Highlights
- Manhwa offers unique art and translations, with full-color visuals enhancing immersive storytelling experiences.
- Solo Leveling’s outstanding art contributed to manhwa’s popularity, captivating readers with vibrant colors and epic adventures.
- Each manhwa title caters to different reader tastes, promising well-developed characters, intricate plots, and fantastic world-building.
Manhwa has risen in popularity, rivaling manga, manhua, and other illustrated comics. Compared to manga, manhwa often features superior visual art in full color and offers better translations than manhua. Additionally, manhwa spans multiple genres and plot concepts, from action-packed adventures and gripping mysteries to heartwarming romances and fantastical tales.
Some can even argue that the outstanding art of Solo Leveling significantly contributed to manhwa’s growing popularity. Others have also stated that full-color manhwa can add great depth to the storytelling by making it more immersive and aesthetically pleasing. Each of the following full-color manhwa caters to different reader tastes, from well-developed characters to detailed world-building, intricate plotlines, and unique concepts. These titles promise to leave a lasting impact on the reader by offering a memorable experience.
10 The Greatest Estate Developer
One Of The Most-Recommended Titles Known For Its Comedy
- MyAnimeList Score: 8.69
- Published: Jul 30, 2021
- Authors: Moon, Back-kyung (Story), Kim, Hyunsoo (Art)
Following the general isekai trope, Suho Kim transmigrates into the world of a fantasy novel he had been reading. Upon waking up, he finds himself in the body of Lloyd Frontera, the lazy son of a noble. Unfortunately, the character suffers a terrible fate in the original novel. As a result, Suho (now Llyod) takes it upon himself to try and change his future. With the help of a sentient system and his past life knowledge of civil engineering, he starts building his unique destiny.
The Greatest Estate Developer is a genuine comedy manhwa titles, well-known for its hilarious detailed faces. Unlike most protagonists in the isekai genre, Lloyd is highly knowledgeable and knows the intricate details of designing and building. The system only grants him skills and summons when he works equally hard. The manhwa is equal parts hilarious and equal parts genius due to the brilliance of Llyod’s character.
9 Solo Leveling
New Readers Often Start With This Exceptional Title
- MyAnimeList Score: 8.68
- Published: Mar 4, 2018
- Authors: Chugong (Story), Jang, Sung-rak (Art), Disciples (Art)
Solo Leveling is one of the earlier manhwa titles, along with Tower of God, The Gamer, and Dungeon Defense, that popularized the concepts of dungeons, gates, towers, and monsters. It explores the journey of the weakest hunter, Sung Jin-Woo, who seeks to gain a cheat-like system to level up and become stronger. He receives daily quests and rewards to help him become stronger, cope with the ongoing crisis, and discover the secrets of dungeons.
Best known for its top-notch art, Solo Leveling offers a great adventure, with the narrative mainly focused on the protagonist. Readers have highly rated it for its adventure, fantasy, and breathtaking action elements. The story is intriguing, with decent pacing, great characters, and a detailed setting. However, despite the side stories doing it justice, its ending has received mixed reviews. Still, it is one of the most exciting journeys of a protagonist transitioning from the weakest to the strongest, and the manhwa’s vibrant colors are sure to leave a lasting impression on those who decide to pick it up.
8 Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint
A Popular Masterpiece Known For Its Amazing World-Building
- MyAnimeList Score: 8.53
- Published: May 26, 2020
- Authors: sing N song (Story), Sleepy-C (Art)
After spending over a decade at it, Kim Dokja finally completes his favorite web novel, Three Ways To Survive The Apocalypse, which consists of 3149 chapters. Although he never believed himself to be a protagonist, he experienced an amazing journey through the novel’s main character, Joonghyuk. Suddenly, the novel he read has become his new reality, and he must use his knowledge to survive in the ongoing apocalypse.
Apart from world-building, Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint stands out with well-defined characters, memorable color palette, and unconventional comedy. It also has a unique plot concept with great pacing and a powerful power system. Kim can also use his wits to trick the system administrators and ‘constellations’ to get the most out of each scenario. Readers will love the manhwa for its exciting story, well-detailed power system, and likable side characters.
7 SSS-Class Revival Hunter
Tower/Monsters Genre With Beautiful Storytelling
- MyAnimeList Score: 8.23
- Published: Dec 31, 2020
- Authors: Bill K (Art), Sinnoa (Story)
Confucius Kim lives a sad existence at the entry-level of a mysterious tower. He intensely envies the famous hunters who climb the tower with their unique abilities, earning fame and money. One day, his deep wish grants him an SSS-class skill to copy other people’s abilities. However, he must die to inherit their skills. Before he can understand his new power, he dies at the hands of the hunter, the Flame Emperor. His copying ability activates as a result, and he travels back in time.
SSS-Class Revival Hunter may follow the usual tropes, but the protagonist’s powers are a never-before-tried ability that is explored intriguingly. The author also delivers excellent storytelling with a decent pace, well-detailed characters, and unique mini-plots. Each floor in the tower reflects the remnants of a long-forgotten story in another world. As a result, readers can expect to experience emotions of heartbreak, excitement, adventure, and joy. Some stories will make them cry and pity the monsters/bosses on some floors, but the stunningly colorful visuals of the manhwa can serve as a nice distraction.
6 Nano Machine
One Of The Best Murim Manhwa With A Unique Premise
- MyAnimeList Score: 8.13
- Published: Jun 10, 2020
- Authors: Hanjung Wolya (Story), Geumgang Bulgoe (Art)
With a combination of futuristic technology and the ancient murim genre, Nano Machine is not the kind of story a reader would expect from the title. Saved by his descendant with a nanomachine injection, Yeo-un comes out alive from an assassination attempt. His mother was not among the High Priest’s six official wives, which made everyone look down upon him. This all changes when he starts his journey of amassing power at the Mashin Academy with the help of the nanomachine.
