From the heartwarming stories of teenagers' goals and dreams to a transforming journey of friendships and romance, these Japanese dramas offer fine moments of insecurities, heartbreaks, and rivalries overwhelming you.
To discover the world of chaos and cliches, we have curated a list for all the high school drama fans there to give them butterflies in their stomach and to make them cry buckets.
1. Black Cinderella
This high school drama is about a young girl's soaring aspirations and shimmery dreams of entering a beauty pageant. Kamiya Manaha always considered herself an average-looking girl and lacked confidence. The story focuses on her transformation past her insecurities, shaped by her desire to participate in the Miss Seiran Pageant. Along her way, she meets a mysterious and the most popular guy who helps her. The eight episodes are touching and will give you butterflies as well.
2. Mischievous Kiss: Love In Tokyo
If you are looking for a typical romantic Japanese high school drama full of cliches, then Katoka's and Naoki's story is the one for you. The story revolves around Katoka, a below-average student with a crush on the most popular and intelligent guy in school, Naoki. Although he rejects her after her confession, destiny plays its role, and she ends up living at his house. While he teases her, he also helps her score better in exams and eventually falls for her. This Japanese drama of 16 episodes sets the mood for a light romance, secret crushes, and budding friendships.
3. Switched
A coming-of-age high school drama that deals with body-switching. It depicts the story of Shunpei, Ayumi, Zenko, and Koshiro, who are childhood friends. Later, Ayumi and Koshiro start dating. However, things take an exciting turn as Ayumi switches bodies with Zenko, who comes from a broken place and has a depressing family. The drama is full of twists dealing with the confusion created due to the body switch and Ayumi's struggles.
4. Good Morning Call
The story starts with Nao Yoshikawa relocating to a new flat. However, she is surprised when the most famous boy moves into the same apartment as her. Though they decided to not reveal their secret of living together to anyone but as the time passed, they fall in love. With just 27 episodes, it will surely be on your favourites' list.
5. Kuzu No Honkai
Kuzu no Honaki is about finding love when you have least expectations about it. The two one-sided lovers have an agreement where they will be together until they find the love of their lives. They started their fake relationship with simple terms of not falling for each other. Eventually, they develop feelings that violate their agreement. With just 12 episodes, this high school drama will stay with you forever.
6. Koe Koi
It is a story of a young girl Yoshioka Yuiko, who falls ill on her first day of high school. Her mysterious class president calls her and asks about her condition. Yuiko fell for the voice on the phone without knowing what was in for her. This mystery boy, Matsubara, has his face and identity hidden in a paper bag makes the 12 episodes of the series more engaging.
7. Proposal Daisakusen (Operation Love)
Do you believe in giving second chances? Whether you do or not, this series will make you trust them. The story is about a boy named Ken who is in love with his friend Rei but lacks the courage to confess it to her. On her wedding day, while contemplating the situation, a fairy presents him with a choice to travel back in time and change the situation. This fantasy drama of 11 episodes will surely make you crave fairytales and remember your long-lost love.
8. Murai No Koi
It is a story of transformation, the journey of Murai, an introverted kid with a basic look, hiding in the corners. One day, he decides to change his fate and confess his love to Tanaka just to be rejected. He goes on a mission to seduce her and gets a makeover based on Tanaka's favourite character. The eight episodes comprise a sweet high school love story.
9. Great Teacher Onizuka
If you are looking for an offbeat drama that will keep you entertained with its satirical storyline and quirky ways of teaching, Great Teacher Onizuka will be a good choice. Eikichi Onizuka comes from a gangster background and is recruited to teach the students who create a menace.
10. 1 Litre No Namida
It is a bittersweet high school drama where misfortune hits hard. It is based on a true story of a girl fighting for her life undergoing treatment for a degenerative disease that kills her at the young age of 25. The story revolves around Aya, living a healthy and happy life until disaster struck. The 11 episodes show her journey dealing with the deadly disease and will surely leave you heartbroken towards the end.
