Japan is famous for making films that have a story of their own. They are also famous for creating a hand-drawn novels called "Manga." In this type of book, you will find many exciting stories in different genres. Also, Japanese filmmakers mostly rely on Manga and shoot a J-Drama. Series like Gokusen, Hana Yori Dango, Alice in Borderland, and more will entertain you with their unique story twist. Another thing about JDramas is some of them are aired for only 15 episodes or 1 season long. It is perfect for some viewers if they don't want to spend a lot of time watching a TV series and yet can entertain them. If you are looking for the best site to watch Japanese drama online, then read this article to find them.
Top 8 Websites to Watch Japanese Drama
1. AsianCrush
Price: $4.99 per month
Trial Limit: There are ads appearing when playing a video.
Distinctive feature: It allows you to watch its exclusive age-gated content shows.
AsianCrush is one of the Japanese drama sites where you can watch different JDrama series like Godspeed, Utopians, The Villain Who I Love, and more. Not just drama, but also other genres like Action, Horror, Comedy, Live Action Anime, etc. Most Japanese movies or videos on this free website are already high-quality, like 720p and 1080p. You don't have to install any software on your computer to watch Jdrama website. You can watch just by visiting its official websites to stream Japanese dramas via popular web browsers.However, you to take note that not all the videos it showcase have an English.
- A wide variety of Asian dramas and TV shows are available on this platform.
- It offers both original language and English dubbed options.
- Ads are present even for paid subscribers, making it more an annoying thing.
2. Rakuten Viki
Price: $9.99 per year
Trial Limit: You can only play videos in 720p.
Distinctive feature: The website allows you to download Viki videos to binge-watch TV shows offline with your friends and family, even overseas.
Rakuten Viki is a freemium Japanese drama website where you can watch popular lovey dovey Japanese dramas or series like Love Tractor, Semantic Error, To My Star, and more. It also showcase action Japanese movies, such as Assasin 13, Battle Royal, and more. However, Rakuten Viki requires you to use its Premium to watch its videos without any ads appearing on your screen. You can also view the HD version of each video on this website by purchasing its PRO license. Besides, you can find many Korean and Chinese dramas on this website.
- The platform offers a wide selection of movies, TV shows, and other content, including original programming.
- The site delivers subtitle in English, broadening its viewers.
- Some titles are only available for rent or purchase, even for paid subscribers.
3. ViewAsian
Price: Free
Trial Limit: None
Distinctive feature: You can watch movies and TV series from the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Another video platform that you can visit to watch Japanese TV shows online is ViewAsian. It has a section where you can find the list of its genres like Accident, Action, Adult, Adventure, ALien, Crime, and more. Besides, you can go to the "Country" section to find the list of available series from different countries like Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong, etc. Its thumbnail also shows the number of episodes for you to look for a new show to watch.
- The online streaming site is regularly updated with the latest episodes and shows.
- Users can watch your favorite dramas and movies for free without any subscription fee.
- There is no official mobile app for ViewAsian, making it challenging to watch shows on mobile devices.
4. KissAsian
Price: Free
Trial Limit: None
Distinctive feature: Unlike other free site like KissAsian, here, you can report errors and request a drama on its developer.
If you want to find another JDrama to watch, this is one of the best sites to watch Japanese drama. It consists of thousands of Japanese and other Asian TV series and movies to watch for free. Also, you can sort the titles alphabetically or by their popularity. Most of the videos on this website are already HD quality, like 720p and 1080p. You can also find the hottest Asian TV shows to watch with your family and friends online. There are also available websites like KissAsian that you can visit to access a comprehensive range of movies.
- This free online streaming site provides high-quality video streaming with minimal buffering.
- It presents both subbed and dubbed content in various languages.
- The legality of the site is questionable, as it may infringe on copyright laws.
5. Dramacool
Price: Free
Trial Limit: None
Distinctive feature: You can click the "Switch Off Light" to darken the website when watching JDramas.
Dramacool is one of the Japanese drama websites that has a simple web interface. You can easily find TV shows to watch on its homepage. Also, it listed the latest episodes of each Japanese drama show. You can watch series like Ao no SP, Cold Case: Shinijitsu no Tobira, and more. Most videos from this website are already in HD quality, like 720p and 1080p. Also, you can choose a different video server if the default one fails to stream.
- Easy-to-navigate website with a search function to quickly access desired content.
- This Japanese drama website is free to use with no need to create an account.
- No option to download content for offline viewing.
6. Midnight Pulp
Price: $4.99 per month
Trial Limit: You can only use its free trial for one month.
Distinctive feature: It has exclusive collections that you can only watch on this website.
