**Warning this article contains tag/genre spoilers **
On 30th April, the Heisei Imperial Era ended and the Reiwa Era began. I wrote up this article highlighting the best of the Heisei in Dramas and Movies as indicated by the ratings and popularity on MDL. I also did a little poll on the forums a few people participated in. For the results of this, follow this link.
I did set some parameters or it would only reflect the same 5 dramas as they cross multiple genres.
They are as follows:
- A drama can only be featured once, so once the graphic is set for one genre it will not appear again.
- Pick the genre it is most appropriate. For example, Ouroboros came up for Terminal Illness, but, in my head, it is not the same as 1 Litre of Tears or Koizora.
- 1 person rating of 10 is not the same weight as 12,586 people rating of 7.5, the later is a true average.
I give thanks and recognition to eightocci for helping to do the research and doctorminsuks who helped with a second opinion. :)
✬✬✬✬✬✬Action✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
OuroborosRatings: 8.7/10 from 3,438 users Starring: Oguri Shun, Ikuta Toma and Ueno Juri. This choice was followed closely by:- Bitter Blood (8.5), - Bloody Monday (8.4), - Kaitou Yamaneko (8.4), - Gokusen (8.1) and - Tokyo DOGS (7.9). | |
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend EndsRatings: 8.9/10 from 3,365 users Starring: Sato Takeru, Fujiwara Tatsuya and Kamiki Ryunosuke. This choice was followed closely by: - Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (8.8), - Rurouni Kenshin (8.7), - Brain Man (8.2), - Battle Royale (8.0) and - Black Butler (7.7). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Adventure✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Yuusha Yoshihiko to Maou no ShiroRatings: 8.3/10 from 574 users Starring: Yamada Takayuki, Kinami Haruka and Sato Jiro. Followed closely by:- Seirei no Moribito (8.1) and - Yuusha Yoshihiko to Akuryo no Kagi (8.2). | |
Ajin ~ Demi-HumanRatings: 8.1/10 from 701 users This choice was followed closely by: - Space Brothers (8.0), - 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End (7.9) and - A Boy and His Samurai (7.7). **The Rurouni Kenshin movies come up again as the top 2 results but as they are already featured I picked the next highest. |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Age Gap✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Chugakusei NikkiRatings: 8.7/10 from 1,076 users Starring: Arimura Kasumi, Okada Kenshi and Machida Keita. This choice was followed closely by: - Hajimete Koi wo Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi (8.6), - Ossan's Love (8.5), - Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu (8.4), - Gakkou no Kaidan (8.0) and - Kimi wa Petto (7.7). | |
The Liar and His LoverRatings: 8.2/10 from 5,145 users Starring: Sato Takeru, Ohara Sakurako and Kubota Masataka. This choice was followed closely by:- Daytime Shooting Star (8.2), - My Rainy Days (8.2), - My Teacher (7.7) and - Close Range Love (7.6). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Animals✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Juui DolittleRatings: 7.5/10 from 1,296 users Starring: Oguri Shun, Narimiya Hiroki, Inoue Mao and Suda Masaki.Followed by: - Nankyoku Tairiku (8.6), - Bokura wa Kiseki de Dekite Iru (8.6), - Neko Zamurai (7.8), - Aquarium Girl (7.7) and - Blanket Cats (7.8). This was hard because apparently, MDL Japanese watchers don't watch a lot of dramas about animals. :) | |
If Cats Disappeared From the WorldRatings: 8.3/10 from 1,293 users Starring: Sato Takeru, Miyazaki Aoi and Hamada Gaku. This choice was followed closely by: - Little Forest: Summer & Autumn (8.5, but only 434 raters), - 10 Promises To My Dog (8.2) and - You and Me (8.1). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Business✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Hanzawa NaokiRatings: 8.9/10 from 1,584 users Starring: Sakai Masato, Ueto Aya and Kagawa Teruyuki. This choice was followed closely by: - Ossan's Love (8.5), - Rich Man, Poor Woman (8.2), - Jimi ni Sugoi! Koetsu Garu Kono Etsuko (8.2), - Boku, Unmei no Hito desu (8.1) and - dele (8.7, but only 474 raters). | |
