2024 Manga Adaptations (January - June)
Welcome and Happy New Year! Live-action adaptations will always be popular so cheers to another year filled with amazing dramas and films!
Some of these titles have been recently released or started airing but most of them are set for release in 2018. Make sure to check out the 2017 manga adaptations as well!
Part 2 of 2018 adaptations can be found HERE.
NOTE: The synopsis were taken from MDL and MAL respectively. The article does not guarantee accuracy since the info regarding these dramas/films can change in the future.
Funouhan
 |  |
Based on "Funouhan" by Kanzaki Yuuya (art) and Miyatsuki Arata (story)
Starring: Matsuzaka Tori, Sawajiri Erika, Mackenyu
At a certain park, there is a mysterious red-eyed man in a black suit who people can call to request that he kill someone. His assassinations are untraceable and can never be blamed on him because he takes no illegal action. Instead, his strength is in the power of suggestion and the arrangement of events. He accepts these requests, all the while privately mocking the foolishness of those whose unwise wishes he grants. However, there is one female detective who cannot be controlled by his powers, and she sets out to find and defeat him.
Laughing Under the Clouds
 |  |
Based on "Donten ni Warau" by Karakara Kemuri
Starring: Fukushi Sota, Furukawa Yuki
The story of Laughing Under the Clouds takes place in the 11th year of the Meiji era. The number of people in Japan who feel dissatisfaction toward the government is increasing due to the increasing speed of Westernization and the ban on samurai. In order to curb the increased rate of crime, the government opens a new prison. The three brothers of the Kumo family are entrusted with the duty of transporting these criminals to the new prison, but adventures await them on the way.
Principal: Am I a Heroine Who Is In Love?
 |  |
Based on "Principal" by Ryo Ikuemi
Starring: Kotaki Nozomu, Kuroshima Yuina
After her parents divorced, Sumitomo Shima lived with her mother. She felt uncomfortable living with her stepfather and she was unable to hang out with people at her high school. Shima decides to move to Hokkaido where her father lives. At her new high school in Hokkaido, she meets classmate Tatebayashi Gen and Sakurai Wao. They are the two most popular boys at her school. A principle of her school is that "Gen and Wao are for everyone." If anyone breaks the rule, that person will be ostracized. Sumitomo Shima gets closer to Gen and Wao.
Honey
 |  |
Based on "Honey" by Meguro Amu
Starring: Taira Yuna, Hirano Sho
Kogure Nao is a shy and cute high school student. One day, Onise Taiga asks her "would you like to date with me on the promise that we will get married?" Nao is unable to turn down his proposal because she is scared of him. Taiga has red hair and piercing eyes. His appearance gives off the impression that he is a bad boy, but he is actually considerate of others and good at cooking. After getting to know Taiga, Nao begins to have feelings for him.
My Little Monster
 |  |
Based on "Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun" by Robico
Starring: Suda Masaki, Tsuchiya Tao, Furukawa Yuki
Haru Yoshida is a high school student. He is viewed as a problem child with an unpredictable behaviour. He also doesn't have any friends. Shizuku Mizutani is a high school student who studies too much. She is cold and doesn't have any friends. Haru Yoshida and Shizuku Mizutani sit next to each other in a classroom. A small thing causes Haru Yoshida to have feelings for Shizuku Mizutani. He confesses to her about how he feels.
Chihayafuru: Third Verse
 |  |
Based on "Chihayafuru" by Suetsugu Yuki
Starring: Hirose Suzu, Nomura Shuhei, Mackenyu
The story takes place 2 years after the last part when Chihaya is now a high school senior.
River's Edge
 |  |
Based on "Ribasu Ejji" by Kyoko Okazaki
Starring: Yoshizawa Ryo, Nikaido Fumi
Haruna Wakagusa is a high school student who lives with her mother. Ichiro Yamada is gay and Haruna’s classmate. He is bullied at school, but Haruna sticks up for Ichiro. They become intimate and Ichiro tells Haruna his secret. He found a dead body along the riverside. A new body is soon found.
