1.
original work, source material
The original version of a creative work, especially a novel, manga, or other literary work that has been adapted into another medium such as film, anime, or drama.
この映画の原作は小説だ。
The original work this movie is based on is a novel.
原作を読んでからアニメを見た。
I watched the anime after reading the original work.
原作とドラマではストーリーの結末が大きく異なっている。
The ending of the story differs significantly between the original work and the TV drama.
Extremely common in discussions of adaptations — comparing manga to anime, novels to films, etc. 原作者 refers to the author of the original work.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 原作を読む — to read the original work
- 原作者 — the original author
- 原作に忠実 — faithful to the original
- 原作通り — as in the original
- 原作ファン — fans of the original work