After Netflix launched the series 13 Reasons Why or Por 13 Razões, the world began to talk about the subjects of suicide and bullying. The series truly exploded and captivated different audiences, but it also generated some criticism regarding the revenge portrayed and the way it was addressed. For those who don't know, 13 Reasons Why is based on a book by Jay Asher that addresses the suicide of a 17-year-old girl named Hanna Baker, who left a box with 13 recordings on tapes talking about the people she blamed for her suicide.
The series addresses various themes beyond suicide and bullying, such as machismo, homophobia, sexual abuse, and several other issues involving high school adolescents. To take advantage of the wave that the series is bringing while addressing this topic, today we have selected some Japanese works such as anime, doramas, and movies that have the same themes involving suicides, bullying, depression, and other social problems that you need to watch.
Table of Content
Life - Dorama about Bullying
The work Life (ライフ）is available in manga and television series. In addition to bullying, the work also features themes such as suicide and rape. Life tells the story of a girl named Ayumi who struggles to get into a school together with a friend, unfortunately this friend can not pass and blames Ayume ending the friendship. to make matters worse this friend tries to commit suicide and in the new school Ayuma ends up getting into false rumors that makes her become a hated girl and turning her life into hell.
“A human being who is cornered has no choice but to be strong. I will not be defeated.” – Ayumu Shiiba
Kara no Kyoukai
Kara no Kyoukai is based on a Light Novel and has several animated films. The story involves a series of suicides for no reason and a protagonist with supernatural powers responsible for solving these problems. Despite seeming a bit fanciful, the work delves deeply into depression, suicide, loneliness and the stages of denial.
Welcome to the NHK
Although the anime/manga focuses on the life of a hikikomori. The work addresses many themes involving suicide, bullying, and social pressure. The story shows a boy who lives isolated in his room, possibly because he felt excluded from society due to bullying and social problems in the past. Things change a bit when he receives help from a girl and some friends from school. This work is fantastic and mature, being considered an essential seinen.
Orange
This work based on the manga by Ichigo Takano received an anime adaptation and a movie. It tells the story of a girl who receives letters from the future that help to prevent a tragedy involving a friend. This work is excellent and addresses themes of overcoming the suicide of a loved one, resisting the urge to commit suicide, as well as issues related to friendships and school.
GTO - Great Teacher Onizuka
Based on a famous comedy manga, this work has received an anime and 2 live-action dramas that deal well with the subject. GTO tells the story of a delinquent named Onizuka who becomes a teacher in a classroom full of troubled students. Without a doubt, one of the best works I have ever seen that addresses various themes such as bullying, suicide, rape, family, and many others involving life and school.
other japanese works
There are several movies, dramas and anime that also address topics such as suicide and bullying, but do not have as their main focus. We will leave a short list below as a recommendation for you to watch:
- The Shape of Voice - Work involving bullying with a deaf girl;
- Accel World - Action anime that addresses bullying a bit;
- Gakkou no Kaidan - Dorama shows how to overcome bullying;
- Hana yori Dango - Very famous, it addresses bullying at the beginning;
- Aku no Hana - More problems at school;
- Nagi no Asakura - Bullying and Racism;
- Slam Dunk;
There are several other interesting works that address similar themes. If you know of any that haven't been mentioned, let us know in the comments.