Asian dramas like
Junjo Kirari

Sumire, a girl born in the affluent area of Kobe during the early Showa era, dedicated herself to creating children's clothing as a means of livelihood following the destruction of war. Eventually, she went on to open the first children's goods store in Japan.

Kawahara Kimiko, the oldest of three sisters, was born in Osaka in 1937. When she was nine years old, her family relocated to Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture. Surrounded by the local Shigaraki pottery, Kimiko developed a passion for ceramics and aspired to become a ceramics artist. Despite the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, she persevered and built a groundbreaking career in ceramic arts, from her early years to her marriage.

The 79th NHK Asadora series follows the story of twin sisters Megumi and Nozomi, who were separated at birth due to their parents' divorce. Despite this separation, they eventually meet and form a strong bond. Both sisters decide to pursue a career in singing, with Megumi, a high school student in Shimane prefecture who enjoys performing in a band, and Nozomi, an apprentice geisha raised by her mother in Kyoto. By a stroke of fate, the two girls meet and realize their uncanny resemblance. The drama is set in Shimane and Kyoto, with "Dandan" meaning "thank you" in the Izumo dialect.

Tsuneko Kohashi, the oldest daughter in the Kohashi family, was just 11 years old when her father, Takezo, passed away from tuberculosis. Embracing her father's belief in the value of everyday life, she took on the role of a parental figure for her mother, Kimiko, and her two younger sisters, Mariko and Yoshiko, earning her the nickname "Toto One-chan." Leading her family through challenging times, Tsuneko worked hard to support them as the head of the household. In the aftermath of the war, Tsuneko, Mariko, and Yoshiko collaborated to launch a lifestyle magazine in a war-torn Tokyo, catering to female readers. Named "Your Life," the magazine featured practical articles and quickly gained popularity. Thanks to the expertise of editor Hanayama Isaji, "Your Life" became an indispensable resource for women during the era of rapid economic growth.

The 62nd NHK Asadora Drama titled Watashi no Aozora is set in Oma-cho, Aomori and Chuo-ku, Tokyo. The series follows the journey of Kitayama Nazuna, a young mother, and her son Taiyo from Ohma, a small town in Aomori. Taiyo's father, Murai Kento, had dreams of becoming a professional boxer but had to give up due to a detached retina. Unaware of Nazuna's pregnancy, Kento left for America with another woman for eye treatment. After a successful operation, he returned to boxing but faced challenges in achieving success. Meanwhile, Nazuna gave birth to Taiyo and moved to Tokyo in search of Kento. Their paths cross by chance, leading Kento to try to reconnect with his newfound family. The series delves into their journey as they navigate the complexities of forming a family together.

Taking place in a pub located in the business district of Nagoya City called "Banzaiya", the story revolves around the daily lives of office workers and OLs (office ladies). It unfolds as a touching drama filled with human emotions, showcasing the relationships between the characters and delving into the past experiences of Etsuko, the bar's owner.

The 81st NHK Asadora introduces a new series titled Welkame. The plot follows Nami, a young woman who grew up in a minshuku. After moving to Tokyo for a job at a magazine company, she unexpectedly loses her position and is forced to return to her hometown, where she must navigate relationships with her family and old friends.

The narrative focuses on the experiences of a married couple, as narrated by Mura. (Tokyograph) Based on the memoir "Gegege no Nyobo" penned by Mura Nunoe, the spouse of manga artist Mizuki Shigeru. Presented as the 82nd NHK Asadora.

Nireno Suzume was born in 1971 in Gifu Prefecture to parents who operated a small eatery in a rural town

The story revolves around Hanako Muraoka, a translator who lived through the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods. Muraoka later translated the novel "Anne of Green Gables" by Canadian writer Lucy Maud Montgomery. This information was derived from the book "An no Yurikago Muraoka Hanako no Shogai" authored by Eri Muraoka, Hanako Muraoka's granddaughter. The English version of the book is titled "Anne's Cradle: The Life and Works of Hanako Muraoka."

