The Sword & Sorcery genre is not only present in books, but also in comics, series, anime, and even Manhwa/Webtoons. Lately, there has been a resurgence of this fantasy sub-genre in Korean Media.
And as it grows in popularity, more and more authors join the trend, and grant us a chance to enjoy some of the most gripping tales of mages and swordmasters climbing to the top in a world that is not usually kind for those who are afraid or meek.
If you love Sword & Sorcery as much as we do, then these 10 Manhwas are definitely something you should take a look at.
The Stellar Swordmaster
Incredible Art, Amazing Battles & Memorable Characters
- Author: Q1 (OA) Hong Dae Ui (adaptation)
- Artist: juno
- Where to Read: Webtoons.com (updates on Wednesdays)
The Stellar Swordmaster (Also known as Star-Fostered Swordmaster/Star-Embracing Swordmaster, depending on the translator) is the story of Vlad of Schoara, a little boy raised in the slums of a big city, surrounded by mercenaries and nightcallers. Vlad has been hearing a strange voice ever since he got struck by lightning, a voice that compels him to hold the sword and practice frantically. Little does he know that this is the beginning of his path to become one of the strongest Knights in the North, and a legendary champion of righteousness.
This Manhwa series combines the typical Korean-style for Manhwa and Webcomics, but taken to a whole new level. Character designs, scenarios, and even combat scenes are magnificent (top-notch art). The story is a thrilling mixture of sword and sorcery, where Swordmasters and Knights face vicious evil creatures, dragons, and even dark wizards. As the main character grows, he becomes closer and closer to the ideal knight from fairy tales, but there’s a catch: Many people want to see him disappear, so there’s plenty of political strife as well. 10 out of 10.
The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide
Extremely Polished Artwork, Reincarnation & School Life
- Author: GREEN KYRIN
- Artist: Korita
- Where to Read: Webtoons.com (updates on Mondays)
A Korean fan of Fantasy RPGs is thrown into a Magic Academy Life game and reincarnated as Ed Rothtaylor, a second-rate villain who is destined to die at the slightest chance. Recognizing he is about to be expelled from the Academy, and in a desperate attempt to avoid a tidal wave of death flags coming to get him, Ed becomes a survivalist and decides to keep attending the academy, while also practicing magic to ready himself for the worst. But the change in attitude from the school’s most notorious villain quickly draws the attention of various members of the elite class, among them, the Granddaughter of the School Founder, the Princess of the Kingdom, and the most vicious and ruthless daughter of a notorious merchant group.
It is a story that combines romance, mystery, and action. Of course, it still belongs to the sword and sorcery genre and doesn’t deviate too much from it. The story quickly develops into a fake-villain-meets-girls kind of story, and the romance between Ed and his former rivals/enemies is a slow-boiled one, enough to make readers wonder who will end up with whom in the end. At the same time, the twisted forces that threaten Ed’s life and the stability of the Academy are on the loose, so there’s plenty of perilous encounters, dark magic, and even curses.
The Regressed Mercenary Has a Plan
He Came Back For Revenge, But Became A Leader Instead
- Author: Gold Haeng
- Artist: JJJSSS
- Where to Read: Webtoons.com (updates on Wednesdays)
After a life of strife and warring, Ghislaine Perdium‘s mercenary career comes to an abrupt end in an actual representation of the commonly mentioned trope of ‘live by the sword, die by the sword.’ But, as fate decided, he was brought back to life and given another chance as his younger self. Armed with knowledge of the future and knowing all too well that the enemies of his Dukedom are aplenty, Ghislaine roams the lands in search of allies, as he does everything in his power to thwart the plans of the evil mastermind behind his homeland’s fall.
The story is incredibly engaging, full of twists, encounters with powerful enemies, dark magic, and evil creatures. Plus, it has one of the most notorious non-human ‘aura farmers‘ of the Manhwa world: Ghislaine’s Warhorse (known by fans as THE Horse), who steals protagonism every time he enters the battlefield. Its artwork and worldbuilding are also incredible, and its character designs (especially in terms of armor and clothing) are pure eye candy.
Becoming the Monarch
A Crumbling Kingdom And A Soldier Destined For Greatness
- Author: SOULPUNG (OA), doip (adaptation)
- Artist: 2631
- Where to Read: Webtoons.com (updates on Mondays)
The story of Becoming the Monarch follows Chris Proudmour, a regular soldier who goes back to the past under mysterious circumstances. From that point on, he will do whatever it takes to rewrite history and save his kingdom from an impending civil war. The most awesome detail of this story is that readers will be able to witness every step of the road, from zero to hero, without time skips or ellipses.
The narrative flows naturally, and its worldbuilding is heavily inspired by the tales of chivalry and magic, so it has plenty of monsters, wizards, creatures, and all sorts of mystical beings involved in the plot. A classic tale of death and rebirth, in a sword and sorcery setting.