Nano Machine is best complimented for its world-building and storytelling by its existing fan base. The pacing may be slow, but it helps build Yeo-un’s character and strength as the world builds itself in short successions. Even though it may seem like a cheating skill, Yeo-un has a hard-working persona and wants to be strong enough to defeat his foes through his efforts. Plus, the characters are well-defined with their individual development arcs, which add to the overall story. The vibrant colors featured throughout this manhwa are also sure to keep readers engaged during the story’s somewhat slower sections.
5 The Epic Of Gilgamesh
An Amazing Fantasy Adventure With Well-Detailed Lore
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.71
- Published: Aug 31, 2015
- Authors: Hwandaeng (Story & Art)
Tludia gets kicked out of the Order while on her quest to become a Knight because she tends to eat a lot and break weapons unexpectedly. One day, Tludia comes across an old man being ganged up on by robbers. She runs to help save him but approaches a second too late. It turns out that the old man is not an ordinary person as he beats up the robbers by himself. He commends Tludia’s efforts and decides to help her cure her problems. Thus begins a journey to find the peace they’ve long sought.
Despite the simple premise, Gilgamesh throws the reader into a different type of magical fantasy world. It features intricate world-building that begins from its inception, of which the old man was a part due to his immortality. As a result, readers experience the lore behind the birth of the world and the myths involved in it. The art is exceptional, and the story unravels itself in each chapter.
4 The Ember Knight
Another Fantasy Adventure That Takes Place In The World Of Gilgamesh
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.76
- Published: Mar 19, 2021
- Authors: Hwandaeng (Story & Art)
Nagyunn witnesses the murder of his twin brother, Najin, and vows to avenge him. To do so, he assumes Najin’s identity as a knight-in-training to compensate for his lack of skills and talent. His brother was unparalleled when it came to fighting, but the same can not be said for Nagyunn. He aims to become stronger while keeping his identity intact to avenge his brother.
Within the fantasy world of Gilgamesh, Nagyunn lives a double life of pretending to be his twin brother. Although he lacks talent and skills, he makes up beautifully with his acting and wits. Readers who may have gotten tired of overpowered protagonists will definitely love The Ember Knight. The story takes some time to pick up, but nothing is impossible for the intelligent, quick, and eloquent protagonist that leads it. The full-color approach is also quite breathtaking and is sure to appeal to those looking for something visually stimulating.
3 The Skeleton Soldier Failed To Defend The Dungeon
A Break From The Popular Genres With Beautiful Character Development
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.61
- Published: Jun 11, 2018
- Authors: Sosori (Story), Ant Studio (Art)
Having gained consciousness, a skeleton soldier had only one goal: to protect its master. Unfortunately, a group of invaders kills him and his master in a brutal battle. However, he was miraculously reborn 20 years ago with a second chance to forge a new destiny.
The Skeleton Soldier Failed to Defend the Dungeon may have a simple premise, but it offers a beautiful journey. One should think of it as similar to a new sentient species trying to understand its environment and learning about emotions from scratch. Moreover, the skeleton soldier also gains an ability similar to a ‘savepoint’ every time he dies in his new life. One can also compare it to the protagonist’s ability in the anime Re: Zero. As the journey continues, readers will immensely enjoy the skeleton struggling to gain skills and levels and finally evolve into something new. For those who like vibrant art styles, this full-color manhwa is also guaranteed to captivate.
2 Reincarnation Of The Veteran Soldier
Hardened Survival Story From A Soldier’s Perspective
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.36
- Published: Jun 22, 2021
- Authors: Hooding (Story), Sinmani (Art)
Sergeant Kim suddenly passes away a few days before his discharge. After that, he finds himself in a new world, and he is undoubtedly excited about the offer. However, he bites off more than he can chew and makes a huge mess in the new world. As a form of punishment, he is sent to another world with no equipment, clothes, or skills. Thus begins the fateful journey of a soldier surviving in the wild.
Reincarnation of the Veteran Soldier is another great manhwa with a unique concept and a likable protagonist. The plot thickens as the story progresses, and no interaction is left unturned, whether it be him making friends or enemies or how he gained his knowledge. As far as the story goes, it is close to unpredictable, as the reader will be unable to guess what will happen next. Moreover, readers will get a good glimpse of the protagonist’s struggles that humanize him beautifully. The full-color approach is also a huge bonus.
1 The Beginning After The End
A Highly Enjoyable Fantasy Story With Well-Crafted World-building
- MyAnimeList Score: Unlisted
- Published: 2018
- Authors: TurtleMe (Story), Fuyuki23 (Art)
King Grey held his prestige with unparalleled strength in a world where martial ability governed everything. Although he lived a glamorous life, he was met with solitude, residing with no will or purpose. He reincarnates into a new world filled with monsters and magic, where he hopes to live life to the fullest. However, mysterious forces are threatening the world he lives in, and he has to take a stand by growing powerful once again.
The Beginning After The End features a story that starts slowly but improves as it progresses. There is a great deal of world-building and lore, which enriches the plot adds depth to the characters. Moreover, King Grey makes good use of his past-life knowledge to get stronger (a little faster than others) to ensure he can protect his loved ones. The manhwa has a unique art style with great action scenes. However, some readers argue that the original novel is much better than the already highly-praised manhwa.
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