BLEACH
 |  |
Based on "BLEACH" by Kubo Tite
Starring: Fukushi Sota
Kurosaki Ichigo has always been able to see ghosts, but this ability doesn't change his life nearly as much as his close encounter with Kuchiki Rukia, a Soul Reaper, and a member of the mysterious Soul Society. While fighting a Hollow, an evil spirit that preys on humans who display psychic energy, Rukia attempts to lend Ichigo some of her powers so that he can save his family, but much to her surprise, Ichigo absorbs every last drop of her energy. Now a full-fledged Soul Reaper himself, Ichigo quickly learns that the world he inhabits is one full of dangerous spirits, and along with Rukia, who is slowly regaining her powers, it's Ichigo's job to both protect the innocent from Hollows and to help the spirits themselves find peace.
Wait a Minute Baseball Club!
 |  |
Based on "Chotto Mate Yakyuubu Baseball" by Takana Yukue
Starring: Suga Kenta, Koseki Yuta, Yamamoto Ryosuke
Hiroki, Kohei and Natsuki are the main members of the baseball team at Kenritsu Jingen High School, your average Japanese high school team with no medals, but no epic failures either. When the new semester begins, Hiroki receives a failing grade at a test. If he doesn't pass, he won't be able to take part in training camp, so he attempts to retake the test.
Little Forest
 |  |
Based on "Little Forest" by Daisuke Igarashi
Starring: Kim Tae Ri
Hye Won goes back to her hometown in the countryside. There, she avoids the hard life in the city and reconnects with nature.
The King of Blaze
 |  |
Based on "The King of Blaze" by You Su Ian
Starring: Chen Bo Lin, Jing Tian
An impossible love between two gods; God of Fire Zhong Tian and God of Wind Qian Mei. Qian Mei dies and reincarnates as the fortune teller Feng Jian, but Zhong Tian doesn't recognize him due to his cross-dressing as a girl.
Anoko no Toriko
 |  |
Based on "Ano Ko no, Toriko." by Shiraishi Yuki
Starring: Yoshizawa Ryo, Araki Yuko, Sugino Yosuke
The cool glasses-boy and his two beautiful childhood friends have a delicate balance between the three.
3D Girlfriend
Based on "Real Girl" by Nanami Mao
Starring: Sano Hayato, Nakajou Ayami
Hikaru Tsutsui is a quiet, unassuming high school student who forsakes the company of his classmates to spend his time reading manga, playing video games, and watching anime. Hikaru is perfectly content to dwell in his 2D world, until one day he's assigned to clean the school pool with the beautiful Iroha Ikarashi, and she confesses her feelings to him. Will Iroha's affection draw Hikaru out of his shell?
Love is Like after the Rain
 |  |
Based on "Koi wa Ameagari no You ni" by Mayuzuki Jun
Starring: Komatsu Nana, Oizumi Yo
Akira Tachibana is a 17-year-old high school student. She was once a promising athlete, but an injury has prevented her from taking part in track and field. One day, Akira Tachibana goes to a family restaurant and meets the manager. He is 45-year-old Masami Kondo and he divorced with a child. Akira Tachibana falls in love with him.
Inuyashiki
 |  |
Based on "Inuyashiki" by Oku Hiroya
Starring: Kinashi Noritake, Sato Takeru, Nikaido Fumi
Inuyashiki Ichiro is an elderly man, working for a company. One day, Inuyashiki Ichiro is involved in an explosion. When he regains consciousness, he discovers that he is now a cyborg with incredible powers. He decides to use his powers to help those in need. Meanwhile, Shishigami Hiro is a high school student. He was also involved in the same explosion and has gained the same powers as Inuyashiki Ichiro. Shishigami Hiro decides to use his power to kill off all those who are hostile to him.
