Show cover for Japanorama

The Best Episodes of Japanorama

Every episode of Japanorama ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Japanorama!

Japanorama was a series of documentaries presented by Jonathan Ross, exploring various facets of popular culture and trends of modern-day Japan. Each episode had a theme, around which he presented cultural phenomena, films, music, and art that exemplify facets of Japan. The series was colourful in both its creative use of subject matter, and its use of bright colours that helped accent the action on screen rather than distract from it. Subjects were separated by eye catches that often featured the artwork of Junko Mizuno. Ross hosted each episode in suits so bright and stylised they could have been stolen from an anime character. Fans have credited the series for the care that both Ross and the BBC have placed in its production. Time was given to delve into each subject, and he was able to interview various figureheads of culture and industry, including Mamoru Oshii, Hayao Miyazaki, Takeshi Kitano, Takashi Miike with Takashi Murakami and Sonny Chiba. The theme song of the show was Kiyoshi no zundoko bushi by Kiyoshi Hikawa.

Genres:DocumentaryNewsComedy
Network:BBC Three

Top Episode Ratings Summary

The best episode of "Japanorama" is "Science Fiction", rated N/A/10 from 0 user votes. It was directed by N/A and written by N/A. "Science Fiction" aired on 6/9/2002 and is rated NaN point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Entertainment".

  • Science Fiction
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #1 - Science Fiction

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 2002-06-09

    This episode includes: "Ultraman", with interview with the director. "Tetsuo: The iron man" (1998). Interview with director. Games, interview with the CEO of UGA. Etiquette: How to enter a room. Astro boy (1963), and Akira. "Ghost in the shell" and "Avalon", interview with director (Mamoru Oshii) Robot pets, and robotpeople. I.K.U., a movie on hi-tech sex.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Entertainment
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #2 - Entertainment

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 2002-06-01

    This episode is about Japanese entertainment. It includes: "Water boys" TV show and film about male synchronized swimming "Cupheads" Madame Shirota’s Customs and Sayings: How to Laugh. JPOP Idols Interview with Hideaki Anno and footage from the live movie "Love and Pop" (1998). "Hostbed" , this is how internet was meant to be. A interview with Miyazaki and footage of Battle Royale

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Sex
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #3 - Sex

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 2002-06-01

    "Warm water under a red bridge", "Paradise TV", 24 hour erotic show. "The realm of the senses". Interview with directors etc. "Kings of pink", Etiquette: Chopsticks! Arousing anime. Starts of with "Plastic Little" (1994). "Legend of the overfiend" (1989). "Figure" (2001), cosplay with masks. "Tokyo Decadence"

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Yakuza
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #4 - Yakuza

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 2002-06-01

    This episode is about the Japanese Mafia Yakuza. It includes: "Tokyo drifter" (1966) "Branded to kill" (1967) "Brother" (2000), interview with Takeshi Kitano Etiquette: How to exchange business cards. Interview with the director Takashi Miike. "City of lost souls" (2000), "Audition" (1999), "Ichi the killer" (2001) Reality TV, "Crybaby". Interview with producer and winner. Pizzicato 5, interview. Defining the difference between anime and cartoons. "The professional: Golgo 13" (1983)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Swords
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #5 - Swords

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 2002-06-01

    This episode is about warriors and swords in Japan. It includes: Manga: "Lone wolf & cub". Interview with "Kazuo Koike". Etiquette: How to bow "Zatoichi and the one armed swordsman" (1971) "Samurai Fiction" (1998), interview with director. "Red shadow". "Ninja scroll" Breadman "Onibaba" (1964) Kanasisters "Supercar"/"White surf style no.5". "Seven Samurai" (1954) "Yojimno" (1961), hosts from Akira.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Horror
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #6 - Horror

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 2002-06-01

    This episode includes: Interview with an architects, and Godzilla actors. Etiquette: Numbers "Kwaidan" (1964) "Scarecrow" (2001) "St.John's Wort" (2001) "Ring" (1998), interview with the director. and "Ring 2" "Barefoot Gen" (1983), interview with writer. JUNKO MIZUNO, interview Interview with "Dir en grey" and fans

