by Ceki, January 12, 2019
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Hello dear MDL'ers! ;) Are you ready for more manga adaptations? 

Check out PART 2 of this article and 2018 manga adaptations. For webtoon and manhua adaptations go HERE.

NOTE: The synopses were taken from MDL and manga sites respectively. The article does not guarantee accuracy since the info regarding these dramas/films can change in the future. 



JANUARY


12 Suicidal Children

Based on "12-nin no Shinitai Kodomo-tachi" by Ubukata Tow and Kumakura Takatoshi 

Genre: suspense, mystery, seinen, psychological

The story is a locked-room mystery where 12 kids go into an abandoned hospital to give up on life. In the room where they meet, a boy is already lying dead, and no one knows who he is.


Hajimete Koi o Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi

Based on "Hajimete Koi o Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi" by Aki Mochida

Genre: romance, comedy

Junko Harumi was once a model student during her middle school and high school days. She failed to enter the  prestigious Tokyo University and her life has not gone smoothly since then. She has a hard time finding a job and having a romantic relationship. Now, at the age of 31, she works as a teacher at a private institute. 3 men, who vary in type, appear in front of her. Masashi Yakumo is her cousin but smart, Kyohei Yuri is a disorderly high school student and Kazuma Yamashita is Kyohei ’s teacher in high school.


Yuube wa Otanoshimi Deshita ne

Based on "Yuube wa Otanoshimi Deshita ne" by Renjuro Kindaichi

Genre: romance

Takumi Satsuki plays online video game “Dragon Quest X” using female character Powder. He becomes good friends with his teammate Goro-san who uses a male character. One day, Takumi Satsuki offers to share his place with Goro-san. When they meet, Takumi Satsuki is surprised to see that Goro-san is a woman. Her name is Miyako Okamoto and she has a gyaru style. 


Trace: Kasouken no Otoko 

Based on "Trace: Kasouken Hoi Kenkyuin no Tsuiso " by Kei Koga

Genre: medical, drama

Reiji Mano is a forensic science researcher at the Scientific Research Laboratory in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. He is good at his job, possessing a vast amount of knowledge and having excellent technique. However, he is a lone wolf who does not cooperate with others.  When he works on a case, he focuses exclusively on hard facts, ignoring speculation. Reiji Mano hates the media and their thirst for sensational news. When he was a child, Reiji Mano experienced a terrible case. He has looked for the truth in that case ever since. 


Fruits Takkyubin

Based on "Fruits Takkyubin" by Suzuki Yoshio

Genre: life, friendship, business

After the company SAKITA had been working at has gone out of business, he returns to his hometown in a regional city for a second start as the head of a call-girl business, "Fruits Delivery Service." This drama tells the tale of a group of women who, being poor and faced with a variety of life situations, have no alternative but to work at that service. It is a work that calls into question how to deal with distortions in society.


Miki Kurinikku de Kanpai o

Based on "Miki Clinic de kanpai wo" by Mikito Chinen 

Genre: medical, drama, mystery

The story is about the protagonist Tsukumo Katsumi who has been fired from work because of a medical error, and then started working in a special clinic that serves the wealthy or powerful and hides their status from the public.


Gakko Thrashing!

Based on "School-Live!" by Kaihou Norimitsu and Chiba Sadoru 

Genre: school, horror, suspense, zombies

Ebisuzawa Kurumi, Takeya Yuki, Wakasa Yuri,  and Naoki Miki all attend the same high school. They also live on campus at the school. The girls enjoy their time at the school until students become infected by a virus and turn into zombies. The girls are surrounded by student zombies and they struggle desperately to survive. 


Yotsuba Ginko Harashima Hiromi ga mono mosu!

Based on "Kono Hito ni Kakero" by Shuu Ryouka and Yumeno Kazuko

Genre: seinen, business, romance

Harashima Hiromi, Yotsuba Bank clerk, age 30, height 173 cm. She believes that banks must invest in business and human potential. With this in mind she strives, gracefully, unhurriedly and at her own pace, to become the ideal banker.


Saving Rock

Based on "Setsuyaku Rock" by Ookubo Hiromi 

Genre: music, comedy, friendship

30-year-old Takao Matsumoto is single and a salaryman. He loves rock music. His girlfriend is Makiko and they have dated for 3 years. Due to Takao Matsumoto's spendthrift ways, his girlfriend dumps him. In hopes of getting her back, Takao Matsumoto begins to economize on everything like food and his electricity bill, but Kota Inaba approaches Makiko. 


