436. Shanai Marriage Honey 社内マリッジハニー (2020) Japanese

Itagaki Mizuki, Matsui Airi

Drama Rating: 7/10     Neck Score: A

Short and sweet perfectly describes this show. I hadn't watched a Japanese drama in a while, so when I saw all the praise I thought I would try it. It was exactly as they said. Super cute, with a couple who communicates well, and a heck of a lot of kissing. It's about a couple who get married after one meeting, for various reasons, and then we get to see them work it out into a really lovely marriage. They are super awkward at first, which is perfect, and then they slowly learn to open up, slowly get to know each other, and rather quickly get to the physical stuff because when you're already married and that attracted to each other, why not? But with every episode there is a newly discovered potential problem to figure out, but the great thing is that while they may not immediately just talk about it and try to solve it, they are constantly trying and they do talk if they can't figure it out right away. Basically this show is a cup of sunshine and a good short watch, especially if you need a huge dose of cute + skinship.

410. I Bought My Boyfriend With A Loan 彼氏をローンで買いました (2018) Japanese

Erina Mano, Ryusei Yokohama, Ikumi Hisamatsu, Yuriko Ono, Yasushi Fuchikami, Kyoko Hasegawa

Drama Rating: 1/10     Neck Score: A

The moral of this story (I'll just tell it now) is that I make bad drama decisions while waiting for Pillow Book to get subbed. I was bored, I hadn't watched a Japanese drama in a while, I wanted it to be like Kimi wa Petto and it was not. I guess I watched it so no one else has to. It was so baffling that this will now be full of spoilers.

It was basically an eight episode long rant about how society and feminism have ruined traditional gender roles by forcing women into the workplace. I'm not sure how much was tongue in cheek, but it made me angry and completely flabbergasted most of the time. The main character is working at the reception desk of a major company, a contract worker, and her main goal in life is to become a housewife. There is apparently a tradition, complete with a manual passed from receptionist to receptionist, of working there to snag an elite spec husband. This manual is full of things like: "never show your true feelings," "always smile," and "never be annoying."

298. You're My Pet きみはペット (2017) Japanese

Noriko Iriyama, Jun Shison, Terunosuke Takezai, Yurina Yanagi, Kayo Noro

Drama Rating: 6/10     Neck Score: A+++

I'm not quite sure how to start this. I watched the Korean movie version of this a while ago... twice... so obviously this adaptation made me super curious. It was much better, in fact. Partially because it has more time to develop the plot and characters, but also because that kid was just perfect for the role (although I have nothing against Jang Geun Suk). He made the perfect Momo. That perfect combo of cute puppy and suddenly sexy.

131. Liar Game ライアーゲーム (2007) Japanese

Matsuda Shota, Toda Erika, Suzuki Kazuma, Hiroko Taguchi

Drama Rating: 8/10     Neck Score: A+

I don't know if I should have watched this first, but after I loved the Korean version of Liar Game, I had to watch this one.  The only problem is I tried watching it too soon and got a bit bored because I knew what was going to happen already, which was sad, because this is so good.  I also have to compare it to the remake, because I watched it first, which is sad in some ways, because this one was first and very well done.  Well, being from 2007, it is also super dramatic and a bit cheesy in how it is dramatic.  Like a million fast zooms to each character's face every time anything sneaky or dramatic happens.  Also, this one comes off a lot more sinister and sketchy in how people get roped in and trapped, etc., since this is literally a con set up by super rich and cynical people rather than a game show.  I think it probably would be better to watch it first.  I still loved it.  It has many points that I liked better.  One big one is Matsuda Shota.  He does happen to be on my list of 10 sexiest necks, and with reason.  Rawr.  Lee Sang Yoon did a good job, but Matsuda Shota did a million times better.  He rocked it.  I did miss Shin Sung Rok, but what can you do?  Even if you don't decide to watch this one first (I didn't, but I think it would be good to) it is worth watching.  I am also planning on watching the second season and the movie as well, it's that good.  Sinister games, good honest people winning with their goodness, bad boy con artists with secret soft hearts, what more could you want?

124. Bitter Blood ビター・ブラッド (2014) Japanese

Sato Takeru, Watabe Atsuro, Kutsuna Shiori, Fukikoshi Mitsuru

Drama Rating: 8/10     Neck Score: A

Da na na na na na na na na na... Do you ever shine?!?  Do you ever shine... that song is still stuck in my head.  I loved this show, even though it had the creepiest bad guy ever, who had a Sawish type sense of creepy humor and some unexplained revenge desire.  Anyways, he was annoying, but this show was amazing.  It was literally the perfect blend of cop drama and cop comedy.  There was always something hilarious going on at the same time as something intense.  The whole team was just amazing, with their own quirky personalities and each having an episode kind of dedicated to them.  It's a bit serialish, with a case each episode, but with an overarching creepy bad dude they have to defeat at the end, etc.  It was a good, short, hilarious, action packed cop/detective show.  A good watch.  Also, this theme song is the best.  Also the MV version is cool too, with Sato Takeru featured in it too.  Yes!

