Best TV Shows of 2012

Shizuku Mizutani is a dedicated student, focused solely on getting to the top of her class. Her life is quiet and intense until she's unexpectedly tasked with delivering materials to Haru Yoshida, a classmate who lives life with carefree energy – the opposite of Shizuku’s disciplined approach. As they spend time together, Shizuku begins to experience new friendships and feelings, finding herself pulled between her academic goals and a desire for connection. The story follows Shizuku's journey of self-discovery, exploring how she learns to balance her studies with relationships and evolves from an isolated scholar into someone more open to the complexities of life.

Daimon Michiko is a 37-year-old freelance surgeon working with a controversial doctor placement service that sends her to hospitals across the country. Facing severe doctor shortages, hospitals rely on this program for temporary staffing. Michiko, however, doesn't fit the typical doctor image with her bold style and unconventional personality. In the pilot, she challenges a planned operation by the hospital's director – a surgeon who hasn't performed a procedure in years. Her blunt assessment of his outdated skills earns her enemies, but also stunned silence from everyone else. Michiko is fiercely protective of her time, strictly adhering to her medical duties and ignoring hospital politics. No one knows where she learned her exceptional skills or how she commands such high fees, and her personal life remains a complete enigma. The series also stars Tanaka as a rookie surgeon, Uchida as an anesthetist, Kishibe as the placement service head, and Ito as the head of surgery.

Detective Catherine Chandler tackles brutal homicide cases with fierce determination. Flashbacks reveal a painful past: her mother’s murder by gunmen and a mysterious rescue by a stranger. While investigating a cold case, Catherine discovers Vincent Keller, presumed dead for years. He's alive, and the person who saved her. But their reunion is complicated by secrets. Vincent has been hiding his extraordinary ability – a terrifying transformation into a powerful, uncontrollable beast when angered. As Catherine uncovers the truth about Vincent’s powers, they must confront their shared history and the life-altering secret that binds them.

During World War II, a young woman discovers her mother was a secret agent for British intelligence. Unraveling her family history, she’s drawn into a dangerous world of espionage that spans generations. The story explores the conflict between loyalty and personal sacrifice during wartime, offering a close look at life where trust is scarce and every connection is risky. As she searches for answers about her mother, she confronts the secrets of the past while questioning her own identity. Blending historical drama with suspense, the film examines espionage through the lens of family. It’s a compelling story about courage, truth, and how the past continues to shape our lives.

In ancient Korea, the ghost of a young woman named Arang searches for the truth behind her unjust death, unable to find peace. She meets Eunoh, a magistrate who can see ghosts, and together they pursue justice. Their journey takes them through a world where the real and supernatural collide. As they work together, Arang’s spirit reminds Eunoh of life's fragility and fuels his commitment to doing what’s right. This is a captivating story of mystery, drama, and the supernatural, exploring justice, loss, and redemption in a beautiful historical setting.

Unemployed Sakamoto is suddenly on a mysterious tropical island, with no memory of getting there. He soon discovers he's not alone – other strangers are stranded there too, all skilled players of a brutal online fighting game called Btooom!. Here, survival means battling fellow islanders in deadly matches, armed only with explosive devices he knows intimately from the game. As Sakamoto fights to stay alive, his real-world self starts to merge with his online persona. This intense story examines survival, identity, and the dangers of living too much in a digital world, all within a thrilling narrative full of surprises.

Ryota, a reserved office worker, has his predictable life upended when his estranged father falls ill. He, his wife Sae, and their daughter Moe journey to his father's isolated hometown in the countryside. As they explore, they uncover a surprising history of mythical creatures and captivating stories from his father’s past. This unexpected trip challenges Ryota to face his own doubts and complicated family relationships, ultimately helping him find inner strength. The story explores family, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace the unfamiliar. Deeper into his father's history, Ryota uncovers hidden beauty in their family and realizes that even ordinary lives can conceal extraordinary secrets.

A federal agent, a police officer, and a conspiracy novelist team up to solve a baffling mystery: the sudden reappearance of Alcatraz's most notorious prisoners, who vanished without a trace fifty years ago. Drawn together by this unbelievable event, they must unravel a tangled web of secrets, lies, and government conspiracies. As they investigate, the trio confronts their own pasts while struggling to separate fact from fiction in a case that challenges everything they thought they knew.

Shiro, a regular high school student, is suddenly targeted by a ruthless clan. His peaceful life is shattered when he's accused of killing one of their members, forcing him to fight for survival against their deadly pursuit. Then comes Kurou Yatogami, a mysterious young man who helps Shiro escape an attack, only to reveal he's also hunting Shiro. Surprisingly, they both share a common enemy: powerful clan leaders who rule through seven kings. As Shiro tries to evade these assassins and clear his name, he uncovers a dangerous conspiracy. With time running out, Shiro must rely on all his strength to survive this high-stakes game of cat and mouse that tests everything he believes in.

