The isekai genre has received a continuous rise in popularity, especially in anime. With its success, it comes as no surprise that it has been adopted by other media, specifically manhwa and manhua. Naturally, fans of isekai stories benefit the most from this. But with all the available isekai manhwa out there, not everything is of equal status.
That being said, here’s a look at 10 of the best isekai manhwa you should dive into right now. Each one offers a new world to explore.
Life of a Quack Healer
As the title suggests, Life of a Quack Healer is all about a healer who is technically not a healer. Its main character, Kang Seunghyeon, was sent to the fantastical continent of Azeul. They were each given a class, much like in video games. Seunghyeon was assigned to be a Healer. Interestingly, however, he didn’t have any healing skills. What he did have, however, was his knowledge of medicine and some skills that helped achieve the same end result.
Seunghyeon may not have been blessed with an overpowered class, but his quick wits and shrewdness make up for it. It’s a treat seeing him pay back hateful characters and make them dance in the palm of his hands.
Witness his manipulation on Life of a Quack Healer via WEBTOON.
Latna Saga: Survival of a Sword King
Similar to Life of a Quack Healer, Ryu Hanbin is sent to a fantastical, game-like world with plenty of other humans. Just like in many games, they must first complete the tutorial before fully experiencing the wonders the new world has to offer.
Unfortunately for Hanbin, his guideline got a glitch that prevented him from clearing the tutorial. He had to repeat it again and again. The twist, however, was that the demon dogs, which served as the final boss, kept getting stronger as well. After what seemed to be an eternity, Hanbin had become unbelievably strong. Finally, he was finally released into the world.
Latna Saga: Survival of a Sword King doesn’t take itself too seriously, leading to a ton of hilarious scenes. That is also what makes it a very enjoyable read. In addition, it’s also receiving an animated adaptation. Check out Hanbin’s adventure on Tapas before the anime releases.
Second Life Ranker
Contrary to what its title suggests, Second Life Ranker isn’t a regression manhwa but an isekai manhwa. It’s a story about brotherly love and a quest for revenge.
The story follows Cha Yeonwoo, whose brother Cha Jeongwoo went missing a few years back. The next time he heard from him was already when he perished. While browsing the belongings he left behind, he stumbled upon a mysterious stopwatch. It showed him Jeongwoo’s life, the reason he went missing, and how he was betrayed by people he considered friends and family. With his newfound knowledge, Yeonwoo proceeded into the mysterious tower to serve justice to those who betrayed his brother.
Watch Yeonwoo’s vengeance unfold on Tapas.
The World After the Fall
The World After the Fall is yet another relatively dark story. It follows Jaehwan, who is one of the many who challenged the Towers that mysteriously started appearing. However, the tower Jaehwan is in proves to be too difficult, and people start to fall. A game-changer, however, is found. They discover a regression stone, which supposedly brings a person back into the past. Jaehwan, however, isn’t keen on the idea of utilizing such an item. He chooses to fight on the original timeline even when he is the only Tower Walker to do so. After defeating the Tower, he learns the shocking truth about it.
The World After the Fall certainly rewards those who work hard. After all, Jaehwan’s strongest attack is a simple stab, which he arduously honed millions of times in the Tower. It’s also the one technique that will bring him to greater heights. Witness Jaehwan conquer the world after the fall through WEBTOON.
How to Use a Returner
How to Use a Returner‘s title isn’t particularly good sounding. After all, it sounds manipulative and parasitic. However, it is exactly what the main character has to become, as well as the main selling point of this isekai manhwa.
Lee Giyoung is one of the many who accept a game invitation and is transported into a mysterious world. But before being allowed to reach their real destination, they must first complete the tutorial. Unfortunately, Giyoung has the lowest stats. Other than the unique ability to see other people’s status windows. As such, he uses his wits to manipulate others to his side.
