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Jan 14, 2025

What are you watching and where are you watching it!?

For many years I have been a member of Amazon Prime. I signed up to and pay for it for the "free" delivery and I like that much of Prime TV is then "free" too. However, in recent years, Prime TV hasn't been great. So I now pay for Netflix monthly and I find it very reasonably priced. But its not always easy to pick what to watch! What are you watching, where are you watching it and would you recommend it?

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BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com

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14 Answers

Best Answer

  • samoona

    samoona

    on Jan 16

    Currently binge watching "Alice in Boderland" on Netflix because I just finished watching "Squid games 2". Alice in borderland is an exciting thriller shot in Tokyo. Me and my husband loved to identify the famous Shibuya scramble, Roppongi and Shinjuku areas in the background. Surprisingly, the 2nd season is better than the first one (which rarely happens in shows). I'd definitely recommend this show. It has subtitles available in English so you can practice your Japanese listening skills too! Let me know if you want any show/movie recommendations for a specific genre cause I've had Netflix for a very long time.

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Jan 14

    I've been neglecting to look at Amazon Prime even though I'm subscribed to it. Thanks for the reminder! I watch VOD on NHK World a lot. A current docudrama is Kurara: The Dazzling Life of Hokusai's Daughter and for a laugh Kiriko's Crime Diary. These dramas appear in the NHK Drama Showcase. The NHK Drama Showcase has good production values and I pick up a lot of expressions from the shows.

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Jan 15

    I'm an avid Netflix-er as well, and I was looking forward to the With Love, Meghan series from the Duchess of Sussex, but the release date has been pushed back because of the wildfires in the US. It's not due to come out now until March, I believe.

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Jan 17

    @samoona How did the second season of Squid Game compare to the first? I haven't heard as much buzz about the second series as I did the first time, but I feel like season one was still fairly wrapped up in the pandemic when everyone was probably at home watching more TV. Wondering if I should start watching it this weekend!

    1
  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Jan 18

    @samoona Your response prompted me to look up "Alice in Borderland". It looks fascinating. I'm tempted to join Team Netflix now!

    1
  • samoona

    samoona

    on Jan 20

    @genkidesu Personally I liked the second season. It follows the main character from season 1 and introduces some brilliant new characters as well. Given the first season felt more like a thriller where you were kept guessing what till happen next, the second season has a more drama involving major emotions. I'd recommend to give it a try ;)

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Jan 21

    @samoona Awesome, that's part of my weekend sorted out! I'll give it a go!

    1
  • Lyssays

    Lyssays

    on Feb 10

    Very late answer! But on Netflix, I often end up watching shows that are being heavily promoted at a given time (eg. Black Doves back around Christmas). Otherwise, for kind of the TV equivalent of comfort food, I keep going back to the series’ based on Harlan Coben novels - twisty and interesting, even if a little unbelievable at times, and I get added amusement from watching the same actors and actresses crop up again and again.

    1
  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Feb 10

    @Lyssays I love the Harlan Coben series. I think I've watched them all! Always waiting for them to bring out another one! I've just started season 2 of "The Night Agent". I really enjoyed the first season, so I hope I am not disappointed!

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Apr 25

    Just got done watching a K-Drama on Netflix called When life gives you tangerines recently. Really great show, highlights the highs and lows of life, but there are some serious tearjerker episodes.

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  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on May 9

    @genkidesu I must try watching other languages, but because I speak Japanese all day every day, I prefer to watch English language programs at night. I don't like dubbing either, because I get distracted watching whether the dubbing and the lip movement are in sync!!!

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on May 23

    Update - Amazon Japan sent me an email to say I'm underutilizing the free music, podcasts, and video. My new Apple device nudges me to use their apps for books, podcasts, music, etc. Is it worth it to subscribe to Amazon Prime if I'm in Apple-land?

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Jun 30

    On the kids front, we liked Paddington in Peru on Netflix recently!

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Jul 8

    My kids have also been watching the new Netflix K-Pop Demon Hunters kids movie. No jokes, though, it's even a fun movie for adults and there are some seriously good songs on there!

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