I Give My First Love to You

Based on "Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu" by Aoki Kotomi 

Genre: romance, school. shoujo

Takuma and Mayu's story began when they were only 8 years old. During his childhood, Takuma was constantly hospitalized due to his heart condition. He soon became friends with Mayu, the daughter of the doctor in charge of his case. Day by day they grew closer and closer. However, the summer when Takuma was 8, he made a promise to Mayu that he couldn't keep... Their story unfolds as they grow older and their bond gets stronger...  


Perfect Crime

Based on "Perfect Crime" by Ririo and Aya Tsukisima

Genre: romance, mature

Kaori  works as an interior designer for a housing manufacturer. She has been in a secret affair with her married boss Fuyuki for years. Although Kaori can't see a future with Fuyuki, she still loves him and continues their relationship. One day Haruto, a young interior designer who just transferred from the New York office, witnesses their affair.  Meanwhile, Kaori and Haruto begin to work together as partners at work. Through meeting Haruto, Kaori's fate begins to change.


Tokasatsu Gagaga

Based on "Tokusatsu Gagaga" by Tanaba Niwa 

Genre: comedy, seinen

Nakamura Kano is an office lady with a secret... she's a "TokuOta," a tokusatsu otaku, who is obsessed with live action dramas of heroes, monsters and robots. She lives her life by the code of the tokusatsu heroes, and constantly imagines them to help her through difficult situations. But this isn't easy when all of her co-workers think that people who like anime and other childish things are weird, and they keep trying to make her socialize.


Chiwawa-chan

Based on "Chiwawa-chan" by Kyoko Okazaki 

Genre: mystery, crime

In Tokyo, Chiwawa is a popular girl. One day, her dead body is found in Tokyo Bay. Her body is in pieces. Chiwawa's friends gather to remember her, but they realize they do not know anything about her like her real name or her background. 


Tsuribakka Nisshi

Based on "Tsuribakka Nisshi" by Juuzou Yamasaki and Kenichi Kitami

Genre: comedy, family

The story focuses on salaryman Densuke Hamasaki (a.k.a. Hama-chan), whom his supervisor Sasaki has dubbed the "Fishing Baka" because of his passion for fishing. One day Hama-chan meets and befriends an older fisherman named Su-san, who turns out to be Ichinosuke Suzuki, the CEO of the "Suzuki Construction" company that Hama-chan works for. The stories tend to focus on their relationship inside and outside of the office. 


FEBRUARY


It Started with a Kiss

Based on "Itazura na Kiss" by Kaoru Tada

Genre: romance, comedy, shoujo

After an earthquake destroys Xiang Qin's house, she and her father move in with the family of her father's college buddy. To her surprise, her new kind and amicable aunt and uncle are the parents of her cold and distant schoolmate, Jiang Zhi Shu, a genius with an IQ of 200 whom not too long ago rejected her when she confessed her feelings for him. Will the close proximity give her a second chance to win Zhi Shu's heart? Or will her love for him end under his cold words?


Rike Koi

Based on "Rikei ga Koi ni Ochita no de Shoumei shitemita." by Yamamoto Alfred 

Genre: romance, comedy

Yukimura Shinya and Himuro Ayame are two scientists that want to find out if love can be solved by a scientific theory. These two scientists also have feelings for each other and want to be able to solve their feelings through similar theoretical facts. With this perfect opportunity, these scientists will attempt to solve the theory of the love they express for each other. 


Haha o Nakushita toki, Boku wa Ikotsu o Tabetai to Omotta

Based on "Haha o Nakushita Toki, Boku wa Ikotsu o Tabetai to Omotta" by Satoshi Miyagawa

Genre: family, drama

When Satoshi  was little, his mother Akiko  always took good care of him. She was gentle, but mentally strong. However, two years ago she was diagnosed with cancer and now it's Satoshi's turn to comfort and care for her. However, despite his best efforts, she passes away. A year after Akiko's passing, Satoshi, his father Toshiaki and his older brother Yuichi start new lives. Around that time, Satoshi receives a present from his mother. 


Tonde Saitama

Based on "Tonde Saitama" by Mineo Maya

Genre: comedy, dystopia, school

The story is set in a fictional Japan where people are discriminated according to their birthplace and residence. Saitama Prefecture is particularly criticized by the people in Tokyo. One day, a mysterious male student named Rei Asami transfers to Hakuhoudou Academy, a prestigious high school in Tokyo, from America. Momomi Hakuhoudou, the male president of the school's student council and the grandson of the director of the school, is gradually attracted by him.  


