Dramas With Little Or No Romance
sometimes we just wanna watch something that's not so romance focused, each drama in the list has a comment explaining why i put the drama in this list
INCLUDES:
- dramas i think personally have no romance
- dramas that only have romantic subtext but no obvious canon romantic main couple
- dramas that have no main couple but might have romantic side couples
obviously this only includes dramas i've seen so it'll continue to be updated the more i watch
note: there may be an imbalance of what country the drama is from as a lot of the korean, thai, taiwanese, & chinese dramas i've watched have a romantic plot with heavy focus within them, so that's why there's a lot of jdramas above anything else
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1. 10 Pontos Para o Futuro
Japanese Drama - 2022, 9 episodes
- student/mentor focused
- grieving widower
- definitely implies romance from the FL but feels one sided imo
(it's literally so minor that you can ignore itwhich i did) - minor romantic sideplot love triangle between 3 students in an early episode
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2. 100 Coisas para Fazer Antes de Virar Zumbi
Japanese Movie - 2023
- 1 minor romantic subplot that ends quite early in the movie
- the rest is just your typical end of the world type "let's have sex" nonsense
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3. 17 Sai no Teikoku
Japanese Drama - 2022, 5 episodes
- definitely an implied romance but it can be ignored
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4. 3 Nen A Gumi: Ima kara Mina-san wa, Hitojichi Desu
Japanese Drama - 2019, 10 episodes
- very minor background romances that can be ignored
- more student/mentor & platonic focused dynamics
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5. A Caminho do Céu
Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
- minor romance between support characters
- minor mentions of potential future romance between some main characters
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6. A Cozinha de Fermat
Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
- basically none
- there might be subtext between one of the MLs & his friend but it's very unrequited imo from her side
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7. A Mai Cong Jun
Chinese Drama - 2024, 36 episodes
- romance sideplot
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8. A Última Ficha
Japanese Drama - 2022, 9 episodes
- mostly postentially implied subtext
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9. Acma:Game
Japanese Drama - 2024, 10 episodes
- no romance if there was i totally missed it and it went over my head (could've possibly have been an unrequited love plot that i ignored but even if it was there it was very minor)
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10. Adeus, Maestro: Pai e Meu Appassionato
Japanese Drama - 2024, 10 episodes
- minor romantic subplots but the main focus is familial & music
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11. Advento de um Aristocrata: Príncipe da Lenda
Japanese Movie - 2020
- very minor romance
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12. Agridoce
Japanese Movie - 2016
- platonic focused
- mentions of romance
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13. Alegria da Vida
Chinese Drama - 2019, 46 episodes
- romantic sideplot but so much happens in this drama it's kinda on the back burner for a lot of it, i do adore the main couple though don't get me wrong but the romance is definitely not the main focus of this drama it's more about political intrigue, family dynamics, and palace politics
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14. Alegria da Vida 2
Chinese Drama - 2024, 36 episodes
- the same really as season 1, i feel like they spend more time apart in this season compared to the first one too
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15. Além do Mal
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
- there's pretty much no romance in this (the only thing really is a very incredibly minor subplot of a romance of a dead character in like one flashback)
- romantic subtext
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16. An Ye Ming Tan
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
- minor romance (married couple)
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17. Aogeba Toutoshi
Japanese Drama - 2016, 8 episodes
- platonic & mentor focused
- i don't remember there being any romance in this
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18. Aoki Vuanpaia no Nayami
Japanese Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
- no explicit romance but could be read as romantic subtext
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19. Artista
Japanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
- only the first 2 eps are somewhat romance focused but it's more about revenge & heartbreak than the romance itself
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20. Às Cegas
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
- very little romance, which is mostly subtext
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21. Bangkok no Limite
Thai Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
- minor romance but the main focus of the drama is the corruption
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22. Bar Três Estrelas em Nishi Ogikubo
Japanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
- more platonic focused
- mentions of romance & ex relationships of side characters
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23. Barakamon
Japanese Drama - 2023, 11 episodes
- no romance
- platonic/familial focused
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24. Black Postman
Japanese Drama - 2023, 7 episodes
- barely any romance
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25. Boss-dol Mart
Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
- small romance sideplots
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26. Brush Up Life
Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
- friendship focused
- very minor romantic sideplot near the beginning / mentions of an old crush/relationship
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27. Caçadores de Demônios
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
- hints to maybe future romance(s) but no couples as of the first season
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28. Caçadores de Demônios 2
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
- minor romantic subplots that can be ignored
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29. Campeonato de Sonhos
Korean Movie - 2023
- no romance
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30. Cat Property
Japanese Movie - 2022
- barely any romance you pretty much have to squint to see it if you really want to but very platonic focused
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31. Céu e Inferno: Troca de Almas
Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
- minor romantic subtext
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32. Chinese Paladin 4
