Martial Art Manhwa has had a vice grip over Manhwa fans for a long time now. Since the inception of manhwas, this genre has enticed the masses due to the inherent action-packed sequences, historical relevance, and even drawing inspiration from real philosophies.
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But, with the ever-increasing number of titles in this genre, it can be tough to find good ones to read. So, we’ve compiled a list to help you find the most exciting and awe-inspiring martial arts manhwas that you can read or binge in 2025. These have been ranked based on their fight sequences, world-building, power scaling, and even the art style.
15. Gosu
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryu Ki-Woon | Completed | 233 | June, 2021 |
Gosu, one of the seminal titles in the genre of martial arts manhwa, follows Gang Ryong on his quest to find the traitors who have killed his master. Being one of the more polished names on this list, Gosu combines great art style with subline storylines and martial arts fight scenes. There are also good bits of comedy and slice-of-life to ease your mood and keep you hooked.
Despite all of this, it ranks fifteenth on our list because of its slow pacing and the often delayed character and plot growth. Sometimes, you might feel that the fight sequences despite being brilliant are unnecessarily extended. Regardless, this is a good title to pick up for both veterans as well as new readers of this genre.
14. Death God
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lim Jae-Won, Seol Bong | Ongoing | 100+ | January, 2025 |
Death God, also known as Shashin, is one of the more dark and intense entries in the list. This title has its fair share of captivating martial arts sequences with an engaging art style. The plot follows the story of Jongli Chun and his quest to avenge his older brother, which eventually leads to him being targeted by the dangerous, Heavenly Slaying Sect. The plot, while being fairly consistent, takes us through his arduous life experiences, depicting his growth, in both character as well as martial prowess.
While the manhwa features some breath-taking fight sequences, it still ranks fourteenth on our list. The reason is that even though the story is filled with fight sequences, the depth of the techniques, their background, and the power-scaling seem to be somewhat lacking. While the dark and gritty storylines will no doubt resonate with most audiences, at times you might feel the story being a bit cranky. Regardless, if you’re looking for a quick read with a gripping storyline and lots of fight sequences, then Death God is a good fit.
13. The God Of High School
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Yong-Je | Completed | 572 | December, 2022 |
One of the most well-known martial arts manhwa on our list is The God Of High School, this title is famous not only for its fight sequences but also for its historical significance. Following the story of martial artist Jin Mori, it covers a tournament that will decide the best martial artist in South Korea. Things escalate with the appearance of the mysterious organization Nox, throwing Mori and his friends into an unforgettable martial adventure.
Notwithstanding its popularity, The God Of High School ranks a bit lower on the list because the sheer amount of information in this manhwa can be overwhelming for most readers. Moreover, the central theme of the ‘Martial Arts Tournament’ soon becomes an afterthought as the battles really take things out of context. However, despite all the reasons, the high-octane action-heavy fights will surely make you hooked to the segment. So, if you are looking forward to a long read then this is your best bet.
12. SSS-Class Suicide Hunter
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shin Noah | Ongoing | 121 | January, 2025 |
SSS-Class Suicide Hunter is a manhwa with a unique plot that is a little uncharacteristic of what you might expect from a typical Martial Arts manhwa. The story follows the F-class hunter Kim Gong-Ja. Kim dreams of becoming a strong hunter, but his weakness makes it seem impossible. Everything changes when he gains a unique skill, propelling him into a perilous journey of martial growth, battles, and self-discovery.
The protag’s resourcefulness while intriguing really depends a little too much on the skills of the MC which is the reason it finds itself as the rank twelfth on our list. Despite cutthroat action, wonderful art, and fight sequences, you will often see that there is a lack of depth and emotional interaction in this series. But if you’re looking for outright action then manhwa is for you.
11. The Return Of The Crazy Demon
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yu Jin-Seong | Ongoing | 135+ | January, 2025 |
Unique for having an antihero, The Return Of The Crazy Demon follows the Demonic Martial Artist called Yi Zaha who because of his chaotic nature and unpredictable behavior known by the epithet Mad Demon. After dying in a drunken escape, he is reincarnated with his memories intact. Returning to his youth, he prepares to wreak havoc again, blending dark humor with intense action in a thrilling journey.