Back Street Girls: Gokudoruzu

Based on "Backstreet Girls" by Jasmine Gyuh

Genre: action, mature

Three yakuza men are forced by their boss to become a female idol group.  


Omaera Zenin Mendokusai!

Based on "Omaera Zenin Mendokusai!" by TOBI 

Genre: comedy, romance, school, shounen

For some reason, Kunitachi Kunihiko, a language arts teacher, always finds himself quarreling with his student, Ichimiya Kazumi, an anti-social girl without any friends. When he tells her to make some friends, she declares: "Be my friend, Sensei." 


MARCH


Channel wa Sonomama!!

Based on "Channel wa Sonomama!" by Sasaki Noriko 

Genre: business

Meet Yukimaru Hanako, 22 years old and a fresh young reporter from Hokkaido. She's just been hired by a local television station to do field reporting, and we are here to watch the launching of her career! 


My Life as a Cat

Based on "Tora-san" by Itaba Mina 

Genre: life, fantasy, animals, josei

Suzuo Takahata is married to Natsuko and they have one daughter Miyu. Suzuo Takahata works as an unpopular manga writer. He spends his days drinking and gambling. One day, he dies in a traffic accident. Suzuo Takahata believes he is going to Hell, but he is given one month to reflect on his life and his family. He then returns as a cat. 


L♥DK: Two Loves Under One Roof

Based on "L♥DK" by Ayu Watanabe

Genre: romance, school, love triangle, shoujo

The spin-off of the popular manga but containing a love triangle. 


You Shine in the Moonlit Night

Based on "Kimi wa Tsukiyo ni Hikari Kagayaku" by Tetsuya Sano and loundraw 

Genre: romance, school, fantasy

Takuya Okada is a high school student. He visits his classmate Mamizu Watarase in the hospital. Mamizu Watarase suffers from the mysterious ailment “Luminescence disease.” People who have the disease show a faint sparkle under the moonlight and the sparkle gets brighter as their death gets closer. Mamizu Watarase is not allowed out of the hospital and she will not live long enough to become an adult. Takuya Okada offers to help her carry out her wishes before she passes away. He also tells her how he feels about her, but Mamizu Watarase’s death is approaching. 


Bijin ga Kon Katsu Shite Mitara

Based on "Bijin ga Konkatsu Shite Mitara" by Arako Toaru

Genre: comedy, romance

Takako is a beautiful woman in her 30's and she works as a designer. Takako has only had relationships with married men. She decides to change herself with the help of her manga artist friend Keiko. Takako signs up at a matchmaking site. Soon, Takako meets two men and she takes an interest in the two men. Meanwhile, Takako has an argument with her friend Keiko. 


The Banker

Based on "Kansayaku Nozaki Shuhei" by Ryouka Shuu (writer) & Shigeru Noda (illustrator)

Genre: business, drama

It tells the story of a bank auditor pursues justice and policy changes at a time when an economic bubble is collapsing. No Dae Ho is an honest and sincere man. He works as a branch manager of Daehan Bank which is located in a small city. The branch is on a soon to be shutdown list. Surprisingly, No Dae Ho is promoted to an auditor at the bank’s headquarters in Seoul. No Dae Ho then faces corruption at the bank.


Takane to Hana

Based on "Takane to Hana" by Yuki Shiwasu

Genre: romance, shoujo

After her older sister refuses to go to an arranged marriage meeting with Takane Saibara, the heir to a vast business fortune, high schooler Hana Nonomura agrees to be her stand-in to save face for the family. But what happens when Hana meets Takane is an unexpected pairing of utter opposites!


Brave to Love

Based on "Asunaro Hakusho" by Fumi Saimon 

Genre: romance, drama, life, friendship

Cheng Mei, Gua Ju, Qu Shou, Xing Hua, and Song Gang are friends who met in a student association in university. Because of love, they all had a taste of heartbreak! From students to graduates entering society, facing obstacles that revolve around same-sex relationship, workplace bullying, female autonomy, extramarital affairs, and May-December romance, how do they maintain their friendship and resolve all the challenges that arise from life and love? 


APRIL


What Did You Eat Yesterday?

Based on "Kinou Nani Tabeta?" by Yoshinaga Fumi 

Genre: life, food, lgbt

Kakei Shiro is a lawyer who works at a small law firm. He is a good cook and a meticulous and thrifty person who keeps the monthly food budget to 25,000 yen. Shiro’s daily routine is to leave work on time and head to a discount supermarket nearby. His partner Yabuki Kenji is the affable hairdresser. The two of them share a two-bedroom apartment and the finer points of two men living together comes up at the dining table every day.


