Manhwa With The Best World-Building

Key Takeaways

• Popular Manhwa titles offer dynamic world-building with detailed settings, epic adventures, and captivating storytelling.
• Each title immerses readers in a beautifully crafted world, ranging from fantasy to dystopian settings, with intricate social structures.
• Fans can expect engaging narratives that bring characters to life with intricate details and exceptional balance between comedy and action.

Manhwa promises an unforgettable journey into the depths of imagination, from sprawling fantasy worlds to dystopian landscapes. It offers readers of various genres to explore new horizons with detailed settings, epic adventures, and captivating storytelling. These meticulously crafted realms explore every detail, from geography to culture, with outstanding clarity and depth.

Each title has immersive narratives where every page unveils rich history, challenges, and lively characters. It will invite readers to delve into the depths of imagination, leaving them yearning for more. The following manhwa titles have been handpicked for their exceptional world-building. It has been carefully curated by those who value such richly detailed settings.

Updated December 4, 2024, by Sumit Agarwal: Manhwa continues to gain popularity with more dynamic and detailed world-building that is as multifaceted as the characters within it. New titles continue to be published daily, pushing the boundaries of fantasy, sci-fi, action, and thriller genres. These worlds are filled with complex social hierarchies, politics, magical systems, and well-founded history and mythology.

While some titles may be completed, others continue to grow as they add to their complexities. With some new additions, here are some popular fan favorites and rising manhwa titles that define the concept of world-building with its beautiful storytelling. Readers can expect to dedicate themselves to new realms with vividly crafted adventures and detailed characters.

1 The Greatest Estate Developer

The Protagonist Actively Contributes Toward Literal World-Building

• MAL Score – 8.76
• Published: Jul 30, 2021
• Authors: Moon, Back-kyung (Story), Kim, Hyunsoo (Art)

Suho Kim wakes up in the body of Lloyd Frontera, a lazy noble, in a fantasy novel he was reading. Initially a civil engineering student, he discovers Lloyd is a drunkard with a family drowning in debt. Plus, he finds himself in the care of the novel’s protagonist, who starts his real journey following the demise of Llyod and his family. So, Suho decides to use his knowledge of the modern world with the help of a crazy sentient system to avert his terrible future.

Taking world-building a little too literally, The Greatest Estate Developer starts slowly but quickly picks up its pace as it progresses. Suho (now Lloyd) is determined to bring the inventions of his homeworld into the fantasy setting he’s trapped in. Ranging from “gondol” houses (stone-heated floors) to modern bridges, he doesn’t leave any stone unturned to make the new world a better place for everyone. He may have a selfish goal of living in luxury, but he doesn’t stop at waiting for the dream to come true and works hard to bring about fundamental changes that sweep the nation. Although it has over-the-top comedy, the manhwa stays within its original characters as they develop amicably. Future readers will love the tyrannical faces and the banter between the main protagonist and the novel’s protagonist!

2 Omniscient Reader Viewpoint

An Exceptionally Detailed World Built From Scratch

• MyAnimeList (MAL) Score – 8.58
• Published: May 26, 2020
• Authors: sing N song (Story), Sleepy-C (Art)

Kim Dokja is a solitary person who considers himself a background character in his own life. His only hobby is reading web novels, and he has spent over a decade reading and completing 3149 chapters of ‘Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse (TWSA).’ He has experienced the trials of the novel’s protagonist of continuously regressing in time long after other readers of the series had already dropped off. To his surprise, the novel becomes his new reality, and he is the only omniscient reader who knows about the coming events!

Many readers have lauded Omniscient Reader Viewpoint for creating an exceptional world from scratch, similar to the Tower of God. Although the author uses mythical figures from Earth, the manhwa has done a great job seamlessly combining various tropes in a new way. Current fans of the series have also commended its detailed system, an amalgamation of multiple layers explored in another system-type manhwa. It also has one of the best action sequences, with the protagonist using his wits to ensure his survival at all costs.

Regarding world-building, readers can expect various settings, from survival factions to system managers and even Gods, in this thrilling manhwa. The art is also one of the most visually striking, providing plenty of development for the side characters. This manhwa is one of the rare ones that only gets better as it progresses. Fans of the series will be excited to know that the anime is currently in the works, with a release date to be announced soon.

3 Eleceed

Explore a Society Of Super Humans Living In Secrecy

• MAL Score – 8.53
• Published: Oct 2, 2018
• Authors: Kim, Hye-Jin (Art), Son, Jae-Ho (Story)

Jiwoo is an average young guy with a secret ability to have lightning-quick reflexes like a cat. He secretly does small good deeds to try to make the world a better place. One day, he chanced upon Kayden, a secret agent stuck in the body of a fat, old, fluffy cat. Kayden goes on to brief him about how other people like him have superpowers by trying to live in secret. Eventually, they team up to fight the evil forces wishing to make themselves known and rule the world.

