webtoons, with new readers searching for an equally enjoyable story. Sadly, some of the best manhwa often go unnoticed and don’t achieve the same level of popularity despite their carefully thought-out narratives and intriguing plots. As a result, there are many manhwas and webtoon that have become hidden gems awaiting to be discovered by readers looking for a good story,
Among the great catalog of platforms like Webtoon or Tapas are many worthwhile titles overshadowed by the most popular series like Omnisicent Reader's Viewpoint or Tower of God. This is mostly due to their niche premise, unique artstyle or trouble during their serialization that forced the artist to take a hiatus. However, these underrated manhwas didn't get the attention they deserved but offer immersive stories that will draw in any reader and leave them craving more.
10 Deor
Webtoon Written and Illustrated by J.oori
A unique fantasy manhwa that tells the story of a prince called Deor, who has been an outcast due to being born without the ability to use magius and has to rely on his own intellect to fight for the throne. However, with a conspiracy lurking in the dark that puts the kingdom in danger, Deor also ends up fighting for the sake of those that belittled him.
It's impossible not to compare the uphill battle to prove the worth of Deor with other characters, like Asta from Black Clover, but the manhwa has its own charm with a great art style full of color, great character progression, palace intrigues, betrayal, and tension in this quest to seek the crown. Sadly, due to its author's declining health, the manhwa's finale was rushed and couldn't be completely fleshed out, but its mysteries and plot twists make it a must-read for any fans of the fantasy genre.
9 Second Life Ranker
Original Novel by Sadoyeon, Adapted by Nongnong
After being missing for 5 years, Yeon-woo finds out that his twin brother is dead and was betrayed. For which Yeonwoo plans to take revenge and look for the culprits by becoming a ranker in the Tower of the Sun God. What makes Second Life Ranker so interesting is that Yeon-woo has to go undercover and follow his brother's footsteps using the clues left in his diary.
This creates many intrigues that are steadily answered as Yeonwoo advances through the Tower, with the series featuring great world-building thanks to its unique power system and incorporating mythology. Despite Second Life Ranker being one of the best recent fantasy manhwa, it is often downplayed due to its initial Solo Leveling, as it's also a power fantasy that delves into dungeon and ranker themes. However, the manhwa has its own identity, building up a whole world inside the Obelisk that quickly enthalls readers.
8 Nano Machine
Original Novel by HANJUNG WOLYA, Adapted by Great H and GGBG
Nano Machine tells the story of Cheon Yeo-woon, a prospective heir of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult clan who experiences hardships as the son of an illegitimate wife. However, he is visited by his descendant from the future, who wants his fate to change, and gets a unique power with nanorobot technology implanted in his body.
Solo Leveling Is Great, So Here Are 7 Other Manhwa That Would Be Even Better As an Anime
Solo Leveling is currently the most popular anime based on a manhwa, but when these stories get adapted into animation, they could be even better.
This way, Nano Machine combines martial arts stories with advanced future technology, seeing how Cheon Yeo-woon adapts to the nano robot to master it and become powerful enough to fight any enemy opponent. Furthermore, this unique setting results in many enemies and political intrigues that arise, both within the Demon Cult and outside it, enhanced by its dynamic and violent fights where Cheon Yeo-woon shows no mercy.
7 The Extra's Academy Survival Guide
Original novel by Korita, Adapted by Green Kyrin
The Extra's Academy Survival Guide follows a protagonist who is transported to his favorite game, awakening as Ed Rothaylor, a third-rate character and trashy noble with low ability stats and without much influence on the plot, more than just being disowned at the start of the story. This way, now as Ed Rothaylor, he is set on living the best he can without getting involved in the game's original storyline, which proved to be an impossible task.
The Extra's Academy Survival Guide could appear a cliché story following common tropes like a touch of harem, magic schools, and a game system. However, the story has dynamic relationships and does a great job developing each character. Furthermore, it features stunning magic fights, and the way Ed Rothaylor uses his previous knowledge of the game to guide him feels fresh as he struggles and has to work hard to improve and gain strength.
6 Hardcore Leveling Warrior
Manhwa Written and Illustrated by Sehoon Kim
Hardcore Leveling Warrior is the story of Ethan Gong, who is the number 1 ranker in a VR game called Lucid Adventure. However, contrary to other series where the protagonist is overpowered from the beginning, lacking a sense of tension and improvement, Ethan suddenly loses everything and is forced to climb his way to the top again. Additionally, the series has its own storyline in the real world, with Ethan having to deal with the consequences of incurring a large debt.
The sequel to Hardcore Leveling Warrior is currently being released on Webtoon and is titled Hardcore Leveling Warrior: Earth Game.
