15 Best Completed Manhwa No Fan Can Skip

Manhwa and their most common reading format, webtoons, have consistently enjoyed increasing popularity in today’s comic-reading landscape. With its approachable and vibrant formatting appealing instantly to the massive digital reader base worldwide, with constant efforts to make it more accessible in different languages, it’s stunning to see certain classics rise above the rest.

While this means some series inevitably fall behind or fade into obscurity, others can push the medium further into the global spotlight, while making an impressive brand for themselves. This includes hugely popular anime and even having countless contemporary competitors weighed against their adaptations, which is a massive deal in and of itself. A successful manhwa will be remembered for years to come in its execution from start to finish, from art styles, to novel premises. Becoming a truly definitive manhwa experience often comes with how its completed experience sticks the landing, such as in the cases below.

Yumi’s Cells (2015)

Original Series Written and Illustrated by Lee Dong-gun

If you were a fan of Inside Out, look no further than an entire series about the inner turmoil of one’s inner thoughts, all acting out of whack, known as Yumi’s Cells. This hilarious series explores the many different cells within a young woman, Yumi, as each emotion and desire is now personified.

Although Yumi’s Cells has plenty of hilarious moments, it also has quite a few instances of self-reflection and exploration as Yumi traverses through the many ups and downs of life, from breakups, endangered friendships, and mental health issues. Readers will find themselves relating to or sympathizing with Yumi as her body works hard to maintain her health and happiness.

The God of High School (2011)

Original Series Written & Illustrated by Yongje Park

The God of High School was once the most popular manhwa on WEBTOON, running for more than a decade before ending in 2022 with a total of 569 chapters. The story centers around Jin Mori, a high school student who is incredibly skilled in martial arts and who enters a big tournament and meets two participants, Han Daewi and Yu Mira.

As the story and competition progress, the hidden mystery behind the tournament is steadily revealed, and how the three of them are bound by destiny. The God of High School’s start might be generic, but the characters have to deal with evil power users gradually reaching mystic levels that involve the human and heavenly realms, presenting many references to Chinese folklore and other mythologies.

With a clear inspiration from Journey to the West, a novel about Sun Wukong, The God of High School is most remembered for its incredibly detailed and stunning art and its exciting combats, making it a manhwa that nobody should miss.

Her Tale of Shim Chong (2017)

Based on a Korean Novel, Adapted and Written by Seri, and Illustrated by Biwan

Her Tale of Shim Chong is a lovely manhwa that focuses on two female leads from very different backgrounds: Shim Chong is a beggar, struggling to make ends meet, and a bride-to-be who was sold off to Chancellor Jang to help with her family’s status. Taking place in an older timeline, the manhwa highlights the difficulties society pushes onto women.

Based on the classic Korean novel, Her Tale of Shim Chong’s manhwa is a well-adapted series that paints a realistic depiction of how traditional values are placed upon women, pushing them into a cookie-cutter role with little other options. Despite this, it balances a hopeful and supportive couple who aim to survive in an era that’s constantly working against them.

Who Made Me a Princess (2017)

Based on the Web Novel by Plutus & Illustrated by Spoon

Although being reborn as a princess may sound like a dream come true, a modern-day Korean woman knows that fate is anything but kind when she wakes up as Athanasia de Alger Obelia, a character in a novel. Rather than living a carefree and enviable life, she is destined to be executed by her tyrannical father on her 18th birthday.

After her first plan, of completely avoiding her father and preparing for her escape, fails, she turns to her last resort, that of warming up to the cold emperor and gaining his favor. Proving that original stories can be told even in a theme as saturated as isekai manhwa.

Who Made Me a Princess follows a familial relationship first and foremost, emphasizing emotionally impactful developments. While a romance subplot is present as well, that is far from this title’s focus, with the main characters’ heartwarming father-daughter relationship taking that place instead. Its beautiful and vibrant art style is also exceptional, which only further elevates the experience.

Seasons of Blossom (2020)

Original Series Written by HONGDUCK & Illustrated by NEMONE

Youth is a confusing time, filled with positive and negative moments alike. From the hardships that many inevitably face while growing up, to the freedom inherently afforded to those with fewer responsibilities than ever, the experiences that occur in this time often allow one to reflect and mature.

To adolescents still trying to figure themselves out, feelings of love can be as beneficial as they can be damaging. However, everyone has their own journey to go through, and each of these teenagers will have to learn to love themselves before anything else.

As one of the best romance manhwa out there, Seasons of Blossom beautifully and tactfully explores all aspects of youth, including unpleasant yet important topics such as trauma and coping mechanisms thereof. Following 4 complex and realistic protagonists during 4 seasons, the story manages to evoke a variety of emotions, proving heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure.

