9 Best Thriller Japanese Dramas That is Tense and Must be Watched

Japanese dramas always have a cute yet charismatic and quirky vibe to them. They have presented masterpieces in every genre and one of them is a Japanese dramas with a suspenseful thriller.

A thriller series is always an option, even if it scares the fans. The plot twists and mysteries of these dramas will keep you hooked, which is why audiences love them. Also great Visuals, jaw-dropping acting, and an amazing plot.

If you are looking for something thrilling then this mystery thriller J-drama is perfect for binge-watching. So here are the 9 best Japanese thriller series that you must watch!

 

Best Thriller Japanese Dramas List To Watch Now

 

1. Wana no Senso

Best Thriller Japanese Dramas

Wana no Senso tells the story of Washizu Toru, a man who worked as a parliamentary secretary for 20 years of his life.

He dedicated his all there but ended up being betrayed by a member of Parliament. He then decides to take revenge on the politicians who wield power over him. The latest Japanese thriller series was released in 2023 with 11 episodes.

 

2. Kazokugari

Best Thriller Japanese Dramas

Hizaki Yuko is a woman who works as a child psychologist who works at the Childcare Center. At work, her heart goes out to the children at the center.

But when at home, he has to endure the nagging of his mother, Tamiko, who is the only caregiver for Seitaro, Yuko’s father who suffers from Alzheimer’s. With the kids suffering at work and her mother complaining at home, Yuko can hardly rest and calm.

Meanwhile, Sudo Shunsuke is an art teacher at a high school, but the days pass aimlessly for him. He dreams of creating masterpieces and his talent being recognized by the world.

His girlfriend, Kiyooka Miho, pressures him into marriage, but Shunsuke is reluctant to do so. One day, a crime occurs in Shunsuke’s neighbor’s apartment.

The police considered it a homicide-suicide, based on a suicide note his son had left, claiming he had killed his grandfather and parents.

Detective Mamihara Koki feels there is more to it, as the brutality of the murder of a parent seems uncharacteristic for a child perpetrator.

He decides to take the case further, and soon, Shunsuke and Yuko are unwittingly drawn into the investigation This is one of the best Japanese psychological thriller dramas released in 2014 and has 10 episodes.

 

3. Reverse

Fukase Kazuhisa is a man who just graduated from a top university but lives a very ordinary and ordinary life. His only hobby is drinking coffee which leads him to Mihoko Ochi, who becomes his girlfriend.

One day, Mihoko receives a mysterious letter consisting of one line, “Kazuhisa Fukase is an assassin.” Fukase’s instincts told him that the time had come to confront “that incident” 10 years ago.

One winter 10 years ago, his best friend Hirosawa Yuki died in an unfortunate accident during a snowboarding trip with his university classmates Tanihara Yasuo, Asami Kosuke, Murai Takaaki, and Murai’s younger sister, Asuka.

However, there is a big secret hidden in the accident. Letters were also sent to Tanihara, Asami, and Murai who also shared this secret, they were even hit by a series of events.

Fukase decides to face the truth of the past to protect the people he cares about. This Japanese thriller series was released in 2017 with 10 episodes.

 

4. Alice In Borderland

Best Thriller Japanese Dramas

Arisu Ryohei is a jobless young man whose only obsession is video games. He suddenly finds himself in a strange and empty version of Tokyo where he and his friends must compete in a dangerous game of survival.

In this strange world, Arisu meets Usagi, a young woman who runs games alone. After a dangerous game that tests Arisu’s limits, the two set out together to unravel one mystery after another as they put their lives on the line and confront what it means to live.

Alice In Borderland was released in 2020 and has 2 seasons with a total of 16 episodes. You can watch this one of the best Japanese mystery thriller dramas on Netflix.

 

5. Re:Mind

Best Thriller Japanese Dramas

It tells the story of eleven high school friends waking up, stranded at a large dining room table. While fearing for their lives, they try to remember their motives for being there and uncover each other’s secrets.

This Japanese tv show was released in 2017 with 12 episodes. You can watch this Japanese thriller series on Netflix.

 

6. Your Turn To Kill/Anata no Ban Desu

Best Thriller Japanese Dramas

Nana and Shota are a newlywed couple, and Nana is 15 years older than Shota. Nana works as a designer, and Shota works as a gym trainer. They both enjoy mysteries.

The newlyweds then moved into an apartment, and they attended a community gathering there. Nana and Shota are involved in a murder case that occurred in the apartment.

Citizens were killed one by one. Some residents have a motive, but the suspect has an alibi. Therefore, no arrests have been made.

This is one of the best Japanese mystery thriller dramas released in 2019. It has 10 episodes and you can watch this J-drama on Netflix.

 

7. The Journalist

Matsuda Anna is a dedicated journalist who steadfastly pursues the truth about a government corruption scandal even when powerful enemies try to neutralize her reports. This Japanese series was released in 2022 with 6 episodes and is available on Netflix.

 

8. Love You As The World Ends/Kimi to Sekai ga owaru Hi ni

Best Thriller Japanese Dramas

It tells the story of Mamiya Hibiki, a sincere young man with a bright personality. He works as an auto mechanic and lives with his girlfriend, Ogasawara Kurumi and they have been dating since high school.

Hibiki was currently making plans to propose to Kurumi. The day he proposed to his girlfriend, he slid down the tunnel and got stuck. 4 days later, he was able to escape, but he faced a different world.

There was no one outside, the traffic system was destroyed, and there were bloodstains on the streets. What happened to the world? Hibiki tries to find Kurumi.

The series was released in 2021 and has 2 seasons with a total of 16 episodes. You can watch this one of the best Japanese psychological thriller dramas on Netflix.

 

9. How To Eliminate My Teacher

Best Thriller Japanese Dramas

At a prestigious high school in Tokyo, the third year of Class D is made up of students with high scores. This was a group with history, as all of their previous homeroom teachers had gone mad in no time and quit.

It turns out that the students in Class D enjoy the sport of pushing teachers over the edge, eventually witnessing them fall into a mental collapse. They are very good at this game and have never lost.

Then one day, Tsuneo Yoshizawa appears before Class D as their new homeroom teacher. Tsuneo Yoshizawa kept a smile no matter what, somehow enduring their relentless verbal and physical attacks.

In frustration, the student’s behavior becomes worse and the situation escalates. Finally, they found themselves devising a plan to kill their teacher.

How To Eliminate My Teacher is one of the must-watch Japanese mystery thriller series. It was released in 2020 with 8 episodes and is available on Netflix.

 

That was the list of the best thriller Japanese dramas that are tense and must be watched now. Thank you for reading this article, have a nice day!

Read Also: