15 Best Isekai Manhwa

While the concept of isekai, or being transported to another world or time period is hardly new in manhwa, these are arguably the best isekai manhwa that execute the concept to perfection. From overpowered main characters to historical melodrama and romance, the best manhwa have a little bit of something for fans of every genre with the tried-and-tested isekai trope to tie them all together.

Though isekai blew up largely due to the popularity of light novels and anime, the genre has also become quite popular in the world of manhwa. With popular manhwa such as Tower of God and The God of High School making the medium more popular than ever, it only makes sense that the explosion in popularity would make fans seek out isekai. The best isekai manhwa cater to that need with interesting stories and deep characters.

15 Empress of Another World

Written by Lim Seo-Rim and illustrated by Lee Young-You

As the title suggests, Empress of Another World by Lim Seo-Rim and Lee Young-You centers around Sabina, a high school student who is transported to another world after getting hit by a truck on the morning of her college entrance exam. Just as Sabina begins to adapt to her new world, she is forced into being the Emperor’s new concubine.

In a surprising turn of events, the Emperor is murdered that very night by none other than the Crown Prince, Thus, Sabina enters the dangerous royal palace embroiled in violence, murder, and plenty of scheming with but a single goal—to stay alive and make it back to her own world if possible.

14 Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp

Written by Yuin and illustrated by Mini

Doctor Elise The Royal Lady with the Lamp by Yuin and Mini follows Song Ji-hyeon, a renowned genius surgeon who mysteriously finds herself in the body of her old self from a previous life in another world after dying in a plane crash on Earth. Having wasted away two of her lives unable to find happiness, Elise is determined to do things differently this time around.

Doctor Elise
has also been adapted into a 12-episode anime available on Crunchyroll.

Using her medical expertise, she vows to steer clear of the many regrets she had about her first life and the choices she made, and maybe avoid the tragic fate she met. Rather than being teleported to another world, Elise finds herself returning to the world she once knew making this story an isekai in the most unique sense.

13 FFF-Class Trashero

Based on the Original Story by PARNAR and Illustrated by KKANGMU

Hansoo Kang is trapped in a fantasy realm for ten years, far removed from his old life, and attempts to live out a normal existence, but his latent rage and childish rationalization make him his worst enemy in FFF-Class Trashero.Despite being a formidable fighter, his tendency to slaughter his allies to carry out his frustration built up over time. When this results in him failing the “Character” test and receiving an F grade, he is sent back to begin the loop once more and defeat the Demon King, with expectations that he fully passes the test on all fronts.

But this isn’t what happens, with Hansoo just wanting to return home continuously. As he keeps failing the tests put forth to improve him as a person, it can become quite fascinating to see the portrayal of an isekai manhwa protagonist who constantly falls below expectations. His choice to exercise his remaining control over his life as he wishes can be polarizing for readers, but a rich discussion topic.

12 Doctor’s Rebirth

Written by Taesun and illustrated by Dobin

Doctor’s Rebirth by Tae Sun follows Dr. Jin Cheon Hee, a talented, dedicated doctor who ends up losing his life when the region he was volunteering in ends up embroiled in a bloody civil war. However, instead of a peaceful afterlife, Jin finds himself in the body of a child in a strange world, surrounded by more bodies and injured people.

Jin quickly realizes the world he is in is none other than the world of his favorite martial arts novel, Supreme Dragon King, when he is taken as the Godly Doctor’s pupil. Armed with his in-depth knowledge of the novel and its brutal, demon-infested world, Jin realizes the only way for him to go on living is to get stronger. Full of exciting martial arts, action, and fantastical elements, Jin’s journey is one of self-discovery and is certainly worth the time.

11 War of the Princesses

Written by Hu Jin and Illustrated by Luo Jie

War of the Princesses quickly becomes an interesting otome isekai series by combining multiple manhwa tropes with a fairy tale aesthetic and RPG mechanics. Jasmine, the protagonist, is unexpectedly plucked from her busy work life to participate in a game where she, as her chosen princess role, must vie for the affections of Prince Vincent. In doing so, her chosen role as the Pea Princess finds bitter competition and possible friends among the other princesses.