It is ranked eleventh on our list because despite its thrilling chaotic humour and gritty action scenes, sometimes it appears a little shallow. The focus on the mad demon’s antics sometimes overshadows the consistent power scaling and leads to erratic plotlines. Even so, Yi Zaha’s unrestrained sense of freedom makes for an undeniably entertaining read. If you’re a fan of chaos, this one delivers.
10. Childhood Friend Of The Zenith
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubilam, Min Yong-Ki, Dubu | Ongoing | 42+ | January, 2025 |
One of the more emotionally charged series, Childhood Friend Of The Zenith tells the life of the disgraced Yangcheon Gu who used to be a follower of the Heavenly Demon. In his death, he tells the secrets of his former liege to his childhood friend, The Zenith. But his journey didn’t end yet. No, he was flung into one more wild adventure filled with marital arts, battles under the heavens, and life-and-death fights with enemies from the past.
Ranking tenth on our list, this manhwa stands out by breaking away from the typical tropes of reincarnation and martial arts stories. The protagonist is far from overpowered and speaks sparingly, rarely unleashing his full strength. Fans of explosive, high-octane action might find it lacking in that regard. However, the focus on detailed character development and thoughtful plot progression sets it apart. The story is still in its early stages, filled with the potential to become something remarkable. If you’re drawn to depth over spectacle, this one is worth a read.
9. Father, Unrivaled (Peerless Dad)
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Kyoungchan, Hyeon-Sook Lee | Completed | 301 | May, 2024 |
Father, Unrivaled, also known as Peerless Dad is a refreshing title with more focus on family dynamics. It somehow merges thrilling action with a family-friendly story. The plot follows Noh Gajang taking care of his triplets after the death of his wife. Being an unassuming father, secretly a skilled martial artist, steps up to protect his family when danger looms. With stunning artwork and intense action, this story delivers on every front.
With a compelling storyline and a resourceful and heartwarming protag, this ranks in ninth place on the list. Despite a good balancing act, one might say that the fighting aspect is not the primary act. The pacing might seem a tad bit slow to you and action often gives way to slice-of-life moments. If these are what you seek from a Manwha or you want something like a light-hearted read, then this is for you.
8. Infinite Level Up In Murim
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Jin-Woo | Ongoing | 216 | January, 2024 |
Taking a unique approach to the cultivation genre, Infinite Level Up In Murim authored by Kim Jin-Woo merges the fascinating world of Murim and martial arts with the leveling system. It follows Yuseong Dan who dies a pitiful death on the battlefield. But instead of that being the end, he gets another chance at life. Now, will he be able to take advantage of this second chance and protect those he cherishes or will he be drowned in his revenge?
While the manhwa is full of action sequences and impeccable art style, the only complaint you might have is that there is slow plot progression and the character depth is very vague and often overlooked in certain areas. It might also feel repetitive for frequent readers of the martial arts genre as it considers many generic tropes. However, despite all this, it still stands as one of the most action-packed martial arts manhwa and a definite must-read.
7. Eleceed
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jae Ho-Son | Ongoing | 331 | January, 2025 |
One of the most popular martial arts manhwa, Eleceed, has been around for the last few years, and it will continue the trend in the future. It sees Jiwoo Seo, who has awakened the ability of super speed, and Kayden Break, a world-renowned Awakener, trapped in a cat’s body, navigate the dangerous world of Awakeners, filled with both adversaries and friends.
This manhwa comes as the seventh rank on our list and is a testament to its great plot and potential, fun and action-filled fights along with an emphasis on a good display of martial arts. Some other aspects of this manhwa can be a bit cliche including the student-teacher trope as well as being predictable due to the underdog aspects that it overused. In the end, it’s still a great martial arts manhwa which one should definitely try.
6. The Breaker (Series)
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeon Geuk-jin, Park Jin-Hwan | Ongoing | 373+ | January, 2025 |
Authored by Geuk-Jin, The Breaker series is one of the most iconic entries in our list. Combining intense fight scenes with intricate philosophies of martial arts, it follows high schooler Shiwoon Yi who becomes the disciple of a rogue martial artist. As he is introduced to the unique and dangerous world of contemporary Murim and martial arts, he has to fight his way through and confront both powerful enemies as well as his inner fears.
It lands on the sixth rank on our list because of its masterful pacing, deep emotional connections between the characters and it’s gorgeous artwork which really brings the fights to life. Some might feel that the plot transitions are a bit jarring and the shift from individual growth to large-scale conflicts might be tough. Despite all this, however, the story is one of the finest and if you’re a fan of martial arts, you should definitely give this a try.
