Summary
Tower of God and The God of High School were the catalyst for the rise of manhwa anime adaptations, opening the door for many other series like Solo Leveling. Blade of the Phantom Master predates the birth of modern manhwa and demonstrates the cultural and thematic ties between Korea and its original source material. Magic of the Returned in particular successfully extrapolates the plot without relying solely on the time travel premise, creating a compelling magical school story.
The best anime adapted from manhwa pulls from a small but refined group of titles, as the crop series is the first to receive an anime adaptation. In 2020, manhwa began to rise strongly in the anime industry with series like Tower of God and The God of High School.
However, those two titles were not the first manhwa to be adapted into anime but were merely catalysts that opened the wave of Webtoon adaptations. In recent times, manhwa has once again reached its peak with the long-awaited Solo Leveling adaptation. With overwhelming support, the series makes another argument for why more manhwa should be included in the animation medium.
10 When I woke up, I became a bagel girl who was a new gender
Based on Tank Guy’s manhwa
Year of release:
2019
Episodes:
15
Where to stream:
Tubi, Viki
Original Animation (ONA) produced by Studio Animal, When I Woke Up I Became a Bagel Girl, is an isekai-style anime that explores the idea of metamorphosis, especially with a gender context. The film tells the story of the main character Bong Gi, an unemployed and overweight NEET, also known as a shut-in, whose only solace is playing video games. However, one day, Bong Gi woke up and found himself transformed into a girl and very attractive.
This surprising transformation recalls themes found in Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name brings a casual Korean twist to the genderqueer genre. With this new body, Bong Gi has surprising insights when realizing his situation. However, when Bong Gi starts looking for advice on the internet, a complicated story of relationships unfolds with a bit of revenge.
9 Blade of the Phantom Master Manhwa animation predates it by decades
Based on the manhwa by Yoon In-Wan and Yang Kyung-il
Year of release:
2004
Running time:
85 minutes.
Where to stream:
do not apply
Blade of the Phantom Master is an anime adaptation of a manhwa that appeared before the idea of modern manhwa was formed and launched internationally. The source material of the same name is technically a manhwa by today’s standards, as it contains culture and themes associated with Korea and was written by Korean authors. However, the series did not have colorful visuals like today’s manhwa and was serialized in both Japanese and Korean publications, which is how a film adaptation was eventually born.
The story of Blade of the Phantom Master is an interesting story based on an ancient Korean story called The Legend of Chun Hyang, and tells the story of the main character named Munsu, who wanders in a world full of monsters, martial arts, and imperialism. The premise of the film opens when Munsu is saved by a young man in the desert at the cost of his own life. Munsu carries the dreams and ideology of the savior on his shoulders, starting a fascinating river of adventure.
Blade of the Phantom Master is not available to stream in the United States.
8 The returnee’s magic will be special making magic school interesting
Based on the manhwa by Yu So-nan and Uk-jakga
Year of release:
2023
Episodes:
twelfth
Where to stream:
Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special is a fantasy action anime produced by Arvo Animation, bringing the classic regression story often found in manhwa into the anime realm. While the time travel trope is not new to anime and it is heavily used and often abused in manhwa, A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special does a great job of extrapolating the plot without must rely too much on its premise.
The series follows the main character Desir Herrman, one of the last survivors in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world. Fighting monsters in the Dark Labyrinth honed his strength, but at the cost of the lives of his allies and ultimately his own. Luckily for him, By some miracle or magic, Desir was transported 10 years into the past, where a fresh story about a magical school unfolds, with the dangers of the Dark Labyrinth lurking on the horizon.
7 Doctor Elise: Royal Holding the Lamp is a combination of an Isekai story and a villain
Based on the manhwa of Yuin and mini
Year of release:
2024
Episodes:
twelfth
Where to stream:
Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp is leading the manhwa anime boom, although it has been slightly overshadowed by Solo Leveling, which is currently airing the same season. The story is about Elise de Clorance, the unpleasant wife of an emperor. She died due to her own madness, but lived a second life as a prodigal surgeon named Takamoto Aoi (Song Jihyun in the manhwa). However, she died once again, this time due to a tragic plane crash, causing her to return to her original existence as Elise.
Although the path to regression was quite circuitous, such a premise allowed Elise to acquire the medical skills necessary to paint an interesting story. With the memories of two lives, Elise tries to spread kindness with her practice and avoid all the tragedies of the past. Overall, Doctor Elise is a creative take on dual isekai, as well it introduces an interesting occupation into the royal story.
6 Noblesse paints the classic vampire story in motion
Based on the manhwa by Son Jae-Ho and Lee Gwang-Su
Year of release:
2020
Episodes:
13 + 1 OVAs
Where to stream:
Crunchyroll
Noblesse is one of the popular manhwa series that spawned the first significant wave of anime adaptations, along with series like Tower of God and The God of High School. However, unlike the latter two series, Noblesse has a more subtle tone in storytelling and world-building but is no less effective.
