New manhwa come and go constantly, but finding a diamond in the rough can be difficult, as manhwas of late have been largely populated by the overused regression genre. So, here are some manhwa that I have read that are under 40 chapters or so, and have the potential to go on to be top-tier reads.
In no particular order, we have:
1. World Extinction War
Records of Ragnarok but manhwa? Yes, please. The setting of this manhwa is almost similar to the popular anime, but instead of mythological or historical figures fighting against the gods, this manhwa sees the strongest warriors from different worlds fighting one another for the god of their respective worlds. A different take on the coliseum-fighting of its predecessor, and so far, it is just as good.
2. The Tale of Cultivation and Demon Extermination
A tale of demons, oni and shamans with martial arts and cultivation at the centre of its story. The Tale of Cultivation and Demon Extermination stars a young boy whose family has been slaughtered by a demon, who is then taken in by an oni who was impressed by the boy’s ability to kill the demon. If you like demon-slaying cultivation stories, then this one is for you.
3. Immortal’s Way of Life
Want something easygoing, yet heavy with a pinch of mystery? Immortal’s Way of Life follows an immortal, Ulrich, who has lived through several ages, and the people who have been influenced by his presence in the world. Roberta, a young priestess, has also been sent to follow and assist Ulrich in the northern country. A warm and mysterious fable of an immortal as the readers explore his past, present and future.
4. The Resurrection Boy
If you, like me, are basic as can be, and like action-packed shonen manhwa, then The Resurrection Boy will be to your taste. The Resurrection Boy is about an escaped orphan trying to save his friends from human experimentation in a lab. Set in a world where different hearts have different powers, this manhwa showcases the main character’s resurrection powers and how he uses them in a fight.
5. 30 Years Since the Prologue
If you love isekai that has multiple characters getting isekaied, then this manhwa is the one for you. The main character, Kim Sunwoo, is transported into another world under the name of Ivan Petrovich, where he joins the military to fight against Demon King’s army. Despite eventually winning the war, Ivan finds himself still stuck in the strange world without being able to go home. Follow his adventure as he tries to fight his way back.
6. Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work
If you like SCP lore with a mix of ghost stories, then you will enjoy this manhwa. As you can guess from the title, protagonist Kim Soleum has been dropped into a ghost story, but he still gotta work, as he joins a shady pharma company that collects ghost stories to create miracle drugs. Follow his antics as he tries to survive horror after horror as a coward, with a wealth of information on ghost stories at the tip of his fingers.
7. The Shepherd Wizard
The Shepherd Wizard is a story of a young shepherd, Turan, who, after the death of his mother, finds out that he comes from a lineage of wizards. In this fantasy world, wizards and knights are one and the same – considered to be beings of a higher caste, they are seen as powerful gods and protectors of the people. Turan now explores the world, discovering who he is as he follows the trail of his parents.
8. The Forgotten Field
If an unrequited love tragedy is up your alley, then this heartbreaking romance is one for you. A story of princes, princesses and knights, with plenty of envy, feelings and hatred to go around. The story revolves around the second princess and her daily struggles in the imperial palace to deny her love for a knight betrothed to the first princess. A good read if you want something pure, yet solemn.
Those are some of the manhwa that I have picked up recently, which I think have the potential to be a great read in the long run. My personal favourite is the Immortal’s Way of Life, as it tells a calm but serious story of a man who has lived too long and has seen too much. I hope you too would enjoy picking up some of these titles for a read as I had!