Not enough data available for movies about business from 1989 -2019. |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Comedy✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Nobunaga ConcertoRatings: 8.5/10 from 2,323 users Starring: Oguri Shun, Shibasaki Kou, Yamada Takayuki and Mukai Osamu. Followed by:- Todome no Kiss (8.5), - Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto (8.2), - Love Shuffle (8.1), - Boku, Unmei no Hito desu (8.0) and - Hotaru no Hikari (7.7). | |
Nodame Cantabile: The Final Score - Part IIRatings: 8.5/10 from 3,156 users Starring: Ueno Juri, Tamaki Hiroshi, Wentz Eiji and Takenaka Naoto. Followed by: - Nodame Cantabile: The Final Score - Part I, - My Little Monster (8.0), - My Love Story!! (8.0), - Gintama (7.9), - Heroine Disqualified (7.9), - Princess Jellyfish(7.9) and - Love Exposure (7.8). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Crime✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Kurosagi
Starring: Yamashita Tomohisa, Horikita Maki and Ichikawa Yui. - HERO (8.1), - One Million Stars Falling from the Sky (7.9), - Hidarime Tantei EYE (7.7), - Ikebukuro West Gate Park (8.1) and - Final Cut (7.7). | |
Lupin IIIRatings: 7.7/10 from 910 users Starring: Oguri Shun, Ayano Go and Kuroki Meisa. Followed by:- Shoplifters (8.6), - Himizu (8.1), - Inuyashiki (8.1), - The Blue Flame (7.8) and - All About Lily Chou Chou (7.9). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Delinquent(youth crime)✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
GokusenRatings: 8.1/10 from 9,576 users Starring: Matsumoto Jun, Nakama Yukie and Oguri Shun. Followed by:- Yankee-kun to Megane-chan (7.5), - Tumbling (8.1), - ROOKIES (8.0), - HiGH&LOW (8.4) and - Kyou Kara Ore Wa!! (8.5). | |
Crows ZeroRatings: 8.1/10 from 3,700 usersStarring: Oguri Shun, Yamada Takayuki and Kuroki Meisa. Followed by: - Drowning Love (7.2), - Drop (7.4), - Pika*nchi Life Is Hard However Happy (7.4) and - Box! (7.9). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Detective✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
MR. BRAINRatings: 8.3/10 from 3,860 users Starring: Kimura Takuya, Ayase Haruka and Mizushima Hiro. - Maou (8.5), - Bitter Blood (8.5), - Kaitou Yamaneko (8.3), - Okitegami Kyoko no Biboroku (8.4) and - BORDER (8.3). | |
Brain ManRatings: 8.2/10 from 1,686 usersStarring: Ikuta Toma, Matsuyuki Yasuko and Ohta Lina. Followed by: - Prophecy (8.2), - Suspect X (8.2), - Confession of Murder (8.2), - Death Note (7.8) and - Death Note: The Last Name (7.8). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Doctor/Hospital✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Code BlueRatings: 8.0/10 from 3,259 users Starring: Toda Erika, Yamashita Tomohisa and Asari Yosuke. Followed by:- Code Blue 2 (8.3), - JIN (8.5), - Unnatural (8.8), - Doctor X (8.3) and - Kounodori (8.6). | |
In His ChartRatings: 7.5/10 from 218 users Starring: Sakurai Sho, Miyazaki Aoi and Kaga Mariko. Followed by:- Code Blue: The Movie (8.5). All other options have less than 100 raters. |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Family✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Kazoku GameRatings: 8.8/10 from 2,862 users Starring: Sakurai Sho, Kamiki Ryunosuke and Uragami Seishu. Followed by:- Mother (8.8), - Atashinchi no Danshi (7.8), - Ryusei no Kizuna (8.2), - Dear Sister (8.4) and - Tonbi (8.7). | |
Bunny DropRatings: 8.3/10 from 2,324 users Starring: Matsuyama Kenichi, Ashida Mana and - If Cats Disappeared From the World (8.3), - Like Father, Like Son (8.3), - Our Little Sister (8.2), - Be with You (8.4), - The Eternal Zero (8.6) and - Close-Knit (8.7). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Fantasy✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Proposal DaisakusenRatings: 7.7/10 from 4,979 users Starring: Yamashita Tomohisa, Nagasawa Masami and Asakura Aki. Followed by: - Minami-kun no Koibito: My Little Lover (7.7), - Boku, Unmei no Hito desu (8.0), - Don Quixote (8.0), - Shinigami-kun (7.8) and - Yuusha Yoshihiko to Maou no Shiro (8.3). | |