During a ten-year war against the Cylons, Ensign William Adama hopes for a fighter assignment, but is instead assigned to a freighter with the reluctant Lt. Coker Fasjovic. Their seemingly ordinary mission to transport civilian scientist Dr. Becca Kelly quickly turns into something far more complicated and mysterious. Dr. Kelly's secrecy about her mission intrigues Adama, especially as it leads them into Cylon territory. This dangerous journey tests the crew’s loyalty and trust. As they struggle to survive amidst war and deception, Adama and Fasjovic discover that nothing is as it seems, and every choice carries a heavy price in this story of duty, bravery, and survival.

Akira’s life changes when he impulsively tastes saliva from a new transfer student at school. He then develops a five-day high fever. As he worries about his health, Mikoto visits and gives him some of her own saliva to consume, instantly curing him. Mikoto reveals she can transmit emotions through her saliva, forging an unusual connection with Akira that deepens beyond friendship. Navigating high school together, they must learn to manage this unique bond and the intense emotions it stirs. Through their experiences, Akira and Mikoto will uncover truths about themselves, love, and the profound power of human connection.

Bryan and David, two Los Angeles professionals, pursue their dream of starting a family, facing the possibility that parenthood might not happen. They meet Goldie, a vibrant young woman with an eight-year-old daughter, who is looking for a better life away from her strict grandmother. Goldie offers Bryan and David a chance at parenthood through a surrogacy arrangement. This unconventional setup creates a powerful bond between the three of them, challenging traditional family ideas. The story explores love, friendship, and what it means to be a family in the modern world. As they navigate challenges, Bryan, David, and Goldie discover the importance of acceptance and the strength of relationships we choose. The film offers a relatable look at alternative family structures and universal emotions, prompting viewers to consider their own definitions of family and the power of creating loving support systems.

"Missing" is a thrilling story about Becca Winstone, whose life is shattered when her son Michael disappears while studying abroad. Driven by fierce determination, she journeys to Europe to find him before it's too late. The film unfolds across stunning European locations, revealing shocking twists as Becca's love pushes her to extreme lengths. It’s a gripping tale of family, courage, and resilience that will keep viewers captivated until the very end.

The Weaver family moves to a gated community in New Jersey, unaware their new neighbors are aliens from the planet Zabvron. As they adjust to suburban life, the Weavers and the Zabvronians discover a surprising connection. Sharing the everyday joys and struggles of family life – relationships, marriage, raising kids – creates an unexpected bond between these two very different groups in a story about unity and friendship across the stars.

Two centuries after its construction, the historic town of Kingsbridge faces a new crisis. Queen Isabella's army has besieged the once-peaceful community, sparking a growing resistance. Caris, a sharp and determined young woman, becomes the driving force behind the town's defense. She inspires her neighbors to fight against the Church and the Crown, leading them in a courageous stand against overwhelming power and demonstrating the strength of defiance in medieval England.

The Maison de Ayakashi appears to be just an old house, but it's secretly home to people with extraordinary family histories. Ririchiyo, a shy young woman, is searching for herself and a place to belong within this strange community. She meets Soushi, a mysterious bodyguard tasked with protecting the residents. He asks her for an unusual partnership: to think of him as her loyal companion. This unlikely connection explores themes of identity, friendship, and finding yourself in a world where people are connected to both the human and supernatural realms.

In the Hidden Leaf Village, where ninjas dedicate themselves to demanding missions and rigorous training, there's Rock Lee. Unlike his peers, Lee can't use ninjutsu – the magical arts central to most ninja skills. Undeterred, Lee pursues greatness through taijutsu, pure physical combat. Facing obstacles and building friendships, this story follows his relentless drive for recognition and self-worth in a cutthroat ninja world. It explores how true strength comes not just from skill, but from an unbreakable spirit that pushes you to overcome anything.

A shy student finds an escape in the Neuro Link, a revolutionary technology that transports him to a captivating digital world. There, his natural skills shine, attracting the attention of Kuroyukihime, a popular girl who notices his talent. She introduces him to Brain Burst, a mysterious online game promising growth in both worlds. Together, they embark on an exciting adventure, blurring the lines between reality and the virtual realm.

Wildlife expert and TV star Emmet Cole sets off on a global adventure with his wife Tess and son Lincoln, filming stunning footage for their popular show. Deep in the Amazon rainforest, Emmet faces unexpected danger. This triggers a desperate search by Tess, their crew, and Emmet's friends, as they venture into the uncharted and perilous jungle. They must battle the raw power of nature and test their own strength in a challenging quest to find him.