Top 5 Trending Manhwa to Read in 2023

If you’re looking for a manhwa to read in 2023, this article is for you.

Manhwa, the comic books and graphic novels originating in Korea, are full of stories that can touch any genre. It’s known for its bright artwork, engaging stories, and relatable characters.

The genre has been around for decades, but it’s slowly gaining global attention after its adaptation into TV dramas and films. If you have yet to keep up with the trends or need help figuring out where to start, CCC International has got you covered!

Key Takeaways:

• Most of the best manhwa to read in 2023 include completed, all-time favorites because of their undeniably compelling storylines, beautiful artwork, and engaging characters.
• Many trending manhwa titles feature unique premises and genre-bending stories that captivate and draw in readers. They include popular titles such as The Horizon, Wind Breaker, and Who Made Me a Princess.
• Manhwa and webtoon recommendations 2023 are successful because of professional translation and typesetting.
• Korean to Japanese translation is important because it works on language barriers, touches on cultural differences and similarities, and brings manhwa to a wider audience.

Table of Contents:

• Why Do People Love Reading Manhwa?
• The List of Top Trending Manhwa
• Best Manhwa to Read in 2023
• The Importance of Korean to Japanese Translation for Webtoon Adaptation
• CCCI – Professional Manhwa Translation and Localization Company

According to Statista, around 35% of locals testified to the popularity of manhwa in their country. Moreover, in our article “Manga vs Manhwa: Webtoon Popularity in Japan,” we learned that manhwa entered the Japanese and Chinese markets as early as 2017. And years later, the genre continues to hold its ground. Here are three reasons people love manhwa:

Every manhwa holds a unique cultural context that readers can learn from. Manhwa stories often feature characters and locals from other countries, giving readers an insight into the country they might’ve been unfamiliar with.

Manhwa stories can range from light-hearted romances to more intense, dark thrillers. They tend to have a unique narrative you can’t find in other mediums, which is why many readers find them so interesting and relatable.

Lastly, manhwa is known for its gorgeous art style. Manhwa artists put much effort into crafting vivid, detailed illustrations that draw readers in and make the world of their stories come alive. Manhwa stories often feature a variety of characters, both human and non-human, each with a distinct design that adds to the story’s charm.

Manhwa artists also use a range of color palettes, from bright and cheerful ones to more somber ones, to make their illustrations stand out. Some also turn into webtoon animation and typesetting, making stories even more impressive!

Yaongyi’s True Beauty, Soonkki’s Cheese In the Trap, and SIU’s Tower of God—it’s impossible to miss these titles when talking about the best manhwa of all time! We now have countless talented manhwa artists who welcome us into different worlds and stories. And if you’re wondering which titles are trending in the manhwa world, here are the top 30 from MyAnimeList:

• Solo Leveling
• The Horizon
• Wind Breaker
• Bastard
• Who Made Me a Princess
• The Legend of the Northern Blade
• The Breaker
• The Boxer
• Eleceed
• Tower of God
• Omniscient Reader
• The Breaker: New Waves
• Annarasumanara
• Sweet Home
• Villains Are Destined to Die

Pro tip: When reading your first or next manhwa, find a trusted source that provides professional translations for a better reading experience. Translations and other factors matter if you want to connect with the characters and appreciate the storyline. Professional translations, localizations, and typesetting work on every detail and can make all the difference!

• Your Throne
• Spirit Fingers
• Return of the Blossoming Blade
• Seasons of Blossom
• Something About Us
• King’s Maker
• Can’t See Can’t Hear But Love
• Noblesse
• Cheese in the Trap Season 3
• Cheese in the Trap Season 4
• Her Tale of Shim Chong
• Vagrant Soldier Ares
• Your Letter
• The Remarried Empress
• Heesu in Class 2

Let’s say you’ve found a platform you can trust, and you start browsing through the titles. Manhwa has so much to offer, so finding the manhwa you want to start reading can be tough! To make things easier, we’ve listed the top five manhwa to read in 2023:

Chu-Gong and Dubu’s action fantasy manhwa Solo Leveling tells the story of Sung Jin-Woo, the weakest hunter, and his quest to become the strongest S-Rank hunter. You’ll love the complex worldbuilding and always enjoy its unpredictable plot!
Many can find the protagonist’s story relatable even without being monster slayers themselves.

