Manhwas are getting more and more popular with each passing day, with hundreds of series getting released regularly. But while readers are always looking forward to some hot releases, as manhwas become widespread, the ones not getting enough recognition are quickly lost in the pile. Fans looking for good manhwa go through recommendation list upon list only to find the same popular names getting repeated. But when you are a person who has read a lot of manhwas or someone who wants to read something that isn’t as hyped, those lists just don’t cut it anymore.
Manhwa readers too want to read hidden gems; with good storylines, powerful character arcs and epic plot twists. Which is why we have compiled this list of the the top 10 underrated manhwas that deserve all the spotlight. These series have everything you may be looking for: good characters, unique storyline, beautiful art, and major plot twists. And just to make sure we’re catering to every kind of manhwa fan, we have made sure to add all kinds of genres, including fantasy, romance, thriller, horror and slice of life into our list. So without further ado, let’s get into it!
10) My Blasted Reincarnated Life
My Blasted Reincarnated Life is a fantasy manhwa, full of action, adventure, and dark themes. The main character, Halem, sacrifices himself to save his rival, Bernut Lionhart, during a battle with Demon Kings. But before he dies, he makes Bernut Lionhart promise to defeat the Demon Kings. 300 years later, Halem is reincarnated, and that’s where the story starts. Halem finds out that not only are the Demon Kings alive, he is reincarnated as a member of Bernut Lionhart’s bloodline, Eugene Lionhart. Now, he has to finish what he started 300 years ago while keeping the legacy of the Lionharts intact.
As the now-Eugene Lionhart trains to fulfill his vow of defeating the Demon King, the story goes through many interesting arcs that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Even better, My Blasted Reincarnated Life also features some of the most memorable art seen in a manhwa.
9) Legend of the Northern Blade
The story of Legend of the Northern Blade revolves around the brave warriors of the Northern Heavenly Sect who keep the world safe from the Silent Night. But one day, the fourth-generation leader is accused of betraying his people. After enduring constant pressure, he commits suicide to protect his son, Jin Mu-Won. Now left orphaned and under surveillance, Mu-Won escapes to the mountains to master his father’s secret martial arts skills. But when someone he knew on the mainland disappears, he has to come back. That’s when his revenge for his father starts, but there’s a lot of darkness waiting.
This manhwa forces readers to ask if Mu-Won would really be able to avenge his father and prove his innocence at every turn, making it a gripping read you won’t want to put down.
8) SSS Class Suicide Hunter
The storyline of SSS Class Suicide Hunter is designed like an RPG. The setting of the manhwa is a massive tower with floors, and each floor is full of bosses, quests, and trials. The protagonist, Kim Gong-ja, hates his simple and mundane life. He is introduced as a complete loser who often spends his days watching elite hunters in the imposing Tower. One day, Kim Gong-ja finds that he has gained a legendary S-Rank skill. But there’s a catch. He can only activate the skill upon his death. The story then sees Kim Gong-ja killed by the top hunter, Flame Emperor. Upon dying, his S-Rank skill is activated, and Kim Gong-ja gains the power to regress time upon death.
If you are looking for an underrated manhwa with RPG themes, this is one of the most interesting out there.
7) Academy’s Undercover Professor
Written and illustrated by Sayren and WAG, the protagonist of Academy’s Undercover Professor has been going undercover with several identities for more than ten years. Sometimes he is Machiavelli and sometimes Gerrard, and soon he ends up taking on the identity of college professor Ludger Cherish after the real professor dies in a terrorist attack. Disguised as Ludger, the protagonist then enters Ceoren Academy, which is full of secrets and magic.
But that isn’t all, as he soon finds himself the leader of an undercover organization, uncovering many secrets about the deceased professor. Now, he not only has to play his role as the professor of the academy, but he also has to fulfill his obligations in the secret society. The result is a gripping character-driven plot with a unique storyline that is bound to keep readers hooked.