Chinese Drama - 2024, 36 episodes
- romance sideplots that do get a bit of focus from time to time but the main relationship that has the focus are the platonic, familial, student/master relationships
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33. City Hunter
Japanese Movie - 2024
- i feel like they tried to hint towards romance but i saw it more as a sibling vibe but it was minor anyway
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34. Classe Dos Heróis Fracos 1
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
- no romance from what i remember
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35. CODE: O Preço dos Desejos
Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
- romantic subplot that doesn't last long
- revenge focused
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36. Company
Japanese Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
- minor romance (husband/wife going through divorce) but it's not the main focus
- hints at potential romances that don't go anywhere
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37. Contos Estranhos de Jiangcheng
Chinese Drama - 2024, 52 episodes
- no romance from what i remember or if there was i didn't notice it, it's more bromance & platonic focused
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38. Cool Doji Danshi
Japanese Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
- no romance
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39. Criminologista Himura e o Escritor de Mistério Arisugawa
Japanese Drama - 2016, 10 episodes
- possible romantic subtext
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40. Criminologista Himura e o Escritor de Mistério Arisugawa: Outra História
Japanese Special - 2016, 3 episodes
- possible romantic subtext
- romance mention between side characters
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41. Crosstail: Detetive da Sala
Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
- very little romance from what i can remember
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42. Da Capo Shimasen ka?
Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
- aint no time for romance in this drama tbh
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43. Death Note
Japanese Drama - 2015, 11 episodes
- there is a romantic relationship but i think it was more out of convenience than love & can be ignored imo
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44. Death Note NEW GENERATION
Japanese Drama - 2016, 3 episodes
- no romance i think
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45. Death Note: Iluminando um Novo Mundo
Japanese Movie - 2016
- no romance if i remember correctly
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46. Dekadance: Detetives Dançarinos
Japanese Drama - 2016, 12 episodes
- friendship focused
- minor references to romance / relationships
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47. dele
Japanese Drama - 2018, 8 episodes
- very little romance (mostly related to side characters)
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48. Desbloqueando o Chefe
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
- romantic sideplot but you can ignore it for the most part
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49. Desire Catcher
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
- maybe romantic subtext
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50. Dias Coloridos em Rokuhodo
Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
- very minor romantic sideplot
- platonic & familial focused
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51. Doce Lar
Korean Drama - 2020, 10 episodes
- romantic subtext / hints to romance
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52. Dominador dos Deuses Marciais
Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes
- very very minor romantic subplot but imo it was unrequited most of the time
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53. Doutor Prisoneiro
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
- hints to a possible romance
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54. Dra. White
Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
- no romance from what i remember
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55. Dragões de Wonderhatch
Japanese Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
- barely any romance if there is any it's subtext and i'm missing it
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56. Duas ou três coisas sobre minha banheira
Taiwanese Drama - 2022, 14 episodes
- romantic side plot that i think can be easily ignored
(tbh you could view it as platonic if you ignore like a few lines) - focuses more on the bromance
- romantic side plot that i think can be easily ignored
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57. Duas Pessoas Que Não Podem se Apaixonar
Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
- no romance as it focuses on two aromantic characters who don't want romantic relationships
- though it does touch upon past romantic relationships & romantic relationships in general in regards to combating amatonormativity
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58. Em Meio à Tempestade
Japanese Drama - 2024, 10 episodes
- minor romance (in flashbacks as it deals with the loss of a romantic partner)
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59. Embalado: O Contra-ataque de Mulher da Caixa Policial
Japanese Drama - 2021, 9 episodes
- little romance (characters go on mixers/dates but never really lead anywhere)
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60. Escola Jurídica
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
- minor romance
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61. Espada Snow Stride
Chinese Drama - 2021, 38 episodes
- definitely romantic subtext & minor romantic subplot but to me it comes off as a sibling bond more than anything romantic
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62. FAKE MOTION: Takkyu no Osho
Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
- no romance
- platonic focus
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63. Fique ao Meu Lado
Chinese Drama - 2023, 20 episodes
- no romance from what i remember
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64. Fixer
Japanese Drama - 2023, 5 episodes
- no romance from what i remember
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65. Frango Agridoce
Korean Drama - 2024, 10 episodes
- romance sideplot that well is only mentioned a few times because the FL turns into a nugget
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66. Ghost Yankee
Japanese Drama - 2024, 5 episodes
- no romance
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67. Gifted Season 1
Japanese Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
- no romance
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68. Gifted Season 2
Japanese Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
- no romance
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69. Gostaria de uma Xícara de Café?
Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
- no romance
- maybe a hint of romance between the owner of the coffee shop & his friend
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70. Guerra de Fé
Chinese Drama - 2024, 38 episodes
- minor romance sideplots
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71. Hakubo no Chronicle
Japanese Drama - 2024, 12 episodes
- no romance except sideplots that were minor if there was any romantic subtext it definitely went over my head
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72. Hero Is Back
Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes
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73. High School Ghost Story
Korean Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
- no romance
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74. HiGH&LOW
Japanese Drama - 2015, 10 episodes
- friendship focused
- some minor hints to romance here & there but it doesn't lead anywhere & can be ignored
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75. HiGH&LOW The Movie
Japanese Movie - 2016
- platonic relationships are the main focus
- minor mentions of a romance
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76. HiGH&LOW The Movie 2: END OF SKY
Japanese Movie - 2017
- platonic relationships are the main focus
- minor mentions of a romance
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77. HiGH&LOW The Movie 3: FINAL MISSION
Japanese Movie - 2017
- platonic relationships are the main focus
- minor mentions of a romance
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78. HiGH&LOW THE WORST
Japanese Movie - 2019
- platonic relationships are the main focus
- minor mentions of a romance(?)
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79. HiGH&LOW THE WORST EPISODE.0
Japanese Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
- platonic focused
- (not so) romantic sideplot for a side character in ep 4
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80. HiGH&LOW THE WORST Sequel
Japanese Movie - 2022
- no romance
- bromance focused
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81. HiGH&LOW: The Red Rain
Japanese Movie - 2016
- familial relationship is the main focus
- no romance if i remember correctly
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82. Hitotsubashi Kiriko no Hanzai Nikki
Japanese Drama - 2022, 5 episodes
- no romance from what i can remember
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83. Ichiban Sukina Hana
Japanese Drama - 2023, 11 episodes
- minor romantic subplots that are mostly unrequited, the main focus is platonic
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84. Ima kara Anata wo Kyouhaku Shimasu
Japanese Drama - 2017, 9 episodes
- mostly romantic subtext with a minor romance in flashbacks
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85. Informa
Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
- minor romance sideplot
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86. Informante
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
- very minor romantic subtext
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87. Invert: Jozuka Hisui Toujoshu
Japanese Drama - 2022, 5 episodes
- barely any romance unlike the prequel
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88. Invisível
Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
- romantic subtext
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89. Ishiko e Haneo: Você Está Me Processando?
Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
- romance sideplot but it doesn't have much of a focus because you kinda forget about it
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90. Itsu Made
Japanese Movie - 2023
- bromance focused
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91. Janus no Kagami
Japanese Drama - 2019, 8 episodes
- implied that shindo maybe has feelings for hiromi
- implied that tatsuya has feelings for yumi
- no romantic relationships
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92. Joshi Kousei no Mudazukai
Japanese Drama - 2020, 7 episodes
- mentions of romance
- friendship focused
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93. Juramento de Fidelidade
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
- bromance focus
- romantic sideplots that you can ignore (i felt nothing for them)
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94. Kaidanshita no Gogh
Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
- could be romantic subtext in this but you can read it platonically and/or as admiration
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95. Kana Kana
Japanese Drama - 2022, 28 episodes
- main focus is familial and platonic
- romance sideplot that's mostly unrequited
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96. Kantaro: The Sweet Tooth Salaryman
Japanese Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
- food focused
- i don't think i noticed any romance at all tbh
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97. Karma: Seven Joseon Notices
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
- i think they tried for romantic subtext but i wasn't feeling it
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98. Kashimashi Meshi
Japanese Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
- romantic sideplots but the main focus is the friendship
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99. Kazama Kimichika: Kyojo Zero
Japanese Drama - 2023, 11 episodes
- no romance from what i remember
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100. Keiji to Kenji, Tokidoki Hanji
Japanese Drama - 2023, 9 episodes
- minor romantic sideplots that either are unrequited or are from guest characters