Marmalade Boy
 |  |
Based on "Marmalade Boy" by Yoshizumi Wataru
Starring: Yoshizawa Ryo, Sakurai Hinako
Miki is a high school student. One day, her parents tell her that they are going to divorce and swap partners with the Matsuuras, a couple they met on a trip to Hawaii. Miki's parents also tell her that the Matsuura couple has a son named Yuu. They will all live together in the same house. After that, the two families begin to live together and Miki becomes attracted to Yuu. He does not talk much but is kind.
Hard Core
 |  |
Based on "Hado Koa Heisei Jigoku Burazazu" by Takashi Imashiro
Starring: Sato Takeru, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi, Yamada Takayuki
Gondo Ukon does not get along well with people. He digs for gold deep in the mountains in Gunma Prefecture. The only person he is friendly with is fellow gold miner Ushiyama. Ukon and Ushiyama began to work together by the arrangement of a mysterious person. Ukon's younger brother Sakon works at a trading company. Sakon worries about his older brother, but he also envies a little bit his carefree lifestyle. One day, Ukon and Ushiyama find an old robot at an abandoned factory where Ushiyama lives. Sakon looks at the old robot and discovers the robot is able to perform remarkably well. ~~ Based on the manga series "Hado Koa Heisei Jigoku Burazazu" by Imashiro Takashi.
I'm Underage But I'm Not A Child
 |  |
Based on "Miseinen Dakedo Kodomo Ja Nai" by Kanan Minami
Starring: Taira Yuna, Nakajima Kento, Murakami Shingo
On Oriyama Karin’s 16th birthday, she receives a present from her parents. Her present is marriage. The person she marries is her first love Tsurugi Nao. He is a popular senior in high school. For Nao, he only marries Karin for economic reasons and in particular the wealth of her parents. Karin loves him truly, but Nao doesn't love her at all. Their marriage is a secret, but Ebina Isuzu, who holds feelings for Karin, learns of their marriage.
Hanadan Next Season
 |  |
Based on "Hana Nochi Hare: HanaDan Next Season" by Kamio Yoko
Starring: Sugisaki Hana, Nakagawa Taishi, Hirano Sho
This is the official sequel to Hana Yori Dango.
Legendary F4 members have all graduated from high school. Since their departure, their high school has been on a steady decline. Korekuto 5 is formed at the high school with Kakuragi Haruto as the group's leader. They are worried about the school's steady demise. They decide to find deadbeat students and kick them out of the school.
Haruto likes ordering stuff that makes him look bigger physically. He uses his butler's name for his online orders and receives the items at a convenience store. Edogawa Oto works part-time at the convenience store. She also attends the same school as Haruto. Oto is actually from a poor family, but she pretends to be from a rich family to fit in at school. Her fiance is Hase Tenma and he attends a rival high school.
Kakegurui
 |  |
Based on "Kakegurui" by Naomura Tooru (art) and Kawamoto Homura (story)
Starring: Hamabe Minami, Takasugi Mahiro
Children from influential families in politics and businesses attend the Hyakkaou Private Academy. There, the hierarchy of the students is classified by a series of games. Students that win the games are on the ruling side and the students who lose become slaves. One day, a mysterious girl, Jabami Yumeko is transferred to Hyakkaou Private Academy. She looks pure and pretty, but she is actually a compulsive gambler and seeks out the thrill of taking calculated risks.
The Scythian Lamb
 |  |
Based on "Hitsuji no Ki" by Igarashi Mikio (art) and Yamagami Tatsuhiko (story)
Starring: Nishikido Ryo, Kitamura Kazuki, Kimura Fumino
6 strangers move into the decaying port city of Uobuka and the city clerk Hajime Tsukisue (Ryo Nishikido) receives an order to accept them. Around this time, Fumi (Fumino Kimura), who graduated from the same high school as Hajime, comes back to Uobuka. Something seems amiss about the 6 strangers. They act uncomfortably and do not look normal. They also have a suspicious companion.