6) The Ember Knight
Dark and gripping, The Ember Knight begins with Nagyunn, whose twin brother Najin gets brutally murdered. To avenge him, Nagyunn takes on his brother’s identity. But there’s a problem. Najin was a knight-in-training, while Nagyunn didn’t have any combat skills, leaving him unprepared and lost.
In order to be like his brother, Nagyunn starts training. But soon finds himself in conflict between two continents. With conspiracies and betrayals at every corner, readers can’t help but wonder: would Nagyunn be able to keep his identity hidden and succeed in his revenge?
5) Surviving romance
For some, Surviving Romance’s storyline may seem cliche at first glance, but don’t trust the bright and beautiful palette. There is plenty of suspense and darkness within this manhwa as well. The story follows Chaerin Eun as she suddenly finds herself living as the protagonist of the novel she was reading. But that’s where things stop being predictable.
On the day Chaerin was going to confess to her love interest, Jeha, the story takes a turn from romance to survival horror with a zombie outbreak. And if that wasn’t enough, Chaerin also gets stuck in a time loop, waking up the same morning every time she dies. There’s also an unknown extra who supports her along the way, and as the story goes on, she must uncover his identity while fighting for her survival.
4) My Daughter Is A Zombie
Written by Yun-chang Lee, My Daughter is a Zombie is a slice-of-life and comedy manhwa that is truly underrated and deserves more hype. As evident from the name, the protagonist is a zombie, but how so? Well, you see, there was a zombie outbreak in South Korea which claimed thousands of lives, and now the country is declared zombie-free. But little do they know that Jeong-hwan’s daughter, Su-ah, is the last zombie on Earth and is being kept as a secret.
Su-ah is not always violent like typical zombies as long as her cravings are met. The real challenge is keeping her a secret from the world. To do this, Jeong-hwan decides to go to his mother’s countryside home with Su-ah, and that’s where the heart-warming journey of a father protecting his daughter starts.
3) Epic of Gilgamesh
The story of The Epic of Gilgamesh revolves around Tludia, who is training to become a knight within the Order. But she unexpectedly gets expelled from the Order for two reasons: her habit of breaking weapons and eating too much. When she is on her way out, she sees an old man about to be attacked by a band of robbers. Too late to save him, she instead witnesses the old man reviving himself after being killed.
Tludia soon finds that the old man, Ram, is an ancient immortal, and when he realizes that Tludia has an incurable disease, the tables turn as she becomes the one in need of saving. Ram then promises to help her cure it, and that’s how they begin an epic journey, full of adventures. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a prequel to The Ember Knight set in the same universe. So while the storyline isn’t related, you can see some characters from The Ember Knight making an appearance.
2) Superhuman Era
Monstrous entities called Xenoterran have invaded Earth and the only ones standing between them and normal people are the Superhumans. The protagonist is Kang Lim, a high-schooler by day and the vigilante White Cap by night, who protects innocent people from these creatures. But that’s not all.
What makes Superhuman Era interesting is are secrets and strange forces play an important role in the shadows. The manhwa is full of action-packed scenes, which are very well-executed. But it isn’t anything like your typical superhero story, as it focuses deeper into human emotions and the brutality of a morally complex world.
1. Dark Mortal
Dark Mortal is written by Lee Jeonyeok and revolves around supernatural, psychological, and school-life themes. It can be categorized as a mixture of horror, thriller, and mystery, which makes it stand out among other underrated manhwas. The story starts when Nam Kang’s parents die in a fire, while Nam Kang survives but is left partially blind and burned.
The interesting thing about this manhwa is Nam Kang’s imaginary blob friend, Inky. Kang often gets bullied in school, but makes it through because of Inky. But one day, all of this changes as Nam Kang wakes up and finds his body cleared of all the scars and his vision restored. He transfers to a new school to start fresh. But there is one thing missing: his imaginary best friend, Inky.
So what do you think about these 10 underrated manhwas? Have you heard about them before? Let us know in the comments below!