As a result, Hardcore Leveling Warrior perfectly displays the feeling of MMORPGs, with Ethan slowly rising in the ranks through many epic battles with unique abilities like his class gambler, but without leaving aside significant character development as he starts caring for others.
5 Leviathan
Manhwa Written by Lee Gyungtak and Illustrated by Noh Miyoung
Leviathan is the perfect manhwa for fans of post-apocalyptic worlds and horror, which follows a deadly scenario where humans are forced to drift on ships on a water-covered Earth in search of ways to survive the gigantic sea monsters called Leviathans. This setting gives the manhwa a feeling similar to Blue Submarine No. 6 or the game Subnautica, but the way the story showcases the worst of humanity through the experiences of the siblings Bota and Rita could also appeal to fans of series like Attack on Titan.
Leviathan also has an incredible art style that doesn't shy away from portraying intense fights full of blood and mutilations in addition to terrifying sea monsters. However, the manhwa doesn't get the recognition it deserves and has received criticism due to its excessive fan service during its first arc, despite being toned down later. Nevertheless, Leviathan has many mysteries and plot twists that keep readers enthralled to know what happens next.
4 Log-in Murim
Original novel by Zero-BIG, Illustrated by Jang Cheolbyuk
Also known as Murim , the manhwa presents a world similar to Solo Leveling where humans are awakened as hunters and fight monsters inside dungeons. Jin Taekyung is in the lowest class, F, and in a desperate situation, needing money to his family and having been fired from his guild. However, everything changes after Jin Taekyung enters a VR machine that sends him to the world of the game Murim, becoming the troublemaker son of a legendary warrior.
What sets Log-in Murim apart from other manhwa is its hilarious humor and how it balances both worlds, as, unlike other series, Jin Taekyung's real life also has fantasy elements with his job as a hunter. This way, as the powers and abilities in the game have an effect on his original life, Jin Taekyung has to deal with guilds in the real world and martial arts clans in the Murim game. Jin Tae-Kyung's story in the murim world is the primary focus, featuring exciting fights as he gets stronger and learn martial arts. This makes Log-In Murim a fun and entertaining story.
3 The Knight Only Lives Today
Original novel by Soulpung, Adapted by Lee Hyun Min and Illustrated by Ian
Also known as Eternally Regressing Knight, the manhwa is a refreshing option for readers tired of overpowered protagonists that swiftly defeat their opponents with absurd skills. Similar to Groundhog Day or All You Need is Kill, The Knight Only Lives Today follows a talentless young man named Encrid who has trained all his life with the purpose of becoming a knight but has not had any real achievement and has only gained ridicule until he is killed and enters a time loop repeating the same day.
This life-and-death process where Encrid struggles to overcome the obstacles and psychological pressure and survive gives a great emotional charge to the series, which is enhanced by its unique characters from the enemy side and the Royal Army, especially the of Encrid's squad, who create comedy moments that balance the drama. Even though the early chapters of the manhwa might feel a bit repetitive to those used to fast-paced plots, the intriguing mysteries and tenacity of Encrid are more than enough to hook readers.
2 Dungeon Odyssey
Original novel by Glump, Illustrated by Son Minwoo
Dungeon Odyssey is one of the funniest manhwa, presenting a unique dungeon ecosystem following Kim Jinwoo, who was born and grew up in the labyrinth as a slave until he escaped after the end of the war and lived an ordinary life. However, Jinwoo returns years later and manages to become the master of one of the lower floors in the labyrinth and slowly builds his path to conquer the entire dungeon.
Dungeon Odyssey is one of the cases where an adaptation could sur its source material thanks to some great changes, excellent use of visual humor, and unique art. Yet, the best trait of the manhwa is how it fleshed out its worldbuilding as the series built up the functioning of the dungeon and developed even the side stories of minor characters, which brought life to the series' universe. Also, Dungeon Odyssey has great action without falling into a common power fantasy, as Jinwoo has to work hard and needs from other characters, giving a sense of a real strategy game.
1 The Superhuman Era
Manhwa Written and Illustrated by Supp
The Superhuman Era follows Kang Lim, a student who acts as a vigilante outside of school hours named White Cap, fighting monsters called Inhumans. However, it is more than just another superhero story based on fighting monsters, slowly evolving into one of the best displays of action in the manhwa medium with fight sequences full of adrenaline and masterfully crafted battles that convey the intensity and dynamics of the characters.
While its particular visual style might not be for everyone, the manhwa has striking character design for both heroes and inhumans, relevant side characters with great development, as well as its own female version of All Might from My Hero Academia. This, tied with its focus on action and unique powers, makes The Superhuman Era a suitable option for those fans of the shōnen genre who want to dive into the manhwa world for the first time.