Eleceed is one of the most popular long-running manhwas, with equal parts wholesome and action. Although the story may be simple, the plot is very engaging and builds up to a complex world filled with superpowered people living in secrecy. The author introduces many skills and abilities among characters living in Korea (where the story is set) and worldwide. Moreover, interesting new plots are introduced here and there without disrupting the existing balance of the world or the story.

4 Return Of The Mount Hua Sect

One Of The Most Beautifully Crafted Murim Worlds

• MAL Score – 8.49
• Published: Mar 23, 2021
• Authors: LICO (Art), Biga (Story)

Cheongmyeong gets a second chance at life after a hundred years following his demise against the leader of the Demonic Cult. He soon discovers that his former sect has been reduced to dust in the shadows and becomes determined to restore its former glory. What follows is his exciting and funny journey into making it happen.

Fans of The Greatest Estate Developer will love this manhwa due to its similarity of hilarious faces and an unpredictable protagonist. The murim trope adds to the fun with a well-defined setting. The manhwa stays strong in playing with the reader’s emotions by invoking thrills, sadness, laughter, or anger. Regarding world-building, Return Of The Mount Hua Sect does an exceptional job of embodying the spirit of martial arts. The first part may feel limited, but it expands after that. As a result, fans of the series have stated it as one of the best murim manhwa out there. The characters even have good development, and the plot is worth investing in.

5 Tower of God

Dive Into a Story Entirely Centered Around a Tower

• MyAnimeList Score: 8.37
• Published: Jul 5, 2010
• Authors: SIU (Story & Art)

Twenty-Fifth Bam sets his mind to climb the Tower, filled with monsters, ancient secrets, and evil people. His only goal is to reunite with his childhood friend Rachel, who had left him behind to climb the Tower herself. Each floor has a dedicated administrator who oversees the challenges one must complete by pushing their limits. When Bam encounters the administrator of the first floor, he learns that he is an irregular who the Tower chose but could not enter on his own. What’s more, such irregulars are feared by other people, but his goal remains the same.

Many readers have commended Tower of God as one of the best manhwa due to its originality and exceptional character development. The story will trap readers from the first chapter and make them flip the pages to see what comes next. The manhwa has magnificent storytelling with good pacing that balances drama and suspense. The entire world revolves around the Tower and the challenges people face on each floor. Apart from that, the art is unique, and it only gets better as the story progresses.

6 SSS Class Revival Hunter

Explore Beautiful Mini Stories Within A Tower Setting

• MyAnimeList Score: 8.26
• Published: Dec 31, 2020
• Authors: Bill K (Art), Sinnoa (Story)

Kim Gong-Ja is a weak F-class hunter stuck at the bottom of the Tower, and one day, he appears in his world out of the blue. The Tower has promised riches and resources that can help awakened people grow further, promising a life of luxury. However, the challenges are extraordinary, as many hunters can lose their lives if underestimated. Kim Gong-Ja dreams of living that life of luxury but gets killed by a ranker after he witnesses him murdering another ranker. However, he fulfills a hidden condition and revives 24 hours prior with the help of one of the skills obtained from the ranker who killed him.

Despite being a manhwa with a common Tower trope, SSS Class Revival Hunter takes a unique approach that differentiates itself from the other stories. The protagonist himself has exceptional skills and abilities that haven’t been explored before, which help him grow in unexpected ways. Moreover, each floor of the Tower poses a challenge based on a long-lost history of other worlds. As a result, readers can expect to learn more about these different worlds apart from the thriving ecosystem of the Tower that stands apart from planet Earth itself.

7 Hellper

Explore The Concept Of Hell/Purgatory/Afterlife Like Never Before

• MAL Score – 7.95
• Published: Oct 12, 2011
• Authors: Sakk (Story & Art)

The leader of a bike gang, Gwang-nam Jang, passes away in a car accident. What happens next is he finds himself with a ticket to hell. Worried about his fate, he travels to collect 100 black bracelets to qualify for reincarnation. Though a simple objective, his journey proves to be otherwise.

Originally published as a webtoon by AniBooks, Hellper is a unique manhwa set apart from all the popular tropes. Readers commend its visual art style and use of colors, but nobody expected it to catch them off guard with its intriguing story. They also state that one may only fully appreciate its world-building or characters if they read it more than once. This manhwa is bound to attract one’s attention with its detailed plot and touching characters. The story can be funny sometimes, but it knows when to take itself seriously at certain moments.

