4 Best Japanese Love Stories To Binge-Watch

Romantic films by directors including Makoto Shinkai and Yoshimitsu Morita showcase the most influential of Japanese cinema. It is a form of Asian entertainment that, like K-dramas, is now enjoying a global following. Many Japanese romance films, including romantic Korean dramas, use widespread romance stereotypes like love at first sight and love triangles. These standard phrases empower all audiences to relate to the stories told in foreign films.

Despite being utilized in several films before, the way these clichés are interwoven into the plot allows the works to feel wholly new. Sky of Love and Shall We Dance? are two well-known examples of Japanese affectionate films, but there are a few other options that are enjoyable for romance aficionados. From amazing animated films to live-action incidents, there is a Japanese romance film for everyone.

Be With You (2004)

Be with You, which merges the romance and fantasy genres, is a heartfelt film about multiple types of love. Takumi (Shido Nakamura) and his son discover a woman who matches her recently deceased wife, Mio (Yūko Takeuchi). The family resumes normal life after believing it is Mio. Mio, on the other hand, has lost all of her memories.

When Takumi recalls the early stages of his relationship with Mio, Be with You is at its most moving. Nakamura and Takeuchi deliver terrific performances throughout and are completely convincing as the reunited couple. Despite the family’s affection, Be with You contains fantasy aspects. Mio’s unexpected reappearance is a mystery to both the people in the film and the viewers watching. The well-written mystery and captivating love story complement each other, making this a must-see picture.

One Week Friends (2017)

One Week Friends, starring Kento Yamazaki, the lead in Alice in Borderland, is about the formation of a unique friendship. One Week Friends derives its savvy name from its main character, Kaori (Haruna Kawaguchi), who has amnesia, causing her to forget most people and events after one week. However, Yamazaki’s Yuki is determined to get to know Kaori given that he is enthusiastically interested in her. 

One Week Friends is the third adaptation of the same-titled manga series, following a television series and a stage play. Though the tale is more focused on Yuki and Kaori’s blossoming relationship, there is still enough romance to satisfy viewers, especially those searching for a realistic build. Yamazaki and Kawaguchi, both excellent actors in their own right, work well together on screen and have tremendous chemistry, which helps their romantic sequences.

The Liar And His Lover (2013)

Many romantic films depict recognized couples with age inequalities and The Liar and His Lover is one of them. Aki (Takeru Satoh) is a producer and artist who develops feelings for a fan named Riko (Sakurako Ohara). For these two, it’s love at first sight. Aki felt alone and lost in life before meeting Riko, but now she feels noticed. The Liar and His Lover employs a few romantic cliches, yet it achieves a nice familiarity rather than being overdone and clichéd.

The Liar and His Lover possess a notable soundtrack, which is fitting given Aki’s musical experience. Satoh and Ohara have previous music industry experience and contribute their vocals to the film’s popular songs. The film The Liar and His Lover is based on Kotomi Aoki’s manga series of the same name, which won the honor for best Shōjo manga at the Shogakukan Manga Awards in the same year of its debut.

Sky Of Love (2007)

Sky of Love is both dedicated and despairing, illustrating how the lives of two strangers combine after conversing anonymously over the phone. Mika (Yui Aragaki) and Hiro (Haruma Miura), classmates, fall in love after meeting in person, but their relationship is fraught with obstacles, as is the case with many romantic dramas. Mika and Hiro watch it all. From classmates attempting to break them up to the destroying death of a close one, the couple is continuously overcoming challenges.

Sky of Love is not the finest romantic film to watch if you want a smooth, worry-free on-screen romance. Instead, Sky of Love includes true setbacks for the relationship. Sky of Love debuted in second place at the Japanese box office, because of its relatability and emotional weight. Sky of Love additionally received numerous awards, including four Best Newcomer Awards for Aragaki.