Romantic films from directors like Makoto Shinkai and Yoshimitsu Morita showcase the best of Japanese cinema. It’s a part of Asian entertainment that has seen a recent rise in worldwide popularity along with K-dramas. Similar toromantic K-dramas,many Japanese romance films employ some of the most popular tropes in romance, such as love at first sight and love triangles. These tropes allow all audiences to connect with the foreign films' stories.
Despite being seen in numerous films before, the way these tropes are integrated into the plot also helps the films to feel entirely brand new.Sky of LoveandShall We Dance?are some of the more well-known examples of Japanese romance films, but there are a few other picks that are worth a watch for romance fans. From stunning animation to live-action dramas, there’s a Japanese romance film for everyone.
Love Life
Cast
Love Life (2022) and its 2023 continuation are romantic dramas exploring the intricate lives of a group of individuals as they navigate love, friendship, and personal growth. Directed by Koji Fukada, the films delve into the complexities of relationships with a nuanced portrayal of human emotions and the often unpredictable nature of life. The ensemble cast delivers compelling performances, enhancing the poignant storytelling and resonating with a broad audience.
The Japanese romance movieLove Lifearrived in 2024, and comes from director Koji Fukada, who also wrote the script. While an original story, the plot ofLove Lifeis heavily inspired by the song of the same name by Japanese jazz musician and pop singer Akiko Yano.Love Lifeis an interesting love story for many reasons, and many of its curious aspects tie into how the story is told.While it’s a tragic tale in many places, the tone ofLove Lifeis incredibly surreal and almost dream-like in places, juxtaposing the events of the narrative incredibly effectively.
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The plot ofLove Lifefocuses on Taeko (Fumino Kimura). At the start of the film, she is happily married to her second husband, Jiro (Kento Nagayama). However, she has a son with Park Shinji (Atom Sunada), who she hasn’t seen for years but reconnects with during the first act.Since last seeing him, Park has become deaf, incredibly unwell, and is sleeping on the streets.Taeko decides to care for him, and in reconnecting due to his vulnerability, finds a wealth of complex feelings emerge.
2021’sRide Or Dieis a thriller as much as it is a romance. Released asKanojoin Japan and directed by Ryuichi Hirko,Ride of Dieis based on the mangaGunjoby Ching Nakamura,Ride Or Diestands out among Japanese romance movies for several reasons, including that it’s an important example of LGBTQ+ representation.The central romance ofRide Or Dieis between Rei (Kiko Mizuhara) and her childhood crush, Nanae (Honami Sato).
Nanae and Rei develop a romantic bond, though this is thrown into disarray after Rae kills Nanae’s spouse. Intended as a gesture of affection, the murder instead makes things harder for the pair than ever.
Rei reconnects with Nanae after learning Nane’s husband is subjecting her to a campaign of brutal abuse.Nanae and Rei develop a romantic bond, though this is thrown into disarray after Rae kills Nanae’s spouse. Intended as a gesture of affection, the murder instead makes things harder for the pair than ever. This is where the thriller aspects ofRide Or Dieemerge, though the balance it strikes between romance and drama is masterful.
Love and Other Cults
Love and Other Cults: Set in Japan, this film follows Ai, who is sent by her mother to live in a cult commune. After the commune is dismantled by police, Ai faces the challenge of reintegrating into society, providing a poignant exploration of identity and belonging.
2017’sLove and Other Cults(released in Japan asKemonomichi) is definitely among the stranger Japanese romance movies, though it’s also one which has an incredible amount of emotional depth.The story focuses on Ai (Sairi Ito), a young girl who is sent by her mother to live with a cult on their commune at the age of 7.However, once the cult is disbanded by the police, Ai finds herself out in the real world at a regular middle school.
Love and Other Cultswas praised for many reasons, especially how much director Eiji Uchida chose to focus on themes like grief, loss, resentment, and trauma. However, it’s a romance story at its heart, with Ai finding solace in fellow social outcast Ryota (Kenta Suga).As the pair grow older they both find themselves in increasingly dire living situations, though their respective struggles only lead Ai and Ryota closer together.
My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday
My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday is a Japanese romantic drama directed by Takahiro Miki. It follows Takatoshi Minamiyama, an art student in Kyoto, who meets and falls for Emi Fukuju on a train. As their relationship blossoms, Emi reveals a life-altering secret that challenges their shared future.
Released asBoku wa Asau, Kino no Kimi to Deto Suruin Japan, 2016’sMy Tomorrow, Your Yesterdayis a unique sci-fi romance by director Takahiro Miki.The central couple are Takatoshi (Sota Fukushi) and Emi (Nana Komatsu), who fall in love at first sight when they meet in their 20s. However, after their first night together, Takatoshi discovers Emi’s journal and learns that - much to his dismay - she experiences time backwards and ages in reverse.
Emi already knew who he is prior to their ‘first’ meeting, and has memories of events from Takatoshi’s youth Determined to make the relationship work, Takatoshi decides to still pursue his connection with Emi.
There are many problems, however. Firstly, Emi reveals they can only be together for one month every five years, and the current period is the only time they’ll be the same age.My Tomorrow, Your Yesterdaybecomes incredibly tragic by the end, but also is an exploration of how true love can overcome any obstacle.
From Me to You
From Me to You is a romantic drama following Sawako Kuronuma, a misunderstood girl, as she navigates high school life. Admiring the popular Shota Kazehaya, Sawako discovers friendship with classmates Chizuru and Ayane, while facing romantic challenges from Kurumi, who also has feelings for Kazehaya.
Also known asKimi ni todoke, From Me To Youis based on the manga of the same name and was adapted by director Naoto Kumazawa.Fans ofThe Ringwill find this Japanese romance movie particularly endearing, because a key plot point is how central character Sawako Kuronuma (Mikako Tabe) is relentlessly teased for looking like Sadako, the dead girl in the hit J-Horror film series.
In many ways,From Me To Youis the Japanese take on traditional highschool romance movies. Sawako is insular and unsure of herself until she catches the eye of Shota Kazehaya (Harumi Miura). The most popular boy in school, learning that Shota has been in love with her for years helps Sawako come out of her shell.Of course, their relationship has many bumps and obstacles along the way, butFrom Me To Youhas a heartwarming ending.
Be With You
Be With You is a South Korean romantic fantasy film directed by Lee Jang-hoon. The story revolves around a widowed father and his young son who are heartbroken until the man’s deceased wife returns mysteriously. Based on Takuji Ichikawa’s Japanese novel of the same name, the film explores themes of love, loss, and the miraculous reunion of a family.
Combining the romance and fantasy genres,Be with Youis a touching film about different types of love.After the death of his wife Mio (Yūko Takeuchi), Takumi (Shido Nakamura) and his son come across a woman who bears a strong resemblance to his recently deceased wife. Believing it’s Mio, life for the family resumes back to normal. However, Mio doesn’t have any of her memories.
When Takumi recalls the early days of his relationship with Mio,Be with Youis at its most heartfelt. Nakamura and Takeuchi give strong performances throughout and are entirely believable as the reunited couple. As much love as there is between the family inBe with You, there are still fantasy elements. Mio’s unexplainable reappearance is a mystery to the characters within the film and to audiences watching.The well-written mystery and compelling love story complement one another, creating a must-see film.
Love Like The Falling Petals
Love Like The Falling Petals is a Japanese romantic drama directed by Yoshihiro Fukagawa. The film follows the story of a young photographer who falls in love with his hairdresser, only to be faced with an unexpected and life-altering challenge. Set against the backdrop of cherry blossom season, the movie explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time.
One of the more heartbreaking romance films listed,Love Like the Falling Petalsfollows the story of Haruto and Misaki.Love Like the Falling Petalshasan emphasis on the sentiment that certain people are placed in one’s life for a reason. The quick and effortless connection between Haruto and Misaki is believable and makes the heavier parts of the film all the more emotional.