As a result, it has an outstanding balance in many respects, which makes it a genuinely notable manhwa. The plot is well-thought-out, and the protagonist’s backstory is crucial to the story’s future. All his interactions bind the story together in different ways. Readers who fall in love with the manhwa can also look forward to its second part, Hellper 2: Killberos, which was recently completely translated.

8 Unholy Blood

Action-Packed Vampire Story With Great Characters

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.93
• Published: Jan 15, 2020
• Authors: Im, Lina (Story & Art)

Park Hayan is an orphan trying to protect other children from the danger that recently appeared in the form of vampires. They were beings of endless bloodlust and immeasurable strength, and there were no ways to distinguish them from everyday people. As a result, many people lost their lives due to their senseless attacks. After Hayan becomes the target of the “Angels of Death” due to a tragic accident, she decides to partner up with Euntae Hwang, a member of the police force, to eradicate the vampires for good.

Unholy Blood may have a simple revenge premise, but it is not all it seems. Even the protagonist’s past is shrouded in mystery as she discovers that she has some superpowers. Therefore, the manhwa is an excellent thriller with a lot of action and a complemented art style. The other characters are well-written, and the story has a good pace as it builds up the reformed world. Existing fans of the series have also commented that it is very different from other vampire manhwas due to its unique and refreshing concept. The female protagonist is truly badass and knows how to leverage her powers against powerful foes.

9 Murim Login

Two Carefully Curated Worlds – 70% Murim & 30% Gates & Monsters

• MAL Score – 7.92
• Published: May 1, 2020
• Authors: Zero-BIG (Story), Jang, Cheolbyeok (Art)

Jin Tae-Kyung lives paycheck to paycheck as a low-rank hunter who comes upon an outdated VR machine. Due to some circumstances, he accidentally logs into a game set in the murim world. He is forced to live in the virtual world, where he goes through various trials and tribulations. Finally, he can log out after spending a total of 3 months. In the real world, he discovers that his skills and abilities have passed from the game into reality. Seeing the results of his efforts, he dives back into the game to grow stronger.

Murim Login promises an exciting premise that combines the trope of monsters and dungeons with the murim world. Eventually, the manhwa deals with two beautifully crafted worlds. The real and virtual worlds have different settings, but the protagonist is consistent with good development. Although the murim world is mainly explored, the real world develops just as much with interesting characters. Furthermore, the protagonist becomes stronger in both worlds just by training in the virtual world. Hence, it offers a fresh perspective on the dungeon/monsters/murim trope, which sets Murim Login apart from other similar manhwas. Apart from that, the story has a good balance of comedy, action, and drama, making it enjoyable.

10 My Blasted Reincarnated Life

A Well-Defined World With Separate Regions, Races, & Cultures

• MAL Score – 7.84
• Published: Jun 22, 2022
• Authors: Park, Jeongyeol (Art), Mongma (Story)

Hamel is a battle-hardened warrior who met his demise from one of the demon kings he was fighting with his companions. Just a few moments after his death, he discovers he has been reincarnated 300 years later as one of the descendants of Vermouth, a hero and his past companion. Now, he has one of the best bodies suited for explosive growth. Eventually, Hamel embarks on a journey to discover the reason for his reincarnation.

While many manhwas are based on reincarnation, My Blasted Reincarnated Life is one of the few that dives deep into its exact reason. Fans of the series commend it for having realistic characters with good depth and growth. Plus, there is a good mystery behind his reincarnation, and the world has ample details embedded in it. Some readers have even pointed out that the original novel’s world-building is better fleshed out. The protagonist is highly likable and uses his past-life knowledge to grow stronger, much quicker than others. His growth is consistent with his efforts and doesn’t affect the overall plot by breaking the balance. Therefore, he may be overpowered but not immediately overpowered enough to fight the strongest foes on the continent. Plus, the manhwa makes a good point of world-building as the story progresses without bombarding the readers in one go.

11 Overgeared

An Epic Game World With Plenty Of Lore & History

• MAL Score – 7.79
• Published: Apr 1, 2020
• Authors: Park, Saenal (Story), Team Argo (Art)

Shin Youngwoo is an ordinary, unlucky, low-level player in the popular VR game “Satisfy.” His in-game name is Grid, and he succeeds in finding a rare time that earns him a legendary class title. With the help of the new class, he becomes a combative blacksmith who can forge the most powerful items. What follows is his journey to upskill his new abilities and achieve new fame and fortune. Sadly, he realizes that it may be more than he bargained for as he begins to disrupt the game’s balance.