Rainbow Days
 |  |
Based on "Nijiiro Days" by Mizuno Minami
Starring: Nakagawa Taishi, Yokohama Ryusei
Rainbow Days centers on a group of four male high school students who are close friends: Natsuki, Tomoya, Keiichi, and Tsuyoshi. The four boys have no club activities, and they hurry through their studies so they can spend their days having fun. Their main topic of interest: love. Natsuki has an unrequited crush on Anna, a girl from another class, and his friends keep meddling in their relationship.
Shino Can't Say Her Own Name
 |  |
Based on "Shino-chan wa Jibun no Namae ga Ienai" by Oshimi Shuuzou
Starring: Minami Sara, Makita Aju
Ooshima Shino is a 1st-grade high school student. She has difficulties pronouncing words that start with vowels in front of people. Because of her speech impediment, she does not get along with others. Shino meets Kayo who likes music, but she is tone-deaf. They decide to start a band and Shino begins to change.
Liverleaf
 |  |
Based on "Misumisou" by Oshikiri Rensuke
Starring: Yamada Anna
The story follows Nozaki Haruka, a middle school student, who transfers to a new school in a small town because of her father's work. Unfortunately, she becomes a victim of horrific bullying, but since the school will be closing in 2 months after graduation, no one is willing to help her.
Kids on the Slope
 |  |
Based on "Sakamichi no Apollon" by Kodama Yuki
Starring: Chinen Yuri, Nakagawa Taishi, Komatsu Nana, Fujioka Dean
Because of his father’s work, Kaoru Nishimi moves out to Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. He is a first-grade high school student with an introverted personality. He meets classmates Sentaro Kawabuchi, who is labelled as a disorderly student, and Ritsuko Mukae, who is a beautiful student. Kaoru Nishimi falls in love with beautiful Ritsuko Mukae. Kaoru Nishimi is talented with the piano, but he only plays classics. Due to Ritsuko Mukae, Kaoru Nishimi begins to play jazz.
Brother's Friend
 |  |
Based on "Ani Tomo" by Akagawara Modomu
Starring: Yokohama Ryusei
Sota Nishino is a good looking high school student. He meets Mai who is his friend Yukihiro Nanase’s younger sister. She is also a high school student and somewhat naive. Sota Nishino mutters to Yukihiro Nanase "Your sister is cute." Mai overhears Sota's remark through the thin wall between her room and her brother's room.
Princess Jellyfish
 |  |
Based on "Kuragehime" by Higashimura Akiko
Starring: Yoshine Kyoko, Seto Koji
The story centers around Tsukimi Kurashita, a huge fan of jellyfish (kurage, a wordplay on the "kura/mi" and "tsuki/ge" in her name) and a girl who moves to Tokyo to become an illustrator. She moves into "Amamizukan", an apartment complex that is full of fujoshi (diehard female otaku) with a no-men-allowed rule. However, one day, Tsukimi invites a stylishly fashionable woman to stay in her room at Amamizukan —only to discover that the guest is not who "she" seems to be.
You Always Inhabit My Heart
 |  |
Based on "Kimi ga Kokoro ni Sumitsuita" by Kirin Tendo
Starring: Yoshioka Riho, Kiritani Kenta, Mukai Osamu
Ogawa Kyoko is a woman in her 20's and she works at an underwear company. Because of her mother, Kyoko has suffered from low self-esteem since she was a child. She is also shaken by two men: Yoshizaki Kojiro and Hoshina Ren. Yoshizaki Kojiro works as an editor for a manga magazine. He is bright, funny and a nice person. Hoshina Ren is a guy that Kyoko dated when she attended college. Hoshina Ren was able to see her weakness and was controlling her. At her job at the underwear company, Hoshina Ren appears in front of her as her boss.
Mob Psycho 100
 |  |
Based on "Mob Psycho 100" by ONE
Starring: Hamada Tatsuomi
Kageyama Shigeo (a.k.a. "Mob") is an 8th grader with psychic abilities. He could bend spoons and lift objects with his mind from a young age, but he slowly began to withhold from using his abilities in public due to the negative attention he kept receiving. Now, the only thing he wants is to become friends with a girl in his class, Tsubomi. With his psychic "mentor" (who has no psychic powers), he continues his daily life, attempting to realize his purpose in life.
