If you're a fan of mangas and dramas, this article is for you! We’ve selected 10 dramas based on mangas for you to binge-watch! Check out a brief summary of the plot, characters, and where to watch each drama!

1- True Beauty

This is one of the most-watched dramas and our first recommendation for dramas based on mangas. It tells the story of Lim Ju-kyung, a young woman who faces bullying due to her appearance. After learning how to apply makeup, she transforms into a beauty admired by everyone, but still struggles with internal insecurity. She finds herself caught in a love triangle with two boys while hiding her true face.

Main Characters: Lim Ju-kyung, Lee Su-ho, Han Seo-jun

Recommended for: Fans of school romance with a good dose of comedy and drama, and those who love characters with significant personal development.

Where to Watch: Viki, iQIYI.

2- You're My Pet

The story revolves around a successful woman, Kaede, who ends up bringing a man to live with her, but he is literally treated like a “pet,” with all the rights of a beloved dog. The plot is light, funny, and of course, full of romantic moments.

Main Characters: Kaede, Takeshi (the “pet”)

Recommended for: Those who enjoy romantic comedies with a touch of fantasy and an unusual plot.

Where to Watch: Viki, Rakuten Viki.

3- Hana Zakari no Kimi-tachi e

The story follows Ashiya Mizuki, a young woman who disguises herself as a man to study at a boys' school and be close to the high-jump athlete, Izumi Sano, whom she is in love with.

Main Characters: Ashiya Mizuki, Izumi Sano

Recommended for: Fans of romantic comedy, confusion, and lots of youth drama.

Where to Watch: Viki, YouTube.

4- Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo

Based on Itazura na Kiss, this drama is about Kotoko, a clumsy and determined girl who falls in love with Naoki, the smartest student at school, who initially despises her. The story is full of romance and comedy, but also presents moments of growth, making it an excellent recommendation for manga-based dramas.

Main Characters: Kotoko Aihara, Naoki Irie

Recommended for: Those who love love stories with a “bad boy” and a protagonist who grows throughout the plot.

Where to Watch: Netflix, Viki.

5- Boys Over Flowers

One of the most famous dramas based on mangas, Boys Over Flowers adapts the iconic manga Hana Yori Dango. The story follows Geum Jan-di, an ordinary girl who becomes involved with the four rich and popular boys at school, known as F4.

Main Characters: Geum Jan-di, Goo Jun-Pyo, Yoon Ji-Hoo

Recommended for: Those who enjoy dramatic romances with charismatic characters and plots filled with emotional highs and lows.

Where to Watch: Netflix, Viki.

6- Honey and Clover

This drama follows the life of a group of university students who are learning about life, love, and the future. The focus is on the relationship between Yamada and Morita, two of the central characters.

Main Characters: Yamada, Morita, Takemoto

Recommended for: Fans of deeper, more sensitive dramas with themes of coming-of-age and complex relationships.

Where to Watch: Viki, YouTube.

7- Nodame Cantabile

The story of Nodame Cantabile is about an eccentric, talented pianist, Nodame, and her relationship with the brilliant but arrogant conductor Shinichi Chiaki. The plot mixes romance and music in a fun way with emotional moments.

Main Characters: Nodame, Chiaki Shinichi

Recommended for: Those who enjoy a good mix of classical music with romantic comedy and memorable characters.

Where to Watch: Viki.

8- Gokusen

The story follows Kumiko Yamaguchi, a young teacher who is the granddaughter of a yakuza boss. She goes to a school full of troubled students, where her ability to handle difficult situations is constantly tested. Although it's an older drama, it's excellent and deserves a spot on our list of the best manga-based dramas.

Main Characters: Kumiko Yamaguchi, Odagiri Ryu

Recommended for: Those who enjoy stories about inspiring teachers and challenging teenagers.

Where to Watch: YouTube.

9- Great Teacher Onizuka

An ex-gang member and martial arts master, Eikichi Onizuka, becomes a teacher and tries to change the lives of his troubled students, all with a lot of humor and heart. The story is full of life lessons and emotional moments.

Main Characters: Eikichi Onizuka, Fuyutsuki

Recommended for: Those who love unconventional characters and stories with a good mix of humor and drama.

Where to Watch: YouTube, Viki.