In the story "Muse no Kagami," Rino Sashihara portrays a regular girl from a rural area without any remarkable attributes. Her life changes when she meets Okita Ryu, a once-popular actor, who recognizes her talent for quickly memorizing lines and her hidden acting skills. Impressed by her abilities, he guides her towards pursuing a career in acting.

Uno Meiko, the protagonist of a food-centric series, hails from a family that owns a western-style eatery in Tokyo. After tying the knot, she relocates to Osaka with her spouse, where she grapples with the contrasting cultures of the two cities while navigating her roles as a mother and wife.

Natsumi, a 23-year-old woman from Yokohama, is training with her father, a master baker, to become a pastry chef. She lives with her parents and younger brother. During a trip to Iwate Prefecture with her boyfriend Masaki for his grandmother Katsuno's 77th birthday, Katsuno falls ill and asks Masaki to return to run the ryokan she manages in Morioka City. Natsumi decides to stay in Yokohama while Masaki goes back to Morioka, but surprises him later by expressing her desire to become the ryokan's manager. Will Natsumi's journey be as smooth as the title suggests?

In 1929, Japan saw the establishment of its inaugural law school specifically for women. Among the students was Inotsume Tomoko, who went against societal norms. By 1938, the first female lawyers, such as Torako, began to emerge, earning admiration nationwide. However, with the outbreak of war, opportunities for their legal expertise decreased. Fast forward seven years, Torako, who had lost everything during the war, utilized her legal knowledge to survive. With a goal of becoming a judge, she dedicated herself to creating a family court to aid children orphaned by the war and women facing difficulties, aiming to assist those facing challenges beyond politics and finance.

The series effectively narrates the journey of a girl named Hyo Rin, who is perpetually troubled by matters of the heart

Based on Ba Jin's novel "Cold Nights," ( ) was the inspiration for this adaptation.

Taking place from the late Meiji era to the post-World War II period in Osaka, the story follows Fujioka Ten, inspired by Yoshimoto Sei, the founder of Yoshimoto Kogyo and a female comedy show promoter. Ten comes from a family involved in the drug wholesale business in Kyoto and falls in love with Kitamura Tokichi, the son of a family in the rice industry. Despite her parents' disapproval, Ten marries Tokichi, a passionate comedy enthusiast. Together, they manage a vaudeville theater, with Ten becoming the first woman in Japan to turn comedy into a profitable venture, turning Osaka into a hub for comedy.

In 1909, a baby boy was born to a family in Fukushima Prefecture who had been running a dry goods store for generations. This boy would grow up to become the renowned composer Koyama Yuichi, known for his many popular songs. Despite being raised as the heir to the family business, Yuichi was seen as a dreamy child with no outstanding qualities by those around him. However, his passion for music ignited a spark within him and allowed him to discover his talent for composing through self-teaching. As a young man, Yuichi secretly entered an international songwriting competition, where he achieved second place with his entry. This led him to meet a young female student aspiring to become a singer, and despite the distance between them (Fukushima and Toyohashi), the two eventually married. Upon moving to Tokyo, they faced many challenges but managed to create a number of successful songs. However, the outbreak of war forced Yuichi to compose wartime songs for the military, a task that weighed heavily on him as he witnessed young men perish in battle after singing his compositions. In the aftermath of the war, amidst the chaos of recovery, the couple embarked on a new musical journey aimed at uplifting and inspiring those who had suffered. (Jdrama Weblog) Inspired by the life of Japanese composer Yuji Koseki from Fukushima during the Showa Era.

Illustrates the experiences of three female generations who are deeply connected to the English language programs broadcasted on radio since 1925. (Twitter)

The narrative follows the Iwata family residing in Ikeda, Osaka City, during the 1950s and 1960s. Fuyuko (16), the youngest daughter, serves as the story's narrator. The family operates a bakery, with the ambitious and energetic mother, Teruko, striving to fulfill her aspirations. In line with Teruko's ambitions, the eldest daughter pursues figure skating while the second daughter achieves fame as a professional singer. In contrast, Fuyuko discovers her passion for baking bread.

