I know what you’re thinking, “there’s so much stuff on Netflix, and I’m so busy! What’s worth my time?’ well don’t worry, I have nothing better to do and I have a platform to project my opinion, so it all works out.

1. Tokyo Midnight Diner

The first season consists of 10 episodes, each about 24 mins long. There are adult themes, but nothing too explicit is visibly shown on-screen. This show is more of an anthology than a concise series. I started watching because the preview showed the delicious looking food he made; I came for the food, stayed for the story (and I got my little sister hooked too.) Every episode begins the same, with the character, only ever referred to as Sensei or "Master" (referring to his craft as a chef) talking about his little restaurant and his daily routine. When he's open, from midnight to seven in the morning, and his policy on food; he'll cook anything if you bring him the ingredients. He is the de facto narrator of the show, but he is hardly ever the focus. The show follows the lives of the people that eat at his diner.From a man with a gambling problem who finds out he's a father, to an old woman taking care of a young slacker who's not even related to her; these stories range from the heartwarming to the bittersweet. My personal favorite was the one about the gambler.

With a colorful cast of both one-time and reoccurring characters, you're sure to find one or two you'll absolutely love in this Japanese drama.

2. Atelier

Containing 13 episodes that are on average 43 mins long, but some are longer. I honestly cannot explain the headspace I was in when I decided to watch this. Fashion, modeling, and sewing are not passions of mine that I'd watch a drama about them, certainly not one that's not in my language. But 'lo and behold, here I am writing because I was 100% hooked on this show. My little sister and I (yes we watch practically everything together, we're adorable like that) have audibly gasped at some scenes and outright paused it and walked away because a certain character (the protagonist) did something stupid.

This drama series follows Mayuko Tokita, a girl from the countryside who moves to the big city of Tokyo to work in a famous lingerie store. Though she knows a lot about fabric (even calling herself a fabric geek) she's less than knowledgeable about the world of big-city high fashion. Her passion to learn, however, is endearing all the same. Mayumi Nanjo, the founder of the brand sees the potential in her and take her under her wing through the glitz & glamour that only the fashion business can provide. If you're a sucker for dramas that just border on being soapboxy, without the absurd cliches (no one gets amnesia and no one is anybody's long-lost twin) then I implore you to watch Atelier.

3. Into The Badlands

Now, this isn't a Netflix original (sue me) but it's on there and I don't think it gets nearly enough credit. The show is originally on the AMC network, the first season is on Netflix currently and the second season has finished on regular television. The first season has 6 episodes and they're about 40 mins long. With the same producers as that of the Matrix movies, if the poster wasn't a dead giveaway, it is an action show. Intense fight sequences, and the gore that comes with it, this is not a show to watch with children.

It takes place long after some apocalyptic event, and civilization, though not perfect, is still around. With the knowledge of guns lost, the law of the land is who is/ or who has the best fighters, and Sunny (the protagonist) is one of the best. He works as a Clipper, a warrior for Quinn, one of seven Barons who rule the Badlands. Peace among the Barons is tenuous at best, and Sunny comes across a young man called M.K who will shatter this peace.

This show is unlike any other show I've seen, from the fights, the locations, the aesthetics, and the diversity of characters in race, body type, and sexual orientation.The lead characters Sunny (Daniel Wu) and Veil (Madeleine Mantock) are in an interracial relationship that's more sweet and sincere than most of the relationships you see on TV. The show blends a lot of different looks together, such as with Quinn who has a Southern plantation owner look, but his fighting style kind of reminds me of a Samurai. And the women of the show are their own fleshed out characters. Not just props to show the men have feelings and though not all of them are warriors, each kick ass in their own way, and have their own agendas.

If nothing else, watch it for the awesome fight scenes. I don't want to give anything away, but there's one scene where Sunny fights like 20 guys who have hatchets in a warehouse and kills them all.

If that doesn't pique your interest, then I don't know what will.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this little list of shows. I'd be happy to know if you started to watch any of them because of my recommendations, but writing about them is enough for now. Hope you watch one of them!