Asian dramas like
Judge 2007

It has been a year since Misawa Kyosuke, a city-raised individual, was appointed as the sole judge on a secluded island. He managed to gain the confidence of the island's residents. The narrative follows Misawa as he establishes himself as a dependable judge in the last year of his tenure on the island before heading back to Tokyo. (DramaWiki)

Explains the efforts of attorneys in the pursuit of fairness and honesty

Domoto Akari is a new lawyer known as "Hokaben," a fresh-faced legal professional. Sugisaki Tadashi, her superior at a prominent law firm, has lost his enthusiasm for the job and is now indifferent. The two of them are the only attorneys in the firm's Pro Bono (For Public Good) division, established to meet their social responsibility. Akari holds onto the belief that the law exists to protect the vulnerable, while Sugisaki, with his experience, knows that the law can also be used as a weapon. Despite facing difficult realities with each new client seeking help, will they choose to give up or confront the challenges head-on? -NTV

A young man uncovers the origins of his transplanted heart.

Created through a collaboration between the Buildings Department of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), these stories are based on actual cases faced by the Buildings Department

The plot revolves around a group of creators striving to keep producing their series "Gilgamesh Battle", recognized for its provocative themes and nudity

In the plot, we witness the journey of Yukari Ichiko, a young woman working as an announcer, as she faces a significant setback in her career

A clandestine tale of intrigue unfolds within the hidden gambling dens of Roppongi, Tokyo

Connected to traffic signs on the road, this piece explores the journey of an individual who takes on the role of a substitute driver following a job loss.

The committee of prosecutors' scrutiny, comprised of regular citizens, challenges the authority held by the prosecutors! A lone father and manga creator sparks a rebellion reminiscent of Joan of Arc! (Japanese = tv-tokyo

Mutsumi is a new designer working for a small design firm called Lemon Design. She is currently focused on preparing for magazine photo shoots, such as finding suitable locations and collaborating with photographers. Despite her role, Mutsumi feels uncertain about her abilities as a designer. Tetsuko picks up on Mutsumi's emotions and reassures her by stating that she is a valuable employee. Mutsumi is puzzled by Tetsuko's comment.

A theatrical piece centered around the romantic relationships of two couples.

In a lingerie boutique, a woman assists customers of all ages, ranging from young girls to women in their forties, in this collection of five stories. Each individual finds herself at a pivotal moment in her life as a woman.

After deciding to leave her studies, Sammi Shum marries Raymond Lam, the son of a wealthy businessman, against her father's wishes. Initially feeling like she was living in a fairy tale, Sammi's world shatters when she discovers her husband's infidelity. Struggling with post-natal depression after losing custody of her son, QQ, during the divorce, Sammi is fortunate to be offered an assistant position at a law firm by her friend Yip Heung Fai. Determined to regain custody of her son, Sammi works diligently while also resuming her law degree. As things start to settle, she crosses paths with Mark Ko, who had represented her ex-husband in the custody battle and is now her boss. Despite Mark not initially recognizing her, Sammi's hostility towards him eventually gives way to a deeper understanding and blossoming romance. Meanwhile, her son QQ unexpectedly reenters her life.

Law Lik Ah, a former barrister who sought personal recognition, undergoes a change of heart after establishing a Legal Advice Centre in Sham Shui Po with his cousin George Mike and friend Tin Ka Fu. Through this experience, he comes to understand that legal assistance should be accessible to all, not just the wealthy. As a result, Law Lik Ah becomes a beloved figure in Sham Shui Po, supporting grassroots movements in their fight against injustice using unconventional methods. Meanwhile, barrister Kris Wong Si Fu, who once admired Law Lik Ah's skills, begins to resent him for what she perceives as a decline in his status as a lawyer. However, after working together on several cases, the two develop a mutual respect and romantic feelings. Kris, in addition to nurturing her relationship with Law Lik Ah, strives to establish herself as a top practitioner in the field. To achieve this goal, she seeks mentorship from renowned barrister Spencer Cheung Pak Kei. Spencer, known for his penchant for causing trouble, deliberately involves Kris in a legal dispute. In a bid to protect Kris, Law Lik Ah is compelled to challenge the legal system.

The setting of the story is the Meiji era, where Matsuzaka Kurenai lives as a typical wife and mother. While her husband is at work, she stays home to care for her son and manage the household. However, Kurenai has a dark past - her father was a mercenary who carried out killings for justice and profit. Witnessing her father commit a murder when she was young, she harbored resentment towards him. Over time, she honed her skills in short knife fighting. In the first episode, Kurenai becomes entangled in a troubling situation involving a female friend who hired mercenaries to eliminate a target. Tragically, the friend and her family were killed by the mercenaries before they could carry out the job. The leader of the mercenaries is Ebisuya Bunzo, along with members Oaki, Kagenosuke, Akane, and Ryuji. When Kurenai offers to assist, Bunzo, who was once her father's partner, insists she either take a share of the payment or leave. Ultimately, Kurenai decides to accept the money and follows in her father's footsteps as a hired mercenary.

The story takes place in the heart of Tokyo, where Tamayo, a determined wife in the Aramaki family, resides with her mother-in-law Yoshie. Their relationship is marked by constant clashes and disagreements, creating a tense atmosphere in the household. Despite being caught in the middle of their disputes, Ryosuke, the family's provider, strives to unite the two women. However, their dynamic is put to the test when the man they both care for suddenly goes missing. Forced to coexist under one roof, these two women, who are vastly different from each other, embark on a journey to understand and bond with each other. This heartfelt drama is filled with moments of laughter and tears.

