Highlights
- Supporting characters in manhwa should grow alongside the protagonist to avoid a flat story experience.
- Main characters can share the spotlight with supporting characters like Hildegar in “The Spark in Your Eyes.”
- Side characters in manhwa like Saint Pearl and Jane Sonata can have their own compelling stories within the larger narrative.
While many manhwa usually focus on a singular protagonist, they at least have a variety of characters to use as plot devices or thematic foils. They frequently appear in the main story to help the hero or to link to another point in the plot. If done correctly, these supporting characters can become more popular than the main character.
An important aspect of supporting characters is their growth. There are a plethora of manhwa that reduce their secondary characters to a single personality, which causes the entire story to feel flat. A recurring character should grow and change along with the protagonist, even if it’s in a small way.
1 The Spark In Your Eyes
MyAnimelist Score: 7.45
- Published: 2020 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Drama, Fantasy
- Author: Muro
- Illustrator: Muro
Technically, Erkin is the protagonist in this manhwa as the story starts with him, but Hildegar is just as important if not more. As the Sun Witch, she is Erkin’s enemy, the killer of his parents, and the purpose of the story. However, she is also his love interest and friend, creating one of the best enemies to lovers romances.
Much of the story takes place in a single castle, so many characters become important, representing multiple perspectives and alignments. There’s Griselda who is loyal to Hildegar, Terion who is a royal knight, and Annetta who runs the general store. Along with Erkin and Hildegar, an ecosystem was created that is the foundation of this manhwa.
2 Becoming The Monarch
MyAnimelist Score: 7.50
- Published: 2020 to 2024
- Genres/Themes: Action, Fantasy, Military, Time Travel
- Author: Soul Pung
- Illustrator: 2631
Many time travel manhwa result in the protagonist becoming incredibly powerful, defeating most threats that arise alone. This manhwa does the same, but Chris isn’t necessarily the strongest. He aims to be king, but in a world full of established powers, there’s no way for him to do it himself. That’s why he recruits many talented people.
Chris starts with his friends and fellow soldiers, and they become integral to the story from that point on. His best friend, Lind, becomes a skilled strategist and marksman, leading Chris’s army in the future. Digo is his strongest and most loyal soldier. The joint effort of Chris and his men allows Chris to attain the position he wants.
3 Survival Story Of A Sword King
MyAnimelist Score: 7.72
- Published: 2019 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Isekai
- Author: Kyung-bae Yim
- Illustrator: Soonkyu Kwon
Ryu Hanbin is one of the most tragic isekai protagonists to ever exist, so it’s great that the friends he made on his journey are very good people. Atisse and Ephyr are both non-human creatures, a dragon and a wyvern, respectively. While they both assume human form for most of the story, seeing their beast form is always fun and exciting.
The best part about these characters is their complexity. Atisse’s past is a mystery, and his connection to the main plot is extremely convoluted. Ephyr is like a teenager becoming an adult, experiencing many things for the first time. Without them, Hanbin’s journey would definitely not be the same.
4 Superhuman Era
MyAnimelist Score: 7.89
- Published: 2019 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Action, Super Power
- Author: Seop-I
- Illustrator: Seop-I
Superhuman Era is one of the rare manhwa where side characters appear more often than the protagonist, and the story doesn’t suffer. Originally, this manhwa followed Lim Kang, a high school student who used his powers to protect people from inhumans, but as the world and plot expanded, other characters needed to take the stage.
The manhwa provides many perspectives, shifting from place to place, creating a larger picture, but the most exciting chapters are the ones that follow other superhumans, like Saint Pearl and Jane Sonata. While they don’t interact with Lim Kang at all, they have their own stories to contribute to the greater narrative.
5 A Stepmother’s Märchen
MyAnimelist Score: 8.19
- Published: 2019 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel
- Author: Nyangi-wa Hyangsinnyo
- Illustrator: ORKA
This manhwa is about family, and as a result, many of the supporting characters are members of the Neuschwansteins. Many of Shuli’s conflicts are caused by her children, specifically Jeremy and Elias, who are under constant pressure as the older siblings, but it’s just as much their story as it is hers. Their growth is incredibly important.
Outside the family, there is an expansive list of characters that contribute to the plot and influence the main characters. The Crown Prince and Cardinal Richelieu both act as antagonists toward Shuli but harbor deep and twisted feelings for her, creating complexity in their characters.
6 Tower Of God
MyAnimelist Score: 8.38
- Published: 2010 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
- Author: SIU
- Illustrator: SIU
As one of the longest manhwa to exist, Tower of God has plenty of characters that have come and gone, and each one has brought something interesting to the story. However, members of the original cast will always be fan favorites. Khun and Rak are both great characters who have continued to grow during their adventure while also supporting Bam and his endeavors.
Aside from Bam’s best friend, many characters have become mainstays since their introduction, like Ha Jinsug and the rest of FUG, and some characters have whole story arcs between appearances but still stay relevant, like Yuri Zahard and Hwa Ryun.
7 Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint
MyAnimelist Score: 8.54
- Published: 2020 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Author: sing N song
- Illustrator: Sleepy-C
Kim Dokja is an iconic main character, and he’s popular for being a unique protagonist who uses his wits more than his fists. His plans include gathering a group of good people and using his knowledge of scenarios to his advantage. From normal people like Yoo Sangah and Lee Hyunsung to characters from the novel like Shin Yoosung and Lee Jihye, he’s formed a strong party to support him.
By far the most important secondary character is Yoo Joonghyuk, the original protagonist. Despite having a somewhat hostile relationship, they serve to motivate and challenge each other. Although Kim Dokja is the main character, this story wouldn’t exist without Yoo Joonghyuk.
8 Eleceed
MyAnimelist Score: 8.55
- Published: 2018 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Action, Super Power
- Author: Jae-Ho Son
- Illustrator: Hye-Jin Kim
One of the best aspects of Eleceed is the characters that surround and support Seo Jiwoo, primarily Kayden Break. Not only is Kayden an extremely powerful awakener, but he’s the person who introduced Jiwoo to awakening society as well as trained him. The best part is that he’s also a cat.
Aside from Kayden, Eleceed features one of the most charismatic friend groups in manhwa. Yoo Jisuk, Lee Subin, and Wooin are Jiwoo’s support system as well as the story’s comedic relief, but they maintain their identities, continuing to be their own characters and grow.
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