Manhwa are comics that originate from South Korea, and while their themes and art are quite similar to that of manga, there are a few significant differences. Like Western texts, manhwa are read from left to right, and most of them are in color instead of the traditional manga standard of black-and-white.
Manga fans who are curious about this Korean medium have a lot of options to slog through — most of which may not even be to their tastes. But while there's such a vast library of titles available, the very best manhwa series stand out among the crowd. With gorgeous art styles, thrilling drama, and heart-stopping romance, these iconic titles offer readers the best stories of the medium.
Updated on March 2nd, 2024 by Hannah Grimes: The manhwa genre has only continued to gain popularity, so we've updated this list to include a few more that are well worth checking out.
20 Nagyunn Assumes His Twin Brother's Identity To Avenge His Murder In The Ember Knight
The Ember Knight
When Nagyunn's twin brother, Najin, is murdered before his very eyes, he vows to avenge his brother's death by assuming Najin's identity.
- Author
- Hwandaeng
- Artist
- Hwandaeng
- Release Date
- March 19, 2021
- Genre
- Action , Adventure , Fantasy
- Where to Read
- Naver Webtoon
- Chapters
- 139
- Publisher
- Webtoon Entertainment, Tappytoon
MyAnimeList |
7.60/10 |
---|---|
Anime-Planet |
4.08/5 |
The Ember Knight centers around Nagyunn, who assumes his twin brother Najin's identity after his murder, vowing to avenge him at any cost. The only problem is that Najin was a brilliant and skilled knight, whereas Nagyunn lacks his natural talent despite being his twin. Without seeing another option, Nagyunn trains to hone his skill as Najin's stand-in, trying not to give away his identity in the process.
Since Nagyunn lacks the physical strength and talent of his brother, he has to rely on his wits instead, leading to many engaging scenarios. One of the best manhwa, The Ember Knight is a story of secrecy and revenge that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
19 Annarasumanara Is A Psychological Mystery That Uses Magic To Tell Its Story
The Sound of Magic: Annarasumanara
Yoon Ah-ee goes to a carnival and meets a magician who changes her life in The Sound of Magic: Annarasumanara.
- Release Date
- July 1, 2014
- Author
- Ilkwon Ha
- Artist
- Ilkwon Ha
- Genre
- Manhwa
MyAnimeList |
8.27/10 |
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Anime-Planet |
4.19/5 |
Il Kwon-ha's Annarasumanara is a magical realist manhwa set around a derelict carnival. The mysterious magician character plays an important role, but the overarching narrative is driven by the series' young protagonist, Yoon Ah-ee.
Yoon has no time to waste wondering about magic because her life is already difficult — she has to work and study while simultaneously raising her little sibling. Then Yoon meets the magician, setting her on a journey through a world that few people get to see, much less enjoy. Another important character in Annarasumanara is Na Il-Deung, whose logical perspectives on life are both sobering and occasionally trite, adding balance to the otherworldly series.
18 The Breaker: New Waves Has Been Around For Years, But Still Captivates Readers
The Breaker: New Waves
After Yi "Shioon" Shi-Woon's master, Goomoonryong, breaks his ki-center, leaving him unable to use his martial arts, he decides to leave the world of Murim and continue on with his normal life: going to school and coming home to his mother every day. However, Murim has other ideas.
MyAnimeList |
8.36/10 |
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Anime-Planet |
4.33/5 |
25 Top Manhwa You Need To Read
Manga may be a more popular storytelling medium, but these manhwa shouldn't be discounted and still make for perfect reading today.The Breaker was one of the best manhwa for its time, with two sequels having come out already. The second installment in the franchise, titled The Breaker: New Waves, ran from 2010 to 2015. This sequel follows the story of Shiwoon after he refuses to lead the Sunwoo Clan.
Shiwoon has Sera Kang help bring balance to his misaligned ki-center, following which he promises to punish the secretive group called Soldiers Under Command (or SUC) for hampering the Martial Arts Alliance and tormenting ordinary people. Fans of the story should also check out the third installment, The Beaker: Eternal Force.
17 People Start Receiving Invitations For A Wish-Granting Island Tournament In The God Of High School
MyAnimeList |
7.68/10 |
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Anime-Planet |
4/5 |
As the name suggests, the titular God Of High School tournament invites high school students to duel it out, competing to find the single best and strongest among them. The winner of this tournament gets one wish granted, regardless of the cost. Jin Mo-Ri, a taekwondo specialist who enters to find and challenge tough opponents, meets two others who fight for noble goals and grow closer in the process.
