing a 4.8 billion yen (~45.7M USD) inheritance from her grandmother that she received 24 years ago. As Teppei navigates challenges at work, he reflects on their marriage. This story is inspired by Shiraishi Kazufumi's novel with the same title.

Shimura Eriko, a successful professional, is employed by a large trading company where she holds a position equal to that of her male colleagues. Despite her beauty and impressive education, Eriko's only major concern is her lack of female friends. She finds solace in reading a popular journal written by a housewife influencer her age on social media. One day, Eriko crosses paths with Maruo Shoko, the author of the diary, who also resides nearby and shares her struggle of not having female friends. Their commonality leads to a quick and close friendship, but a certain incident causes their relationship to take an unexpected turn. (Jdramas.wordpress.com)

Kikuchi Izumi is a 38-year-old editor and food writer who is employed at a small publishing house. She has not been in contact with her long-term partner for the past 5 months, ever since lending him 2 million yen. One day, out of the blue, she receives a phone call from an elderly woman who proceeds to berate her. To Izumi's surprise, the same woman ends up sharing a cab with her, and they are both headed to the same destination. Through their conversation, Izumi discovers that the woman is Nakajima Haruko, the esteemed owner of a renowned beauty clinic in Tokyo.

Set in the Nagahara branch of Tokyo Daiichi Bank, the narrative unfolds within a small branch catering to small, medium, and micro enterprises. The team comprises Masahiro Nishiki, a demoted assistant manager, a diligent employee supporting his family, a cunning branch manager, a performance-driven assistant manager willing to resort to harassment, and a skilled operations ace, each with their own distinct personalities and challenges. When one million yen mysteriously disappears from the branch, suspicions fall on a female employee, while Nishiki, tasked with investigating the incident, unexpectedly vanishes. As the two mysteries intertwine, the truth behind the cash loss and Nishiki's disappearance gradually come to light. Discover the shocking revelations behind the "fraud" and Nishiki's enigmatic absence in this captivating tale.

The series follows the conflict between the notorious thief Kumogiri Nizaemon and the outlaw Abe Shikibu

Tachibana Noboru, a 20-year-old who dreams of becoming a doctor, decides to leave Dewa Province (now known as Akita) and seek out his uncle, Komaki Genan, a respected doctor in Edo. With Genan's help, Noboru secures a position as a doctor at Kodenmacho Prison. Noboru witnesses the hardships faced by the underprivileged inmates and uses his sharp deductive skills and jujitsu expertise to resolve various issues within the prison. One evening, Noboru is alerted to an urgent situation involving a prisoner named Katsuzo, who is experiencing severe stomach pain. Despite his initial reluctance, Noboru rushes to the prison to assist. However, it turns out that Katsuzo had pretended to be ill in order to speak to Noboru privately. Katsuzo asks Noboru to retrieve his share of 10 ryo from the leader of a recent burglary and deliver it to a woman named Omitsu in Fukagawa, who had promised to marry him. Moved by Katsuzo's plea, Noboru agrees to carry out this secret task.

Derived from the tale of Okuni.

Following the death of a Kyowakai member, detectives Shima and Hayami begin looking into the case, which appears to be linked to a series of previous unsolved murders

The members of the Special Duties Unit (SDU) continue to collaborate effectively, despite facing new challenges such as adapting to the different work methods of their new Chief Inspector. During a hostage rescue mission, Jin Hon Tou encounters Chung Wai Yan, an undercover agent being pursued by the triads. Her courage and ingenuity make a lasting impression on him. Jin Hon Tou assists her in returning to the Criminal Intelligence Bureau (CIB), and they gradually develop romantic feelings for each other. However, he becomes suspicious of her secretive behavior. Furthermore, his leadership is called into question when a team member is disciplined following a failed mission. Seeing the escalating internal conflicts, Jin Hon Tou decides to step down. Meanwhile, Chung Wai Yan goes to great lengths to uncover the traitor who compromised her cover, even at the expense of the SDU team. With various threats looming, Jin Hon Tou and the SDU members unite to address these challenges.

Chan Chi Yeung, an up-and-coming director who has received awards, has a reputation for being stubborn and causing others in the entertainment industry to keep their distance. After a decade, Chi Yeung reunites with producer Herman, screenwriter Lee Sa Sa, martial arts choreographer Master Man, production designer Shell, actress Lau Ka Ling, and assistant director Choi Tsz Lok to embark on a new project aimed at creating their best film. However, their plans are derailed when their investor unexpectedly passes away, leaving them with a hefty restaurant bill to settle. In order to avoid the consequences, the group devises a clever scheme. Chi Yeung then rallies the team to form "Fraudstars." But their scheme takes a dangerous turn when a real criminal organization forces them into a situation where scamming is their only option.

Based on the book written by Fumio Yamamoto, under the identical name.

The samurai lived by the code of duty and honor, with some driven by greed and power while others were guided by friendship, truth, and love. Bunshiro's story is one of tragedy and triumph, as he overcomes adversity to become a skilled swordsman and protector of the vulnerable. His love for Fuku blossoms in their youth, but their paths diverge due to her poverty and his personal loss. When a corrupt official causes Bunshiro's father to take his own life, Bunshiro is shunned by society. However, he ultimately foils the official's plan to harm Fuku, who is now married to a local lord, and exposes the corruption. Years later, Bunshiro and Fuku reunite to reflect on their past and the enduring love between them. This tale is inspired by the jidaigeki novel "Semishigure" penned by Fujisawa Shuhei.

Based on Shibata Renzaburo's novel "Gokenin Zankuro" ( ).