The Primal Hunter
A Ruthless Anti-Hero As Protagonist, Magic And Battles Aplenty
- Author: Zogarth / AETON
- Artist: MAGNOZZ
- Where to Read: Webtoons.com (updates on Mondays)
What would you do if the world as you knew it were to suddenly change into a wide-scale battle for survival of the fittest? This is the story of Jake, a regular office worker who is tired of putting up with society and becoming more and more isolated. Until one day, a mysterious message announces the beginning of The Tutorial, a survival challenge where various contestants will have to battle and defeat monsters and become stronger, in preparation for the Earth’s inclusion into the multiverse.
Jake believes all of this is tremendously fishy, so he decided to ditch his former colleagues and become a solitary hunter. Little does he know that this mysterious tutorial is a scheme by higher beings, watching as mortals battle against fate. It is an awesome series that combines modern storytelling and classic sword and sorcery themes.
Time-Limited Genius Dark Knight
A Protagonist Fated To Die, A Fantasy World Filled With Dangers
- Author: Jung seonyul
- Artist: nagi
- Where to Read: Webtoons.com (updates on Wednesdays)
A man dying from sickness transmigrates into a sword and sorcery world as Nox Von Reinhafer, a character who is fated to die unless he finds a way to fix his naturally ill condition. Following the mysterious quests that guide him into becoming stronger, Nox will have to face many dangers, including demons, political rivals, and the scrutiny of a world that discriminates against him.
This Manhwa is a mixture of dark fantasy and the classic sword and sorcery tale of adventure, where a group of heroes fights against evil incarnate. Although it also mixes in the reincarnation and ‘semi-omniscient’ protagonist trope, who has already ‘played the game’ and knows what is going to happen next. Of course, nothing ends up following his plans, so improvisation is a must.
Mage And Mimic
An Unconventional Love Story
- Author & Artist: Feathermage
- Where to Read: Webtoons.com (updates on Wednesdays)
This tale could very well be a true story inspired by a homebrew D&D campaign, but it’s an original tale that will surprise more than one fan of sword and sorcery with its wholesome characters and high stakes, despite its cartoon-style art. The webtoon narrates the adventures of Muir and Rowan, a Mimic bored of living in a dungeon, and a taciturn Archmage looking to cure his progressing curse.
Together, they will embark on a journey to explore the world searching for a way to save Rowan, but little do they know that the spark of romance has already sparked between the two. Mage and Mimic is a story about overcoming limitations, about what it means to be human, and above all else: love and friendship.
Just A Cat
A Wholesome Tale About Swords, Magic, And A Cat
- Author & Artist: JOO HONG
- Where to Read: Webtoons.com (updates on Wednesdays)
Just a Cat is a tale of friendship that overcomes all circumstances, but it is also a dark fantasy sword and sorcery story about loss, grief, and overcoming it to save the world. With a combination of humor, action, and drama, JOO HONG has managed to gift us with an endearing adventure tale: The story of an Assassin named Hawk, and a Cat named, well, Just a Cat.
It’s a combination of an elevated stakes main plot with joyride and relaxing comedy moments that is truly magnificent. Absolutely worth a read if you enjoy alternate magic systems and talking animals.
Warrior Executioner
A Tale Of Heroism, Love, And Sacrifice
- Author & Artist: Kim Sarae
- Where to Read: Webtoons.com (updates on Fridays)
Warrior Executioner is an unlikely heroism tale brought by the legendary Kim Sarae (author of Magician). This Manhwa narrates the tale of Denil, a man condemned to a lifetime of executing people as an Axeman. Until a fateful day, the one on the chopping block turns out to be the kingdom’s most beloved hero.
After executing him, Denil serves his time and is dismissed. Without nothing else to do, he embarks on a journey to fulfill the Hero’s last request. But the world as he knows it is about to take a full turn. In this series, fantasy, adventure, and magic are intertwined seamlessly, proving that Sarae is a master of sword and sorcery storytelling.
Blink Master Of The Magic Academy
In A World of Sword And Sorcery He Only Has One Spell
- Author: SeoYu
- Artist: Eunmilhi / KENAZ
- Where to Read: Tapas.io(updates on Thursdays)
A hardcore gamer reincarnates in a world of Sword of Sorcery as the weakest character in one of the most difficult settings of an RPG. As Baek Yuseol, a feeble mage who only knows the spell Blink, he will have to overcome dozens of redflags if he wants to avoid the bad ending: Absolute world devastation.
But soon, he will discover he is not the only reincarnator: someone is messing with his plans, someone who knows the details of the main story, but not everything about the endings that are exclusive to the game. This leads him to suspect that the other reincarnator has read the novels that are the basis for this fantasy game world, and that could turn into trouble if he wants to avoid one of the many bad endings of the story. A cool tale about reincarnation, with an absolute menace of a main character.