Throughout The God Of High School, the inspirational message of fighting for oneself and doing whatever you want is pushed through Jin Mo-Ri, his friends, and even his enemies all fighting tirelessly for their own wishes. The God Of High School ran for eleven years and five-hundred-and-sixty-nine chapters, wrapping up in October 2022, and is one of the best manhwa that's also gotten an anime adaptation.
16 After School Lessons For Unripe Apples Follows The Budding Friendship Between An Unlikely Young Duo
After School Lessons For Unripe Apples
Mi-ae is just a normal middle school girl trying to survive school. She likes reading comics, the pop group "The Fire Boys," and karaoke.
MyAnimeList |
8.39/10 |
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Anime-Planet |
4.45/5 |
Despite its overly long and confusing title, After School Lessons for Unripe Apples is a delightfully quaint slice-of-life manhwa. It stars Mi-ae Hwang, a mild-mannered middle-schooler with a penchant for K-pop and romance manga. Unfortunately, she suffers a lot of bullying at school, mostly due to her height.
When Cheol Kim transfers to Mi-ae's class, however, her entire life starts taking a wild turn. Cheol has racked up a reputation for being a rulebreaker and juvenile delinquent, although his actual personality couldn't be further from the truth. After School Lessons for Unripe Apples is all about the budding friendship that inevitably develops between Mi-ae and Cheol.
15 Seasons Of Blossom Is An Emotional Story Following Four Different Characters' Lives
Seasons Of Blossom
Oh, to be young and in love. Oh, to be wild and carefree. The springtime of life is intense, tumultuous, and at times, oh so confusing. Spring, summer, fall and winter—love blossoms in all seasons.
MyAnimeList |
8.41/10 |
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Anime-Planet |
4.42/5 |
One of the best manhwa out there, Seasons of Blossom was illustrated by NEMONE and written by Hongduck. It is considered a tetralogy because its four parts are based on each season of the year. As expected from the title, the story has everything to do with adolescence and youth.
The manhwa stars a group of young friends, each starring in their own arc throughout the story. Bo-mi, Ha-min, Ga-eul, and Dong-chae represent spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively — and each of their character arcs is just as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking. Seasons of Blossom already has a live-action adaptation, with an animated adaptation coming in 2024.
14 The Legend Of The Northern Blade Follows A Warrior's Journey To Avenge His Fallen Family
The Legend Of The Northern Blade
In the ongoing battle to protect the world, the fearless fighters of the Northern Heavenly Sect waged war against the evil forces of Silent Night for many years.
MyAnimeList |
8.39/10 |
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Anime-Planet |
4.39/5 |
The Legend of the Northern Blade sounds like something out of a medieval anime or Chinese wuxia fiction. Hailed as one of the best and most exciting manhwa series to date, The Legend of the Northern Blade blends hefty doses of drama into the martial arts mix. Members of the so-called Northern Heavenly Sect are tasked with protecting humanity from a mysterious entity known only as the Silent Night.
The Legend of the Northern Blade begins with Mowoon, a heroic warrior who teaches himself to fight after fleeing his mountainous home. Mowoon is eventually given a choice — to do nothing or to hunt down those responsible for his father's death.
13 Tower Of God Features A Perilous Journey In A Mysterious World
Tower Of God
Fame. Glory. Power. Anything in your wildest dreams is possible when you reach the top of the Tower of God. Those lucky enough to be chosen by the tower ascend each floor in hopes of fulfilling their dreams, but to succeed, they must complete dangerous and deadly tests along the way.
- Release Date
- June 30, 2010
- Author
- S.I.U.
- Genre
- Manhwa , Fantasy , Action-Adventure
- Chapters
- 500+
- Volumes
- 3
- Adaptation
- Tower of God
- Publisher
- Young Com
MyAnimeList |
8.38/10 |
---|---|
Anime-Planet |
4.32/5 |
In the first few chapters of Tower of God, Young Bam loses Rachel when she goes climbing the Tower. He then decides to climb it himself and get to the bottom of everything. Upon reaching the location, however, he soon realizes how unprepared he is to deal with all the ferocious monsters and ancient secrets.
Bam has to face countless adversaries on his journey, especially the Administrators who govern each floor of the titular tower. Young Bam will have all his dreams fulfilled if he completes his mission, but getting to the top won't be easy. Despite fading from the limelight in recent years, Tower of God remains one of the best manhwa ever written and also has an anime adaptation.
