In many countries, mental health has been a taboo, a subject that has even been kept secret in asylums. This list cover dramas that are straight on, dealing with mental health through a variety of approaches that range from supernatural to a documentary these series focus on more that is the mind than the body. Mental health is not a subject that is bought out casually and especially in the movies or dramas that are Asia-centric. Still, these Japanese dramas have shown some courage and push there limits to portray what is necessary for everyone to know.
And here are the Top 10 Japanese dramas that depict mental health.
1. The Quiz Show 2 (2009)
It is a mystery, psychological, and thriller Japanese drama related to Tragic Past, Murder, Amnesia, etc. It aired on 18th April 2009. Starring Satoru Kamiyama as Sho Sakurai and Toshio Honda as Yu Yokoyama.
In the drama, Sakurai hosts a TV quiz show, where contestants who answer seven questions correctly win 10 million yen, and those who answer eight questions correctly win one wish. Although the questions may seem innocent, it soon becomes clear that they will dig into the players' past indiscretions as the game progresses, forcing the contestants to admit to their failings to win. As for Sakurai's character, he, too, has a strange past. He was amnestic for six years due to a car accident before being hired to host the show.
2. Sachiiro No One Room (2018)
It is a Japanese drama related to Depression, Suspense, Age Gap, School Bullying, and Mental Health. It aired on 8th July 2018. Starring Yamada Anna as Sachi and Uesugi Shuhe as Onii San [Kidnapper].
An anonymous guy who always wears a mask saves a 14-year-old girl who attempts suicide after being physically abused by her parents, bullied by her classmate, and assaulted by her teacher. She flees to live with the man and begins to address him as Mister. Sachi, which means happiness, is the name he gives her. Police investigate Sachi's disappearance as kidnapping and begin searching for her and her companion. The deal made that if they escape, they will marry, but if caught, they will perish.
3. Boku No Ita Jikan (The Hours Of My Life) (2014)
It is a Japanese drama related to Disability and Terminal Illness. It aired on 8th January 2014. Starring Miura Haruma and Tabe Mikako.
Sawada Takuto is a fourth-year university student who struggled to find a job. As the oldest child of a hospital director, his parents initially hoped Takuto would become a doctor but then turned their attention toward his younger brother Rikuto instead. One day, he learns that he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease. And that Takuto does not have much time left. After a life filled with vague dreams, Takuto begins to explore what he has left and lived positively.
4. Good Doctor (2018)
It is a Japanese drama related to Autism, Surgeon, and Disability. It aired on 12 July 2018. Starring Yamazaki Kento as Shindo Minato, Ueno Juri as Seto Natsumi (Doctor) and Fujiki Naohito as Takayama Seiji (Doctor).
Despite his difficulty sharing thoughts and feelings with others, Shindo Minato's memory and spatial abilities are exceptional. He is autistic and has savant syndrome. In his ambition to become a doctor, so that he can be able to better the lives of children, Minato meets doctor Akira Shinga. He amazes Dr. Shinga by memorizing all the human organs at such a young age. And with Akira's recommendation, he joins the pediatric department of the hospital.
5. Arifureta Kiseki (2009)
It is a Japanese drama related to Depression, Suicide, Marriage, and Mental health. It aired on 8th January 2009. Starring Kase Ryo as Nakajo Kana and Nakama Yukie as Tasaki Shota.
On a railway platform, two young people, Tasaki Shota and Nakajo Kana, met a man named Fujimoto Makoto, waiting to leap off the subway platform when a train arrives. Two bystanders realize the man's intentions and push him away before he kills himself. Although they are strangers, they each carry deep emotional scars. Slowly, Tasaki and Nakajo begin to form a relationship.
6. Kazoku Game (2013)
It is a Japanese drama related to School Bullying, Abuse, Tragic Past, and Dysfunctional Family. It aired on 17th April 2013. Starring Kamiki Ryunosuke as Numata Shinichi, Sakurai Sho as Yoshimoto, and Uragami Seishu as Numata Shingeyuki.
Kazushige Numata has two boys with his wife Kayoko. Shinichi, the first son, studies well, while Shigeyuki, the second son, does not. Shigeyuki makes matters worse by refusing to attend school and staying at home. They make contact with Yoshimoto, the private tutor, and meet with him. During their meeting, each party establishes one condition for working together. Shigeyuki must return to school within a week, or Yoshimoto will be fired, according to his father. Yoshimoto, on the other hand, mandates that his parents are not to interfere with his employment. Yoshimoto's unique teaching methods then have an impact on not only Shigeyuki but his entire family.
7. Ataru (2012)
It is a Japanese drama related to murder, Death, Detective, and Autism. It aired on 15th April 2012. Starring Kitamura Kazuki as Sawa Shunichi, Nakai Masahiro as Inoguchi Ataru/ Chokozai, and Kuriyama Chiaki as Ebina Maiko.
Ataru is autistic and a savant, equipped with extraordinary abilities in specific fields. The story will reveal his sad past as the plot unfolds. A chemical factory experiences an explosion that leads to one death. Investigators conclude that it is a simple accident, but Ebina Maiko is skeptical. The second time Maiko goes to the site, she finds a man calling himself Ataru/Chokozai. After saying a series of words she's unable to understand, he falls asleep suddenly. Observing how these words are applied, Mako decides to research their meanings. Inputting these words together leads to a solution that makes her startled.
8. Boku No Aruku Michi (2006)
It is a Japanese drama related to SMAP and Autism. It aired on 10th October 2006. Starring Kusanagi Tsuyoshi as Otake Teruaki and Karina as Matsuda Miyako.
There are ten autistic people for every ten cases of autism, which makes it hard to understand. To understand every case, you need to learn them all. A 31-year-old man diagnosed with autism has the same level of intelligence as a 10-year-old child. Because of the lack of understanding, those around him get confused and occasionally frustrated with him. Despite having a supportive family and a childhood friend who guides him, he keeps on walking his path. He explores how people around him learn from him and change their views based on his life.
9. Algernon Ni Hanataba Wo (2015)
It is a Japanese drama related to Intellectual Disability, Workplace Abuse, Vulnerable Character, and Mental Health. It aired on 10th April 2015. Starring Yamashita Tomohisa as Shiratori Sakuto and Kuriyama Chiaki as Mochizuki Haruka.
Shiratori Sakuto is 28 years old, but he has the IQ of a six-year-old. He works at Dream Flower Service, which employs problem youth through flower distribution. Sakuto and his colleague delivered a bouquet of roses one day to Mochizuki Haruka's apartment building. Prof. Hachisuka researches improving performance in the brain at a physiology research center where Haruka works. Algernon is a white mouse that he has successfully experimented on in the lab. Through surgery, Sakuto becomes a genius.
10. Satorare (2002)
It is a Japanese drama about a rare syndrome that prevents anybody from hiding their feelings. It aired on 4th July 2002. Starring Tsuruta Mayu as Hoshino Noriko and Odagiri Joe as Satomi Kenichi.
Kenichi, a young doctor who is good-hearted but suffers from a rare syndrome that makes it impossible for him to hide his emotions. Such people are known as Satorare, and the government provides them with welfare benefits. It means that their mind would unconsciously express all thoughts and emotions. The touching human drama unfolds around Kenichi as his friends and family support and strives to assist him as he struggles and fights on behalf of his condition that he does not recognize is hard to miss. Despite his uniqueness, a beautiful female doctor attempts to shield him from reality.