Radiation House

Based on "Radiation House" by Mori Taishi and Yokomaku Tomohiro 

Genre: medical, life

A medical diagnosis mystery drama depicting the other side of medical care, the radiology department.


Kingdom

Based on "Kingdom" by Yasuhisa Hara

Genre: historical, military

Set in China during the Warring States Period, the film tells the story of an orphaned peasant boy who encounters another boy destined to become the Qin emperor. Serving as the key general, the peasant fights on behalf of the king to unite China. 


4-gatsu no Kimi, Spica

Based on "4-gatsu no Kimi, Spica." by Sugiyama Miwako 

Genre: romance, school, shoujo

Fifteen-year-old Sei Saotome is the type of person who tends to fail at the most crucial times. After nearly becoming a high school drop-out, she enrolls into a school that is overambitious for her. There she meets the bold and popular Taiyou Udagawa; and the dreamy and stars obsessed, Mizuki Ootaka. After being asked by Mizuki to join the two guys in the Astronomy Club, it turns out high school life isn't as bad as she had expected.


Kakafukaka

Based on "Kakafukaka" by Takumi Ishida 

Genre: romance, mature

Aki Terada said goodbye to her first love long ago. When her current boyfriend is caught cheating on her, Aki moves out of her apartment and into a sharehouse, where she's reuinted with her first love. When things get heated between them, he drops a major bomb … Heart and body and everything in between intersect in this fresh new adult love story.


Perfect World

Based on "Perfect World" by Rie Aruga

Genre: romance, drama, life

Architect Ayukawa Itsuki is paralyzed from waist down. Although he was the ace of the basketball team back in high school, he injured his spinal cord in an accident while in the third year in university. After that, he decided that he would not play basketball or fall in love ever again because he is wheelchair-bound. Itsuki was Kawana Tsugumi’s classmate and her first love. Tsugumi liked drawing and her ambition was to get into art college. But she lacked confidence and gave up on the exam. Even though she got into an interior design firm, it is a clerical position. Itsuki and Tsugumi happen to meet again at a work-related drinking session. The two of them are attracted to each other. However, they face problems including disapproving parents, the appearance of a love rival and illness as they search for the meaning of happiness.  


In Hand

Based on "In Hand" by Ao Akato

Genre: medical

Himokura Tetsu is a scientist who specialises in the study of parasites. He loathes people and is very sadistic. Tetsu bought a huge botanical garden in Hakone which he converted into his home and lab. He holes up in the conservatory where he researches his favourite parasites. His right arm is fitted with a black robotic hand. However, it is not known how this artificial hand came about. He is an eccentric genius who solves a series of difficult cases with astounding scientific methods.  


Denei Shojo: Video Girl Mai 2019

Based on "Denei Shojo: Ai-hen" by Masakazu Katsura

Genre: romance, sci-fi

Whoever plays the video with Video Girl Mai, becomes Mai's master. To grant her master's wishes, Video Girl Mai carries her orders using her femme fatale charm. She fascinates people and trifles with them, but what is her real purpose?


Iyasaretai Otoko

Based on "Iyasaretai Otoko" by Toji Tsukishima

Genre: comedy, mature

44-year-old Akiyama works for a company that manufactures toilets. He is stressed often as a middle manager, stuck between his supervisor and his subordinates. As a way to relieve his stress, he likes to imagine sexual fantasies of various beautiful women he sees on the street. Akiyama often goes to a convenience store near his job. There, he meets convenience store clerk Puniko Irojiro and married woman Mureko. His sexual fantasies now involves these women.  


MAY


Uchi no Shitsuji ga Iu Koto niwa

Based on "Uchi no Shitsuji ga Iukoto ni wa" by Otonaka Sawaki and Takasato Shiina 

Genre: family, shoujo

Kaei is a successor to the prestitious Karasuma family. Upon finishing his studies in the UK, he returns to Japan only to be surprised by his strange new butler, Soma Kisaragi. With the help of his trusty butler, he protects his family from a conspiracy!

Cheer Boys!!

Based on the novel of the same title by Asai Ryou and later adapted into manga "Cheer Danshi!!: Go Breakers" by  Kondou Kenichi 

Genre: friendship, school, youth, sports

After suffering from a shoulder injury, shy first-year university student Haruki Bandou gladly takes the opportunity to give up judo, failing to find happiness in the sport regardless of his family owning a dojo. He did not expect, however, that his best friend Kazuma Hashimoto would also decide to leave their university's judo club at the same time as him. Despite Haruki's protests, Kazuma already has plans for a new and revolutionary activity: a cheer-leading team made up of only men.  