Black ButlerRatings: 7.7/10 from 3,213 usersStarring: Mizushima Hiro, Gouriki Ayame and Yamamoto Mizuki. Followed by: - Girl in the Sunny Place (8.0), - The 100th Love With You (8.3), - ReLIFE (7.7), - Fullmetal Alchemist (7.3) and - Shinobi: Heart Under Blade (7.6). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Food✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Suki na Hito ga Iru KotoRatings: 8.2/10 from 4,890 usersStarring: Kiritani Mirei, Yamazaki Kento and Miura Shohei. Followed by: - Tenno no Ryoriban (8.8), - Hungry! (7.5), - Summer Nude (7.4), - Mondai no Aru Restaurant (8.4) and - Nobunaga No Chef (7.3). | |
Evergreen LoveRatings: 8.0/10 from 1,530 usersStarring: Takahata Mitsuki, Iwata Takanori and Aijima Kazuyuki. Followed by: - Hidamari ga Kikoeru (8.3), - Little Forest: Summer & Autumn (8.4), - Little Forest: Winter & Spring (8.4), - Sweet Bean (8.4), - Midnight Diner (8.3) and - The Last Recipe (8.4). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Friendship✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Hanazakari no Kimitachi eRatings: 8.4/10 from 17,927Starring: Horikita Maki, Oguri Shun, Ikuta Toma and Mizushima Hiro. Followed by: - Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (7.8), - Nobuta Wo Produce (7.9), - Gokusen (8.1), - My Boss, My Hero (8.2) and - Love Shuffle (8.1). | |
From Me to YouRatings: 7.9/10 from 11,913 usersStarring: Miura Haruma, Tabe Mikako and Matsuyama Airi. Followed by: - Orange (8.4), - Nana (7.8), - Crows Zero (8.1), - One Week Friends (8.1) and - Peach Girl (7.4). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Harem✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
100-manen no Onna-tachiRatings: 8.4/10 from 1,471 usersStarring: Noda Yojiro, Matsui Rena, Fukushima Rila, Takeda Rena and Araki Yuko. Followed by: - Prison School (7.1), - Ito-kun A to E (7.4) and - Moteki (7.2). | |
Girls in the DarkRatings: 8.0/10 from 226 usersStarring: Sengen Yoshiko, Iitoyo Marie and Seino Nana. Followed by: - Love Strikes! (7.3) and - Genji: A Thousand Year Love (7.3). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Historical✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
JINRatings: 8.5/10 from 1,522 usersStarring: Ayase Haruka, Osawa Takao and Yoshizawa Hisashi. Followed by: - Tenno no Ryoriban (8.8), - Ashi Girl (8.1), - Yae no Sakura (8.3), - Ryoma Den (8.7) and - Samurai Sensei (7.8). | |
Letters from Iwo JimaRatings: 8.4/10 from 1,151 usersStarring: Ninomiya Kazunari, Watanabe Ken and Kase Ryo. Followed by: - The Eternal Zero (8.6), - Blade of the Immortal (7.7), - 13 Assassins (7.9), - Ooku (7.6) and - Ichi (7.5). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Horror✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Jigoku ShoujoRatings: 7.2/10 from 490 userStarring: Iwata Sayuri, Sugimoto Aya and Kato Kazuki. Followed by: - Shokuzai (7.5), - Jigoku Sensei Nube (7.3) and - One Missed Call (6.9). | |
Battle RoyaleRatings: 8.0/10 from 5,653 users Starring: Yamamoto Taro, Beat Takeshi and - Tokyo Ghoul (7.8), - As the Gods Will (7.6), - Parasyte: Part 1 (7.8), - Ju-on: The Grudge (7.4) and - Lesson of the Evil (7.5). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Kaiju✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
No dramas in the database. | |
Shin GodzillaRatings: 7.8/10 from 436 usersStarring: Hasegawa Hiroki, Takenouchi Yutaka and Ishihara Satomi. Followed by: - Godzilla: Final Wars (7.6), - Godzilla vs. Mothra (7.0), - Gamera 2: Advent of Legion (8.4) and - Godzilla, Mothra, & King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (7.8). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Law (Lawyers)✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Legal HighRatings: 8.3/10 from 1,614 users Starring: Sakai Masato, Aragaki Yui and Yano Masato.Followed by: - HERO (8.1), - 99.9: Keiji Senmon Bengoshi (8.4), - Tokujo Kabachi!! (7.1), - Daisho (8.5) and - Legal V (8.4). | |
