Summary
Manhwa(the Korean analog to manga)has been growing in popularity over the last few years, though it has a history that is almost as long as manga’s. There are plenty of Korean writers and artists who have created successful manhwa, and even a few who have made the jump over to Japan to become successful in the manga industry there.
Just like manga,action-packed manhwawith plenty of battles and exciting powers are fairly popular. While they aren’t as popular as their Japanese shonen analogs, any self-proclaimed fan of action manga should not miss these manhwa series. Here are some ofthe best action manhwa, ranked by their MyAnimeList score.
Updated August 04, 2025, by Hamza Haq:Manhwa’s popularity is a fairly recent occurrence, considering how long its biggest competitor, manga, has been on the scene. But what gives this medium of art an edge over traditional manga is the web-focused visual style, which prioritizes the comfort and viewing experience of reading it on a computer screen instead of as a physical book. Additionally, manhwa typically have the capacity to tell brutal, uncomfortable, and bloody stories in a way manga just doesn’t. Action manhwa take full advantage of this by showing visceral scenes like dismembered body parts in stark detail instead of shying away from it or merely alluding towards it. For fans of the action genre who have long tried and failed to find something remotely similar in manga, giving manhwa a chance should be a no-brainer.
12Second Life Ranker
MAL Score: 7.63
Cha Yeon-woo is a veteran soldier who finds out that his brother, who has been missing for a long time, was transported to a Tower that can grant any wish to the person who climbs it. Unfortunately, he ends up dead after being betrayed by his friends and lover. Thanks to his brother’s efforts, Cha Yeon-woo receives not only all of his memories but his skills and powers as well, even though most of them remain locked due to his low level. Armed with this meta knowledge, overpowered skills, and the goal of raining hell down on the people who killed his brother, he sets out for the tower himself, hungry for vengeance.
Second Life Rankeris a revenge action manhwa meant for readers who enjoy overpowered MCs steamrolling their competitions without breaking a sweat. It offers an interesting premise, decent execution, and great visuals. The fight sequences are punchy and satisfying but are decidedly brutal.
11Nano Machine
MAL Score: 8.17
Cheon Yeo Woon, is the bastard son of the most powerful martial artist in the demonic cult, but because of his commoner mother and lack of talent, he is looked down upon by everyone around him, including his relatives. When a group of assassins hired by his enemies are sent to murder him to end the demonic cult leader’s lineage, they are killed by a person wearing modern clothes, who turns out to be Cheon Yeo Woon’s descendant from the future. This person injects Cheon Yeo Woonwith a needle that contains 6.5 billionNano Machines, providing him with an alternate route to power and greatness.
Nano Machinecombines the traditional Eastern power fantasy of martial arts, clans, and cults with the modern concept of Nanotechnology as seen in science fiction movies.
10SSS-Class Revival Hunter
MAL Score: 8.25
Kim Gong-Ja is an F-rank hunter who is eternally envious of those more powerful than him, so much so that he receives an S+ Rank Skill from the Tower titled ‘I Want to Be Like You’. The only caveat? He needs to die in order for the skill to activate. By a stroke of luck, he ends up being killed by the number 1 ranked hunter in the world, the Flame Emporer, copying the skill ‘The Time Traveler’s Clock,’ which allows him to travel 24 hours back in time every time he dies, with his skills and memories intact. With this cheat code in hand, Kim Gong-Ja starts his journey to become the most powerful hunter in existence.
SSS-Class Revival Hunteris an action-adventure manhwa with a healthy dose of comedy mixed in to lighten the mood. Fans ofprotagonists with broken abilities, dungeon hunters, and incredible action scenes will quickly fall in love with this incredible series. It is one of the all-time greats.
9Sweet Home
MAL Score: 8.27
Hyun-soo Cha is a reclusive high schooler who is forced to move into a new apartment buildingafter his family dies in a tragic accident. Struggling with both the loss of his family and his own lack of desire to live, Hyun-soo’s problems are compounded when a mysterious epidemic starts turning people into monsters, including himself.
