Quartet (2017)
A bittersweet Japanese drama about four strangers who form a string quartet, share a winter home, and slowly unravel each other's secrets.
Quartet - Series Information
- Original Title: カルテット
- First Air Year: 2017
- Last Air Year: 2017
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 10
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: January 17, 2017 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: TBS
- Alternative Titles: カルテット (JP), QuartetDRAMA (KR), Quartet (US)
- Production Companies: TBS
- Production Countries: Japan
Quartet - Plot
Maki Maki, Sebuki Suzume, Beppu Tsukasa and Iemori Yutaka happen to meet and form a quartet. They even begin to live together in Karuizawa during the winter, but there is a big hidden secret.
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Quartet - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Takako Matsu
- Hikari Mitsushima
- Issey Takahashi
- Ryuhei Matsuda
- Riho Yoshioka
- Takeshi Tomizawa
- Akiko Yagi
- Mummy-D
- Masako Motai
- Mayumi Chihiro
Writers
- Yuji Sakamoto
Quartet - FAQs
What is the hidden secret in Quartet?
Each of the four musicians in Quartet carries a carefully guarded personal secret that gradually surfaces as they share a winter home in Karuizawa. The series peels back their lives layer by layer, revealing that beneath the warmth of their found family lies grief, deception, and unresolved pasts.
Is Quartet worth watching for non-Japanese drama fans?
Absolutely. Quartet is widely regarded as one of the finest Japanese dramas of the 2010s, praised for its sharp, witty writing by Yuji Sakamoto and its emotionally layered performances. Its bittersweet tone, dark humor, and beautifully observed character dynamics make it compelling even for viewers new to Japanese television.
Where can you stream Quartet online?
Quartet is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. Both options give you access to all ten episodes of the series, making it easy to binge the full season in one sitting or savor it gradually.
Who plays the four musicians in Quartet?
The quartet is brought to life by Takako Matsu as Maki Maki, Hikari Mitsushima as Suzume Sebuki, Issey Takahashi as Yutaka Iemori, and Ryuhei Matsuda as Tsukasa Beppu. All four deliver nuanced, emotionally rich performances that anchor the series' delicate balance of comedy and drama.
Is Quartet based on a true story?
Quartet is an original work of fiction, not based on real events or people. The story and characters were created entirely by screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto, one of Japan's most celebrated television writers, known for crafting emotionally complex narratives with sharp dialogue and unexpected tonal shifts.
How was Quartet received by critics and audiences?
Quartet was met with widespread critical acclaim in Japan and earned devoted international fans after its Netflix release. Critics praised Yuji Sakamoto's intricate screenplay and the ensemble cast's chemistry. The series is frequently cited in best-of lists for Japanese drama and is considered a modern classic of the genre.
What themes does Quartet explore beyond music?
While music provides the backdrop, Quartet digs deep into themes of midlife crisis, loneliness, friendship, cohabitation, and the secrets people carry to survive. It explores how strangers become a found family, and how shared vulnerability can be both healing and dangerous — all wrapped in a bittersweet, darkly comic tone.
What shows are similar to Quartet?
If Quartet resonated with you, try Your Lie in April for its emotional music-driven storytelling, or Tokyo Love Story for classic Japanese romantic drama. Kids on the Slope and Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad also blend music and heartfelt character arcs in ways that fans of Quartet tend to love.
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