Fuji-TV dedicates its late-night time slot for innovative projects, providing opportunities for aspiring young writers, filmmakers, and directors to showcase their talents. Each series runs for a duration of four weeks, featuring a cast of emerging talents from the entertainment industry. The themes explored in these dramas are tailored to appeal to a younger audience. (DramaWiki)

"Machiben" follows the journey of four attorneys dedicated to assisting the vulnerable and oppressed individuals within their community.

A story unfolds around a teacher who educates children in hospitals. Junpei, a physics educator aged 32 working at a secondary school, is reassigned to a facility for children with disabilities. One of his responsibilities is to provide individualized instruction to children in hospitals. Through interacting with children battling life-threatening illnesses, he gains insights into the essence of education and life.

The story revolves around a female protagonist who transitions to a new career path and rises to the position of president at a car dealership in the male-dominated society of the 1970s. Hisako Makino decides to leave her position at a prominent textile company before the age of 25, the designated retirement age for women during that era, and embarks on a career as a saleswoman in the automotive industry. The narrative unfolds her journey to success, intertwined with the experiences of her peers from high school who belong to the baby-boom generation.

A story unfolds around an auditor torn between his obligations and his empathy. Miyazaki Kenji is employed at an auditing company, where he challenges his colleagues who overlook deceitful practices to help struggling businesses. While striving to adhere to regulations, he starts to question his stance as he witnesses clients being pushed to their limits by stringent policies.

Kanzaki Shimako, a 31-year-old single office worker, has been employed in the General Affairs division of a well-known company for 9 years. Known for her competence, reliability, strong sense of duty, and competitive nature, Shimako is tasked with training three Chinese individuals after her company decides to outsource some of its operations.

Amano Yoshihiko is employed at the large Mizunami Bank where he is entrusted by the president to handle the concealment of 700 million yen in bad debt. Despite facing numerous challenges such as a determined politician, the president's ex-mistress running a hostess club, and opposition from his coworkers, Amano dedicates himself to resolving the issue for the benefit of the bank and its president. As he becomes increasingly entangled in the situation, his personal life begins to unravel.

A tale of a woman who discovers a fresh start after a chance meeting with an American man and their eventual parting ways. Rika Kudo leaves her job at a bank to join UNHCR in Tokyo, where she crosses paths with Ed, who eventually becomes her spouse. Following their wedding, Ed departs for Sudan to work on a refugee aid mission, causing strain on their relationship. Following their separation, Rika discovers that Ed was tragically killed in Afghanistan, leaving a profound impact on her life.

Morio, a jobless individual, finds himself attending a trial for the first time and is captivated by the human dynamics within the courtroom. This newfound interest soon becomes a hobby for him as he interacts with like-minded individuals at court who educate him on the proceedings and help him identify the most intriguing trials. (DramaWiki)

Hitomi is a mother raising two young boys, Shun and Ryo, on her own. Her sons have always admired her beauty and are proud of her. But Hitomi's journey to motherhood was unique - she used to be a man named Hitoshi. Ten years ago, Hitomi underwent sexual reassignment surgery after being diagnosed with gender identity disorder, and transitioned to living as a woman.

A film inspired by actual events follows the journey of a young woman as she unravels her father's past as a Japanese orphan in China during the aftermath of World War II. Kido Hisae travels to China to delve into her father's tragic history and his deep connection with his foster mother. Through this exploration, she forms a bond with her father's foster family and gains a profound understanding of the enduring power of human relationships across different nationalities and generations.

Kana Aoyama, a 38-year-old television journalist at CTN, is recognized for her determination and strong-willed nature when it comes to seeking out the truth. Despite facing challenges, Kana has been unwavering in her quest to solve a long-standing case. Recently, she was tasked with leading a team of unconventional reporters, including the likes of Hiroshi Shiraishi, a reporter known for his difficult interviews, and Midori Okusawa, a TV announcer with a history of missteps. The team also comprises Shu Akasaka, a reporter focused on political news, Isao Koda, a cameraman who fancies himself a director, Ken Shimura, a camera assistant who is seldom seen handling the camera, and AD Yu Momoi, easily influenced by others. Their initial assignment involved covering the sudden reappearance of seals in the Tama River. However, Kana's attention is drawn to the mysterious disappearance of the Prime Minister during a confrontation with the U.S. Secretary of State. Upon reviewing footage of the Prime Minister before and after his disappearance, Kana uncovers a significant detail that goes unnoticed by others. Despite facing resistance and skepticism from her team, Kana boldly declares their focus on investigating the Prime Minister's disappearance, leading to their reputation being tarnished among their peers.

In "Karyu no Utage," the plot revolves around a middle-class housewife named Kuroki who has instilled in her son the belief that hard work leads to success. However, their relationship becomes strained when her son's laziness causes conflict between them. Additionally, he meets a woman online who works as a part-timer like him and decides to marry her. As the mother grapples with the disparity between her expectations and the reality of her situation, the film delves into the broader theme of societal gaps in modern times.

In 2008, Kaido released "Madonna Verde" as a follow-up to "Gene Waltz," delving deeper into the controversial topic of surrogate pregnancy in Japan. Kuninaka portrays the character of Dr. Rie Sonezaki, affectionately known as the "Cool Witch" by her peers in the obstetrics division. Previously, this role was portrayed by Miho Kanno (33) in the film adaptation of "Gene Waltz." In "Madonna Verde," Rie and her husband (portrayed by comedian Jin Katagiri) desire to start a family, but Rie's previous illness has left her without a uterus. To fulfill their dream, they enlist Rie's mother Midori (played by Matsuzaka) as the surrogate, embarking on their journey discreetly. However, their secret is jeopardized when Midori's admirer Maruyama (played by Kyozo Nagatsuka) discovers their arrangement. Subsequently, a professor at Rie's university hospital (Hirotaro Honda) receives a damning letter, prompting Midori and Rie to fabricate the story that the child in Midori's womb is her own.