Sweet Homeis a horror-action series with a story that isn’t too far off from zombie apocalypse tales. Fans of survival horror where characters must band together to make it through a crisis should definitely check out this manhwa.
8Tower Of God
MAL Score: 8.37
Twenty-Fifth Baam has never known the outside world, having spent most of his life at the bottom of a massive tower. His only friend and companion is Rachel, but when she leaves to ascend the tower, Baam leaves the place he has always called home in search of her.
Tower of Godis an action-adventure manhwa, with the journey through the Towerbeing full of perils, dangers, and excitement. Fans of dark fantasy and shonen battle manga will definitely have a lot of fun with this series.
7The Breaker
MAL Score: 8.39
Shiwoon Yi is a meek high school student who is constantly being bullied by his classmates. By chance, he encounters the new teacher, Chunwoo Han,who happens to secretly be a powerful martial arts masterin the world of Murim. to have Shiwoon stand up to his bullies, Chunwoo decides to teach him martial arts.
The Breakeris a supernatural martial arts manhwa with incredible artwork and fight scenes on the level of many battle manga. The series has multiple parts to it, with the newest entry,Eternal Force, now publishing on Naver Webtoon.
6Return Of The Blossoming Blade
MAL Score: 8.48
Chung Myung was once a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect and one of its greatest sword masters. The Mount Hua Sect, and many others, met their end at the hands of Chunma, leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect, with Chung Myung being the one to finally strike him down. Fatally wounded, Chung Myung closes his eyes one last time, only to find himself alive again in the body of a young man.
Return of the Blossoming Bladeis a historical fantasy reincarnation story similar to stories like The Misfit of Demon King Academy. Fans of historical Asian settings and supernatural martial arts stories should definitely give this manhwa a try.
5The Boxer
MAL Score: 8.49
Yu is a stoic, silent, up-and-coming boxer quickly rising through the ranks of the professional boxing world. He likes to remain silent, preferring to observe rather than comment, letting his actions speak for him rather than his words. The story is informally separated by Yu’s fights, playing out like mini-arcs where Yu’s newest opponent becomes the pseudo-main character until the fight is over and Yu wins. While Yu remains the main character, in each arc, the story places as much focus on his opponents as it does on Yu himself, prioritizing character development, backstories, explaining their motivations, and their reasons for stepping into the ring.
The Boxeris a modern-day professional boxing manhwa that aims to deliver an impactful, emotional, and struggle-filled story with amysterious protagonistand a fleshed-out supporting cast. In contrast toHajime no Ippo, a popular boxing manga,The Boxersets a somber tone for its story and focuses on creating believable opponents for Yu to pit himself against. Fans of WWE, UFC, and sports manga will have a blast with this series.
4The Legend Of The Northern Blade
MAL Score: 8.51
Moowon is the son of the disgraced 4th-generation leader of the Northern Heavenly Sect, who was forced to commit suicide when he was accused of being a traitor. Moowon lives on under constant surveillance, but a rare chance gives him an opportunity to escape and seek justice for his father while battling the evils of the Silent Night.
The Legend of the Northern Bladeis a fantasy revenge story with plenty of the usual martial arts action. This manhwa is perfect for those that love historical Asian settings, or those that enjoy a good revenge story.
3Eleceed
MAL Score: 8.53
Jiwoo Seo is a cat-loving young man with the power of super speed, which he is trying to keep a secret. By chance, he happens upon an injured cat and nurses it back to health in his home. To his surprise, the cat begins talking, and reveals that he is actually a human named Kayden Break, and that the world he lives in is more mysterious than Jiwoo realizes.
Eleceedis a supernatural action series where magical abilities and supernatural powers are commonplace. It’s a perfect fit for fans of shonen battle manga,especially those with interesting power systems.
