Hamsapsukebe Jdorama Awards 2023

Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at that time of the year again. The time when I cbf watching any more jdoramas from 2023 and want to celebrate all the excellent shows from 2023. I think 2023 might be one of the best jdorama years ever because we have more than 5 must watch shows and a few that I would not not mind giving a must watch to like 0.5 no Otoko. So without further ado:

BEST ACTRESS

IITOYO MARIE - NANYOUBI NI UMARETA NO?

The question is Iitoyo Marie that good or is Nojima Shinji's script so magical that anyone could have made the role of Sui sing so well? Who knows but by the jdorama gods, this is the best performance by an actress from 2023. If you said Naka Riisa from Rikon Shiyou yo, I would not disagree.

BEST ACTOR

AOYAGI SHO - KASO GIREI

Aoyagi Sho did such a great job as Kiryu Ekai. He is a swindler who created this religion for money but at his core, he wants to help people and he discovers that the business of religion is a lot more cutthroat than he imagined. Aoyagi Sho made Kiryu Ekai a genuine person in a sea of sharks.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

FUBUKI JUN - 0.5 NO OTOKO

The heart of 0.5 no otoko, a heartwarming family dorama from WOWOW.  I did not give it a must watch but it is such a great feel good show and if anyone from the show deserves an acting award it is Fubuki Jun.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

KITAMURA  YUKIYA - KEIJI TO KENJI, TOKIDOKI HANJI

Not only did Kitamura Yukiya did a good job for Tasogare Yusaku, he was very good as the prosecutor whose ex was Kichise Michiko and who has the hots for Higa Minami.

MOST FUN JDORAMA OF 2023

KENSHIROU NI YOROSHIKU

I know I did not give Kenshirou ni Yoroshiku a must watch but it was such a funny and memorable show for me. I kept waiting for the gimmick to grow stale but the show had me laughing until the end.

GOOD TRY AT GOING A HOME RUN AWARD

KUDO KANKURO FOR RIKON SHIYOU YO

The first half of Rikon Shiyo yo! was so freaking good and funny. The second half was slow and boring. Kudo Kankuro could have gone the easy way out but he wanted to do this meaningful divorce story that was a few episodes too long. I respect Kudo Kankuro's ambition but it could have easily been the best show of 2023 if he did not aim for the stars.

SO BAD THAT I ENJOYED IT

TRILLION GAME

Trillion game is a turn off your brain show about two people who somehow succeed at every get rich quick scheme from creating their own online shopping platform with a fake AI to becoming hosts to creating stupid gatcha games. Trillion Game was so cheesy I could not help enjoying myself. Maybe I should call this is Imada Mio award because I would not have finished Trillion Game and Ichiban Sukina Hana without her. 

BEST 5 JDORAMAS OF 2023

5. TOKYO HINKON JOSHI

It was between Tokyo Hinkon Joshi and Rakujitsu for the final spot and I have to give to Tokyo Hinkon Joshi. I can't remember the last time I had more than 6 must watch shows in a year. Tokyo Hinkon Joshi is the show that shows you sometimes women can ganbatte all they want but the odds can be staked against them and life is never fair.

4. HAYABUSA SHOBODAN

Fun mystery jdorama set in beautiful inaka featuring a band of underdog firefighters. Beautifully shot with a great ending.

3. PARIPI KOMEI

Is Mukai Osamu that good as Komei or is it just the costume? Kamishiraishi Moka is the absolute casting choice for Eiko. I think Paripi Komei does everything very well.

2. FENCE

Fence is a story about a magazine reporter investigating this rape allegation in beautiful Okinawa and what she uncovers is not pretty. Fence gives the audience a breakdown of the politics of Okinawa, race in Japan and the cost of having a foreign military base. 

1. KASO GIREI

Kaso Girei is a jdorama about two people creating a fake religion but it is also a show about people looking for a place to belong. It is a show that examines the value of religion and rituals to our lives and how it gives order and meaning. Kaso Girei also looks at the power of religion and it's connection to politics. Amazing job by NHK.