History of Boys Over Flowers in Timeline

Boys Over Flowers centers on Tsukushi Makino, a determined middle-class girl attending the elite Eitoku Academy, a school dominated by the F4, a group of four wealthy and influential boys. The F4, led by the charismatic Jun-pyo Domyouji, rule the school with an iron fist, bullying anyone who dares to cross them. Tsukushi, initially an outcast, stands up to the F4 after they target her friend. This act of defiance sparks a complicated relationship between her and Jun-pyo, leading to a love triangle that also involves Rui Hanazawa, another member of the F4. The series explores themes of class differences, bullying, love, and friendship.

October 1992: Serialization in Margaret magazine

In October 1992, Boys Over Flowers began serialization in Shueisha's Margaret magazine.

October 23, 1992: First tankōbon volume released

On October 23, 1992, the first tankōbon volume of Boys Over Flowers was released.

July 1993: Audio drama release

In July 1993, an audio drama adaptation of Boys Over Flowers, marketed as "CD books" (CDブック), was released, starring Takuya Kimura as Rui Hanazawa.

July 1994: Audio drama series end

In July 1994, the audio drama series adaptation of Boys Over Flowers concluded.

July 1994: End of audio drama release

In July 1994, the release of the Boys Over Flowers audio drama adaptation concluded.

1995: Japanese live-action film

In 1995, a Japanese live-action feature film adaptation of the manga was released.

1996: Shogakukan Manga Award

In 1996, Boys Over Flowers won the 41st Shogakukan Manga Award for the shōjo category.

1996: Animated television series broadcast

In 1996, an animated television series adaptation of Boys Over Flowers, produced by Toei Animation, began broadcasting on ABC.

1997: Theatrical short film release

In 1997, a spin-off theatrical short film, set in an alternate universe, followed the anime television series.

1997: Animated television series broadcast end

In 1997, the animated television series adaptation of Boys Over Flowers ended its broadcast on ABC.

2001: Formation of F4 boy band

In 2001, the Taiwanese boy band F4 (Flower Four) or JVKV, consisting of cast members of the 2001 Taiwanese version, Meteor Garden, was formed after the series ended.

2001: Taiwanese live-action series: Meteor Garden

In 2001, the first live-action television adaptation, titled Meteor Garden, was produced in Taiwan.

2002: Fantasy 4ever album released

In 2002, F4 released their album Fantasy 4ever.

July 2003: Album sales

According to Forbes, as of July 2003, F4 had sold 3.5 million copies of their first two albums all over Asia.

2003: English translations released

In 2003, English translations of all 37 volumes of Boys Over Flowers were released by Viz Media.

2003: DVD release in Northern America

In 2003, the anime Boys Over Flowers was released in Northern America on DVD by Viz Media.

January 2004: End of serialization in Margaret magazine

In January 2004, the serialization of Boys Over Flowers in Shueisha's Margaret magazine concluded.

2005: Japanese live-action series

In 2005, a Japanese live-action television series adaptation of Boys Over Flowers aired.

July 2006: Short story published

In July 2006, a short story based on the manga was published in issue 15 of Margaret magazine.

January 2007: Two-installment short story published

In January 2007, another two-installment short story was published.

2007: Name change to JVKV

In 2007, due to copyright issues, the group changed its name to JVKV.

2007: Japanese live-action series end

In 2007, the Japanese live-action series adaptation of Boys Over Flowers finished airing.

June 25, 2008: Last tankōbon volume released

On June 25, 2008, the 37th tankōbon volume of the Boys Over Flowers series was released.

2008: Airing on Xing Kong

In 2008, Hana yori Dango with its sequel Hana yori Dango Returns were aired on Xing Kong dubbed in Mandarin.

2008: Japanese live-action film

In 2008, a film followed the Japanese live-action television series.

2008: Tankōbon volumes collected

In 2008, the chapters of Boys Over Flowers were collected in 37 tankōbon volumes.

2009: Airing on Xing Kong

In 2009, Boys Over Flowers in South Korea was aired on Xing Kong dubbed in Mandarin.

2009: English translations released

In 2009, English translations of all 37 volumes of Boys Over Flowers were released by Viz Media.

2009: South Korean adaptation aired

In 2009, a South Korean live-action television adaptation of Boys Over Flowers aired.

February 15, 2015: Boys Over Flowers Season 2

On February 15, 2015, Yoko Kamio began a sequel, Boys Over Flowers Season 2, in Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ online magazine.

February 2015: Series Circulation

By February 2015, the Boys Over Flowers series had over 61 million copies in circulation, making it a best-selling manga.

2016: Rereleased by Discotek Media

In 2016, the anime was rereleased by Discotek Media as Hana yori Dango.

2018: Mainland Chinese adaptation aired

In 2018, a mainland Chinese live-action television adaptation, also titled Meteor Garden, aired.

2021: Thai adaptation aired

In 2021, a Thai adaptation, F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers, was aired.

2021: TV Asahi's Manga Sōsenkyo Poll

In 2021, on TV Asahi's Manga Sōsenkyo poll, Boys Over Flowers ranked 70th out of the top 100 manga series.

2022: Thai adaptation aired end

In 2022, the Thai adaptation, F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers, ended its airing.

April 2023: Guinness World Records Certification

In April 2023, Guinness World Records officially certified Boys Over Flowers as having the most published copies of a shōjo manga series written by a single author.