But the plot is far more than a gimmicky isekai romance. The Pea Princess never truly sets her sights on Vincent, instead continuing to grow her abilities and expand outward into a larger world teased in the early chapters. War of the Princesses is a slow burn at first but becomes immensely fascinating through its 150-chapter run.

10 The Divine Surgeon

Based on the novel by Bak Dongshin, adapted by Shaimel, and illustrated by Choi Byungick

The Divine Surgeon by Bak Dongshin and Choi Byungick kicks off when Han Jinsu, an aspiring surgeon, finds his life falling apart after he gets into an altercation with one of his professors right before becoming a specialist. Unable to join another hospital or open a practice of his own, Jinsu falls into despair when he is murdered brutally by a hitman hired by his professor.

Having lived righteously and committed many good deeds during his life, Jinsu is presented with a choice in the afterlife—whether to go to heaven without facing judgment or to reincarnate and have another go at living a fulfilling life. Jinsu chooses the latter and is transported into the body of Hua Tuo, an infamous Chinese physician from the Three Kingdoms period. This being a turbulent time in China’s history, Han Jinsu finds his hands more full than he would have liked.

9 Pick Me Up

Based on the Original Novel by Hermod, Adapted by nicesun and Illustrated by WASAK BASAK

For those who enjoy a more action-packed experience in their isekai, Pick Me Up is exactly as the title promises, as its protagonist, Seojin Han, is sucked into the world of the mobile gacha game he’s playing. Inside, however, he finds his usual freedoms stripped away, as he’s given the pitiful 1-Star rating and treated as fodder against tougher enemies. However, a drastic mistake by the mysterious user controlling him accidentally fuses a 4-Star hero into him, unexpectedly empowering him.

Pick Me Up introduces a pretty dark spin on how players frequently treat their worst gacha pulls, especially the protagonist, as he’s reborn as Han Isratte. Han realizes that to fight the user’s battles means one must always be ready to rise to the occasion. But this is all part of Han’s desire to rebel against the player, who is observing him like a god, making for a fascinating experience.

8 The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion

Written by Milcha and illustrated by Whale

Written by Milcha and illustrated by Whale, this manhwa follows Eunha Park who, on a fateful night, is transported to the world of a murder mystery novel as none other than the victim. Determined to escape her fate, Eunha, now known as Raeliana, the daughter of a rich family finds herself involved with the mysterious, two-faced love interest of the novel, Duke Noah Wynknight.

Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion
has also been adapted into a 12-episode anime by Frontier Works and is available on Crunchyroll.

Raeliana begs the Duke to help her break off her engagement with her fiancée and to-be murderer using her knowledge of events to transpire and the Duke’s innermost secrets of Duke made privy to her as a reader as a bargaining chip. Thus begins Raeliana and Noah’s pretend relationship but little does Raeliana know of the melodrama set to overturn her life as the Duke’s bride-to-be.

7 Latna Saga: Survival of the Sword King

Based on the novel by YKB and adapted and illustrated by Soon-Q

With stunning art from Studio Kwit and a story just as stellar by Kwon Sun Kyu, Survival of the Sword King in a Fantasy World follows Ryu Han Bin, who is out of the blue transported to the dangerous, video-game-like world of Thelha Rath’na full of terrifying beasts and death waiting around every corner.

Difficult as it already is to survive in this strange artificial world, Ryu finds his guide and the system bugged against him, and spends decades stuck in an endless cycle of killing monsters, unable to reach Level 5 and leave the first map or gain any more skills. That is, until one fateful day when Ryu is transported to the final map, the continent of Rath’na, tasked with a suicide mission to kill one of the supposed Goddesses of this world in order to go back to Earth.

6 Secret Lady

Based on the Novel by Anngato and Illustrated by BANANA

After a fateful car accident, the protagonist is reborn to a noble family as Lady Rosentine Arzen, a beautiful woman who retains the ability to see ghosts from her previous life in this isekai manhwa. The series has many typical hallmarks: gorgeous artwork depicting an elegant era, a complicated and often treacherous family political landscape, and some gorgeous male and female lead characters. Rosentine quickly uses her talents to uncover conspiracies against Charteris Kartazen while developing her bond with him.

