Highlights
- Female protagonists are rare in dungeon manhwa, but those that exist offer unique perspectives on the hunter/player theme.
- Zero Game and Civil Servant Hunter break traditional hunter/player manhwa norms with survival challenges and a system character.
- Housekeeper In A Dungeon takes a unique spin by focusing on domestic skills, offering a fun and unconventional take on hunters.
Manhwa about hunters or players have always been very popular, but their prevalence in the media increased after the success of Solo Leveling. Many readers love the reverse isekai setting where fantasy elements are incorporated into the normal world and the intense action that comes with it. However, there is a problem.
Almost none of the dungeon and hunter manhwa have a female protagonist. Of the numerous stories out there, only a handful feature a female main character, but despite this lack of representation, these manhwa are all interesting with unique perspectives on the hunter/player theme.
7 Zero Game
MyAnimeList Score: 6.62
- Published: 2016 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Action, Fantasy, Survival
- Author: Zelbasen
- Illustrator: Zelbasen
Just as the title suggests, Zero Game is about a survival game where people compete to win the prize of a new life or a chance to start over. The main character is Hanna Yoo, a girl who went through many hardships after her parents died. On the day her aunt kicks her out, she receives an invitation to the Zero Game.
Similar to manhwa with towers, the Zero Game is more than kill or be killed. It’s a series of scenarios and challenges that each have different requirements, which makes each part of the story unique. It’s a great break from traditional hunter/player manhwa.
6 Civil Servant Hunter’s S-Class Resignation Log
MyAnimeList Score: N/A
- Published: 2024 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Action, Fantasy, Romance
- Author: Nokta
- Illustrator: Yurisa
One staple in dungeon manhwa is the existence of a “system.” Most of the time it’s just a tool or a background detail, but in this manhwa, it acts as its own character instead. The protagonist, Yoon Seora, accidentally makes a contract with Earth’s system manager, launching her rank from F to S.
This manhwa is similar to many other hunter stories, using many of the same plot points and tropes, but it does have its own flair. Having the system act as a sidekick for Yoon Seora is very fun, especially because it speaks mostly in emojis. The best part is that her weapon of choice is just a gun.
5 Housekeeper In A Dungeon
MyAnimeList Score: N/A
- Published: 2023 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Fantasy, Romance
- Author: Hwanggeum Song
- Illustrator: NARAK
Although many hunter manhwa focus on the combat aspect, this one is more concerned about the domestic side of things. An average office worker named Lee Huina suddenly awakens during the night shift, but rather than a cool class, she gets Housekeeper. It’s a mysterious, hidden class that has to do with home improvement.
In dungeons, it doesn’t do much, but in everyday life, the class allows Huina to do things like make the perfect bed or make grilled meat taste the best. She becomes popular among other awakened people because she can satisfy their enhanced senses. This manhwa is unconventional, but it’s a fun take on hunters.
4 My Brothers, The Protagonists
MyAnimeList Score: 6.77
- Published: 2022 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Comedy, Fantasy
- Authors: An-gyeong Wonsung-i
- Illustrator: Cog
When it comes to this genre of manhwa, My Brothers, The Protagonists is one of the most unique stories there are. It follows Lee Bobae, a young alchemist, as her family miraculously comes back together after years of tragedy. All of a sudden, she has to take care of a returner, a regressor, and a transmigrator.
This story pokes fun at common tropes that appear across all manhwa that are known to be edgy and dramatic. It’s a funny depiction of what it would be like if people acted like characters in a manhwa or manga from the perspective of an embarrassed sibling.
3 The Ranker’s Guide To Live An Ordinary Life
MyAnimeList Score: 6.82
- Published: 2024 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Fantasy, Romance, Reverse Harem
- Author: Teze
- Illustrator: Zikmik
Overpowered protagonists are a staple for dungeon manhwa, but each character uses their powers in different ways. In this manhwa, Gyeon Ji-oh uses them to get out of schoolwork and escape being punished by her mom. She’s satisfied being lazy and wasting each day as the most powerful ranker. That is until she gets bumped into second place.
This manhwa is entertaining, but it also gives an interesting perspective on powerful characters and the weight of responsibility they hold. In this case, Ji-oh tries to avoid it. It’s an interesting sentiment that most wouldn’t expect from this kind of story.
2 S-Class Hunter Doesn’t Want To Be A Villainous Princess
MyAnimeList Score: 7.15
- Published: 2024 to Present
- Genre/Themes: Fantasy, Isekai, Villainess
- Author: Haegang
- Illustrator: Blue Canna
Manhwa about hunters and players are usually set in the real world or a story-specific tower, but what would happen if a hunter was isekai’d? In this manhwa, Kim Yi-Young died in a traffic accident, but instead of going to the afterlife, she was given an offer. If she climbed the tower, she could get her life back. Unfortunately, even after reaching the top floor, her reward was to be sent to the world inside a romance novel.
This manhwa might be the first to combine the villainess and hunter themes, and it’s actually a great twist on both. Because of the setting, it leans more on the Shojo side, but the main character remains sufficiently overpowered and cool. This mixing of ideas creates a fun story.
1 I Stole The First Ranker’s Soul
MyAnimeList Score: 7.34
- Published: 2022 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Action, Fantasy
- Author: Sulpurenamu
- Illustrator: Ijeong
I Stole the First Ranker’s Soul is a great hunter story that uses many traditional concepts as well as adds its own flair to the idea. The main character, Son Mo-Ah, accidentally becomes a hunter after being sucked into a dungeon. She can gather 100% of any special resource, which also happens to include other people’s souls. That’s how she meets Seo Ji-han, the number one ranker.
Among other hunter manhwa, this one is especially well-paced and well-written. Some may think her progression is too quick, but the story is upfront about all of her cheat skills and abilities. It also incorporates romance into the plot without making it a distraction.
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