One of the most loved tropes of Japanese dramas is about a popular boy falling for an often-overlooked girl. The audience loves to watch the contrast of personalities of the main leads. In this article, we will look at the male lead who is calm, aloof and arrogant. While on the other hand the girl is relatable, shy and kind. This trope is loved by fans across the globe because it explores universal themes like being seen for who you truly are and discovering love in unexpected circumstances. Let’s explore ten Japanese dramas about popular boy falling for ordinary girl.
1. Hana Yori Dango
The plot of the drama revolves around Tsukushi Makino, who is a quiet and shy student at the rich Eitoku Academy. She frequently clashes with Tsukasa Domyouji who is a member of the “Flower Four” or “F4” gang. It is a group of bullies and sons of Japan’s wealthiest families. The resilient personality of Makino makes Tsukasa and Rui fall for her.
2. Kimi Ni Todoke
Sawako is a shy and awkward girl who has one wish to make friends. But her weird vibe comes in between her wish. She lacks communication skills. But one day she meets Kazehaya who is an extrovert boy which makes her fall in love with him.
3. Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge
Sunako Nakahara has a hatred for beauty after getting rejected and insulted for her looks by her crush. She moves in with her aunt where four handsome boys already reside much to her dismay. Her aunt has offered rent free stay to the boys of they make Sunako a lady till the time she comes from her world tour.
4. Good Morning Call
The story of the drama is about Yoshikawa Nao whose parents shift to countryside and she moves to apartment alone. After moving in she discovers that the apartment has been rented to Uehara Hisashi, who is student from her school. The housing agency has also closed down and the landlord has increased the rent. Both of them no other option but to stay at the apartment together.
5. Mischievous Kiss: Love In Tokyo
The story is about Kotoko Aihara who is poor in studies. She falls for the smartest and most good-looking boy of her school, Naoki Irie. She only admires him from far for three years until a meteorite destroys her home and her family is compelled to live with Naoki’s family. She uses this opportunity to get close to Naoki.
6. A Girl And Three Sweethearts
The story of this drama is about Sakurai Misaki, who is a pastry chef. She has a dream of working overseas. She has always prioritised her work all her life. Yet she loses her job and is sad about it. She meets Shibasaki Chiaki who she is her first love from her school days. He after learning about her condition offers her a summer job at his family restaurant and also invites her to live at their family home. The two other brothers of Shibasaki live at the family home as well. This makes Misaki jump at the opportunity to spend a summer with three handsome men.
7. Todome No Kiss
The plot of the drama revolves around Dojima Otaro who is well-known host who lives only for wealth and comfort. He has long lost faith in love due to his past experiences. But one day a lady with pale face and dark red lipstick appears before him. Without any warning she kisses him and Otaro dies only to wake up seven days prior. This happens every time she kisses him while she keeps following him.
8. Ojisan wa Kawaii Mono ga Osuki
This is the story about a 43-year-old Mitsutaka Oji. He works as sales manager. He is well respected and popular at his work. But he has a secret that he likes cute things like dolls.
9. ReLIFE
A 27-years-old Arata Kaizaki is labelled as a failure by people around him. He jumps from one job to another, unable to hold on to any one of them. His life changes when he crosses path with Ryou Yoake, a representative from the ReLife Research Institute. Ryon offers him a pill that would give him a chance to do things all over again and without any second thought he takes it only to get up next morning as his 17-year-old self.
10. Zettai Kareshi
Kronos Heavens, who is a robot maker develops a male humanoid “Night Tenjo”, who is programmed to be loyal to his lover. For a 5 days trial the company chooses Izawa Riiko, an employee in the company. Initially, she does not think much of Night but later develops feelings for him. But the story gets more interesting when Asamoto Soshi, the young executive of the company falls for Riiko.
