Anime Based on Popular Korean Manhwa

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Although anime is often seen as being based on Japanese manga, it actually gets inspiration from various sources, including Korean comics called manhwa. Recently, Korean comics have become very popular, especially thanks to webtoons – digital comics designed for reading on phones. The success of Korean TV dramas (K-dramas) adapted from these manhwa and webtoons has also shown that these stories translate well to different formats.

It’s common for popular webcomics (webtoons) and manhwa to start as online novels before being adapted into different formats. Like any adaptation, the manhwa or webtoon and its anime version might have some changes. Sometimes, anime will even move a story’s setting from South Korea to Japan. However, seeing these Korean stories adapted into anime is becoming increasingly special, and they’re definitely worth checking out.

‘Solo Leveling’ (2024)


A-1 Pictures

In the world of Solo Leveling, strange gates have opened on Earth, linking our world to another and giving people incredible powers. Now, humans known as hunters must battle dangerous monsters. The story follows Sung Jinwoo, a particularly weak hunter who discovers a mysterious System. This System chooses him as its sole player, giving him the ability to become much stronger. Through the System, Jinwoo experiences the world like a role-playing game, with quests and rewards helping him level up.

If you enjoy role-playing games, Sung Jinwoo is a fantastic character to get lost in. He begins the story as a seemingly powerless hunter, but quickly surpasses everyone else. Originally a web novel, Solo Leveling became a popular webtoon and was then turned into an anime by A-1 Pictures. The action gets bigger and more exciting with each episode, making it a truly captivating anime.

‘Lookism’ (2022)


Netflix

In the world of Lookism, physical appearance is everything. Park Hyung Suk, who goes by Daniel Park, is constantly bullied because people consider him unattractive. When his hardworking mother sees how much he’s suffering, she sends him to a new school hoping things will improve, but the bullying continues. One night, a surprising transformation occurs – Daniel gains a new, handsome body. He decides to use this new form to finally escape the harassment he’s faced.

Lookism tackles tough topics like poverty and severe bullying, making viewers cheer for the main character, Hyung Suk, and enjoy the comeuppance of the bullies. The heartwarming relationship between Hyung Suk and his devoted mother is a highlight. Originally a webtoon, it’s been adapted into an animated series by South Korean Studio Mir, making it a Japanese-Korean collaboration. Before the animation, it was also made into a live-action drama in China.

‘Noblesse’ (2020)


Crunchyroll

Noblesse is a popular webtoon that follows Raizel, a powerful being from a forgotten race called Cadis Etrama Di Raizel. He awakens after a millennium of sleep to find himself in the modern world. Calling himself “Ra,” he attends school and, with the assistance of his loyal servant Frankenstein, attempts to navigate this unfamiliar life. However, as memories of his past emerge and he forms new friendships, Ra finds himself hunted by a clandestine group.

I’m a huge fan of Noblesse, and it’s had a really interesting journey to the screen! It started as a short animated film by Studio Animal in South Korea. Then they made some OVAs called ‘Noblesse: Beginning of Destruction’ and ‘Noblesse: Awakening,’ which covered the first part of the story. Now there’s a full anime series, but it picks up from a bit later in the story and actually takes place in Japan instead of Korea. Honestly, it might sound a little complicated with all the different versions, but trust me, it’s super easy to get into the anime and OVAs even if you don’t know all the details!

‘Tower of God’ (2020)


Crunchyroll

Tower of God follows Bam, a young boy who has lived his whole life inside the enigmatic Tower. When his close friend, Rachel, enters the Tower, he embarks on a journey to find her. As he climbs, Bam must overcome challenges on each floor, all while being considered an outsider known as an ‘Irregular.’ His main motivation is the hope of reuniting with Rachel.

Originally a popular webtoon, Tower of God was adapted into an anime series by Telecom Animation Film. The first season had 13 episodes and was so well-received that it became one of Crunchyroll’s first original productions. Fans loved it because of its imaginative world, well-developed characters, and how closely it followed the source material.

