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 cover art
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.

Nagyunn focused from the cover of The Ember Knight manhwa.

19 Annarasumanara Is A Psychological Mystery That Uses Magic To Tell Its Story

Yoon Ah-ee and the Magician in the Theme Park in The Sound of Magic Annarasumanara
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

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.

The two main characters in Annarasumanara with a carnival background

18 The Breaker: New Waves Has Been Around For Years, But Still Captivates Readers

The Breaker manhwa cover art
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.

Release Date
October 8, 2010
Author
Geuk-Jin Jeon, Jin-Hwan Park
Artist
Geuk-Jin Jeon, Jin-Hwan Park
Genre
Action , Comedy , Drama , Romance , Supernatural
Where to Read
Daum Webtoon
Chapters
203
Volumes
20

MyAnimeList

8.36/10

Anime-Planet

4.33/5

Related
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.

Shioon standing on a beach watching the sunset in The Breaker: New Waves

17 People Start Receiving Invitations For A Wish-Granting Island Tournament In The God Of High School

Jin Mori kicks his opponent in The God of High School.

MyAnimeList

7.68/10

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
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. 

Release Date
December 23, 2020
Author
Soonkki
Artist
Soonkki
Genre
Romance , Comedy , Drama
Where to Read
Naver Webtoon, MANHUASCAN, Manga Fire, MyAnimeList
Chapters
124

MyAnimeList

8.39/10

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.

Mi-ae and Cheol in After School Lessons for Unripe Apples

15 Seasons Of Blossom Is An Emotional Story Following Four Different Characters' Lives

Seasons Of Blossom
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.

Release Date
June 23, 2020
Author
Hongduck
Artist
NEMONE
Genre
Romance , Comedy , Drama
Where to Read
Naver Webtoon
Chapters
130
Volumes
12

MyAnimeList

8.41/10

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.

Poster for Seasons of Blossom shows Bo-mi, Ha-min, Ga-eul, and Dong-chae

 

14 The Legend Of The Northern Blade Follows A Warrior's Journey To Avenge His Fallen Family

The Legend Of The Northern Blade
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.

Release Date
December 30, 2019
Author
Woogack
Artist
Hae-min
Genre
Action , Drama , Adventure , Fantasy
Where to Read
KakaoPage, MyAnimeList, Manga Fire, ManhuaScan
Chapters
176

MyAnimeList

8.39/10

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.

Mowoon unsheathing his sword in The Legend Of The Northern Blade

13 Tower Of God Features A Perilous Journey In A Mysterious World

Tower of God Volume Three Cover Webtoon Unscrolled
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 manhwa cover art
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

Related
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.

The cast of supernatural cat manhwa series, Eleceed

11 The Breaker Follows A Young Man's Journey To Grow Stronger

The Breaker Omnibus Vol 01 Cover
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.

Shioon on the cover page of The Breaker

10 Omniscient Reader Is A Subversive Isekai Story Where The World Of A Popular Web Novel Comes To Life

Omniscient Reader
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

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
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.

The main character from The Boxer Manhwa shirtless standing in front of a red and black striped background.

8 Who Made Me A Princess Stars A Protagonist Who Reincarnates Into An Ill-Fated Storybook Princess

Who Made Me A 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.

Release Date
December 20, 2017
Author
Plutus
Artist
Spoon
Genre
Comedy , Fantasy , Romance
Chapters
125
Volumes
9
Publisher
Tappytoon, Seven Seas Entertainment

MyAnimeList

8.45/10

Anime-Planet

4.42/5

Related
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

Daniel, Hudson, Jay, Euntae and Gun from Lookism

MyAnimeList

7.98/10

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
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.

Release Date
July 4, 2014
Author
Kim, Carnby
Artist
Hwang, Young-chan
Genre
Drama , Horror , Mystery , Romance
Chapters
94
Volumes
5
Publisher
Dream Sodam, LINE Webtoon

MyAnimeList

8.48/10

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.

Dong-Soo Seon grabs Jin Seon by the shoulder in Bastard manhwa

5 Wind Breaker Tells The Adventures Of A Brilliant High School Boy With A Passion For Biking

Wind Break
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.

Two characters racing each other in the Wind Breaker manhwa.

4 Frankenstein's Master Struggles To Adapt To Human Society In Noblesse

Noblesse Webtoon Print Cover
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."

Author
Son Je-ho
Artist
Lee Kwangsu
Release Date
December 30, 2007
Genre
Manhwa , Fantasy
Chapters
50
Volumes
9
Adaptation
Noblesse

MyAnimeList

8.11/10

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.

Rai from the cover of the first chapter of the Noblesse manhwa, eyes looking down and wearing a white-and-red suit.

3 The Horizon Follows The Heart-Breaking Journey Of Two Kids In A War-Torn World

The Horizon
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

Related
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.

A kid stares at the beach in the cover of The Horizon

2 Hyun Fights To Keep His Humanity Against Monsters After Losing His Family In Sweet Home

Sweet Home Manga cover art with Cha Hyun in front of the door
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 Jinwoo Promo Artwork
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
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.