I really liked Folklore, i think it is one of the most underrated games this gen.  deserved far more attention.  unique combat and pretty cool story

Dragon Quest VIII was a fantastic JRPG. Simple but so full of emotion...
One of the most touching soundtracks (although less varied), excelent voice work and charismatic heroes and NPCs.

Folklore is/was amazing!

It remains one of the best RPG's i've play this gen thus far, it to be honest i think Kuuhtra would enjoy it, its very mature even though the rating is teen.

Side' from that i agree with the title and OP, JRPG's even more so now an' days albeit fun are very taxing.

Oh and blue dragon by far the worst i've played this gen out of RPG's such a crap game imo.

Lost Odyssey did get tiring after a while, and there is some grinding necessary (of course not for levels but to get your immortals all the right skills) but I loved the fact that there were not spikey-haired angsty teenagers, a pretty unique skill system, some actually very touching moments (oh, Lirum) and very good music.

I'm a level-grinding guy though, so I have no problems with Jrpg's at all. I don't like SRPG's though, which is disappointing because there is an insane amount of love for Valkyria Chronicles here. (Best RPG this gen accoring to the thread actually)

You should give VC a try. Its pretty unique as a SRPG. Different from FE, Disgaea and so on.

yeah it doesnt even feel like a SRPG at all.  I am not a huge fan of SRPGs and I loved VC

For what its worth, i never liked any kind of SRPG ever *i blame you FF Tactics!* but... Valkyria isn't your average SRPG, both in story and in gameplay, and for once high quality english voice acting, its the only game japanese oriented that makes you know that there are some good english voice acters out there.

And there is level grinding in VC, so to speak... the classes of each solider has a level system to master for each which could easily be counted as a level grind.

You've almost convinced me, one more question: Are there trophies? I don't NEED them but it has to be a hell of a game for me to play it without them. I did play MGS4 though, so that level or above.

Also, I forgot there was one SRPG I loved, Shining Force on the Genesis. Is VC as good as that?

It does not have trophies but i think it shouldnt matter....great games deserve to be played trophies or not

Mmmm thats for all RPG not only japanese i mean ME 2 is cool but when u keep playing ull get tired of it and about storytelling western isnt that great as japanese i think the asians are deeper and better =)