Missing First Love? 4 Japanese romantic dramas that are sweet, soulful and slightly devastating

In 2022, a Japanese drama named First Love swept the ratings on Netflix. It was sweet, wholesome and had an entire fanbase of its own, with many still dissecting the plot. The plot seemed simple: It’s the story of two people who met in the adolescent stage of life and practically grew up together. And 15 years later, they meet and try to bring back the old, safe feeling of what they once shared.

If you’re drawn to romance, longing, and all things heart-fluttering, there are plenty more J-dramas that have sparked similar buzz—and emotional breakdowns—in the best way.

The Future Diary

If you're into reality dating shows with a twist, The Future delivers. The concept follows two strangers, who are handed a mysterious diary that ‘foretells’  how their love story will unfold—awkward first meetings, romantic moments, and all. But beyond the drama and sweet tension, this show is a hidden gem for Japanese language learners.

You will see people navigating first dates, express feelings politely, and slowly break down formality as they grow closer, something that’s rarely captured in textbooks. From respectful phrases to casual banter, the evolving speech styles offer a front-row seat to how relationships actually progress in Japanese culture.

From Me To You

From Me to You isn’t your average glittery high school love story. It kicks off with Sawako, sweet, shy, and unfortunately mistaken for Sadako from The Ring (yes, the creepy ghost girl!). Owing to her rather eerie vibe, classmates steer clear... until a popular boy sees through the rumours.

What follows is a slow-burn romance packed with heartwarming friendships, awkward crushes, and emotional growth—all told in everyday Japanese that’s perfect for language learners. You'll pick up real phrases teens use when gossip flies, feelings bloom, and misunderstandings run wild.

Last Cinderella

In this warm story, we meet Sakura Toyama, a 39-year-old single woman and assistant manager at a beauty salon. Despite her professional success, Sakura is missing a stable romance in her life. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Hiroto Saeki, a charming BMX rider 15 years her junior. However, Hiroto has his own reasons for befriending her. Nevertheless, they fall in love, leading to a complicated love triangle. The series taps into themes of self-discovery, age-gap relationships, and the societal expectations placed on women approaching middle age.

On a starry night

Yukimiya Suzu, a 35-year-old gynecologist, may spend her days delivering new life, but inside, she feels anything but alive. Worn down by the quiet pressure of a conformist seaside town and a life driven more by status than dreams, Suzu has grown emotionally numb—her friendships faded, her ambitions long buried. Hoping to breathe again, she escapes on a solo camping trip, where fate throws her a curveball: Hiiragi Issei, a much younger, deaf man who speaks volumes with just his gestures. Their silent connection breaks through Suzu’s walls, offering her the unexpected chance to truly feel again. Despite the differences in age, communication, and worldview, Suzu can’t ignore the light that Issei brings into her life, a light that just might lead her back to herself.