Highlights
- Manhwa featuring strong female warriors offer empowerment and nuance through their struggles and determination.
- Romantic elements may take the stage, but focus stays on martial arts endeavors, action-packed panels, and historical settings.
- From powerful fighters shedding stone-cold personas to transmigrated martial artists, these manhwa bring fresh takes on genre tropes.
With conventional gender norms still dictating modern media, female characters often take the back seat in most manhwa. While these narratives cater to convention, there are plenty of manhwa that offer a more refreshing take with strong female warriors at the forefront. Be it battle-ready fighters or tactful martial artists, these women know how to balance both beauty and brawn.
By featuring powerful women who double as seasoned warriors, these manhwa bring a sense of empowerment for female audiences. Their nuance further lies in their individual struggles to earn their strength through sheer hard work and determination. Whether through bare fists or gilded weapons, these female warriors will always rise to the occasion.
5 Naeng Sowol: The Cold Moon
Anime-Planet Rating: 3.78
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Release Date |
Mar 31, 2022 |
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No. Of Chapters |
100 |
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Creator |
Hwang Mi-Na & Bomin |
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Serialization |
Kakao Webtoon |
Naeng Sowol: The Cold Moon features a female assassin at the helm, who also happens to be versed in ancient martial arts. However, one fateful encounter changes the course of Naeng Sowol’s life, as she comes across an heir to a powerful martial arts faction. This encounter gives way to a classic enemies-to-lovers account between the two, with their initial squandering turning into a cherished bond.
While the romantic elements of the manhwa can take center stage at times, the primary focus still remains on Naeng Sowol’s martial arts endeavors, giving way to plenty of action-packed panels. With a historical setting of pre-modern Korea, the premise further adds a touch of authenticity to the manhwa.
4 Adonis
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.0/5
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Release Date |
Jun 26, 2016 |
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No. Of Chapters |
256+ |
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Creator |
Kyeol Jeong & Hyedori |
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Serialization |
Kakao Page |
Ianna is a headstrong female warrior with no visible weakness, yet she has one blindspot: her love for Arhad, a powerful Emperor. Even after being slain by him, Ianna is reincarnated back into the same world, granting her a second go at life. This time, however, things will pan out differently, with Ianna changing course through her strength and emotions.
With a fated lovers trope at its core, Ianna and Arhad are bound to end up together, though not without undergoing the trials and tribulations of finding love. Given their opposing backgrounds, Ianna and Arhad’s tempestuous affair becomes all the more intriguing. However, Adonis doesn’t solely revolve around their romantic escapade, as action and drama run deep in the narrative, showcasing Ianna’s strength as a brave warrior in a world dominated by men.
3 On A Leash
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.01/5
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Release Date |
May 14, 2017 |
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No. Of Chapters |
135+ |
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Creator |
Aji |
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Serialization |
Naver Series |
On a Leash is set in a world where shapeshifting Therians thrive, yet a war divides those who reside on land and those who have claimed the skies. Despite the war ravaging the world, two feisty female Therians can’t help but keep running into each other, igniting a spark that leads to much more than mere comradery.
Being heavy on the GL (Girls’ Love) side of things, On a Leash focuses on the budding relationship between Irene and her reptilian Captain. However, the military backdrop provides the manhwa with plenty of action and drama, showcasing their ferocious sides on the battlefield. The switch between fearless soldiers to gentle lovers further showcases the characters’ duality, yet the very struggle of balancing their sentiments adds nuance to their tale.
2 Crimson Karma
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.14
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Release Date |
Oct 23, 2019 |
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No. Of Chapters |
118 |
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Creator |
Lemon Gaeguri & Rada |
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Serialization |
Kakao Page |
Despite taking on an isekai theme, Crimson Karma refrains from the usual tropes of this genre for a thoroughly refreshing premise. Molded into an assassin, Kasiya Del Roman had lost her humanity to serve as a mere weapon, meaning she was naturally discarded as a broken tool at the time of her death. However, Kasiya receives a second chance at life in another world, an opportunity for her to live her life as a human being.
Crimson Karma’s narrative is rather touching, as it showcases Kasiya’s journey of shedding her stone-cold persona to reconnect with her human emotions. Since she is already a powerful fighter capable of overwhelming any foe, the manhwa focuses more on her growth as a person. Even with its action themes, romance still finds a way to creep in, though it only aids Kasiya in understanding the depth of human sentiments.
1 Master Villainess The Invincible!
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.23/5
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Release Date |
Dec 31, 2020 |
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No. Of Chapters |
103+ |
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Creator |
Will Bright & Gabi Nam |
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Serialization |
Kakao Page |
Isekai villainess narratives are commonplace within the manhwa landscape, yet Master Villainess the Invincible! still manages to add a novel touch of its own to the premise. An author from modern-day Korea is transmigrated as the villainess of a best-selling martial arts novel. As a villainess, a doom-laden fate awaits Haeson, unless she manages to divert the novel’s original narrative.
While the transmigration premise might seem like nothing out of the ordinary, the manhwa’s novelty lies in its expert martial artist villainess. As a strong, empowered warrior, Haewon is a stellar main character who treads with caution, adding a sense of realism to this fantasy premise. If layered characters and a novel premise weren’t enough, Master Villainess the Invincible! further captivates readers with its vivid and detailed art style.
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