The story is about Cadis Etrama Di Raizel, or Rai for short, who a sleeping vampire with ancestral status who awakens after 800 years. Then, the world he awakens to is nothing like what he remembers, causing immediate culture shock and amusing arguments. Eventually, Rai’s loyal servant, Frankenstein, learns of Rai’s awakening and enrolls him in his school to help him adapt to the current world. Although Rai begins trying to live a normal high school life, his status as a Noblesse quickly awakens vampires as well as other nocturnal creatures, as an explosive supernatural story unfolds.
5 High School Gods is the ultimate martial arts clash
Based on the manhwa by Park Yong-Je
Year of release:
2020
Episodes:
13
Where to stream:
Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
The God of High School is a modern martial arts fantasy anime in the truest sense, as the series is produced by MAPPA, the studio behind Attack on Titan and Jujutsu Kaisen, taking influence from the classic Journey to the West story and infuse it with the hype of tournament arcs. The movie is about Jin Mo-Ri, who is trained in Taekwondo by her grandfather and gets into a fight in high school and there’s more to it than that.
The mysterious tournament claims to grant wishes The strongest high school fighter pushes the limits of The God of High School’s narrative structure. As Jin Mo-Ri gets serious and the world of the series expands, the greatness of the legendary Sun Wukong steps in, creating new dimensions in a martial arts story that begins as a typical shounen fight. This.
4 Why Raeliana went to the Duke’s Mansion shows the romantic side of Manhwa
Based on the manhwa of Milcha and Gorae
Year of release:
2023
Episodes:
twelfth
Where to stream:
Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion is a series that brings the appeal of manhwa-style romantic isekai to the anime stage. The story is about Park Eunha, a Korean girl who was reincarnated into Raeliana McMillan’s body after she passed away. Furthermore, the main character’s power causes her to know the plot of the world due to it being the plot of a novel she had read before.
Romance and betrayal play out in Raeliana’s antics, including but not limited to fake marriages. This style of isekai, or stories transported to another world, is the most common feature in the manhwa genre, such as The ideas of omniscience and foresight are quite appealing. Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion tells a story that is both suspenseful and carefully planned. Additionally, fans of the popular manga Who Made Me a Princess will definitely enjoy this anime.
3 Beauty Discover Korean Beauty Standards
Based on the manhwa by Park Tae-Jun
Year of release:
2022
Episodes:
8
Where to stream:
Netflix
Lookism is an animated action drama film produced by Studio Mir and streaming exclusively on Netflix as an original anime (ONA). The story follows Park Hyung Suk, an insecure high school boy who transfers schools to try to escape his problems. However, he woke up to find himself inhabiting a new, more attractive body, and when this body was awake, his original body was asleep and vice versa.
With this premise, Appearanceism paints a complex dichotomy between beauty and perceived beauty, and it delves into the complexity of the problems faced by different people living in different circumstances. Thematically, Lookism makes heavy commentary about being grateful for what you have, but isn’t afraid to exploit Park Hyung Suk’s handsome face for some fun interactions and confrontations.
2 Tower of God opens the door to Manhwa in Anime
Based on SIU’s manhwa
Year of release:
2020
Episodes:
13
Where to stream:
Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu
As one of the biggest manhwa series to receive an anime adaptation, Tower of God was a huge hit at the time of its release. Produced by Telecom Animation Film, Tower of God does the job its manhwa laid the foundation for, creating a mix of adventure, drama, supernatural abilities, etc.
As the story focuses on Bam, the lonely child who initially humbly enters the Tower to chase after Rachel, the only person who offers him human warmth, the world expands into a vast world. Accumulating mysteries seem to want to burst out of the tower-climbing structure. Following this momentum, Tower of God carries out the story that has been set up as the long-loved webtoon is finally put into motion.
1 The solo level up brings top Manhwa art to animation
Based on the manhwa of Chugong, Jang-Sung-rak and Disciples
Year of release:
2024
Episodes:
twelfth
Where to stream:
Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
Produced by A-1 Pictures, Solo Leveling is an anime that confronts the growing tower of expectations that preceded its manhwa and web novels by many years. Not only are the story, premise, and characters meticulously crafted, the manhwa also adds a premium touch that comes with a dynamic art style. However, the producers of Solo Leveling know how to distance themselves from its manhwa without affecting the atmosphere of the anime, leading to fresh perspectives. Even so, the underdog story about the weakest E-rank hunter, Sung Jin-Woo, still faces unprecedented expectations.
So far, A-1 Pictures has nothing to complain about and everything to praise, from the witty introductions to long-loved characters to the sharp and detailed animation in the scenes. fighting appears so far. While the Winter 2024 anime season is only halfway through and there’s plenty of room for the Solo Leveling anime to change its trajectory, what it’s done so far with its urban fantasy world-building and character development of Sung Jin-Woo pushed this series to become the best manhwa anime adaptation to date.