Nov. 15, 2023

Japanese Dramas to Look Forward to in 2024

As we bid farewell to 2023 and embrace the promises of a new year, the world of entertainment is gearing up to deliver a fresh wave of Japanese dramas that are bound to captivate viewers in 2024. Let's take a sneak peek into two binge-worthy dramas set to make their debut, promising love, hope, and a glimpse into the evolving landscape of Japanese television. By: Wee Yan Ling

Directed by Toichiro Ruto, Daisuke Yamamoto and Yuku Saito, Ossan’s Love - Returns is a highly anticipated sequel which first aired in 2018. It explores the life of three main characters after overcoming the pandemic. The narrative encapsulates an era that embraces diversity and highlights male-to-male romance. 

It first gained popularity in 2016 as a late-night one-shot drama and turned into a serial drama in 2018. It had attained numerous accolades such as the Confidence Award Drama Prize’s Best Drama, Tokyo Drama Awards Grand Prix, Television Drama Academy Awards’ Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, and Elan D’or Awards. 

The drama follows Soichi Haruta, a real estate employee in his thirties who is facing challenges in his love life. When his mother leaves, he moves in with his co-worker who reveals romantic feelings with him. Making things more complicated, his boss also confesses his love. Now, he has to deal with an unexpected love triangle. The story delves into the themes of hope, fate, and the struggles people face when they are in pursuit of happiness and success. 

It is set to premiere in January 2024 every Friday on the local TV station TV Tokyo. 

Tora ni Tsubasa tells the story of Japan’s first-ever law school exclusively for women being established. It helped set the stage for an extraordinary group of women who defied the norms during the time. In 1938, the first batch of female lawyers emerged from the pioneering institution. 

They made a triumphant entry into the legal world however it happened in conjunction with the war that diminished all their hopes of applying what they have learnt. After seven years, Torako found herself with nothing left in the aftermath of the war and determined to be a judge, she worked tirelessly to establish her own family court particularly for children affected from the war and women in fire circumstances. She works alongside her colleagues to resolve problems that neither politics nor economics could resolve and aid those in need.

The show will be aired from Monday to Fridays in early 2024 on NHK station.

As we eagerly anticipate these upcoming dramas, we are reminded of the power of storytelling to inspire, entertain, and connect us with the world. Japanese television continues to break boundaries and tell stories that resonate with audiences from all walks of life. 

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