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Kakkoii (Cool)
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #7 - Kakkoii (Cool)

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 2006-09-10

    This episode covers what’s cool in Japan, including cell phones, pop music videos, robots and even shoes.Nigo, the creator of Bathing Ape, gives a bit of an look into what makes his brand cool.Madame Shirota’s Customs and Sayings: How to laugh.Also explored are the weird videos of Nagi NodaThere is an interview with the star of many of Japans cult films, Tadanobu Asano, known as the Japanese Johnny Depp.The Magic Numbers make their debut on their sell out tour of Japan.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Otaku (Nerds)
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #8 - Otaku (Nerds)

    Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 2006-09-14

    The world of Otaku, roughly translated as ‘nerd’, is explored. Such phenomena as Cosplay (dressing in costumes), Maid Cafes and model collecting are covered

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Zoku (Tribes)
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #9 - Zoku (Tribes)

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 2006-09-21

    A review of some of the groups in Japan as well as Japan’s obsession with uniforms. Covered are girl bikers, gangsters and goths. Designer Paul Smith tells about his phenomenal popularity in Japan

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Owarai (Comedy)
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #10 - Owarai (Comedy)

    Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 2006-09-28

    What is considered funny in Japan? This episode covers; Jackass style performances, comedy robot and Hard Gay (comedian).

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Bushido (Samurai Spirit)
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #11 - Bushido (Samurai Spirit)

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 2006-10-05

    Topics covered include: Beetle Sumo, 'Kill Bill' star Chiaki Kuriyama, mobile phone controlled robot warriors, a film about a Calamari Wrestler and even eating the deadly poisonous blow fish.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Kawai (Cute)
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #12 - Kawai (Cute)

    Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 2006-10-12

    Cute is perhaps the most pervasive concept in Japan. This episode covers Hello Kitty, Gloomy Bear and Super DolfieMadame Shirota’s Customs and Sayings: Where to throw your toothBottom tooth, throw over your roof. Top tooth, throw under your house.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Gaijin - Outsiders
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #13 - Gaijin - Outsiders

    Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 2007-03-19

    Jonathan Ross steps outside the mainstream to explore Gaijin - outsiders, those who don't fit in conformist Japan. He meets the Bosozoku, boy biker gangs, and explores the world of Drifting; uncovers the dotty world of artist Yayoi Kusama; and looks at the latest take on the Samurai with an exclusive preview of Samuel L. Jackson's new animation series adapted from the manga, Afro Samurai.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Ai and Koi - Love and Romance
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #14 - Ai and Koi - Love and Romance

    Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 2007-03-26

    Shinto Penis shrine, host clubs, Takarazuka theatre (all female performer musicals), yaoi manga (boy with boy manga), air sex, latex love dolls.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • J-Art - Pop Art
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #15 - J-Art - Pop Art

    Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 2007-04-02

    Segments include: Takashi Murakami (pop artist), Toast Girl (performance artist), Yoshitomo Nara (pop artist), toy-art, Tomohiro Yasui (origami robots), Hard Gay , Keiichi Tanaami (psychedelic artist).

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Densetsu - Legends
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #16 - Densetsu - Legends

    Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 2007-04-09

    This episode includes: Ultraman, 3 Most important anime (that are not Akira, Ghost in the Shell or by Miyazaki), Princess Tenko (magician), Tarako (pollock roe song), ramen, Sonny Chiba(Japanese martial arts actor) .

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Kaidan - Horror
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #17 - Kaidan - Horror

    Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 2007-04-16

    This episode includes: Horror manga, a visit to the haunted hospital in the Fuji-ku Theme park, kimodameshi (confronting ghosts), interview with Demon Kogure, Japanese Horror films, Junji Ito (horror manga writer), Kaoru Ijima ("death" photographer), Ero Guro (Erotic Horror films).

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Gyaru - Bad Girls
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #18 - Gyaru - Bad Girls

    Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 2007-04-23

    Kogyaru (bad girls), Para Para (a type of Japanese line dancing), Maeken (cross dressing Para Para dancer) Bad Girl Films, Reiko Ike (actress), Anna Tsuchiya (actress/ singer), Female Wrestling, Ying Ling (female wrestler), Female Singers and Bands.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A