Hatsukoi: Otosan, Chibi ga Inaku Narimashita

Based on "Otosan, Chibi ga Inaku Narimashita" by Keiko Nishi

Genre: family, drama

Yukiko and Masaru have been married for 44 years, and have three children who live separately. The couple enjoys their days, and everything seems to be going well, until one day Yukiko tells her daughter Naoko, that she wants a divorce... 


Kakegurui: The Movie

Based on "Kakegurui" by Naomura Tooru and Kawamoto Homura 

Genre: Mystery, Drama, School, Shounen, Psychological

Hyakkaou Private Academy is a prestigious institution for the privileged, which was first established 122 years ago. The students there are ranked by their gambling winnings. The winners receive everything including fame and fortune. The winners also dominates the losers. One day, female transfer student Yumeko Jabami arrives at Hyakkaou Private Academy. Yumeko Jabami has a pretty appearance, but she is a gambling maniac who loves high stakes. 


My Absolute Boyfriend

Based on "Absolute Boyfriend" by Yuu Watase 

Genre: romance, sci-fi, shoujo

Eom Da Da is a special effects make-up artists who has been secretly dating Ma Wang Joon, an A-class actor, for 7 years. After a sequence of incidents that damaged Da Da's belief in her love, she decides to break up with Wang Joon. With a heart barely healed after the breakup, she ends up meeting Young Goo, a humanoid robot programmed to be a perfect boyfriend. Young Goo begins to develop human emotions and gets involved in a love triangle with Wang Joon and Da Da.


Toritsu Mizusho!

Based on "Toritsu Mizusho!" by Hikaru Murozumi and Shinobu Inokuma

Genre: school

A school called “Tokyo Metropolitan Water Trade School” is a fictional trade-school that specializes water trade (nighttime entertainment business) education! Naoki Asbesto, who is in the midst of job hunting, finds a job teaching water trade. 


A Rose and A Tulip

Based on "Bara to Tsuripu" by Akiko Higashimura

Genre: romance, shoujo

The film centers around Nero, a famous modern artist and Daewon, a Korean student studying in Japan. The two look exactly alike. While Nero is in Japan for his exhibition, he visits a Japanese Inn. While there he meets Daewon and asks him to switch places with him. After switching places, Nero develops a relationship with the Inn owner's daughter, which makes him reflect on his past. While Daewon thinks on what his future might hold, all the while enjoying the perks that come with being a celebrity. Will this plan help the two discover who they truly are?  




JUNE


Hot Gimmick

Based on "Hot Gimmick" by Aihara Miki 

Genre: romance, comedy, shoujo

In company-owned rabbit-hutch apartments live tenants who can't afford to live anywhere else, and the apartment complex in which high-school girl Hatsumi Narita lives is ruled over by the rumor mongering, self-righteous Mrs. Tachibana. Get on Tachibana's bad side, and life becomes hell. When Hatsumi has to buy a pregnancy test because her popular sister Akane is late, Mrs. Tachibana's son, Ryoki, who used to bully Hatsumi as a kid, promises not to tell the world about Hatsumi's secret, only if she becomes his slave.


The Fable

Based on "The Fable" by Katsuhisa Minami

Drama: crime, action

A boy was trained to be a killer. Several years later, he is now an elite contract killer nicknamed 'Fable'. The man takes a year off from his job as an assassin in order to live like an ordinary person in Osaka.


Machida-kun no Sekai

Based on "Machida-kun no Sekai" by Yuki Andou

Genre: slice of life, school, romance

Hajime Machida is a high school student. He is not good with his studies or playing sports. He does like people and he is loved by those around him. One day at school, Hajime Machida gets hurt and he goes to the school infirmary for treatment. There, he meets classmate Nana Inohara . She treats Hajime Machida instead of the school nurse who is not there. Nana Inohara tells him that she does not like people. After that, Hajime Machida begins to care about her and Nana Inohara begins to have feeling for him.


Nodoka's Garden

Based on "Nodoka no Niwa" by Kaori Akiyami

Genre: romance, drama, josei

This is a love story between 23 year old grad student Asahina Motoko and her 64 year old professor Sakaki Ikuo. Motoko is a very mature and serious girl with poor social skills and is often called dark and gloomy by her classmates. However she finds Professor Sakaki to be kind and easy to talk to, despite his reputation as a strict and scary teacher. Although Professor Sakaki tells Motoko that her feelings for him are not love, something is developing between the two of them, and it might change them both into better people.



Which manga adaptations are you looking forward to?