Top 10 Japanese Dramas of 2023: A Showcase of Talent and Teamwork
Table of Contents
A leading Japanese television critic, Wakako Tayuki, has revealed her picks for the ten best Japanese dramas of 2023, offering a compelling glimpse into the year’s most impactful storytelling. Her selections highlight a shift in the industry, moving away from the dominance of individual auteurs towards a collaborative, “team power” approach to production.
Tayuki’s list includes a diverse range of shows, showcasing the breadth and depth of Japanese television. Her top ten are:
- “The Space-Wandering Classroom” (NHK General)
- “Lion’s Lair” (TBS)
- “Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea” (TBS)
- “the Swallow Will Not Come Back” (NHK General)
- “unmet: Diary of a Brain surgeon” (Kantele/Fuji TV)
- “When it comes to spring” (Kantele/Fuji TV)
- “Farewell Hospital” (NHK General)
- “Two people in the housing complex” (NHK BS)
- “Wings to the Tiger” (NHK General)
- “To you shining” (NHK General)
Tayuki singles out “The Space-Wandering classroom” as a prime example of this collaborative spirit. “The 2024 drama made us feel that we have moved from an era where charismatic scriptwriters and producers led the story to an era of ‘team power’,” she notes. the show, based on the work of Shin Iyohara and starring Masataka Kubota, is set in a unique part-time high school described as “a place to regain what you have given up.”
Initially, the show faced skepticism. ”In fact, when I proposed writing articles to several media outlets, they were rejected on the grounds that it was ‘too plain’,” Tayuki reveals. Despite its seemingly understated premise and setting, the drama resonated deeply with viewers. “Though, viewers were excited from the first episode, which featured a young man with dyslexia played by Kobayashi, and the enthusiasm grew with each episode.”
Tayuki emphasizes the collaborative nature of the production, highlighting the growth of young actors like Toranosuke Kobayashi. “It felt like a documentary where we watched Toranosuke Kobayashi grow and shine amidst a talented cast of actors and a sincere production team, and watch the team come together as one,” she explains. The show’s success, she argues, is a testament to the power of collective creativity and the potential of emerging talent.
Live-Action Adaptation of “The Floating Classroom” Inspires Hope Amidst Adversity
NHK’s new drama,”Sora Wataru Classroom,” a moving adaptation of a true story,is captivating audiences with its powerful message of hope and resilience. the series, currently airing, follows the journey of students and teachers in a unique learning surroundings, offering a poignant exploration of overcoming challenges.
“This is a place where you can regain what you have given up,” a line from the show perfectly encapsulates its core message. The production team, led by chief director Hisatake Yoshikawa and screenwriter Kaori Sawai (known for her work on ”Ai ga Nana”), meticulously crafted the series, drawing inspiration from the real-life experiences that inspired it.
The drama’s creators aimed to “depict hope” in a world often marked by inequality, echoing concerns about societal disparities prevalent in the U.S. as well. The show emphasizes the transformative power of education, highlighting how “learning = knowledge” can broaden horizons and inspire positive change. This resonates deeply with the American emphasis on education as a pathway to opportunity.
The production faced significant challenges, including filming with underage actors, requiring extensive safety measures such as covering all filming locations with black light-shielding plastic. Moreover, all scientific experiments depicted in the drama were meticulously recreated, underscoring the team’s commitment to authenticity. “The tedious work supported the integrity of this work,” a source close to the production noted.
A Triumph of Teamwork and Female Leadership
The success of “Sora Wataru Classroom” is further amplified by the impressive female-led production teams behind other recent notable Japanese dramas. The team behind “Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea,” written by Akiko Nogi, directed by Ayuko Tsukahara, and produced by Junko Arai, exemplifies this trend. Similarly, the teams behind “Hikaru Kimi e” and shows like “Ashi Girl” and “Scarlet” – with producers like Yuki Uchida and chief director Yuki Nakajima – showcase a new era of powerful female voices in Japanese television.
These productions, balancing grand scales with intricate human relationships, demonstrate a remarkable attention to detail. Their success underscores the growing influence of women in shaping compelling narratives on a global scale,a trend mirrored by the increasing representation of women in leadership roles within the American entertainment industry.
The Rise of Collaborative Storytelling: A Look at Top Japanese Dramas
Japanese television is experiencing a shift, moving away from individual auteurs driving narratives and towards a more collaborative approach too storytelling. This trend is exemplified in the Top 10 Japanese Dramas of 2023, as highlighted by leading critic Wakako Tayuki.
Wakako tayuki,
Senior Televison Critic,World-Today-News.com, speaks with us about this exciting progress in Japanese dramedy.
World-Today-News: Your recent list of Japan’s top dramas for 2023 features a diverse range of shows, but many share a consistent theme: collaboration.
Wakako Tayuki: You’re absolutely right.It feels like we’re moving away from a reliance on singular creative visions and toward a team effort. This is notably noticeable in shows like “The Space-Wandering Classroom” where the success is a direct result of the synergy between writers, directors, actors, and the production team.
World-Today-News: Can you elaborate on why “The space-Wandering Classroom” exemplifies this shift so well?
Wakako Tayuki: Initially, the show was met with skepticism. Its premise, a part-time high school set in a unique learning habitat, seemed “too plain.” But the brilliance lies in the execution. The young cast, led by Toranosuke Kobayashi who plays a young man with dyslexia, delivered deeply moving performances.
World-Today-News: You also mention that the success of “The Space-Wandering Classroom” is resemble a documentary. What do you mean by that?
Wakako Tayuki: It felt as though we were watching the cast,especially Kobayashi,evolve and grow alongside the story. The sincerity of the production team, their dedication to creating an authentic experience, shone through.
World-Today-News:
This focus on teamwork seems to be a recurring thread in many of your top picks.
Wakako Tayuki: Absolutely! Shows like “Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea,” “Lion’s lair” and even ” unMet: Diary of a Brain Surgeon” demonstrate this trend. There’s a conscious effort to amplify the strengths of each individual involved, resulting in a richer, more nuanced final product.
World-Today-News: Do you see this collaborative approach becoming the standard for Japanese drama in the future?
Wakako Tayuki: I believe so. This shift towards team power acknowledges the multifaceted nature of storytelling. It allows for more voices to be heard, more perspectives to be explored, ultimately creating a more diverse and engaging television landscape.