Ace AttorneyRatings: 7.7/10 from 881 usersStarring: Saito Takumi, Kiritani Mirei and Narimiya Hiroki. Followed by: - Hero (8.0), - Hero (7.9), - The Third Murder (7.5) and - Criminal for the Prosecution (7.9). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Manga✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Itazura na Kiss - Love in TokyoRatings: 8.1/10 from 12,370 users Starring: Yahagi Honoka, Furukawa Yuki and - Gokusen (8.1), - Koizora (8.0), - Nodame Cantabile (8.4), - Liar Game (8.4) and - 5-ji Kara 9-ji Made (8.1). *The top 2 are Hana Yori Dango and Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, since they are already featured in another category I will go to the next highest/popular. | |
Paradise KissRatings: 7.9/10 from 8,899 usersStarring: Kitagawa Keiko, Mukai Osamu and Oomasa Aya. Followed by: - Death Note (7.8), - L♥DK (7.5), - I Give My First Love to You (8.1), - Rurouni Kenshin (8.7) and - The Liar and His Lover (8.2). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Mature✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Kamisama Mou Sukoshi DakeRatings: 8.0/10 from 881 usersStarring: Kaneshiro Takeshi, Fukada Kyoko and Kato Haruhiko. Followed by: - Pornographer (7.9) and - Bokutachi ga Yarimashita (7.7). *I put things that covered mature topics, not mature in age. | |
Norwegian WoodRatings: 6.9/10 from 1,525 usersStarring: Matsuyama Kenichi, Mizuhara Kiko and Kikuchi Rinko. Followed by: - Love Exposure (7.8), - Helter Skelter (7.7), - Piece of Cake (7.1), - Pink and Gray (7.6) and - Himizu (8.1). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Music✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Nodame CantabileRatings: 8.4/10 from 8,069 usersStarring: Ueno Juri, Tamaki Hiroshi and Takenaka Naoto. Followed by: - Ikemen Desu Ne (7.5), - Taiyou no Uta (7.8), - Long Vacation (8.4), - Amachan (8.4) and - Quartet (8.4). | |
NanaRatings: 7.8/10 from 4,371 usersStarring: Nakashima Mika , Miyazaki Aoi and Matsuda Ryuhei. Followed by: - Your Lie in April (8.0), - Beck (7.8), - Midnight Sun (8.0), - Departures (8.6) and - Yell for the Blue Sky (8.0). *The Liar and His Lover was first but since it is already featured I chose the next one. |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Mystery✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Bloody MondayRatings: 8.4/10 from 5,530 usersStarring: Miura Haruma, Narimiya Hiroki and Sato Takeru. Followed by: - Todome no Kiss (8.5), - Ryusei no Kizuna (8.2). - Orthros no Inu (8.0), - Kagi no Kakatta Heya (8.2) and - The Quiz Show 2 (8.2). | |
ProphecyRatings: 8.2/10 from 679 usersStarring: Ikuta Toma, Toda Erika and Hamada Gaku. Followed by: - Platina Data (8.1), - Death Note (7.8), - Brain Man (8.2), - Tokyo Ghoul (7.8) and - Lupin III (7.7). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Psychological✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Liar GameRatings: 8.4/10 from 7,664 usersStarring: Toda Erika, Matsuda Shota and Suzuki Kosuke. Followed by: - Love Shuffle (8.1), - Kazoku Game (8.8), - 3 Nen A Kumi: Ima kara Mina-san wa, Hitojichi Desu (8.8), - LIFE (8.3) and - Soredemo, Ikite Yuku (8.7). | |
ConfessionsRatings: 8.6/10 from 3,864 usersStarring: Hashimoto Ai, Matsu Takako and Nishii Yukito. Followed by: - The Murder of Snow White (8.1), - Real (7.3) and - Himizu (8.1). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Romance✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Rich Man, Poor WomanRatings: 8.2/10 from 10,208 usersStarring: Oguri Shun, Ishihara Satomi and Iura Arata. Followed by: - Koizora (8.0), - Buzzer Beat (8.0), - 5-ji Kara 9-ji Made (8.1), - Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (7.8) and - Good Morning Call (7.7). | |
Sky of LoveRatings: 8.2/10 from 9,628 usersStarring: Aragaki Yui, Miura Haruma and Usuda Asami. Followed by: - I Give My First Love to You (8.1), - The Liar and His Lover (8.2), - Orange (8.4), - Heroine Disqualified (7.9) and - Blue Spring Ride (7.8). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Reverse Harem ✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Hana Yori DangoRatings: 8.4/10 from 19,971Starring: Matsumoto Jun, Inoue Mao and Oguri Shun. Followed by: - Hana Yori Dango 2 (8.4), - Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (8.4), - Ouran High School Host Club (7.6), - Ani ni Aisaresugite Komattemasu (7.4) and - Five (7.5). | |
