Polarizing And Divisive Isekai Manhwa You Should Still Try

Key Takeaways

• Some Isekai manhwa series are divisive due to controversy and repetitiveness.
• “Evolved Space Monster” and “Summoners Academy” push boundaries and opinions.
• Fans clash on “The Knight King” and “The Lout of the Count’s Family” characters and pacing.

Isekai Manhwa can be quite absurd, and some series are even polarizing and divisive, so much that fans constantly debate about the reasons why certain characters are the way they are. While this is merely part of the meta-narrative behind each series, the truth is there are some Isekai Manhwa series that can be controversial.

Here’s a list with some of the most divisive Isekai Manhwa that readers should still try. They will either love it or hate it, but it will mostly an enriching experience for all of those who love the fantasy genre and the “transported to another world” trope.

8 The Barbarian Of Seoul Station

Some Fans Are Tired Of The Same Trope Over And Over Again

• Genre: Action, Reverse Isekai, Urban Fantasy, Comedy, Drama, School Life
• Author: LICO
• Artists: Jin Seol Woo

There’s a trope among Manhwa authors that its quite popular, and that is, to name their series after a popular Station from Seoul. And so, we got The Druid From Seoul Station, Seoul Station Necromancer, A Warrior From Seoul Station, and this series: The Barbarian Of Seoul Station. So, when readers started to review bomb this new series I grew curious and gave it a chance.

To be honest, it is not all that bad, and despite the name it is certainly unrelated to the other series. The good aspects are: that it is entertaining, and funny, and the Main Character is quite charming despite being a brute who wants to become a Barbarian. The bad things: quite cliché. more of the same old reverse Isekai through portals that appear on Earth. So, there might lie the reason why this story is so divisive.

7 I Reincarnated As An Evolving Space Monster

The Typical Power Fantasy, But Sometimes It Crosses The Line

• Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Gore, Terror
• Authors: FearTurtle (Gongpouigeobug-i)
• Status: Ongoing

Some readers might feel utterly disgusted or fascinated while reading this series, which is not going to receive an anime adaptation anytime soon. It starts as the typical leveling-system adventure, where a gamer reincarnates as his favorite character, only that character is a ravenous Space Monster.

On the other hand, the clear inspirations in Ridley Scott’s Alien are too obvious, almost overwhelming. It becomes harsh to read when the blood-splatter becomes so exaggerated it reaches nearly disgusting levels, but at the same time, it has some strong points that make it obviously attractive for those who enjoy the gore genre. Leave it or take it, it’s up to the readers to decide.

6 Summoners Academy

Based On The Popular Gacha Game From Korea

• Genre: Action, School Life, Comedy, Sword and Sorcery, Drama, Reverse-Isekai
• Author: Tarzyan
• Artists: Grami

Set in the same universe as the popular gacha Game Summoners Wars, this Manhwa series is a clear attempt to promote the game beyond its intended lifespan. Though it fails utterly to appeal to the gaming audience in that sense, it has become a decent Fantasy-Adventure Standalone story, with appealing characters and intriguing plot twists. Then the story slowly unravels as a reverse-isekai (sort of) story where humans unintendedly summon beings from another universe to fight.

Though some fans have harshly criticized it for promoting the game, others are enchanted by its colorful scenery and lovely designs. I am in the second group, haven’t played the game (and I don’t think I will) but I’m surely enjoying the story. Readers might either love it or hate it.

5 The Lout Of The Count’s Family

There Has Been Talking About The Pacing Of The Series Being Obnoxious

• Genre: Isekai, Drama, Comedy, Fantasy
• Author: Elegant (Yoo Ryeo Han)
• Artist: Elegant (Yoo Ryeo Han)

Unsurprisingly, fans of the Isekai genre have been complaining about this series for a long time now, and they might be right on the money about one thing: Its pacing sucks. It’s either too slow, or things happen way too fast, rushing developments like there’s no tomorrow.

But is it its weird pacing and strange collection of furry friends a dealbreaker that forces readers to avoid this series? Not at all, since it has some of the most endearing friendship moments in the whole genre. And some great character developments too, despite the rushing of the plot. It is worth a shot, or readers could totally miss it. Take it with a pinch of salt.

4 The Knight King Who Returned With A God

The Main Character Is Quite Divisive, You Either Love Him Or Hate Him

• Genres: Dark Fantasy, Action, Comedy, Reverse Isekai
• Author: Salam Sallyeo (Story)
• Artist: Jeoncheon Huma Geomsa (Art)

Now here’s a truly controversial series. Some say this isn’t even an isekai, though it is a Reverse-Isekai where a traveller from another world comes down to Earth to smite evil. So, in that sense, we’re quite sure fans of the genre are constantly fighting to see who’s right and who’s wrong.

The series is good, it has its flimsy plot moments, and also its dumb characters that cannot get a clue. But overall: dark fantasy, adventure, and great fighting scenes and some great comedy moments.

3 Resetting Lady

The Transformation Of The Main Character Into A Total Psycho Has Shocked Fans

• Genres: Psychological Drama, Fantasy, Mature, Romance, Tragedy, Reincarnation, Slasher
• Authors: Baekwoo
• Artists: Cha Seo-Jin, Taegong

Resetting Lady came to be both shocking and fascinating at the same time, with a plot that advances inevitably towards tragedy, a main character slowly descending into absolute madness, and readers split between love and hate for what happens in the plot.

As this Isekai series with a genius Female Lead caused some stir among fans of the historical romance reincarnation series, I had the pleasure to enjoy reading it slowly and paying attention to detail. It has its good moments, and also some unexplainable plot twists that are better left unmentioned to avoid spoilers. Is it good, or is it bad? Only readers can decide.

2 Evolution Begins With A Big Tree

Some Say Its Ridiculous, Others That It’s Pure Genius

• Genre: Reincarnation, Xenofiction, Comedy, Sci-Fi
• Author: Crimson Night
• Artists: Crimson Night

While browsing for new Isekai stories to read, I stumbled upon a discussion about some of the most ridiculous reincarnation ideas that Manhwa authors had, and this series came on top as one of the most voted.

It is not only an absurd concept (a person who reincarnates as a sentient tree that cannot move) but it is also really difficult for a good plot to evolve when there’s a static character that barely moves from the same spot. Some readers might find this impossible to read, while others might enjoy the challenge. Either way, fans should still try and see for themselves.

1 Salvos – A Monster Evolution LitRPG

The Audience Has Grew Disenchanted With The Series, But It’s Still Quite Good

• Genre: Action, Comedy, RPG-Sim, Fantasy, Isekai
• Author: Melasdelta
• Artists: Kp Comics Studios

Another great series that has suffered a lot of review bombing, and for some reason, still managed to stay afloat for long enough to become a point of division among fans of the Isekai genre. There are some that say it’s a reincarnation Manhwa, others say it is not quite there, but instead a Reverse-Isekai, but the main point of discussion is the pacing of the story, which alongside repeated hiatuses has disenchanted the audience.

Be it as it may, it is a worthy example of a good fantasy Manhwa, and it has some elements of the growth-type hero trope combined. Another ridiculous point of division among fans is about the gender of the main character, which is undefined at this point in the story. As with all opinions, take them with a pinch of salt and enjoy the story: it is worth a shot.