12 Eleceed Stars An Odd Pair Of Heroes Who Can't Seem To Get Along
Eleceed
Jiwoo is a kind-hearted young man who harnesses the lightning quick reflexes of a cat to secretly make the world a better place—one saved little child or foster pet at a time.
- Release Date
- October 1, 2018
- Author
- Jae-Ho Son
- Artist
- HYE-JIN KIM
- Genre
- Action , Comedy , Adventure , Fantasy
- Chapters
- 280
- Publisher
- Naver Webtoon, Webtoon Entertainment
MyAnimeList |
8.41/10 |
---|---|
Anime-Planet |
4.45/5 |
10 Best Manhwa That Need Anime An Adaptation Right Now
Manhwa like Eleceed and Kubera would benefit from an anime adaptation to showcase its action sequences and epic adventures.Though Eleceed is a lesser-known title compared to other popular manhwa series, it's undoubtedly one of the best. This charming series follows Jiwoo, a man with cat-like reflexes who uses his super abilities to fight crime and make the world a better place. By his side is Kayden, a secret agent who was somehow transformed into a cat.
Together, this odd pair joins forces to fight against evil. However, this proves to be harder than they think, since Jiwoo and Kayden don't get along whatsoever. The series follows their misadventures as they use their powers to save the day and try to get along in the process.
11 The Breaker Follows A Young Man's Journey To Grow Stronger
The Breaker: Omnibus, Vol. 1
- WRITER
- Jeon Geuk-jin
- Artist
- Kamaro
- Letterer
- Studio Makma
- Cover Artist
- Kamaro
- Publisher
- Ablaze Publishing
- Price
- 19.99
- Release Date
- August 3, 2021
MyAnimeList |
8.39/10 |
---|---|
Anime-Planet |
4.34/5 |
The Breaker is a properly shonen series with tons of martial arts. This iconic manhwa follows Shioon, a loser who gets bullied at the Nine Dragons High School every day. One day, he watches a man named Chun Woo defend himself against a group of scary-looking men.
Shioon promptly decides to blackmail Chun Woo into teaching him the art of self-defense. Unfortunately for the protagonist, he has no idea what he's getting himself into, not to mention Chun Woo's complicated history and the macabre underworld thriving below them. The Breaker may be much older than most popular manhwa series, but it remains one of the best out there.
10 Omniscient Reader Is A Subversive Isekai Story Where The World Of A Popular Web Novel Comes To Life
Omniscient Reader
Kim Dokja does not consider himself the protagonist of his own life. Befitting the name his parents gave him, he is a solitary person whose sole hobby is reading web novels.
- Release Date
- May 26, 2020
- Author
- sing N song
- Artist
- Sleepy-C
- Genre
- Action , Adventure , Fantasy
- Chapters
- 194
- Publisher
- LINE Webtoon, Yen Press
MyAnimeList |
8.44/10 |
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Anime-Planet |
4.44/5 |
Omniscient Reader is a playful subversion of the Isekai manga genre. Kim Dokja feels like an NPC, observing his own life from a distance while it passes him by. Like many of the best manhwa protagonists, he spends most of his free time reading web novels. Kim has been addicted to a manhwa titled Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse for over ten years, having found its protagonist Yoo Joonghyuk to be irresistible.
When Kim's beloved web novel comes to a conclusion, however, the writer sends him a message that inexplicably brings the story to life. Kim now knows everything that is going to happen, but that doesn't mean he's going to surpass all the obstacles in his path.
9 The Boxer Has A Premise That's Similar To The Classic Hajime No Ippo
The Boxer
Having suffered ruthless bullying for the better part of his life, 17-year-old Yu has become emotionally numb and dissociated from reality, no longer able to act like a normal human being.
- Release Date
- December 4, 2019
- Franchise
- The Boxer
- Author
- Jung Ji-Hoon
- Artist
- Jung Ji-Hoon
- Genre
- Action , Drama , Sports
- Chapters
- 123
- Publisher
- LINE Webtoon, Yen Press, Naver Webtoon
MyAnimeList |
8.42/10 |
---|---|
Anime-Planet |
4.37/5 |
Animanga fans have probably heard of Hajime no Ippo, one of the most iconic sports anime ever made. The Boxer employs a similar backdrop, starting with a bullied teenager named Yu. Yu has the rare gift of being able to avoid incoming attacks with ease, which he later incorporates into his fighting strategy.
