That bittersweet ache of first love never truly fades – and these four Japanese dramas capture its magic, melancholy, and life-changing power with exquisite precision. Whether you’re craving nostalgic butterflies or cathartic tears, these soul-stirring stories promise emotional resonance that lingers long after the credits roll.
1. “First Love” (2022) – The Netflix phenomenon
This record-breaking drama weaves two timelines together to narrate a decades-long love story between a taxi driver and his long-lost love. With its ethereal Hokkaido landscapes and haunting Utada Hikaru soundtrack, it’s a class in romantic longing that shattered viewing records throughout Asia.
2. “From Five to Nine” (2015) – When opposites attract
A fiery temple heiress and a stoic Buddhist monk navigate cultural clashes and forbidden attraction in this slow-burn charmer. The drama’s clever balance of laugh-out-loud moments and poignant emotional beats makes its eventual payoff utterly devastating.
3. “Orange” (2016) – A love letter from the future
Half sci-fi thriller, half poignant coming-of-age, this remake follows high school students who get letters from their future selves attempting to stop a classmate’s suicide. The delicate romance at its center will leave you emotionally devastated in the best way possible.
4. “Love That Makes You Cry” (2016) – Emotional acupuncture
True to its title, the anthology series brings eight individual tales of love in all its messy brilliance. Episode 3 (“The Silent Restaurant”) – on a chef and his deaf customer – has reduced even the toughest viewers to tears.
Why They Resonate:
Unlike Western romances, these Japanese classics excel at mono no aware – the poignancy of fleeting moments. From unsatisfied longings to tiny gestures that say it all, they make us remember why first loves leave an indelible mark. Have tissues and ice cream ready.