5. Heavenly Demon Reborn
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gom-Guk | Completed | 246 | November, 2024 |
Following a story of betrayal, revenge, and rebirth, Heavenly Demon Reborn is one of the most intense martial arts manhwas on the list. It tells the story of Hyuk Woon who was betrayed by his cult. His master wrongly framed was murdered in cold blood and he followed suit when he tried to protect him. But instead of his story finishing right there, he instead gets a second chance. And in a twist of fate, he reincarnates as none other than a demonic cult member who he used to despise.
Heavenly Demon Reborn is action-packed, at points even gruesome but all the while entertaining. While the political intrigue angle at points and the unnecessary focus on the background characters might put you off, otherwise this is a total showstopper and needs to be on everyone’s read list. The stunning art combined with the intense battles and an overall sense of grandeur in the martial arts world, all make it a top hit.
4. Return Of The Mount Hua Sect
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biga | Ongoing | 152+ | December, 2024 |
A very humorous and refreshing entry, Return Of The Mount Hua Sect also known as Return of the Blossoming Blade has one of the best and most well-penned dialogues among any of the entries. It follows a renowned swordsman from Mount Hua Sect, Chung Myung who sacrifices himself to destroy the Heavenly Demon. Atypical of this genre, Chung finds himself reincarnated but instead of following the traditional power-hungry or vengeful route, this title carries a light-hearted narrative with masterful martial artistry.
This ranks at a high spot because of its unique take on the reincarnation genre, alongside the superb pacing and future potential. It features some breathtaking fight scenes along paired amazing storytelling that will leave you wanting more. You might feel the rebuilding aspects of the story, are a bit slow but regardless it’s definitely worth giving a try.
3. Murim Login
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jang Cheol-Byuk | Ongoing | 207+ | January, 2024 |
An innovative take on the martial arts genre combining the virtual game aspects with Murim cultivation, the Murim Login presents the story of F-rank hunter Jin Tae-Kyung. He gets himself logged in into the world of Murim with leveling. With both the martial arts as well as the ‘Hunter’ tropes, this manhwa combines the best of both worlds.
Packed with humorous writing and innovative storylines, this manhwa earns its spot among the top three must-reads. Having the perfect mix of leveling mechanics and martial arts creates a uniquely engaging experience. While it occasionally prioritizes action sequences over emotional depth and plot development, that focus might just be its charm for fans of adrenaline-fueled storytelling. If that sounds like your style, it’s definitely worth a try.
2. Nano Machine
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guem-Gang | Ongoing | 240+ | January, 2025 |
Combining sci-fi elements with traditional Murim martial arts comes the next entry in our list. Nano Machine follows the story of Cheon Yeo-Woon, an outcast prince from the Demonic Cult. Ousted and without any power, his fate changes when a descendant from the future implants a nano-machine in his body. This not only gives him incredible abilities and prowess, but it also allows him to embark on a journey to get back at those who hazed him.
This lands so high at the second spot because of its uniqueness, and martial art fight sequences. Featuring a wonderful blend of sci-fi and martial arts combined with expert storytelling really makes this series one of the most popular ongoing manhwa titles. While certain elements may feel repetitive, the strategic battles and breathtaking martial arts sequences keep readers hooked. A must try for martial art genre fans.
1. The Legend Of The Northern Blade
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hae-Min, Woogack | Completed | 202 | November, 2024 |
The last but certainly not least, arguably the best martial arts manhwa to check out would be The Legend of the Northern Blade. The plot revolves around Jin Mu-Won, who as the last survivor of the Northern Heavenly Sect wants to seek revenge against those who betrayed him and uncover all the hidden conspirators who led his Sect to its downfall. He dedicates himself to learning to secret arts of the Northern Sect to become stronger and get justice.
It is worthy of being the top martial arts manhwa, as it excels with its unparalleled storytelling and awe-inspiring fight sequences. Unlike other manhwas, it strikes a perfect balance across all aspects. The stunning artwork vividly captures the intensity of martial arts battles, while the compelling dialogue keeps readers fully engaged. The plot progression is masterfully crafted, leaving you eagerly anticipating every new twist. It’s undoubtedly our top recommendation for any martial arts manhwa fan.
