Translation guide
A set of television programs with a common title, typically broadcast on a regular schedule. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is テレビドラマ for scripted series, but the term varies depending on genre and format.
A fictional television series with a continuing storyline, typically aired weekly.
The most common term for a television drama series. Often shortened to ドラマ in conversation.
今期のテレビドラマで何が一番面白い？
What's the most interesting TV drama this season?
Emphasizes that it is a serialized drama, as opposed to a one-off special.
この連続ドラマは全10話です。
This drama series has 10 episodes in total.
Used for a drama franchise with multiple seasons or related series.
このドラマシリーズはシーズン3まであります。
This drama series goes up to season 3.
An animated television series, often from Japan.
Standard term for a TV anime series. Often shortened to アニメ.
このテレビアニメは毎週日曜日に放送されます。
This anime series airs every Sunday.
Used when emphasizing the series aspect, especially for multi-season shows.
このアニメシリーズは原作の漫画よりも人気があります。
This anime series is more popular than the original manga.
A television series in a broad sense, including documentaries, variety shows, etc.
General term for a TV program or show. Can refer to a series or a single episode.
このテレビ番組は長年続いている人気シリーズです。
This TV show is a popular long-running series.
Often used as a suffix or standalone to mean 'series'. Context usually clarifies it's a TV series.
このシリーズはNetflixで独占配信中です。
This series is streaming exclusively on Netflix.
Referring to a series with a fixed number of episodes, often a limited series.
Used to describe a series with a specific total number of episodes, e.g., 全10話 (a 10-episode series).
この全5話のシリーズは一気に見られます。
This 5-episode series can be binge-watched.
Borrowed from English, used for a short-run series.
このミニシリーズはたった3話で完結します。
This miniseries concludes in just 3 episodes.
ドラマ specifically refers to scripted dramas, while 番組 is a broader term for any TV program, including variety shows, news, and documentaries. Use ドラマ when you mean a fictional series.
このドラマは感動的です。
This drama is moving.
この番組は毎週月曜日に放送されます。
This program airs every Monday.
The word シリーズ can be attached to many nouns to indicate a series. For example, ドラマシリーズ (drama series), アニメシリーズ (anime series), or simply シリーズ when the context is clear.
Netflixで新しいテレビシリーズを見ています。
I'm watching a new television series on Netflix.
テレビシリーズ is a direct loan and widely understood, but テレビドラマ or テレビ番組 may be more natural depending on genre.
このテレビ番組は10年間続いています。
This television series has been running for ten years.