From the Showa era through Heisei and Reiwa, a wide variety of TV dramas have been broadcast in Japan.
Works across many genres—romance, action, mystery, and more—are beloved by viewers.
In this article, we’ve compiled quizzes related to dramas aired in Japan.
You can check out everything from timeless masterpieces loved across generations to hot, buzzworthy titles.
Many questions focus on iconic scenes and theme songs, which may evoke a sense of nostalgia for some.
Be sure to try these quizzes to deepen your knowledge of Japan’s most popular TV dramas.
- [2010–2019] A roundup of theme songs from popular dramas
- [General Questions] Knowledge and Quiz Questions about Famous Anime
- Songs That Bring Back the Shows: Beloved Drama Theme Songs
- [2000–2009] A roundup of theme songs from popular dramas!
- [Battle of Wits] Stimulate your intellectual curiosity! Quiz questions that get adults excited
- [Disney Quiz] Quizzes about Disney’s history and theme parks
- Anime quizzes that elementary school kids will love! A collection of questions parents and children can enjoy together
- [Definitive Guide] A thorough breakdown of fun quizzes hugely popular with women—perfect for a mental workout!
- Detective Conan quiz. A three-choice (multiple-choice) Conan quiz.
- Ranking of popular quiz and riddle topics
- [Drama Theme Songs] Over 800 Million Plays! A Curated Selection of Unforgettable Classics
- Masterpiece anime that Heisei-born people feel nostalgic about
- [Trick Quiz] Quiz Questions That Excite Everyone from Kids to Adults
A quiz about Japanese TV dramas: from nostalgic classics to buzzy hits (1–10)
What is the best-selling single CD of a Japanese drama theme song?
- Time goes by
- Close your eyes
- The One and Only Flower in the World
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The One and Only Flower in the World
“Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana” is a single released in 2003 by SMAP, a popular Japanese group, and it was used as the theme song for the Japanese TV drama “Boku no Ikiru Michi” (The Way I Live). The song was a major hit, sustaining high sales on Japan’s single CD sales charts for an extended period. Its moving melody and lyrics resonated with many people, and, together with the drama’s popularity, it garnered wide support, becoming one of the best-selling drama theme songs of all time.
Which Japanese TV drama had the highest average viewership ratings?
- The White Tower
- Oshin
- Tokyo Love Story
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Oshin
The Japanese drama with a record-high average viewership rating is Oshin. This NHK morning drama series, aired from 1983 to 1984, was so popular that it became a social phenomenon, recording an average rating of 52.6%. Through the story of the protagonist Oshin, it portrays the harsh lives and the ways women lived in Japan from the prewar to the postwar period, which is considered a key factor behind its high ratings, capturing the hearts of many people.
What is the name of the protagonist played by Yui Aragaki in the drama “We Married as a Job!” (Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu)?
- Mikuri Moriyama
- Chihiro Shiraishi
- Yuriko Ono
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Mikuri Moriyama
In the drama “We Married as a Job,” the character played by Yui Aragaki was Mikuri Moriyama, a diligent and positive woman. After losing her job, Mikuri enters into an employment contract, and her charm and growth captivated many viewers.
What is the name of the protagonist played by Masato Sakai in the drama “VIVANT”?
- Taku Sawamura
- Yusuke Nogi
- Shuhei Ando
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Yusuke Nogi
In the drama VIVANT, the protagonist played by Masato Sakai is named Yusuke Nogi. Yusuke Nogi is portrayed as a highly compelling character, and his deeply human performance drew in many viewers. The protagonist, Yusuke Nogi, faces various challenges both at work and in his personal life, and his journey of overcoming them and growing as a person left a strong impression.
Which TBS Sunday Theater series holds the highest average viewership rating across all episodes?
- Love Generation
- Beautiful Life
- Naoki Hanzawa
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Beautiful Life
Broadcast in 2000, “Beautiful Life” holds the highest average viewership rating across all episodes among dramas aired in TBS’s Sunday Theater slot. Starring Takuya Kimura and Takako Tokiwa, its moving love story and human drama captivated many viewers. As a result, it achieved a high average rating and remains a memorable work.
What is the famous line said by Suzu Aizawa, played by Yumi Adachi, in the drama “Homeless Child”?
- Dreams don’t run away; it’s always ourselves who do.
- If you feel sorry for me, give me money.
- If you give up, the game is over right there.
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If you feel sorry for me, give me money.
The famous line “If you’re going to pity me, give me money” spoken by Suzu Aizawa, played by Yumi Adachi in the drama ‘Homeless Child,’ remains etched in viewers’ memories. This line symbolizes her strength to live with independence, refusing others’ pity despite being in harsh living conditions.
Who played the protagonist Jin Minakata in the drama “JIN”?
- Takao Osawa
- Shun Oguri
- Hiroshi Tamaki
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Takao Osawa
The actor who played the protagonist, Jin Minakata, in the drama “JIN” was Takao Osawa. The series generated significant buzz as a time-travel medical drama. Takao Osawa portrayed Jin Minakata, a modern neurosurgeon with a passionate sense of mission who time-slips to the Edo period, and he is known for earning support from a wide range of age groups.