Love Like the Falling Petalshas a runtime of approximately two hours and there are moments throughout where the film’s pace drags a bit as audiences await a somewhat predictable ending.
Misaki is diagnosed with a disease that causes her to age rapidly and limits her time with Haruto.Love Like the Falling Petalshas a runtime of approximately two hours and there are moments throughout where the film’s pace drags a bit as audiences await a somewhat predictable ending. Still, there is a neat variety of scenes between the two romantic leads, capturing the enchantment that comes with a significant relationship and the heartbreak following its deterioration.
One Week Friends
One Week Friends is a Japanese teen romance film directed by Shosuke Murakami, which revolves around the relationship between high school students Yuki Hase (Kento Yamazaki) and Kaori Fujimiya (Haruna Kawaguchi). Kaori suffers from a memory condition causing her to forget her friends every week. Determined to befriend her, Yuki commits to reintroducing himself to her every Monday, hoping to create lasting memories.
StarringAlice in Borderland’s lead Kento Yamazaki,One Week Friendsis centered around the formation of a unique friendship.One Week Friendsgets its clever name from its main character, Kaori (Haruna Kawaguchi), who experiences amnesia that causes her to forget most people and events after one week. However, Yamazaki’s Yuki is determined to become close to Kaori as he’s romantically interested in her.
One Week Friendsis the third adaptation of a manga series of the same name, following a television series and stage play. Though the story does have a heavier focus on Yuki and Kaori’s budding friendship, there is still enough romance to satisfy audiences, particularly those looking for a realistic build. Both accomplished actors in their own right, Yamazaki and Kawaguchi work well on screen together and have great chemistry that contributes to their sweet scenes together.
The Liar And His Lover
The Liar and His Lover (2013) centers on a genius composer who hides his identity from a talented high school singer. As they grow closer, their relationship faces challenges due to the musician’s secret and his troubled past. The film explores themes of love, music, and deception while highlighting the complexities of balancing personal aspirations with romantic relationships.
Quite a few romance films featureiconic couples with age gapsandThe Liar and His Loveris one of them.Aki (Takeru Satoh) is a producer and musician who forms a relationship with a fan, Riko (Sakurako Ohara). For the two, it’s love at first sight. Up until their meeting, Aki felt alone and lost in life, but feels seen by Riko.The Liar and His Loveruses a few romance tropes, but it results in a pleasant familiarity rather than feeling overdone and cliché.
Considering Aki is a musician,The Liar and His Loveralso has a memorable soundtrack. Both Satoh and Ohara have experience in the music industry and lend their voices to the film’s catchy songs. Additionally,The Liar and His Loveris based on Kotomi Aoki’s manga series of the same name,which won the award for best Shōjo manga at the Shogakukan Manga Awardsthe same year of the film’s release.
Initiation Love
Initiation Love is a romantic drama directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi. The film centers on a budding romance between lead characters played by Shota Matsuda and Atsuko Maeda, set against the backdrop of the 1980s in Japan. The narrative unfolds in two distinct parts, exploring the complexities and challenges faced by the couple as they navigate their relationship, reflecting on themes of love, trust, and the passage of time.
Though other Japanese romance films have put their twists on the genre, implementing aspects of fantasy and sci-fi,Initiation Lovegoes beyond this. Set in the ’80s and based on a novel of the same name,Initiation Lovebegins as any ordinary romance film wouldwhere two individuals with opposing personalities meet one another and fall in love. However, distance puts a strain on the main couple’s relationship — though the space between them isn’t their biggest issue.
It’s just not the sweet love story found in other films
Initiation Love’s characters, while not entirely likable, are fascinating to follow and make it easy for audiences to remain engaged until the end.Initiation Loveends unexpectedly, and it’s something that must be experienced with as little information beforehand. DespiteInitiation Loveleaning into its main mystery for a majority of the film, everything revolves around a romantic relationship. It’s just not the sweet love story found in other films.