Midnight Pulp is one of the largest video platforms for watching horror, cult, and thriller Japanese TV series. Since the Japanese are famous for disturbing plots and graphics for their films, you can watch all of them on this Japanese drama streaming site. Another good thing about Midnight Pulp is it gives filmgoers a chance to watch gory movies without filtering the visuals. Just a heads up, if you want a dark Jdrama story plot, then this website is right for you. Additionally, this site allows users to watch movies together online with your friends and colleagues.
- It provides the meta data of the movie once you click it.
- The platform supports multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.
- The platform relies on ad revenue, which can interrupt the viewing experience.
7. Netflix
Price: $7.68 per month for its basic plan.
Trial Limit: You can only watch downloaded Netflix videos for 30-days only
Distinctive feature: You can watch ultra HD videos on a computer or mobile phone.
Netflix is undoubtedly the most popular video streaming site where you can watch Japanese dramas online. Not just Jdrama, but also other popular films around the world. In fact, Netflix aired Alice in Borderland, which has become the top and most-watched TV series worldwide. You can also watch videos in HD, FHD, and UHD according to the subscription you paid. So, if you are looking for a great site to watch Jdrama, Netflix is a must-try website on our list.
- Netflix offers a personalized viewing experience with its recommendation algorithm, which suggests movies and TV shows based on your viewing history.
- It allows users to download content for offline viewing, making it convenient for those who don't have access to the internet at all times.
- The platform's library constantly changes, which may lead to disappointment if your favorite show or movie gets removed.
8. JDorama
Price: Free
Trial Limit: None
Distinctive feature: It has a list of JDramas from the year 1964 up to date.
JDroama is one of the oldest and yet most popular websites to watch Japanese drama online for free. It has a section where you can find the most famous Japanese shows in each season of the year. Aside from that, you will find the trailer of each movie and TV show on its homepage. Moreover, it has a vast community where you can join and discuss the trending shows in Japan. Along with its community, you can find lots of new JDrama shows to watch on this website. Moreover, it enables users to download Japanese music and OST with its platforms.
- Jdorama often features stories not commonly seen in Western media, allowing users to refresh their streaming experience.
- Users can access the website in different language like English, Romaji and Japanese.
- This is considered one of the largest streaming platforms offering old dramas and darker storylines.
- The platform interface is hard to follow, so users must be careful about what they are clicking.
- Download videos with high speed
- Download videos with HD quality
- Customize video resolution before downloading
Comparison of Japanese Drama Websites
| JDrama Sites | Supported Devices | Supported Web Browser | U.S Alexa Ranking | Website Structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AsianCrush | Chromecast, iOS, Apple TV, Google Play, Roku, etc. | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera | 91,873 | You can find the most trending and new arrival JDramas on its homepage. |
| Rakuten Viki | AndroidTV, AppleTV, Chromecast, FireTV, Android and iOS phones | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera | 2,078 | It has a simple structure with multiple sections to find your preferred JDramas and other Asian TV series. |
| ViewAsian | AndroidTV, AppleTV, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Ecosia | 184,335 | This website shows you its list of the genre on its homepage. |
| KissAsian | AndroidTV, AppleTV, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chromecast | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera, Ecosia, DuckDuckGo | 1,865 | Its homepage contains the latest JDramas that you can watch. |
| Dramacool | Chromecast, Roku, AndroidTV, SamsungTV, AppleTV, Android, iOS | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera | 6,860 | You can find on its homepage the most recently added drama series. |
| Midnight Pulp | Roku, AndroidTV, SamsungTV, AppleTV, Android, iOS | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera | 788,793 | It has a slideshow on its homepage where you can find the most frequently watched JDramas. |
| Netflix | Chromecast, Playstation, Xbox, Windows, Mac, Roku, AndroidTV, SamsungTV, AppleTV, Android, iOS | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera, Ecosia, DuckDuckGo | 20 | It shows the most top rated movies and TV series of different genres from various countries. |
| JDorama | Chromecast, Windows, Mac, AndroidTV, SamsungTV, Android, iOS | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera | 750,942 | It has a simple web structure where you can find the featured artist and latest JDrama episodes. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world of Japanese television, including its rich array of dramas, has found a global audience through various online platforms. From the most popular ones like Netflix, offering a diverse selection of Japanese dramas alongside international content, to specialized sites like AsianCrush, Rakuten Viki, and ViewAsian, catering specifically to fans of Japanese television, there is no shortage of options for enthusiasts. Whether viewers prefer raw videos in the original language or subbed versions for easier comprehension, these platforms have made accessing Japanese dramas easier. From timeless classics to newer episodes or latest releases, the online landscape offers a treasure trove of Japanese entertainment waiting to be explored and enjoyed by audiences worldwide.
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