Highlights
- Good teachers put in as much effort as their students, growing together.
- Mentor figures are essential, even if not as common in manhwa.
- Teachers like Mr. Kim are willing to go to any lengths for their students.
What makes a good teacher? Many protagonists need to be taught by someone before they can become the hero of their story, but that doesn’t mean all these teachers are good. A good teacher will put in just as much effort as their student, and together, they should both continuously grow.
In manhwa, especially in recent years, characters are often more focused on private growth and training, raising their strength in secret, so they don’t necessarily have teachers. However, that doesn’t mean mentor characters cease to exist; they’re just not as common. It’s also possible they are the main characters themselves.
8 Mr. Kim
Teacher Out For Revenge
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Red Line |
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|---|---|
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Author |
Inkhead |
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Illustrator |
Kiminteu |
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Genres/Themes |
Action, Fantasy |
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Status |
Completed |
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Chapters |
40 |
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MyAnimeList Score |
N/A |
Living in the slums was difficult for everyone, but it was even worse for children. Despite having nothing for himself, Mr. Kim put his all into raising and caring for all the students living in the elementary school. They were family to him. However, his moderately peaceful life is disrupted when an unknown organization kidnaps the children.
Mr. Kim is taken over by the vengeful spirit of the “Red Man,” filled with fury and aggression. He becomes dead set on saving his kids, and he doesn’t care by what means he does it. There aren’t many teachers who would kill for their students.
7 Mr. Kwon
Children’s Gang Boss
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Children’s Teacher, Mr. Kwon |
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|---|---|
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Author |
Woo Ho |
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Illustrator |
Woo Ho |
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Genres/Themes |
Drama, Slice of Life, Childcare, School, Workplace |
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Status |
Completed |
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Chapters |
83 |
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MyAnimeList Score |
7.68 |
Mr. Kwon is a gang boss on the run. After running into trouble within the mafia, he needed a place to lie low. Luckily, a teaching position in a remote village in the countryside opened up. Despite all this, Mr. Kwon looks like an average middle-aged man. The most intimidating thing about him is his stoicism.
While the story takes place at school, much of the conflict occurs outside of it in the children’s homes. Despite being a total stranger in the village, Mr. Kwon helps with the domestic problems his students face, providing support in some cases and being a parental figure in others.
6 Desir Arman
Genius Regressor
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A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special |
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|---|---|
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Author |
So-nan Yu |
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Illustrator |
Uk-jakga |
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Genres/Themes |
Action, Fantasy, School, Time Travel |
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Status |
Ongoing |
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MyAnimeList Score |
7.53 |
Despite not being a formal teacher, Desir has proven on multiple occasions that he’s able to teach magic concepts and put them into practice. Desir was already known for being a genius at magical analysis, studying the structures and equations that produce magic, but with information from the future, he was able to introduce technology that would be established later.
Desir taught his entire party how to improve their magic skills. The core members of the Starling party all increased their abilities under his tutelage, and when the party grew, Desir personally trained the new recruits. He’s also intelligent enough to research and study with the master of the Magic Tower, Zod Exarion.
5 Na Hwajin
Representative From The Ministry Of Education
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Get Schooled |
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|---|---|
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Author |
Yongtaek Chae |
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Illustrator |
Garam Han |
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Genres/Themes |
Drama, Action, School |
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Status |
Ongoing |
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MyAnimeList Score |
7.61 |
Technically, Na Hwajin works for the government, but anyone can teach a lesson. Hwajin’s job is to go to dysfunctional schools and reeducate those who disrupt the learning environment. This can be a school bully, a teacher abusing authority, or a parent trying to feel superior.
Usually, a nonviolent solution is preferred, but Na Hwajin is first and foremost a soldier. His style of teaching is incredibly physical, leaving a lasting impression on those he’s taught a lesson. However, he is compassionate and will do anything to make sure a victim is safe.
4 Doctor Frost
Genius Psychologist
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Dr. Frost |
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|---|---|
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Author |
Jong-bum Lee |
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Illustrator |
Jong-bum Lee |
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Genres/Themes |
Drama, Medical, Psychological |
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Status |
Completed |
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Chapters |
258 |
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MyAnimeList Score |
7.93 |
Sherlock Holmes is not just a popular character, but also a popular character archetype. These tend to be incredibly intelligent people in a specific field of study, but in return, they have poor social skills. Dr. Frost is like that, an expert in psychology but unable to empathize with others.
Under his tutelage is Yoon Seong-Ah, a junior college student who is passionate about psychology and counseling. Though they start at odds, she comes to appreciate his knowledge and his dedication to solving certain cases. He’s an expert and has plenty to teach.
3 Baek Suryong
Reincarnated To Be A Teacher
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Best Teacher Baek |
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|---|---|
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Author |
Ganjjajang |
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Illustrator |
Oribori |
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Genres/Themes |
Action, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Reincarnation |
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Status |
Ongoing |
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MyAnimeList Score |
7.43 |
Baek Suryong is a young martial arts teacher from the countryside, but he’s also the reincarnation of someone who learned from the four greatest masters in the world. He later becomes an instructor at Azure Dragon Academy to earn money. Despite his self-serving motivations, he’s still a responsible and morally upright teacher.
He prioritizes being a good teacher to his students over anything else. Using his great observation skills, he’s able to deduce a person’s past and fighting style, so he can guide his students toward the path most suited to them.
2 Kayden Break
Awakened Battle Genius
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Eleceed |
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|---|---|
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Author |
Jae-Ho Son |
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Illustrator |
Hye-Jin Kim |
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Genres/Themes |
Action, Super Power |
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Status |
Ongoing |
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MyAnimeList Score |
8.42 |
Before the start of the story, Kayden made his name known by challenging the world’s strongest awakened fighters and never backing down from a challenge. While anyone can challenge anyone else, Kayden has seldom lost a fight. Without any formal training, Kayden is a genius among geniuses.
Kayden is responsible for teaching Seo Jiwoo about being an awakened. From terminology to social etiquette, he helps Jiwoo understand that the world is much harsher than he believes and doesn’t hesitate to protect his young student when things get dicey. Their relationship is one of the best in manhwa.
1 Gwi Myeondok
Strongest Member Of The Black Flower League
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Weak Teacher |
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|---|---|
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Author |
Cheolbeom |
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Illustrator |
Ulpen |
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Genres/Themes |
Action, Martial Arts, Murim |
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Status |
Ongoing |
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MyAnimeList Score |
N/A |
Based on his appearance, Gwi Myeondok is often mistaken as a beggar because of his frail build, pale skin, and sickly face. It also doesn’t help that he faints at the slightest gust of wind and constantly falls over. However, he’s actually one of the strongest martial artists in the realm, far surpassing anyone else in the story.
As a teacher, he’s observant and patient. Training the snake group, he was able to understand the flaws of each student and lead them on a path to correct them after just one week. While his methods are harsh, he always makes sure his students understand the reason for his lessons.
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