That said, Yu would have remained lost and lonely without K, a champion boxing trainer who insists on training the disinterested hero. One of the best manhwa about second chances and survival, The Boxer establishes its narrative foundation with its protagonist's unshakeable resolve.
8 Who Made Me A Princess Stars A Protagonist Who Reincarnates Into An Ill-Fated Storybook Princess
Who Made Me A Princess
Athanasia, executed for treason in her past life, wakes up reborn as a child princess in the very kingdom she threatened. Now, she must navigate a treacherous court, filled with hidden agendas and deadly secrets, all while maintaining the innocent facade of a princess.
MyAnimeList |
8.45/10 |
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Anime-Planet |
4.42/5 |
Who Made Me A Princess & 9 Other Must-Read Isekai Manhwa
There are several isekai manhwa like Who Made Me A Princess by Plutus and Spoon that are must-reads for fans of this trope.In the iconic manhwa Who Made Me a Princess?, a young woman from Japan wakes up to find herself reborn as Athanasia de Alger Obelia, a character from a Japanese fairytale. Since she knows how Athanasia’s story ends, she tries her best to avoid her tragic fate by changing the narrative of the story.
When the heroine reincarnates into her new life as Athanasia, she's only five years old. As a result, she decides to win her tyrannical father over by using love and affection, a somewhat successful tactic. Who Made Me a Princess? has everything a reader could want, from family melodrama to political intrigue, making it the perfect manhwa series for fans of all kinds.
7 Park Hyung Suk Becomes His True Self In An Unconventional Way In Lookism
MyAnimeList |
7.98/10 |
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Anime-Planet |
4.2/5 |
For seventeen years, Lookism's Park Hyung Suk is bullied and ostracized by his peers, until he has enough and decides to transfer for a fresh start. Right before transferring, though, he wakes up and finds that he's an idealized, perfect version of himself — and Hyung Suk switches between the two every time he falls asleep.
Lookism is one of the best manhwa that keeps fans entertained as protagonist Park Hyung Suk figures out both how to be a popular kid and the mystery behind his new body-switching, double-life powers. Lookism has been running for ten years and is still ongoing with almost five-hundred chapters currently published.
6 Bastard Follows A Young Boy As He Struggles With His Father's Dark Secret
Bastard
There is nowhere that Seon Jin can find solace. At school, he is ruthlessly bullied due to his unsettlingly quiet nature and weak appearance.
MyAnimeList |
8.48/10 |
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Anime-Planet |
4.38/5 |
Bastard's protagonist, Seon Jin, is terrified of his dad. Although the latter appears to be a beloved altruist and model citizen, only his son is aware of the darkness residing in his father's heart. However, everything changes when Jin's father develops an interest in Yoon Kyun, a new transfer student.
Jin soon realizes that he needs to protect Yoon from his dad's serial killer ways, forcing him into some rather tough choices. He has to decide whether he's willing to let Yoon die or rebel against his monstrous father. A thrilling addition to the psychological genre, Bastard is one of the best manhwa for fans who love a darker story.
5 Wind Breaker Tells The Adventures Of A Brilliant High School Boy With A Passion For Biking
Wind Breaker
Burdened with expectations since childhood, second-year high schooler Jo "Jay" Ja Hyun feels obligated to aim for the top through his studies.
- Release Date
- December 15, 2013
- Author
- Yongseok Jo
- Artist
- Yongseok Jo
- Genre
- Action , Drama , Sports
- Chapters
- 479
- Volumes
- 25
- Publisher
- Naver Webtoon, LINE Webtoon
MyAnimeList |
8.57/10 |
---|---|
Anime-Planet |
4.36/5 |
Among the best manhwa out there, Wind Breaker chronicles Jay Ja Hyun's life, a young high school kid buckling under the pressures of academic achievement. He even becomes Taeyang High's student president but refuses to misuse his title in any way. Jay's biking talents are soon noticed by other professional bikers, as well as Yoon Min Woo, one of his schoolmates.
Wind Breaker is relatively lighthearted, and the characters don't have a lot to lose, but the story is nevertheless gripping. Fans won't be able to stop reading Wind Breaker from start to finish, as this popular manhwa almost feels like binging a favorite TV show.
4 Frankenstein's Master Struggles To Adapt To Human Society In Noblesse
Noblesse
Rai wakes up from an 820-year-long sleep and starts his new life as a student in a high school founded by his loyal servant, Frankenstein. But his peaceful days with other human students are soon interrupted by mysterious attackers known as the "Unions."
