One of my favourite Japanese TV genres has got to be the tough love teaching genre. You know, like Dangerous Minds but with teachers who have a background other than teaching that always comes to the surface at the worst possible time. Gokusen had a female teacher who was the grand daughter of a Yakuza …
In the South Hall of Ouran Private School, life for honour student Haruhi is about to become much more interesting. She was just looking for a quiet place to study; instead she stumbled into the school’s own private male Host Club. Startled by this revelation, she knocks over and breaks an expensive vase, which she …
Nobuko finally landed her dream job working at a top fashion magazine. Working for an Editor in Chief who wants her staff to keep their petite figures, she puts in long hours doing menial tasks with the hope that one day she will get her first big article. Her opportunity comes when given the chance …
Daichi Sawamoto is devoted to his work as a journalist and providing for his family, but he spends so much time focused on his job that he doesn’t notice his family falling apart around him. One day he arrives home to find his wife has left him, a manilla envelope containing divorce papers on the …
How would you react if one day you came home and found a box of money waiting for you?With nothing more than a suspicious looking letter accompanying this box, Nao Kanzaki finds herself part of the Liar Game Tournament. And at the very bottom of the case containing the mystery money there is a video …
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon holds a special place in the hearts of millions of girls all over the world, mine included. Naoko Takeuchi created the ultimate magical girls manga, which became an anime spanning 200 episodes and a few movies. It is the ultimate guilty pleasure for girls and guys alike. Alongside Dragon Ball Z, …
The veterinarians of Japan see themselves as years behind in the animal medicine practice compared to their American and European counterparts. Most doctors find themselves unable to specialize in one particular area of their art but there are some among them who want to change that. Tottori-sensei might be the rudest vet in Tokyo, seemingly …
Second generation actor Kusunoki Taiga (played by Matsumoto Jun) has always lived in the shadow of his father, long time star of one of Japan’s most popular TV dramas. When his father Kotaro suddenly passes away, Taiga sets out to make a name for himself, auditioning for more roles and trying to get away from …
Every season of Japanese television features a few different police dramas, some light-hearted, others much more serious. Zettai Reido is Japan’s version of Cold Case, featuring Aya Ueto as a young detective newly transferred to the Special Investigations Unit. This unit deals with cases long forgotten, pursuing with new leads if they arise and actively trying to clear …
Based (very loosely) on the life of manga-ka Reiko Saibara and her essay Kono Yo de Ichiban Daiji na ‘Kane’ no Hanashi Eri’s life hasn’t been the easiest. Her mother and birth father separated when she was younger, only to have him come back into her life the day he’s found dead in a ditch. …
