5 Recommendations for the Best Japanese Dramas Adapted from Manga, Various Genres - All Exciting

Kapanlagi.com - Japanese dramas present diverse stories, some of which are adaptations from manga. For manga fans, seeing their favorite characters brought to life in live-action is an unforgettable experience. Therefore, it’s no wonder that Japanese dramas adapted from manga always provide a fresh new touch.

Not only for manga fans, these adapted Japanese dramas can also be enjoyed by dorama lovers in general. Moreover, Japanese dramas adapted from manga always feature exciting and interesting stories from various genres, ranging from romance, comedy, action, to thriller. Thus, viewers can choose a Japanese drama adapted from manga that suits their taste.

Interested in watching Japanese dramas adapted from manga? If so, let’s dive into the following review.

1. HORIMIYA (2021)

HORIMIYA (credit: mydramalist)

HORIMIYA is one of the most popular Japanese drama adaptations of manga in recent years. This Japanese manga adaptation explores themes of friendship, love, and self-acceptance in a sweet and touching way.

The story focuses on two main characters, Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura, who have different personalities at school and outside of school. Hori is a popular and high-achieving student. Because her parents work, Hori has to take care of her younger brother and do household chores, leaving her with no opportunity to socialize outside of school.

Meanwhile, Miyamura is seen as an ordinary, shy student who is gentle and not very smart in academics. However, Miyamura has nine piercings hidden beneath his long hair and a tattoo on his back and left shoulder. By chance, Hori and Miyamura meet outside of school. At that time, both appear very different from their usual selves. From that moment on, these two seemingly opposite individuals become friends, sharing sides of themselves that they have never revealed to anyone else.

2. GOKUSHUFUDO (2020)

GOKUSHUFUDO (credit: mydramalist)

GOKUSHUFUDO is a unique and entertaining Japanese drama adaptation of a manga. The story follows the life of Tatsu, a legendary former yakuza who decides to retire and become an ordinary househusband. The plot of this drama showcases Tatsu's transition from the world of crime to domestic life, resulting in many funny and touching moments.

As he adapts to the mundane household chores, Tatsu discovers that being a househusband comes with its own challenges. These challenges include the "battlefield" at the store during sales and failures in the kitchen. Even while living a peaceful life, misunderstandings stemming from being a former yakuza continue to follow him wherever he goes.

3. KOI WA TSUZUKU YO DOKO MADE MO (2020)

KOI WA TSUZUKU YO DOKO MADE MO (credit: mydramalist)

KOI WA TSUZUKU YO DOKO MADE MO is also a must-watch Japanese drama adaptation of a manga. This drama tells the love story between a new nurse and a cold surgeon. The central character of this drama is Nanase Sakura, who has always dreamed of becoming a nurse after being inspired by Dr. Kairi Tendo, who saved someone right in front of her five years ago.

After achieving her dream, Sakura and Dr. Tendo finally meet again. However, Tendo turns out to be very different from what Sakura had imagined all this time. Tendo, now 33 years old, is known as the "Devil" at work.

Tendo is a perfectionist doctor who is calm and often gives sharp comments to doctors and nurses who make mistakes. But Sakura is not intimidated; she works even harder to gain Tendo's recognition.

4. NAGI NO OITOMA (2019)

NAGI NO OITOMA (credit: mydramalist)

NAGI NO OITOMA, or "Nagi's Long Vacation", is a Japanese drama adaptation of a manga that tells the story of Oshima Nagi, a 28-year-old woman who works at a home appliance manufacturing company in Tokyo. For some reason, Nagi decides to take a long leave from her job.

During her leave, Nagi tries to find her identity and the meaning of her life by starting to pay attention to the people around her. Nagi just wants to spend her days off without any problems. However, due to overthinking and pushing herself too hard, Nagi eventually faints.

The situation worsens when Nagi's boyfriend says something that breaks her heart. This prompts Nagi to reflect more deeply on her life, ultimately deciding to change it. Nagi finally quits her job, cancels her apartment contract, cuts off communication with everyone, and starts a new life.

5. OUROBOROS (2015)

OUROBOROS (credit: mydramalist)

OUROBOROS is a Japanese drama adapted from a manga that presents an intense and thrilling criminal thriller story. The story focuses on two childhood friends, Ryuzaki Ikuo and Danno Tatsuya, who are orphans raised in an orphanage. When they were in elementary school, a staff member of the orphanage whom they regarded as an older brother was murdered before their eyes.

Both gave statements to the police, but their testimonies were silenced by another police officer. They suspect that the case was also covered up by certain parties. 15 years later, Ikuo has become a detective, with exceptional abilities in investigating cases, while Tatsuya has risen to the top of the underworld as a leading member of an organized crime group.

Despite being from different worlds, they remain a police officer and a gangster who can only trust each other. Both are still determined to find the police officer who silenced them 15 years ago and uncover the truth about the death of their "brother" at their orphanage.

These are some recommendations for popular Japanese dramas adapted from manga that are interesting and exciting to watch in your spare time. Enjoy watching!

(kpl/psp)