MyAnimeList |
8.11/10 |
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Anime-Planet |
4.27/5 |
After sleeping for nearly one thousand years, Rai awakes and tries to start life over as a high school student with the assistance of his faithful servant, Frankenstein. This newfound high school peace is quickly broken by assailants called Unions, and Rai has no choice but to unveil his powers and use them to protect his classmates.
Noblesse follows a familiar monster-of-the-week format, where new enemies show up and take the heroes by surprise before they become powerful enough to overcome the new threat. It's Noblesse's colorful cast of characters and their interactions with each other that make this a worthwhile, enjoyable manhwa.
3 The Horizon Follows The Heart-Breaking Journey Of Two Kids In A War-Torn World
The Horizon
In a world ravaged by war, a young boy walks down a lonely road in the aftermath of his mother's death. Along his journey, he witnesses military tanks, dead bodies, and his beloved city in ruins. With eyes clouded by anguish, he pushes himself to keep moving forward.
- Release Date
- March 30, 2016
- Author
- Ji-Hoon Jeong
- Artist
- Ji-Hoon Jeong
- Genre
- Drama , Adventure
- Chapters
- 21
- Volumes
- 3
- Publisher
- Jaedam Books, SpotToon, Tapas, Yen Press
MyAnimeList |
8.67/10 |
---|---|
Anime-Planet |
4.39/5 |
10 Classic Manhwa Worth Checking Out
Manhwa's popularity continues to rise, and fans should add classic titles like The Breaker and Tower of God to their must-read list.The Horizon is a heartbreaking drama series revolving around the lives of two children orphaned by war. Similar to Studio Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies, these two characters have no choice but to rely on each other for sustenance and solace.
As expected, neither of them has access to any of the tools required for survival, forcing them to deal with the situation one day at a time. Despite the manhwa's morbid setting and dark tone, The Horizon includes dozens of sweet and tender moments between its protagonists, whose very existence demonstrates the difference between surviving and living.
2 Hyun Fights To Keep His Humanity Against Monsters After Losing His Family In Sweet Home
Sweet Home
After an unexpected family tragedy, a reclusive high school student is forced to leave his home -- only to face something much scarier: a reality where monsters are trying to wipe out humanity. Now he must fight alongside a handful of reluctant heroes to try and save the world before it’s too late.
- Author
- Kim Carnby
- Artist
- Hwang Young-chan
- Release Date
- October 12, 2017
- Issues
- 12
- Genre
- Horror
- Where to Read
- Webtoons
- Chapters
- 140
- Volumes
- 12
- Adaptation
- Sweet Home (2020)
- Publisher
- Naver
MyAnimeList |
8.26/10 |
---|---|
Anime-Planet |
4.37/10 |
Hyun is an average, reclusive high school student in Sweet Home who enjoys keeping to himself and playing video games. After a tragic accident claims the lives of his family, Hyun moves into an apartment complex, and can no longer maintain his shut-in lifestyle while also coping with the loss of his family. To make matters worse, Hyun and the other members start experiencing odd symptoms as the world is plunged into chaos.
One of the best manhwa in an apocalyptic setting, Sweet Home is dark and gripping, centered around the theme of surviving in a cruel and unforgiving world. Sweet Home's characters feel natural, and their interactions are both real and heartbreaking throughout the manhwa's one-hundred-and-forty-one-chapter run.
1 Solo Leveling Takes Place In A Magical World Where Superhuman Powers Are The Norm
Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling follows the story of Sung Jin-Woo, the weakest hunter on his quest to become the strongest S-Rank hunter.
- Release Date
- March 4, 2018
- Author
- Chugong
- Artist
- Dubu
- Genre
- Manhwa , Fantasy , Action , Adventure
- Where to Read
- https://www.tappytoon.com/en/book/solo-leveling-official
- Chapters
- 190
- Volumes
- 14
- Adaptation
- Solo Leveling
- Publisher
- D&C Media
MyAnimeList |
8.67/10 |
---|---|
Anime-Planet |
4.66/5 |
Solo Leveling, one of the best manhwa of all time, takes place in a land where magic has become the norm. Regular people are now superhumans who combat monsters and earn money for their victories. Sung Jin-Woo is one such Hunter, but he’s extremely weak as a fighter.
One day, Jin-Woo is asked to complete an impossible training program or face dire consequences. Initially hesitant, the young boy ultimately looks at this as an opportunity to help him become the strongest Hunter in the world. Solo Leveling is easily one of the hottest manhwa series to date. It's become so popular in the last few years, that it's even gotten its own RPG series and anime adaptation.