Two identical twins were separated at birth and brought up in contrasting environments.

A community resides close to park number 8, each person with their own unique narrative. The tale follows five individuals navigating life in their fifties. (ChineseDrama.info)

Amid the usual activities of a typical neighborhood, there is a report that a female convict has managed to flee from prison and might be heading towards the area. The leader of the local community group, Akira Marukawa, suggests that all residents should be vigilant to safeguard the town. This proposal from Akira results in pandemonium within the community. As time passes, the hidden truths of each resident come to light... What is the true motive behind the fugitive's breakout?

The storyline follows the Shandong family through three different eras, spanning from 1923 to 1976. The protagonist shares the challenges faced by his family, initially as producers of sorghum wine and later as fighters against the Japanese invasion during World War II. In the upcoming drama adaptation, there will be a stronger focus on the female characters' viewpoints. Inspired by the book Red Sorghum ( ) written by Mo Yan ( ).

The NHK Asadora Renzoku Drama titled Churasan tells the story of Kohagura Eri, a young woman born on Kohamajima Island in Okinawa on May 15, 1972, the day Okinawa was returned to Japan from the U.S. When Kamimura Shizuko and her two sons, Kazuya and Fumiya, visit Eri's family's small inn, they are warmly welcomed by her fun-loving yet quirky family. Eri is surprised to learn that Kazuya is terminally ill, prompting Shizuko and her sons to spend their final days together in the beautiful Okinawan nature. After Kazuya's passing, Fumiya and Eri make a promise to marry in the future. Eventually, Fumiya and his mother leave the island to return to Tokyo. Years later, Eri works as a nurse and Fumiya as a doctor at the same hospital in Tokyo, where they are reunited.

The 67th NHK Asadora Drama follows the story of Manten, a young woman who grew up on a small island in southern Japan surrounded by nature. Inspired by her father, who disappeared at sea when she was eight years old, Manten holds onto his dream of space exploration. At eighteen, Manten faces pressure from her mother to decide on a career path or start paying rent, while also dealing with a declaration of love from a childhood friend. Despite these challenges, Manten remains determined to pursue her dream of joining Japan's National Space Development Agency, NASDA. However, she realizes that achieving this goal will require hard work and dedication, including obtaining a college education and gaining three years of experience in the field. As Manten navigates the complexities of life and love, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of space travel, making unlikely friendships along the way.

Akari's biological mother hails from Osaka. In order to delve deeper into her roots, she relocates to Osaka to reside with her grandmother. It is revealed that Akari's grandmother shut down the okonomiyaki eatery following the departure of Akari's adolescent mother. Subsequently, Akari takes it upon herself to revive the okonomiyaki restaurant and launch the business independently.

During the initial period of the Republic of China, the Murong family went through two generations who established factories and businesses, saw their growth and unfortunate downfall during the Sino-Japanese war, and later concentrated on reconstructing and growing the industry. This information was derived from the novel "Ban Yuan Jun" by Dong Xing Mei.

Unokichi, the descendant of the wealthiest trader in Edo, Mikuniya Tokuemon, finds himself working as a constable unexpectedly. Despite his vast riches and aloof demeanor, his coworkers are impressed by him. Unokichi, however, remains indifferent to their opinion. Lacking skill with a sword, unable to run, and fearful of the dark, he is ill-suited for the role. Nevertheless, he continues to inadvertently create misunderstandings with those around him as he collaborates with them to solve numerous cases in Edo. (Jdramas Wordpress)

A detective with a wealthy grandfather but lacking in combat skills, agility, and having a fear of darkness, makes a comeback to work on a case involving a gang of robbers.

Inspired by the collection of short stories titled "I Love You," authored by Kotaro Isaka, Ira Ishida, Takuji Ichikawa, Otsuichi, Ko Nakamura, and Takayoshi Honda.

Derived from the tale of Okuni.