If you’re into stories about being an underdog but believing that you have what it takes to be the best, this manhwa is perfect! Yes, this manhwa has already been completed, but it continues to gain new fans even after its end.It has been adapted into webtoons, games, and dramas. Once you start reading it, you’ll quickly understand why it’s always trending.

Jongje Park’s The God of High School is another popular manhwa that many don’t want to put down. It follows the story of Jin Mo-Ri, a high school student invited to join a mysterious tournament called “The God of High School.”

The manhwa is full of intense fights, a diverse range of characters and their exciting backstories, and complex plotlines.

The tournament is full of unexpected twists and turns that keep readers on edge. It’s a thrilling read that will keep you hooked from the start of the tournament until the finale!

Tower Of God by SUI is one of the best manhwa of all time, and it’s never too late to get into it! It follows the story of Baam, a young boy who enters an unknown tower to find his long-lost friend Rachel.
The Tower of God is full of secrets and hidden treasures, so the adventure never stops. The plotline is complex and keeps readers wondering what will happen next. The artwork is beautiful and detailed, so readers can completely immerse themselves in the story.

Note: Many of the best manhwa of all time make it to every list of manhwa to read, regardless of the year, because they are simply that good! They’re also the best stories that make readers understand how unique and versatile manhwa can be. All these titles for manhwa and webtoon recommendations 2023 were successful because of professional translation and localization services that brought the stories to life.

TurtleMe, a.k.a. Tae Ha Lee, has made many manhwa fans fall in love with the fantasy The Beginning After The End. It tells the story of King Grey, who is reincarnated and gets a second chance at life.
King Grey remembers his previous life and decides to take control of his destiny by aiming for the future he wants rather than remaining stuck in the past. This inspiring story is full of action, comedy, and romance, so readers can enjoy a great mix of genres.

Lastly, Carnby Kim and Youngchan Hwang’s Bastard is another manhwa you can’t miss. It’s about a teenager named Jin Seon, whose father is the murderous CEO Dongsoo Seon. Jin Seon becomes an unwilling accomplice until he becomes fed up with his father’s evil ways and decides to take a stand.

Bastard is an intense story full of suspense that will leave readers feeling different emotions in each chapter. The artwork is stunning and perfectly captures each scene’s emotion, engrossing readers in the story!

Before jumping right into your next favorite manhwa to read in 2023, it’s important to remember that most titles are written in Korean and often adapted for wider audiences by translating them into other languages.

For fans in Japan specifically, it’s crucial to be aware of the nuances and cultural differences and similarities between Korean and Japanese if they’re reading webtoon adaptations. Manhwa and webtoons are popular globally, so with accurate translations and adaptations, fans can explore even further into the world of manhwa!

Professional Korean-to-Japanese translation allows you to:

• Work on language barriers
• Accurately and creatively touch cultural differences and similarities
• Expand manhwa’s audience in many countries
• Provide a better understanding of manhwa

CCCI knows that every comic book genre has unique features. Manhwa has its charm that requires specialized knowledge, skills, and experience. Regarding superior translation services for manhwa and webtoons, we are the experts you can trust!

CCCI is a team of skilled professionals providing expert translation and typesetting services. Our team works in more than 30 languages, so you know we can bring your story to life accurately and creatively! Our Korean translation services can help you share your manhwa with a wider audience and cultivate the manhwa culture, especially in Japan,

CCCI also delivers high-quality manga and comics typesetting and every service you need to ensure that your manhwa is perfectly localized and ready for readers to enjoy. We are just as excited as you are to see manhwa become even more popular among readers! What are you waiting for? Get in touch with us today!