10- Hana Yori Dango

Last but not least, we have the original Japanese drama based on the manga Boys Over Flowers, closing our list of the best dramas based on mangas. It follows the story of Tsukushi Makino, a lower-class girl who, after getting involved with the rich F4 boys, finds herself in a complicated and obstacle-filled relationship.

Main Characters: Tsukushi Makino, Tsukasa Domyoji

Recommended for: Fans of turbulent romances and intense school dramas.

Where to Watch: YouTube, Viki.

Webtoons – the platform for online mangas and manhwas!

If you're a fan of mangas and manhwas and want a way to follow your favorite stories, Webtoons is an excellent platform for that! There, you can find thousands of stories across all genres, from romantic comedies to deep dramas and even fantasy. Additionally, the platform offers an interactive reading experience where you can follow chapters weekly and interact with other fans.

Online manga site: Webtoons

Difference between mangas and manhwas

Origin

• Mangas: Manga are comics originating from Japan. They have been part of Japanese culture for centuries and have a very distinctive visual and narrative style.
• Manhwas: Manhwa are comics from South Korea. While they may share some similarities with mangas, there are several differences in both the art style and narrative.

Reading

• Mangas: Traditionally, mangas are read from right to left, reflecting the way the Japanese language is written. This might be a bit confusing for beginners, but Western readers have gotten used to this convention.
• Manhwas: Manhwas, on the other hand, are read from left to right, just like Western comics. This makes reading more intuitive for those accustomed to Western conventions.

Art and visual style

• Mangas: Mangas have a very detailed art style, with characters having large, expressive eyes and fine lines. The style can vary widely but generally focuses on conveying emotions through character expressions and details.
• Manhwas: While also visually detailed, manhwas tend to have a cleaner, more modern style with an emphasis on more realistic features. They may also have fewer details compared to mangas, but the art style varies considerably.

Format and publication

• Mangas: Mangas are usually released in weekly or monthly magazines, with chapters often compiled into volumes (tankobon). Some popular mangas can run for years or even decades, like One Piece or Naruto.
• Manhwas: The format for publishing manhwas is a bit different. Many manhwas start online, with chapters released on digital platforms, and can be read on apps like Webtoons. Additionally, manhwas tend to be shorter than mangas in terms of chapter count, though they can still have long stories.

Genres and themes

Both mangas and manhwas cover a wide range of genres and themes, including romance, fantasy, action, drama, horror, comedy, and more. However, the target audience for manhwas may be a bit broader, with a significant number of stories aimed at a younger adult audience, while mangas tend to have a clearer division between audiences, with options for children, teens, and adults.

In summary, mangas and manhwas have different origins, reading styles, and publication methods, but both offer amazing stories that captivate fans worldwide. Whether you're a fan of mangas or manhwas, the important thing is to enjoy the incredible narratives that these formats offer!

Download a streaming app and watch dramas based on mangas

These manga and manhwa-based dramas offer a unique blend of emotions, comedy, romance, and even moments of great drama. For manga fans, watching these dramas based on mangas is a wonderful opportunity to see the characters and stories we love come to life on screen. Each of these dramas brings something special, whether it's the dynamics between the protagonists, the emotional dilemmas they face, or the valuable lessons they learn throughout the journey.

Additionally, the variety of genres and plots available means that anyone, whether a fan of intense romances, light comedies, or emotional dramas, can find a story that resonates with their tastes and preferences. From love triangles and school confusions in True Beauty and Boys Over Flowers to life lessons and friendships in Great Teacher Onizuka and Nodame Cantabile, there's always something new and exciting to explore.

And for those who don't want to wait for the next adaptation, the Webtoons platform is an excellent option for those wanting to dive deeper into the world of mangas and manhwas. With an enormous library of stories, from the most popular to the most recent, Webtoons has become the perfect place for fans of both modern and traditional mangas. By following your favorite series there, you can keep up with the stories as they’re being published, interact with the community, and support the content creators.

If you haven't yet entered the world of manga adaptations, these dramas are an excellent starting point. Get ready for a journey full of emotions and lots of fun. And of course, don’t forget to follow the original mangas and manhwas to experience the stories in an even richer and more complete way.

Now it’s time to grab the popcorn, pick one of these dramas, and enjoy!