I am a big fan of CPRGs but I have never had much interest the JRPG style. So many seem so cutesy that it has not had much appeal to me (I prefer usually prefer the darker tone of western RPGs). But I got to thinking that I should at least give one or two a try and see if I will like them. So I was hoping to get suggestions of what would be a good game to introduce me to the world of JRPG. My only requirements is that the game be available in English, on PC (as that is my only gaming platform) and be a lot of fun.

Thanks in advance for the recommendations

Chrono Trigger is often recommended, but I haven't played it myself, as I'm not a huge fan of JRPG's in general. I like Final Fantasy series though, at least from I to IX.

Well, if you count emulation as "available for pc" then yes, Chrono Trigger would be easy to jump into and fairly representative of the genre (make sure to use the SNES version, not the psx one). Otherwise, Final Fantasy VII, but I think you're better off emulating the psx version, as running the pc version properly can reportedly be a chore on modern hardware.

I second (third?) the suggestion of Chrono Trigger; not too cutesy, multiple endings, battles not too shallow.

Oh, the important thing is not to go in expecting a CRPG. JRPGs are separate (but related) genre, so don't expect dialogue choices or non-linear story. Not just a chore, but it was a pretty inferior port at the time. It requires a lot of mods and community patches to even catch up to the PSX version.

JRPG for PC? You will need emulators.

Check out SNES or PSX games if you want the best. Chrono Trigger, Dragon Quest, Breath of Fire, Tales of Phantasia, Star Ocean. Tactics Ogre, Ogre Battle if you are into TacticalRPGs.
PSX is where JRPG shines though, you will find that best JRPGs were released for PSX; Suikoden series, Grandia, Vagrant Story, Lunar Series, Dragon Warrior VII, Valkyrie profile; hell there are too many to list.

Oh and Grandia 2 was released for PC I believe.

Never trust any reviews from western game sites with JRPGs, they just don't like them.

The Last Remnant is the only modern JRPG on PC that I know of. It's also quite unusual for a JRPG, though, so try the demo first; Even if you don't like it, it's not the representative of your usual JRPG.

As long as you go in not expecting them to be like cRPGs, you'll find many of them have very good stories and are generally fairly fun to play - if you don't mind the linearity.

Some of the older megadrive ones I enjoyed:

Shining force 1 and 2
Phantasy star 4
Lunar: Eternal blue (the psx version IS superior)
Shadowrun
Shining in the darkness
Beyond oasis

The PSX has several good ones, I'll just add final fantasy tactics as another option. The story is darker than the usual JRPG, although the graphics are the cutesy type

One of my favorite freeware JRPGs on the PC is Exit Fate. Can't recommend this game enough!

Final Fantasy VI (you'll have to emulate SNES for that). It can be somewhat clumsy at times (the gameplay is decent at best), but it's a great example of how the Japanese can do truly emotional stories.

Xenogears. That is all.

It's PSX only, though but a good emulator should do the trick.

Also, Final Fantasy Tactics, though it would be best to get the War of the Lions edition because of the added gimmicks and completely new translation (the old one sucks big time).

Both games have mature plots that put most of the competition to shame (IMHO, of course, don't hate). Xenogears is your typical jRPG while Tactics is a tactical RPG.

My other personal favs: Legend of Mana (action RPG played like a platforming brawler with a lot of unique gameplay concepts) and Vagrant Story (typical h'n's but with more depth than your regualar western counterparts).

You could always try Septera core available right here on GOG , its very similar to a jrpg in most respects :)

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/septerra_core_legacy_of_the_creator

How about Recettear : An Item Shop's Tale?

Sure, the art style and characters are sweet enough to give you diabetes, not to mention cuter than puppies mixed with kittens, but the game doesn't take itself seriously at all and can be genuinely amusing at times. Not to mention the rather unique premise of running a shop where you sell the stuff you find while dungeon crawling.

Capitalism, ho!!!!

If you can find a good emulator for the PS2 (and it shouldn't take too long to find one that'll work) then I'd recommend picking up a used copy of Final Fantasy X. Not X-2, though. Final Fantasy is sort of a seminal choice for JRPGs, and while people who've followed it a while may often prefer 5 - 7, ten is a great intro to the series for newcomers.

While you're at it, given your preference for a darker tone, pick up used copies of Shadow Hearts and Shadow Hearts: Covenant. Those are amazing and extremely underrated JRPGs with excellent writing. Oh, and if you try and enjoy Final Fantasy Tactics, you should check out Disgaea. It looks like a candy coated game at first but the plot is surprisingly dark and mature if you explore thoroughly and see all the stuff in the game that isn't the bare minimum to get through the levels.

The emulator should be a free download, and you can probably get all four of those games for about $20-25 off eBay or something. Well worth the price of a pizza.

As an introduction to JRPGs, rather than looking for a 'best' one, I'd be inclined to go with Final Fantasy VI. It's involved enough so that the age of the game doesn't detract from the experience, whilst handling a lot of tropes and styles that modern JRPGs consist of. Party composition, individuality, magic system, advancement, exploration, themes, story elements - FFVI would lay a lot of groundwork for you in these regards.

Chrono Trigger is an excellent game but you may find that an understanding and acceptance of certain JRPG tropes beforehand will enhance your play experience.

As for other excellent JRPGs that could serve as introduction, well.... the Tales games are highly recommended (although, again, nothing on the PC without emulation), and I'd suggest Tales of Symphonia, the Abyss, or Vesperia to start with. Final Fantasy IX was my personal favourite of the FF series, although I recall VIII came out on PC as well as VII (FFVIII is thoroughly undeserving of the bad rep it has in some circles - stick with it, it's a great game!). Slightly more hardcore are the first 2 (or 2.5, depending on your point of view) Persona games from the Shin Megami Tensei series. Persona 3 and Persona 4 are less demanding, but evolved into their own distinctive style of JRPG and - whilst amazing games - might not provide a 'typical' JRPG experience.

Chrono Trigger and/or Final Fantasy VII...