But unlike other titles with similar narratives, Giyoung’s plans aren’t always flawless. He may be deranged, but there are other characters that are just as deranged — if not more — as him, so his plans are frequently met with numerous hiccups. You can check out Giyoung’s manipulation through Tapas.
Heavenly Demon’s Bakery
While others in this list have main characters sent to another world, Heavenly Demon’s Bakery features a bit of a double whammy. Its main character gets sent into the olden times of martial arts, wherein he lived his life as Chunma or Heavenly Demon. He trained himself in the ways of the Murim and fought opponents, all in the hopes of returning to his original timeline.
One fateful day, it happened. He got reverse isekaied to his present timeline with all the knowledge of his time as Chunma. This time, however, all he wants is to live a normal life and help his parents with their bakery. Reasonably, he will use his martial prowess to achieve that simple dream.
While the Heavenly Demon’s Bakery has an interesting plot, it is currently on an indefinite hiatus; not mentioning that is certainly a disservice. But if you’re fine with that and want to see how martial arts can be used in baking, read it on Tapas.
Descent of the Demon Master
Descent of the Demon Master‘s Kang Jinho is yet another returner to the modern world. Similar to Heavenly Demon’s Bakery‘s Jinhyuk, he was also sent in the ancient past, wherein he learned martial arts and became a master of demonic arts. But unlike Jinhyuk, Jinho’s long time of being a demon master affected his personality and mindset. Even though he simply wants to live a normal life, his adversaries and his past self make it a darn hard thing to do.
This isekai manhwa is also more action-leaning since martial arts is still a central theme. In contrast to Heavenly Demon’s Bakery — where martial arts is used for a rather mundane task, Jinho finds himself fighting other martial artists. If that’s what you’re looking for, then read Descent of the Demon Master through Tapas.
The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player
The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player‘s Min Ryu has been stuck in a seemingly endless loop of dying and regressing. All of it was due to a death game that forcibly registered anyone between 15 – 29 years old. While he initially fought against his cruel fate, he eventually accepted his role. In 99th attempt, he finally reached the 20th round on his own. But as if mocking him, the game eliminated him as the final boss required the challenge of five players. And so, he began his 100th and final regression.
This manhwa utilizes both regression and isekai, and it does both tropes well. Given that it is already Min Ryu’s 100th attempt, he already knows the best ways to defeat the initial rounds. Furthermore, he also knows about the other players, as well as the NPCs. See how he dominates the death game on Tapas.
Reloaded into the Other World
If Heavenly Demon’s Bakery‘s Jinhyuk and Descent of the Demon Master‘s Jinho received a second chance at modern life, Reloaded into the Other World‘s Seong Sihan is the complete opposite. He gets summoned into the Terranor Continent as an Otherworldly Savior. But after seeing he is just a teenage boy, his summoner, the Emperor Rustanard, casts him out.
It turns out, however, that Rustanard is far from benevolent. Sihan gathers his own group and returns to take down the Mad Emperor, freeing the Rusclan people. But just as he accomplishes the deed, his so-called companions betray him. They’ve conspired and sent him back to Earth. After utilizing all his knowledge and skills, Sihan returns to Terranor to seek his revenge. Interestingly, his new ally is the Mad Emperor’s very own daughter, Alita.
Intrigued by Sihan’s very complicated situation? Read the manhwa on WEBTOON.
Reincarnator
Nothing gets more scarier when an all-powerful being becomes malevolent. Reincarnator is an example of what can possibly happen should such a scenario occur.
In this isekai manhwa, a bored god created a new reality called the Abyss. Its sole purpose is to be a stage for a constant struggle for survival; all for the higher being’s entertainment. Despite the harsh conditions of this new world, Kang Hansoo has managed to become one of the last four survivors. However, the four of them are not enough to go further. As their last ray of hope, they send Hansoo 20 years back for better chances of breaking the game.
You can witness him dominate through WEBTOON.
Published: Dec 25, 2024 10:00 am