A tale of a young pitcher and catcher forming a strong bond as they work together on the field. Harada Takumi, a reserved middle school student with impressive throwing skills, crosses paths with Nagakura Go, a catcher capable of handling Takumi's fast pitches. Through their teamwork, they cultivate a sense of trust among their fellow teammates. (NHK)

The TV show depicts the experiences of individuals in debt who face challenges from Kaoru Ushijima. Additionally, Kaoru Ushijima's business, Kaukau Finance, encounters a crisis.

Based on Ikenami Shotaro's book "Kumokiri Nizaemon," the following text has been modified.

Mayumi (Mitsumune Kaoru), an employee at a publishing company, crosses paths with a enigmatic individual who goes by the name Shindo (Nakamura Tomoya). Foretold by a fortune teller of a fated encounter, she takes notice. However, instead of the anticipated meeting, she finds herself face to face with Ushijima Kaoru (Yamada Takayuki), the leader of Cowcow Finance, a notorious underground money lender. Operating with an exorbitant interest rate of 5% every 10 days, Cowcow Finance aggressively pursues those in debt.

Denshichi from Kuromoncho works under a police officer and enforces justice in the alleys of Edo using a violet club given to him by Inspector Toyama Saemon, the magistrate of Kitamachi. Denshichi focuses on condemning the wrongful acts instead of the individuals committing them, displaying compassion and kindness in his approach.

Miyaji Nao is a married woman with a husband and a son. She prioritizes taking care of her son over focusing on her appearance. Nao leads a content life until she is approached to become a reader model for the well-known women's fashion magazine, VANiTY. This opportunity marks a turning point in her life.

This story follows three generations of women from the Mikuriya family as they ponder the kind of life they want to live and tackle their challenges through saving money. Mikuriya Miho, the second daughter, recently moved out on her own after securing a well-paying job. She had aspirations of being a successful career woman with a loving partner, but a certain incident prompts her to reevaluate her path.

Shimako, an employee at a Tokyo travel agency, has a strong passion for Scandinavia. She resides in a cozy apartment filled with Scandinavian decor, cuisine, music, and various items that transport her to Finland. Unexpectedly, the company's president declares bankruptcy, prompting Shimako to deepen her affection for Finland.

A tale of experts who bring the departed back to their final resting place. Nami Izawa and Kashiwagi manage the business Angel Hearse. The narrative delves into the affection shared between the deceased and those left behind. (Amazon Prime Video) Based on the book "Angel Flight: Kokusai Reikyu Sokanshi" by Sasa Ryoko.

In the Kitano family, Kikujiro is described as a strict and hot-tempered individual with a comical old-fashioned style. Saki, on the other hand, is a positive, cheerful, and clever woman who often argues with her husband but stands by him through any difficulties. This story allows viewers to reflect on the strong and deep family bonds that existed in Japan during less prosperous times, as depicted in an autobiographical book by actor/director Takeshi Kitano.

Hou Liang Ping was assigned as an associate prosecutor and head of the anti-corruption division in Bian Xi Province to probe a murder case. His spouse, Zhong Xiao Ai, designated by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, was sent to Bian Xi under the guise of tending to their family, to conduct a covert inquiry into Hu's corrupt activities. Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles, Hou and Zhong were making progress in uncovering the truth and the criminal organizations involved in the murder.

This is the unusual tale of two women in the Marunouchi business area of Tokyo: a 34-year-old single woman and a 22-year-old searching for a spouse. Despite being friends, the two end up competing for the affection of one man. Tamako, the 34-year-old, is seen as an accomplished and fashionable woman at work, known as an "old miss." Despite her attractiveness and success, Tamako is still single, feeling frustrated by the young, good-looking new recruits who lack depth. Meanwhile, Chie, a 22-year-old office worker, is focused on finding her ideal partner and getting married, feeling discontent with her current situation. Both women become entangled in a love triangle with a man named Saeki, while still being involved with other partners. Their conflicting desires for love, stability, and success create a complex situation.

Kotoko, a 29-year-old woman employed at a company with foreign ties, finds herself in a predicament when the company goes bankrupt unexpectedly. She must now search for a new job to sustain herself in the bustling city. Despite her high expectations of working in Marunouchi, residing in Daikanyama, and going on dates in Aoyama, Kotoko faces the reality that these aspirations may not come to fruition. At a gathering, she encounters Natsume, an employee at a prominent trading firm, who presents her with another prospect: marriage. However, winning over Natsume proves to be more challenging than she anticipated. Subsequently, Kotoko meets Moriya, a quirky individual who owns a small glass factory in Edogawa. Although this unconventional work environment contrasts with her initial desires, Kotoko finds comfort in its coziness and decides to work there. Balancing a thriving love life with a humble workplace, Kotoko eventually starts a relationship with Natsume. Through her experiences at the glass factory, she learns valuable lessons about the individuals there, which deepens her connection to the idea of marrying Natsume. Fueled by these encounters, Kotoko embarks on a quest to discover her true calling.

Reiko, a 28-year-old employee at a housing company, experiences a sudden breakup with her boyfriend Koichiro after a 5-year relationship. Prior to this, Reiko was content balancing her career and love life, but the breakup leaves her struggling to focus at work and making uncharacteristic mistakes. This jeopardizes her job security and causes her physical appearance to deteriorate. Despite feeling overwhelmed with despair, she realizes there are greater issues in the world such as pollution and economic struggles. While contemplating these larger problems, she acknowledges that her own heartbreak over Koichiro is her current priority. Previously content with her stable job and relationship, the breakup shatters her sense of security. As she navigates through her emotions, she begins to notice other women in her surroundings and reconsiders her approach to work. Ultimately, she decides to immerse herself in a new romantic relationship as a way to move forward from her heartbreak.