Liu Yu Sheng comes from a wealthy background. Upon returning from studying overseas, he discovers that his family members have taken his assets and inheritance. Forced to work as a teacher at a small school to support himself, he meets an old friend, Zhou Yao Hua, who shares a strong anti-communist sentiment common in China. Despite his connections with communists, Liu Yu Sheng faces a dilemma of loyalty. Thus begins a series of challenging decisions for Yu Sheng.

In the late 1950s, a student named Wen Yi Qiu (played by Yin Tao) from the Beijing Broadcasting Institute falls in love with a Soviet announcer named Wei Ka and they get married in Beijing. However, the Soviet Union decides to recall its specialists from Beijing, leading Wei Ka to return to his homeland. Yi Qiu then moves to the border town of Hehei to work as an announcer in order to be closer to her husband. Eventually, Wei Ka is assigned to a post in Blagoveshchensk, a city on the other side of the border. Despite the distance, they find solace in listening to each other's broadcasts and hope for improved relations between China and the Soviet Union.

She may be gentle, but in a cruel world, she seeks justice. Returning to avenge the murder, she pursues the perpetrator, following the principle of retribution. (D-TV Channel YouTube)

The Qian family holds the esteemed title of being the premier florist in Hualing City. In a bid to elevate their family's status to that of royal merchants, Qian Jin Jin sets her sights on the young master of the Yan family for a marriage proposal. To assist her older sister, Qian Bao Bao proposes to marry the young master's uncle. This decision leads to a tangled web of relationships within the Qian family. The five sisters of the Qian family, known as the "Five Beauties of Qian" and recognized as the wealthiest in the capital, each have their own unique characteristics. Qian Jin Jin, the eldest and leader of the family, is driven by a desire for wealth. Qian Yin Yin, the second sister, is a renowned socialite known for her beauty. The third sister, Qian Zhu Zhu, is skilled in martial arts. Qian Bao Bao, the fourth sister, is known for her kindness and charm. The youngest sister, Qian Bei Bei, often finds herself in trouble. Qian Jin Jin's bold pursuit of Yan Yaoyu, the most handsome man in the capital, as a means to secure imperial connections for her business creates a stir. However, Yan Yaoyu mistakenly believes her intentions are based on his appearance. Unbeknownst to him, Qian Jin Jin's motives are purely business-oriented. After achieving her goal, Qian Jin Jin promptly presents Yan Yaoyu with divorce papers, causing him to feel humiliated. Determined to win back his wife, Yan Yaoyu devises a plan. Concerned for her sister's happiness, Qian Bao Bao takes matters into her own hands and proposes to marry Yan Yaoyu's uncle, Yan Qi, the patriarch of the Yan family.

The tale starts four years prior to her birth, when her mother Chou, a hopeful opera vocalist studying at a music school, crossed paths with her father Moritsuna, a skilled violin player. This narrative is inspired by the life of Kuroyanagi Tetsuko.

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.

The 75th NHK Asadora is titled Imo Tako Nankin and is set in 1962 Osaka. The series is inspired by an essay written by Tanabe Seiko, an acclaimed writer, which reflects on her own life. The main character, Hanaoka Machiko, is a 37-year-old single woman who works at a hardware store in Osaka City and also pursues writing. After falling ill from overwork, Machiko meets and falls in love with Tokunaga Kenjiro, a doctor who treats her. They eventually marry, but Kenjiro comes with a large extended family, including his five children, brother, sister, and parents. The drama follows Machiko as she navigates her new family dynamics while continuing to pursue her career as a novelist in a humorous and heartwarming manner.

Yuri is a young woman who was abandoned by her boyfriend, who is now in a relationship with another girl. Feeling heartbroken, she chooses to express her emotions by sending you multiple videos to vent.

Taking place in the 8th-9th century, Aterui leads the Emishi tribe in the Isawa Prefecture of northern Japan. Despite being outnumbered by the Yamato government's massive military force, Aterui bravely defends his tribe. This story is inspired by Katsuhiko Takahashi's novel "Kaen Kita no Yosei Aterui," published by Kodansha on October 16, 2002.

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