‘The God of High School’ (2020)


Crunchyroll

In The God of High School, a talented martial artist named Mori Jin receives an invitation to compete in a prestigious tournament. The grand prize is a wish granted by the powerful organization running the event. Fighters in the tournament draw strength from a special energy called “Borrowed Power,” which comes from various supernatural sources like gods and demons. Mori practices a unique form of Taekwondo called “Renewal Taekwondo,” taught to him by his grandfather, and he hopes to win the tournament so he can make a wish to find him.

Mori prefers to rely on his own strength, but he soon discovers he’s more extraordinary than he thought. The show also has a funny running joke: the arena where fights take place includes the Crunchyroll and Naver Webtoon logos, as if they’re sponsoring the event. But what really makes the series great are its over-the-top action scenes. If you’re looking for an animated series packed with exciting battles, The God of High School is definitely one to watch.

‘When I Woke Up I Became a Bagel Girl’ (2019)


LG U+

Jeong Bong Gi always wished he could achieve something meaningful, but he feels lost and alone. His only escape is playing video games, where he excels. Everything changes one morning when he wakes up to find he’s been transformed into a woman. Desperate for help, he reaches out online and connects with Han Sae Mi, the sister of someone who used to bully him, Sang Woo.

The central mystery of this story isn’t just about how the main character changes, but also about why his life began in such a difficult place. The character known as the “bagel girl” has a very youthful appearance. Studio Animal created a 15-episode anime series based on the webtoon, with each episode lasting approximately 14 minutes. Currently, it’s only available to watch on ONDemamndKorea and hasn’t gained widespread popularity.

‘Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion’ (2023)


Crunchyroll

In the novel Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion, Park Eunha is unexpectedly killed right after getting into college. She then wakes up inside the story of a book she previously read! Now she’s Raeliana McMillan, the daughter of a baron, and is fated to be killed by her fiancé. When trying to avoid this fate by ending the relationship fails, she decides on a new strategy.

The story began as an online novel and was then turned into a webtoon. Typhoon Graphics later adapted it into an anime. This series is considered one of the best examples of the ‘otome-isekai’ genre, largely because the main character, Raeliana, is so independent. Viewers particularly enjoyed watching her handle her new life and relationships.

‘Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp’ (2024)


Crunchyroll

Doctor Elise, also known as The Royal Lady with the Lamp, tells the story of a queen who was disliked by her people and eventually executed. She gets a second chance at life, reborn in the present day and determined to make amends by becoming a doctor. After tragically dying again, she’s given yet another opportunity as Elise, retaining all her medical knowledge. This time, she aims to earn the love and respect of her people by improving healthcare and connecting with them directly.

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This story puts a fresh spin on the typical ‘isekai’ genre by having the protagonist play a villainess who then gets a second chance to prove herself. This approach is particularly interesting because it lets the audience really get to know Elise, the main character, through two separate journeys of redemption. While magical conflicts are always enjoyable, the story’s emphasis on medicine makes for a unique and compelling premise.

‘A Returner’s Magic Should be Special’ (2023)


Crunchyroll

In A Returner’s Magic Should be Special, the world is facing a crisis caused by dangerous “Shadow Worlds” and the deadly labyrinths they create. Desir Herrman, a powerful mage and one of the few remaining survivors, is unexpectedly sent back in time to his days at magic academy. Now, he’s determined to use his knowledge of the future to prepare everyone for the coming dangers and prevent the catastrophe that nearly wiped out humanity.

Like shows such as Re:Zero and Steins;Gate, A Returner’s Magic Should be Special offers that satisfying ‘second chance’ feeling, where the main character gets to relive events and try to prevent a coming disaster. The series is enjoyable thanks to its charming characters, exciting action sequences, and relatable school life moments.

‘Kurokami’ (2009)


TV Asahi

In the world of Kurokami, dangerous duplicates of people exist – encountering your double often means death. Keita Ibuki became reserved after losing his mother this way. But his life changes when he meets Kuro, who explains the rules of duplicates: when they meet, the weaker one dies, making the stronger one more powerful. This knowledge pulls Keita into a dangerous fight for survival, as various groups try to manipulate the system for their own gain.

Kurokami was one of the first manhwa (Korean comics) adapted into anime, but it’s largely been forgotten. It successfully combined action, fantasy, and romance with epic battles, making it a solid shōnen series. While the world and story are interesting, they weren’t quite enough to make it a truly timeless classic compared to other similar shows.

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2026-02-21 00:40