Holiday Love
 |  |
Based on "Holiday Love: Fuufukan Renai" by Koyama Yukari (art) and Kusakabe Eliza (story)
Starring: Naka Riisa, Tsukamoto Takashi
Takamori Azu discovers that her husband, whom she trusts more than anyone else, is having an affair. Her peaceful everyday life suddenly transforms into days of endless worry. After an internal struggle, she decides to trust in him again. Her husband also rediscovers his love for her and the two of them are about to get back together again. However, each time they try to do that, they would be faced with all sorts of difficulties caused by her husband’s mistress.
Does the Flower Bloom?
 |  |
Based on "Hana wa Saku ka" by Shoko Hidaka
Starring: Watanabe Tsurugi, Amano Hironari
Kazuaki Sakurai is a 37-year-old man working at an advertising agency. For a CM shooting, he goes to a beautiful house. At the house, he meets Yoichi Mizukawa while he is painting a picture. Yoichi Mizukawa is a 19-year-old art student. He lives with his cousins in the big old house. Kazuaki Sakurai becomes attracted to Yoichi Mizukawa.
My Brother's Husband
 |  |
Based on "Otouto no Otto" by Tagame Gengorou
Starring: Sato Ryuta, Baruto Kaito
Otouto no Otto is a family drama that begins with the suspicious arrival of Mike, a Canadian, who has come to pay respects to the family of his recently deceased Japanese husband Ryouji, whose only remaining immediate family member is Yaichi — his identical twin brother. As Mike gets accustomed to Japanese morals and the surprising idiosyncrasies of living with Yaichi and his daughter Kana, the sleepy Japanese suburb, also learns the true meaning of family.
Longing Heart
 |  |
Based on "Aeganjang" by Kim Hee Ran and Kim Byung Gwan
Starring: Lee Jung Shin, Lee Yeol Eum, Seo Ji Hoon
A man named Shin Woo regrets letting his first love go ten years ago because he didn’t have the courage to confess. However, he gets the chance to win her again when he travels back in time, and this time he’s armed with the knowledge that she liked him back then too. Unfortunately, he has a pretty strong competitor: himself from ten years ago.
Kasane
 |  |
Based on "Kasane" by Matsuura Daruma
Starring: Tsuchiya Tao
Kasane Fuchi (Kyoko Yoshine) is the daughter of a beautiful, legendary actress. Kasane has excellent acting skills as well, but she is not attractive. She has a hard time due to her unattractiveness. Kasane has a lipstick left behind by her late mother. The lipstick holds a strange power. Whenever Kasane applies the lipstick and kisses someone, she takes that person's face. Meanwhile, Nina Tanzawa (Tao Tsuchiya) is a beautiful actress with poor acting skills. She meets Kasane Fuchi and their fates change.
Perfect World
 |  |
Based on "Perfect World" by Aruga Rie
Starring: Sugisaki Hana, Iwata Takanori
Kawana Tsugumi works at an interior design company. She happens to meet her first love Ayukawa Itsuki from her high school days. He is now an architect and in a wheelchair because of an accident.
Cheese in the Trap
 |  |
Based on “Cheese in the Trap” by Soon Ggi
Starring: Oh Yeon Seo, Park Hae Jin
Having returned to college after a year long break, due to her family's poor background, Hong Sul, a hard-working over-achiever, inadvertently got on the wrong side of Yoo Jung, her senior who is athletic, good looking, gets good grades and has a kind personality, but also a hidden dark side. From then on her life took a turn for the worse and Sul was almost certain it was all Yoo Jung's doing.So why is he suddenly acting so friendly a year later?
*webtoon = Korean online comic; manhua = Chinese/Taiwanese manga
