I’m Taking the Day Off Review: A Comforting 2010s J-Drama Romance

Haruka Ayase, Riisa Naka and Sota Fukushi - Nippon Television Network

A brand-new set of J-dramas has recently dropped on Amazon Prime, who like Netflix, have upped their game in terms of blessing us with more J-entertainment goodness. One of these shows is “I’m Taking the Day Off” starring Haruka Ayase as an inconspicuous office lady with little to no experience in love.

I’m Taking the Day Off (Japanese: きょうは会社休みます。) is a 2014 Japanese romantic drama series about Hanae Aoishi, a shy and plain-looking office worker who, at nearly 30, has never dated or taken a day off work. On her birthday she gets drunk after drinks with a younger part-time colleague, Yuto Tanokura, and wakes up to find him beside her — sparking her first romantic and intimate experience.

As Hanae begins dating the nine-years-younger Yuto and steps out of her comfort zone, she faces the ups and downs of new love — from awkward dates to personal insecurities. To complicate her feelings, Yu Asao, a charismatic CEO from a neighbouring company, also takes an interest in her, forming a love triangle that challenges her to grow and choose what she truly wants in life and love. 

I know. This isn’t the most original storyline around, infact its one of the oldest plot lines in the long and colourful history of Japanese Television dramas, BUT every now and then you need shows like this to just switch off and enjoy a good and funny dose of Japanese immersion.

I’m Taking the Day Off is just that. Funny, basic and easy to follow, especially if you’re looking to improve your Japanese listening skills. Haruka Ayase delivers a great performance, which at times is slightly over the top and childish but perfectly on brand for the character of Hanae. Hanae’s prude and immature nature do get slightly annoying to watch especially over the course of 10 episodes. Then again, the show sets the tone of the narrative very early on, letting you know not to expect any crazy plotwists or character development.

I believe this was the first drama I’ve seen of Risa Naka in her early days of her career. She alongside the rest of the supporting cast did a decent job in creating that typical J-drama supporting character vibe that made the show enjoyable and funny to watch. I did think her character could have been used in more interesting storylines involving Hanae and Yuto.

I’m Taking the Day Off is a fun and simple romantic comedy that delivers what you expect from it. Nothing more and nothing less. I want to end on a positive note: the classic J-drama romantic comedy style of the 2010s remains enjoyable, even in 2026.