101. The Reason I Can't Find My Love 私が恋愛できない理由 (2011) Japanese

Nose Karina, Yoshitaka Yoriko, Oshima Yuko, Inamori Izumi, Tanaka Kei 

Drama Rating: 4/10     Neck Score: B

I loved this show right up until the ending and then they ruined it, so I hated it.  It's supposed to be realistic and a that's life type of drama, but bad writing is bad writing.  It's a drama about three girls who decide to live together for various reasons, including the fact that it's cheaper, not lonely, and more fun.  They are all having different problems with love.  One is a tomboy who can't get over her best friend (who she only dated for 2 weeks).  One is a player who works at a club to pay the bills while she desperately tries to get her dream job.  One is a "sticky note" type girl who is so reserved and traditional that she is considered "too heavy" to date.  They also have to make a big deal out of her being a virgin.  The tomboy tries to make it work with her bestie, who then tells her he's getting married, the player falls for a married man (the tomboy's boss) and the sticky note girl looses her virginity but finds out it's not worth it when her boyfriend can't trust enough.  The worst part is there really isn't enough character growth to justify the fact that they all pretty much end up right where they started.  It's supposed to be girl power and not a romance, but there was too much romance that suddenly became anti-climatic at the end that it was dumb.  Fine, just kill our happiness to make your point.  That was lame.  The dudes in it are ok looking, with some good necks an some less good necks, but since they aren't the focus, it becomes irrelevant too.

70. Clinic on the Sea 海の上の診療所 (2013) Japanese

Matsuda Shota, Takei Emi, Fujiwara Norika, Fukushi Sota, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi

Drama Rating: 7/10      Neck Score: A

Didn't expect this one to be as awesome as it was.  It's one of the best little comedies I have seen.  They set up their running jokes so well and then proceed to make fun of them themselves.  For instance, every episode Kota Sensei (Matsuda Shota) falls in love with a girl every episode, announces that he's going to leave the boat, and then is brokenhearted.  After a few episodes of this they stop paying attention to his announcements.  Later, they make fun of him by having another character do the same thing, using the same words.  Or at the end of each episode he says he's going to play a song on his guitar and then each response to this builds off of the other.  It's only 11 episodes long, and it's very delightful.  It is a medical drama, but it's never so serious, or takes itself serious, but is also very appropriate.  Also the chemistry between Kota and Mako-chan (Takei Emi), as co-workers, friends, crushes, etc, is wonderful.  The running jokes of him teasing her, stealing her pudding, or getting hit by her slipper, are some of the things that keeps the show lighthearted and lovely.  It was a really well written drama and just what I needed at the time.  It was a real joy to watch.  Plus Matsuda Shota is on the list of Top 10 Sexy Necks, and him in a doctor's coat, or those cute bad sweaters he wears, is reason enough right there to watch this.  So good.

64. Switch Girl 1&2 スイッチガール！！ (2011 & 2012) Japanese

Nishiuchi Mariya, Kiriyama Renn, Sakata Rikako, Jinnai Sho

Drama Rating: 2/10     Neck Score: A

I know there are two seasons here, and I watched them at two separate times... but they were close together, and the show is show short that I can just talk about it together.  I'm embarrassed to say I watched this, a bit, since it's a pretty gross show.  I don't just mean with the nasty fart humor etc when she is in her "off" mode, but in the fact that the whole show basically revolves around sex.  Seriously.  Especially the 2nd season.  Seriously the main plot arc was her wanting to have sex with him, since they were together, but then every bad guy wanted to rape them all, etc.  It was crazy.  So, a lot of sex humor, especially in the 2nd season, and also a lot of nasty humor, which I'm fine with, but this was excessive.  I mean really excessive.  But props to the show, it's pretty much exactly like the manga.  Exactly.  Also the dudes in it are pretty hot, but still.  It gives off a bit of nasty feel to it theme-wise.  It's all about sex.

43. Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo イタズラなKiss～Love in Tokyo (2013) Japanese

Miki Honoka, Furukawa Yuki, Yamada Yuki

Drama Rating: 7/10     Neck Score: A

Best of the Itazura na Kiss dramas, as it sticks closest to the manga and adds less weird embellishments that make an already lame story lamer.  Next best is probably the Taiwanese version It Started With a Kiss... but only if you like Jiro Wang.  Anyways, we have a 16 year old, a 26 year old, and a 23 year old and they're all playing high school seniors.  The dudes are way better at looking that young than the 16 year old girl at looking older when they grow up and become college students.  What makes this the best one of all these is actually Furukawa Yuki.  How does he do that impassive face while still letting us know exactly what he's thinking.  I swear his face doesn't change but we can still read the new expression.  Every time he is jealous, every time he is attracted to her, every time he likes her, every like he thinks she's ridiculous.  Also, she is more likeable than most of the others, playing this crazy girl role in a more realistic and relate-able way.  It works because we can actually tell that he likes her from as soon as he starts liking her, and it doesn't just come off as boredom and anger (cough cough Kim Hyun Joong cough cough).  As silly as this story is, this adaptation is actually fun to watch (especially if you like tall skinny boys and pretty boys with great hair).  Personally thought both boys were hot, decent actors with hot necks.  The most annoying part is her chorus of yell in unison friends.  You don't need to say everything at the same time!  Seriously.

17. Hana Yori Dango 花より男子 (2005) Japanese

Inoue Mao, Matsumoto Jun, Oguri Shun, Matsuda Shota , Abe Tsuyoshi

Drama Rating: 5/10     Neck Score: A

The Japanese version of Boys Over Flowers, but actually based on the Taiwanese version and the manga.  So much better than the Korean version, but that isn't saying too much.  I just think that it shows the right flavor a bit more.  Also, it might help that I only watched the first season that didn't get to the amnesia part, which is the worst plot device ever.  However, I hear that it is handled closer to the manga which makes more sense then what was randomly thrown into the Korean BOF version.  Also, no offense to the Korean F4 who are super super hot, but when you have Matsumoto Jun and Matsuda Shota to compete with... well... they're just hotter.  Especially MatsudaShota, although he has really bad hair in Hana Yori Dango if I remember correctly... at least he does in the movie sequel of it... yes, I watched that too.