Manga is very popular in Asia, especially Japan, because of its captivating narrative and striking graphics. They are a means of entertainment to millions around the world. There are many manga-to-anime adaptations, but manga to drama adaptations are usually seen less. Indeed, some of Japan's most well-known dramas are live-action adaptations of popular manga. So, many of these dramas gained the attention of millions, and various countries recreated them.
1. Mischievous Kiss Love In Tokyo
The plot revolves around Kotoko Aihara, a naive and silly high school student who confesses her love to the handsome and intelligent Naoki irie. But Naoki rejects her by saying he dislikes stupid girls. The relationship between the two changes when Kotoko's house is damaged by a meteorite and moves to another house temporarily. She finds out that she's living with Naoki and uses this chance to win his heart. This drama is based on the manga ‘Itazura Na Kiss.’
2. Bloody Monday
This drama is based on Ryo Ryumon's manga of the same name and premiered in 2008. The story revolves around a high school student Fujimaru Takagi, also known as ‘Falcon.’ He uses his hacking techniques to catch evil villains and fights ‘Bloody Monday,’ a viral terrorist group, to save his friends, family, and the world.
3. Hana Yori Dango
This drama was adapted from the manga of the same name and was released in 2005. The drama follows Makino Tsukushi, the only poor student in the elite Eitoku Gakuen. There she meets F4 (Flower Four), a group of four boys from rich and powerful families. After she defends her friend, she becomes the target of F4's bullying and power politics, but she declares war back on them. It piques the interest of two members of F4: Hanazawa Ru and the leader Domyouji Tsukasa.
4. Erased
This drama tells the story of an aspiring manga artist Fujinuma Satoru, who has the unique ability to time travel. He travels back to 18 years ago after the murder of his mother. He prevents a kidnapping that took the life of his childhood friend. The drama was released on Netflix in 2017 and is adapted from the manga of the same name.
5. Kakegurui
This drama shows the lives of children who are born into highly influential families in politics and business. They attend the Hyakkaou Private Academy. In this academy, the student hierarchy is broken down through a series of games. The student who wins the game is on the superior and ruling side, while the student who loses becomes the slave. One day, a mysterious girl, Jabami Yumeko, transfers to the school. Although she looks simple and innocent, she is a compulsive gambler and seeks calculated risk-taking thrills. This drama has been adapted from the manga of the same name and was released in 2018.
6. Good Morning Call
This drama is adapted from the shoujo manga of the same name. The show is about a schoolgirl who finally moves into an apartment of her own but needs to share it with the most popular and cool boy of her school and also has to keep it a secret that they live together.
7. Liar Game
This drama is the story of Kanzaki Nao, an honest and hard-working college student who receives 100 million yen one day and has to participate in the Liar's game tournament. She has to trick other players out of a hundred million dollars. She takes the help of a con artist to participate in the competition. This drama has been adapted from the manga ‘Liar Game.’
8. Cursed In Love
This drama has been adapted from the manga "Watashitachi wa Douka Shiteiru" by Natsumi Ando. It follows the story of two childhood friends, Hanaoka Nao and Takatsuki Tsubaki, who fell in love, separated after Nao's mother was accused of killing Tsubaki's father. The two reunite after 15 years in a confectionary contest. Nao recognizes Tsubaki, but the latter doesn't. Finally, Tsubaki proposes to her on their first meeting after falling deeply for her, and Nao accepts. Thus starts Nao's effort to keep her identity hidden and prove her mother's innocence.
9. An Incurable Case Of Love
This is one of the most liked dramas adapted from Manga. The plot revolves around Nanase Sakura, a trainee nurse who fell in love with a doctor in the past. Many years later, she runs into him again in the hospital; and he has a different personality. Sakura has become a skilled nurse, and he is a well-known doctor. She makes every effort to catch his attention, but he pays her no heed and hides his feelings. The drama has been adapted from the manga series "Koi Wa Tsuzuku yo Dokomademo" and has ten episodes.
10. Ouran High School Host Club
The drama is adapted from the manga of the same name. It follows the story of Haruhi Fujioka, a scholar at the prestigious Ouran Academy, a fictitious high school in Bunky, Tokyo. Haruhi comes across a room where the Ouran Host Club, six male students meet to entertain female students. After breaking an expensive vase to pay off the debt, Haruhi is recruited into the club and made to disguise as a male student.