The series blends intrigue, including assassination plots and palpable chemistry between its lead characters. It takes on a somewhat serious tone, but it fits the mysterious plot once the reader has enough time to absorb the world’s lore. But the easiest draw of Secret Lady on Tapas, among other isekai manhwa, is its incredible artwork.

5 The Beginning After the End

Based on the novel by TurtleMe and illustrated by Fuyuki23 and issatsu

The Beginning After The End by TurtleMe follows the story of King Grey, who after his mysterious death finds himself reborn as Arthur in a whimsical world full of magic, elves, dwarves, and beasts. Despite having it all as a great ruler, Arthur finds his old life failed to satisfy him and decides to find purpose in his new one.

Luckily, knowledge from his old life together with some training from his father see Arthur quickly become a prodigy at manipulating mana as early as four years old. That said, Arthur’s journey is far from easy. From a well-developed power system to an intricately designed universe, this manhwa is astonishingly immersive despite its unassuming premise.

4 Villains Are Destined to Die

Based on the Novel by Gwon Gyeoul and Illustrated by SUOL

While the villainess genre is already packed with manhwa gems, Villains Are Destined to Die is an authentic portrayal of how a gamer would react when thrust into their game as Penelope Eckhart, the hard-mode player character. The experience becomes immensely more engaging, with Penelope’s choices being a combination of ruthless yet satisfying, generating an impressive following and leaving a distinct impression on the otome isekai manhwa fandom. It’s pragmatic and smartly written, with a greater sense of cause and effect for its protagonist.

Villains Are Destined to Die continues to be localized on Tappytoon with a legion of fans eager to read every new installment. It might not be a household name like other contemporary hits like Solo Leveling, but in a similarly overcrowded genre, Penelope is an outstanding villainess to follow.

3 Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Based on the novel by singNsong, adapted by UMI, and illustrated by Sleepy-C

No list of the best isekai manhwa would be complete without Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint by singNsong and its one-of-a-kind take on the isekai trope. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint takes off when Kim Dokja’s favorite novel comes to life, bringing its fantastical, dangerous world to him rather than teleporting him to it.

Fans of
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint
might also enjoy the author’s other notable series,
The World After the Fall,
available on Webtoon.

Thus begins Dokja’s addictive rise to the top as he navigates his new reality with his exclusive knowledge of the novel as one of its most faithful fans until the end. Complete with a game-like system and complex characters this series never has a dull moment and only gets more intriguing as it progresses and Dokja comes closer to the truth behind his favorite novel and its mysterious author.

2 Who Made Me a Princess

Based on the original novel by Plutus and illustrated by Spoon

Who Made Me a Princess by Plutus and Spoon follows the story of a poor orphan who wakes up in the body of an infant named Athanasia after accidentally taking too many sleeping pills. To her surprise and horror, Athanasia realizes she’s been reborn into the fantastical world of a popular novel called Lovely Princess as one of the princesses by the same name who is brutally murdered at eighteen.

Aware of her tragic fate at the hands of her cold, ruthless father, Emperor Claude de Alger Obelia, Athanasia comes up with three possible courses of action to escape death—live a quiet life unnoticed by her father, gather what valuables she can and run away, or attempt to curry favor with her despicable father. However, as her plans go awry, one can’t help but wonder if her fate is sealed in stone.

1 The Greatest Estate Developer

Based on the novel by BK Moon, adapted by Lee Hyunmin, and illustrated by Kim Hyunsoo

The Greatest Estate Developer by Lee Hyunmin and Kim Hyunsoo is an absolute must-read for lovers of isekai and series like Dr. Stone. This hilarious manhwa follows Kim Suho, a civil engineer who finds himself in the body of a sorry side character in a novel he reads before falling asleep. Unfortunately, his character is quite the hoodlum and fails to prevent his family from falling into ruin in the novel.

That said, Suho, now known as Lloyd Fronterra is determined to live an easy life this time around. Thus begins his journey to use his knowledge of engineering and the medieval world of the novel to make as much money as he can using the wonders of modern knowledge and engineering. Devious and sly, Lloyd’s antics and personality coupled with his ingenious problem-solving are incredibly entertaining making this manhwa impossible to put down.