Exploring the World of Manhwa: 5 Series You Must Read This Year

Discover the Best Manhwa Series Defining the Asian Entertainment Landscape This Year

Author

Elena Reyes
March 12, 2024

For many, the term Manhwa is already well-known and appreciated, but for others, it may be new. Let's start with a brief description of what this term means.

What is Manhwa? And What are the Differences between Manhwa, Manhua, and Manga?

Manhwa is the Korean term used to describe comic strips and comics, but outside of South Korea and North Korea, this term is used to refer only to South Korean comic strips. This term is often confused with Manhua, which is very similar to Manhwa; but Manhua refers to Chinese comic strips. Now you know the meaning of Manhwa, Manhua, and Manga (Japanese comic strips).

In the early days of this industry, Manhwa was characterized by Western and Japanese influences, but over time it has developed its distinctive style and narrative.

Thanks to this, Manhwa has been gaining popularity worldwide, so much so that many of these Manhwa have been adapted into k-dramas (TV series), movies, and video games.

Among the most popular genres, we can find action, adventure, romance, slice of life, fantasy, drama, psychological, reverse harem, sunjeong (similar to shoujo, stories aimed at a female audience), and even though it is not a genre, webtoons are gaining more and more prominence as a 100% digital format.

Although most Manhwa, like manga and manhua, do not belong to a single genre, they can generally be wrapped up in several of them. The important thing is to enjoy the story and its characters and find the genre(s) you like the most.

Manhwa Recommendations to Read

  1. Solo Leveling: With the recent release of its animated adaptation, this series has gained even more attention. With its exciting plot and charismatic characters, it's a must-read for any action and fantasy genre lover.

It tells of a world where certain events cause monsters to appear in the world, and thus hunters. Sung Jin-Woo, is an E-ranked hunter considered the weakest. However, everything changes when he stumbles upon a hidden dungeon during a raid and, on the verge of death, experiences a "Second Awakening"

  1. The Beginning After the End: If you enjoy themes of reincarnation, this plot will hook you. It's about a world where martial power reigns and King Grey stands out with strength, wealth, and prestige, but loneliness pursues him. After being reincarnated in a magical world, he has a second chance to make sense of his life, although it won't be easy. Adventures, magic, and mystery await the king in this exciting rebirth story!

With its thrilling blend of fantasy, action, and drama, this series has been acclaimed by critics and fans alike. With a charismatic protagonist and a world rich in detail, "The Beginning After the End" is a must-read for any fan of the genre.

  1. Omniscient Reader: "I'm familiar with this development." When this idea crossed his mind, the world was in ruin and, a completely new universe had emerged. This is how the new life of a simple reader within the world of a novel he had finished just moments before begins.

Although not yet officially confirmed, rumors of a possible animated adaptation have generated a lot of buzz in the fan community. With its fascinating premise and surprising twists, "Omniscient Reader" is a series you won't want to miss this year.

  1. Lucia: This captivating story offers a unique mix of romance, fantasy, and drama. With complex characters and unexpected twists, "Lucia" is a must-read for those looking to immerse themselves in a world full of intrigues and passions.

The story tells us about Lucia, who without knowing she was a princess, enters the palace after her mother's death and has a revealing dream about her future at 19 years old, being auctioned and suffering since then. Upon awakening, she decides to change her destiny, deviating from the stormy path foretold.

  1. Barbarian Quest: The Sky Range was a resting place for souls, and the living were not allowed to cross it. Everyone believed so. "You will become a great warrior, Urich." Urich, the strongest warrior of the tribe, turned his back on his home and ventured into the civilized world.

With its fresh and original approach to the fantasy genre, "Barbarian Quest" is quickly gaining popularity among its audience. With stunning art and immersive storytelling, this series promises a unique reading experience.

Why are these series a must-read this year?

This year, these five series promise to captivate readers with their exciting plots, memorable characters, and fascinating worlds. Get ready to immerse yourself in epic and thrilling adventures with these essential manhwa series!

In any case, these are very interesting plots that we could probably be seeing their anime or TV series soon, as with Solo Leveling, and it wouldn't hurt to know a little more about it and its origins, since in most cases the adaptations are not always faithful to the novels or comic books.

These manhwa are a compilation of series with a bit of everything: action, adventure, reincarnation, romance, and more. They are not ordered according to my preference, or from best to worst, since all are very different, so you can have a bit of everything to choose from. But if you would like recommendations for a specific genre, don't hesitate to request them in the comments.

One of the places where you can find all these manhwa is in tu manga online, but there are many applications and websites where you can find these and many more, but this topic will be for another occasion.

And if you've already seen any of the series we mentioned, leave us your impressions in the comments, but if you're just about to watch it, we hope to hear from you soon, and follow us for more recommendations like these.

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