My Brother Loves Me Too MuchRatings: 7.5/10 from 1,438 users Starring: Tsuchiya Tao, Katayose Ryota and Chiba Yudai. Followed by:- Hana Yori Dango: Final (8.1), - Ouran High School Host Club The Movie (7.5) and - Ooku (7.6). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬School✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Nobuta Wo ProduceRatings: 7.9/10 from 10,829 usersStarring: Kamenashi Kazuya, Yamashita Tomohisa and Horikita Maki. Followed by: - Gokusen (8.1), - My Boss, My Hero (8.2), - Switch Girl!! (7.6), - Mei-chan no Shitsuji (7.4) and - Yamada kun to 7 nin no Majo (7.6). | |
The movies are the exact same as the manga line up. Maybe we should separate Shoujo Manga and Shounen Manga. |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Sci-fi ✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Zettai KareshiRatings: 7.6/10 from 8,276 usersStarring: Mizushima Hiro, Aibu Saki and Hayami Mokomi. Followed by: - Q10 (7.6), - Algernon Ni Hanataba O (8.2), - Watashi wo Hanasanaide (8.1), - Ando Lloyd - A.I. Knows Love? (7.7) and - Mirai Nikki (7.4). | |
GantzRatings: 7.9/10 from 2,244 usersStarring: Ninomiya Kazunari, Matsuyama Kenichi and Hongo Kanata. Followed by: - Time Traveller (7.8), - Cyborg She (7.7), - ReLIFE (7.7), - Gintama (7.9) and - Parasyte: Part 1 (7.8). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Sports✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Buzzer BeatRatings: 8.0/10 from 7,713 users Starring: Yamashita Tomohisa, Kitagawa Keiko and Chisun. Followed by:- Pride (8.1), - Tumbling (8.1), - ROOKIES (8.0), - 1 Pound no Fukuin (7.4) and - Amachan (8.4). *Hanazakari no Kimitachi e was the first option. | |
Chihayafuru: Kami no KuRatings: 8.3/10 from 1,957 Starring: Hirose Suzu, Nomura Shuhei and Mackenyu. Followed by:- Yell for the Blue Sky (8.0), - Ashita No Joe (7.8), - Tori Girl (8.2), - March Comes in Like a Lion (7.8) and - Let's Go, JETS! From Small Town Girls to U.S. Champions?! (8.3). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Supernatural ✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi HengeRatings: 7.8/10 from 11,744 usersStarring: Kamenashi Kazuya, Miyao Shuntaro and Oomasa Aya. Followed by: - Yamada kun to 7 nin no Majo (7.6), - Death Note (8.0), - Todome no Kiss (8.5), - Boku dake ga Inai Machi (8.7) and - Orthros no Inu (8.0). | |
Death NoteRatings: 7.8/10 from 7,690 users Starring: Fujiwara Tatsuya, Matsuyama Kenichi and Toda Erika. Followed by:- Rurouni Kenshin (8.7), - Assassination Classroom (7.8), - Tokyo Ghoul (7.8), - The 100th Love With You (8.3) and - Moon Child (7.6). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Tokusatsu ✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
Kamen Rider WRatings: 8.6/10 from 844 usersStarring: Kiriyama Renn, Suda Masaki and Yamamoto Hikaru. Followed by: - Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (7.2), - Kamen Rider Den-O (8.2), - Kamen Rider Fourze (8.1), - Kamen Rider OOO (8.1) and - Kamen Rider Gaim (8.2). | |
BLEACHRatings: 7.7/10 from 1,726 usersStarring: Fukushi Sota , Sugisaki Hana and Miyavi. Followed by: - Shin Godzilla (7.8), - Kamen Rider W Forever: A to Z/The Gaia - Memories of Fate (8.2), - Casshern (6.7), - Yatterman (6.5) and - Terra Formars (6.2). |
✬✬✬✬✬✬Terminal Illness ✬✬✬✬✬✬ | |
1 Litre no NamidaRatings: 9.1/10 from 12,846 usersStarring: Nishikido Ryo, Sawajiri Erika and Oonishi Asae. Followed by: - Koizora (8.0), - Beautiful Life (8.0), - Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake (8.0), - Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu (8.1) and - Gomen, Aishiteru (7.9). | |
Repeat of the romance movies. |
If you want to see the most popular regardless of rating, follow this link.
If you want to see the highest rating regardless of popularity, follow this link.
What were your faves from 1989-April 30 2019? Are they featured?
Thank You Heisei, Happy Reiwa!
[Sumeragi iyasaka.]
「すめらぎいやさか(天皇彌榮)」