The Boxer (2019)

Original Series Written & Illustrated by Ji-Hun Jeong

As a victim of continuous, cruel bullying, Yu’s experiences made him apathetic to the point where he simply tolerates the idea of being beaten by others, despite having the ability to easily dodge their attacks. Everything changes when K, an experienced boxing trainer who trained several world champions, takes note of Yu and senses his unrealized potential.

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The moment Yu accepts K’s offer marks the beginning of his journey in the complicated world of professional boxing, as well as the start of his evolution as a person. The Boxer is a deeply reflective and inspiring title that effortlessly blends dynamic action scenes with emotional ones.

Though it may seem like a typical sports story of an underdog aiming for the top at first glance, it eventually reveals itself to be much more than what is presented on a surface level. Beyond its apparent story lies a profound character-driven drama, which explores themes of meaning, humanity, and overcoming hardships.

Leviathan (2018)

Original Series Written by Lee Gyuntak & Illustrated by Noh Miyoung

Aside from being a lengthy yet compelling tale at 214 chapters, Leviathan is also gorgeously drawn. Readers will be treated to a wild ride in one of the best long manhwa out there, save for a slightly more clichéd conclusion. The series is known for its action, creature design, paneling, and fantastic characters.

The series follows Bota and Kana in a world engulfed by the sea, living off what little they can scavenge despite the aquatic terrors that live beneath the surface. The survival and tenacity of its characters make it easy to compare Leviathan to popular manga like Attack on Titan, which is not a stretch after seeing the creatures featured.

It also has some of the most satisfying and glorious kills for its heroes that’ll surely stick with action manhwa readers. Between a beautiful art style and a world to uncover, Leviathan is sure to keep you engaged from its first chapter to its very last.

Sweet Home (2017)

Written by Carnby Kim and Illustrated by Youngchan Hwang

“A social recluse, with a history of self-harm, refusing to go to school, lost his family…and is now alone.” The introduction to Sweet Home is significantly bleak, as Cha Hyun-soo, the protagonist, encounters an insurmountable family tragedy, with a poor last interaction with his mother before the apocalypse hits.

The resulting story is far grander once he moves into the Green Home apartment complex, where he and its inhabitants are afflicted with a strange condition that awakens monstrous qualities. Things only get worse from this point as well, as Hyun soon witnesses his neighboring residents being stalked and even killed by the emerging monsters.

Sweet Home has an appropriately dismal art style, mainly conveyed through its color grading, that gives the story a great atmosphere and setting. As one of the best modern horror manhwa currently on Webtoon, readers will find themselves rooting for Hyun through his struggles as he resists the internal urge to give in and become a monster.

Noblesse (2007)

Original Series Written by Jeho Son & Illustrated by Kwangsu Lee

Noblesse is practically required reading for webtoon fans due to its long-lasting legacy. The series prominently features Nobles, essentially superpowered vampires, chief among them being its protagonist, Cadis Etrama Di Raizel. Raizel, or “Rai” for short, as he awakens from an 820-year slumber, effectively emerging into a new world.

The series is addictive, and that’s just as well, as it’s a meaty 545 chapters long. The main “villain” of the series is The Union, and for the most part, the story follows Rai and his servant, Frankenstein, as they meet human allies while trying to thwart the Union’s efforts.

Noblesse also got an anime adaptation, similar to Tower of God, with it debuting in Fall 2020. An especially compelling aspect of the series is spotting the divergent art styles as time goes on, from more of an anime-inspired aesthetic to visuals more common in contemporary manhwa.

Bastard (2014)

Original Series Written by Carnby Kim & Illustrated by Yeong-Chan Hwang

Jin Seon lives a troubled life, ruthlessly bullied at school by those who deem him too weak to stand up for himself. However, what he fears much more than the bullies is his own father, whose reputation as a respectable businessman and altruistic person is nothing but a disguise, meant to conceal his true nature.

Unbeknownst to anyone else, Dong-Soo Seon is a sociopathic serial killer who forces his son to participate in his horrific acts. But when he finally turns his attention to Kyun Yoon, a new transfer student, Jin may just find the courage to fight back.

As one of the best horror manhwa, Bastard is a one-of-a-kind psychological thriller that will certainly keep readers on the edge of their seats. Horrifying yet captivating, the story follows some of the medium’s most loathsome characters, providing a riveting experience full of unpredictable developments. Naturally, the art style suits the experience well, contributing to the dark and depressing atmosphere.