Like Murim Login, this manhwa may have two different worlds, but the game world is much more developed than the real world. Plus, his unfortunate beginnings help readers connect with the protagonist, and his character development makes up for the latter part of the story. Some fans even compliment the smithing parts of the chapters as the most enjoyable. Even the game world is expected to continue to develop as the story progresses. Moreover, nobody is trapped within the game, so real-world dynamics can be interesting. Hence, it showcases people learning their lessons in the game world and bringing them out into the real world as an essential way of self-reflecting. New readers should also look for memorable moments between the characters and their relationships.

12 The Nebula’s Civilization

A Great Story With World-Building at Its Core

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.57
• Published: Nov 29, 2023
• Authors: Wirae (Story), Beomguin (Art)

Seong-un Choi is the top-ranked player and the only person to complete all the achievements of the game Lost World. After receiving a mysterious proposal from the game, he is transported with other players into the real world of the Lost World. There, all of them are invited to become contenders for godhood by establishing a thriving society that worships them. Some players take up the challenge and use their in-game experience to reign supreme in the new realm.

The Nebula’s Civilization is another manhwa where the protagonist actively contributes to world-building. It does not follow the most popular tropes (maybe except isekai), making it an underrated gem. Seong-un Choi acts as one of the world’s literal Gods or an observer, giving out orders through signs and hints. He does so to help his followers develop the world they’re in while building his faith. Along the way, he levels up and can support his civilization in better ways. The story’s pace is amicable, and there is enough balance between action and drama without either of them being overwhelming. Readers can also expect some good insights into the developing politics that govern their world.

13 Jungle Juice

A Modern World With An Embedded Secret Society Of Insect-Humans

• MAL Score – 7.69
• Published: Dec 30, 2020
• Authors: Juder (Art), Hyeong Eun (Story)

Suchan Jang is at the top of his class but hides a rather exciting secret. He had grown wings after using a spray called ‘Jungle Juice.’ Unfortunately, his famous college life crumbled when he was forced to use them to save someone’s life. When all seems lost, he discovers a secret world of similar insect humans where everybody lives in harmony. But only some things are easy, as only the law of the jungle runs this secret society, and he must do all he can to survive.

It is another rare manhwa with an original concept. Plus, the story is creative and creates a fascinating world with a detailed power system. Even the art is phenomenal, with great background characters. Some action scenes will get the readers pumping with adrenaline, but they can drag on for multiple chapters. All the characters are charming, and the protagonist is incredibly likable. The plot flows naturally, and most readers have compared it to the world of X-men but with insect powers. Although the premise may sound cheerful, the villains are as cruel as can be, making it a thrilling read. Future readers planning to read the manhwa should get to it without expecting anything to enjoy it to the fullest.

14 A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special

A Magic Fantasy World With Detailed Historical Events

• MAL Score – 7.57
• Published: May 19, 2018
• Authors: Yu, So-nan (Story), Uk-jakga (Art)

Desir Herrman suddenly finds himself sent back in time just as his world is on the brink of destruction. Although he was skilled in magic, he could only learn and prosper a little due to his status as a commoner. He hopes to cut down the naivety hierarchy, help the world prepare for the oncoming disaster, and save the comrades he had once lost.

This manhwa is one of those rare gems with layers of world-building, with regression being the only common trope. The world has something similar to dungeons called ‘shadow worlds,’ but even that is very different. These shadow worlds are a branch of the existing world’s history that makes it overall interesting. Although it can be slow, the story and plot progress naturally with art that only improves. Hence, it is one of those manhwa where world-building is essential to the story. The readers may also like that the protagonist is not overpowered. As a result, he has to use his wits and past life experience to get the upper hand.

15 Solo Bug Player

Rebuilding A Worn Down Kingdom With A Mix Of Game Cheats And Modern Life Knowledge

• MAL Score: Unlisted
• Published: 2020
• Authors: Cheongcho (Story), Inkhead (Story), Kiminteu (Art)

Taepung Shin finds himself transmigrated into the body of a young lord in his favorite MMO game, Paradiso. Luckily, he knows the game inside out and is aware of all the bugs and glitches to make the most of it. He uses the hidden cheats to try to turn himself into a protagonist and set off on a new adventure.

Following the isekai trope, this manhwa is an excellent choice for those who love video game tropes. In world-building, the protagonist primarily focuses on building his kingdom from the ground up. There are a lot of things he works toward using his video game knowledge to turn his poor land into a rich and flourishing one. He also makes sure to take care of his subjects and builds new inventions to expand his influence effectively. Some readers have also compared it to the manhua Release That Witch, which focuses entirely on kingdom building. However, some readers are griped over lacking a good romance subplot. Nonetheless, the characters are unforgettable, and Solo Bug Player is a fun read with good plot progression.