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Manhwa, a popular form of Korean comics, has gained a lot of attention in recent years due to its unique storytelling and beautiful artwork. With its rise in popularity, there is a plethora of options to choose from, making it difficult to decide which ones to read.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 5 top Manhwa that you need to read in 2023.
Legend of the Northern Blade
We are starting off strong with Legend of the Northern Blade. A manhwa so good that it can go head-to-head with Solo Leveling and come out on top.
In this thrilling tale, the warriors of the Northern Heavenly Sect have long battled against the villainous Silent Night, but when their leader is wrongfully accused of treason, he is forced to take his own life to protect his son.
The son, Jin Mu-Won, is left alone in the destroyed sect for years and is under constant surveillance. Forbidden to ever train in martial arts he is powerless to avenge his father and the ones that wronged him.
One night a chance finally appears after an attack from the Silent Night and Jin Mu-Won seizes the opportunity and escapes into the mountains.
There he trains meticulously in the legendary fighting techniques of his ancestors until he is eventually compelled to return to the mainland to seek revenge for his father’s death and confront the evil that threatens the world.
If you love a good old revenge story, with amazing characters, godlike art, and a complicated world that is shrouded in mystery and corruption, The Legend of Northern Blade is a must-read.
Oh, and it also has these Solo Leveling-esque moments that will make you want to jump up and down from adrenaline.
If you would like to read a more in-depth review of The Legend of the Northern Blade, here you go.
Barbarian Quest
Barbarian Quest is like a manhwa-equivalent hybrid between the TV series Vikings and the masterpiece Manga Vinland Saga.
It isn’t a story about revenge like Vinland Saga, however, it focuses on the same themes of self-discovery and adventure.
The protagonist Ulrich is a charismatic “barbarian” that lives in the mountains and is destined to become a great warrior. Cut off from the entire world he is like an orca whale in a very small pond.
After an ambush by soldiers wearing strange shiny armor and using arrows unlike any arrows that Ulrich has ever seen, he comes to the conclusion:
“These humans came from beyond the mountains”
Thus the epic journey of Ulrich begins.
Barbarian Quest is one of the best manhwa ever written due to its impeccable art, heavy focus on character development, and amazing storytelling. If you wanna read more about it, we’ve written an in-depth manhwa review.
Superhuman Era
A manhwa that is kind of like My Hero Academia, but with a more nuanced adult perspective.
If that sentence got your attention you will certainly enjoy Superhuman Era.
In the world of Superhuman era, monster sightings have become more frequent than ever. Luckily there is a very small minority of people that have developed superpowers. Most of these new “superhumans” have dedicated themselves to protecting humanity from the monsters.
But, hold up, not all of these individuals are all noble and altruistic. Naturally, behind the scenes, there are those who use their powers for shady purposes.
I don’t want to spoil anything but when the balance between heroes and monsters starts to crumble our protagonist, a student who is living a double spiderman-like life finds himself in the epicenter of all conflicts.
Superhuman Era is a manhwa with stellar art quality and direction but more than anything it is a story that is carried by its tremendous focus on its characters and their development.
If you love superhero stories Superhuman Era is a manhwa that you will undoubtedly enjoy!
The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years
The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years is one of the best power-fantasy Manhwa ever written. If you enjoyed Solo Leveling and also love the fantasy of an overpowered wizard, then this manhwa will feel like a god-sent.
Lucas Traumen, the strongest human mage, and his party decided to challenge the demigod, a being whose otherworldly strength is fitting of its name.
Unfortunately, Lucas wasn’t strong enough to defeat the demigod and was sealed for thousands of years.
In the present, Frey Blake is dealing with a lot of bullying from those around him. The constant abuse has taken its toll, and Frey ultimately decides to end his life.
However, something strange happens when he loses consciousness – Lucas is released from his seal and takes over Frey’s body. With centuries of anger inside of him, Lucas sees this as a chance for redemption and begins his journey to once again take down the demigod who threatens the world.
Think of Solo Leveling with a mage skin on. If that description tickles your fancy, Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years is the manhwa for you!
A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special
This is another “mage” manhwa and arguably the best of its kind. Not only that but A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special, has a claim for the best reincarnation manhwa ever written as well. Yeah, it is that good!
After the defeat of the dragon Bhromier, the strongest party comprised of humanity’s last survivors meets its unfortunate demise. The overpowered dragon had self-destructive magic cast on him in the event of his defeat.
After his demise, Desir opens his eyes and what is revealed before him is… the world 13 years ago!
Before the Shadow World took over, before he lost his precious friends, before the point of no return.
Now as a student, he has the chance to change everything and the expose the secrets that lie behind the world’s impending end.
This manhwa is a standout. Its impressive world-building, excellent character development, stunning art, and compelling story make A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special one of the best manhwa ever written!
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