Summary
- Manhwa underdogs rising to power offer compelling plots.
- Main characters show growth, hard work, and friendship bonds.
- Stories like Eleceed and Tower of God captivate fans with twists.
Underdogs have been part of the manhwa culture for a long time, but as of late, the popular trope of these seemingly weak characters rising to power has been gaining strength. For those fans specifically looking for these stories, with hard-working heroes, or growth-type protagonists, there are various recommendable series they can pick up.
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Characters with few chances in life that rise through sheer force of will, heroes not by chance but by choice, and most importantly those who are often considered misfits generate some of the best plots in fiction. So, this topic spotlights a few manhwa about underdogs rising to power that fans should read.
1
Eleceed
A Meek And Timid Boy Becomes The Best Disciple
- Genres: Action, Martial Arts, Comedy, Urban Fantasy, Dystopian
- Author: Son Jae-ho
- Artist: ZHENA
Jiwoo was always scared of being discovered as a super-human and a lifetime of hiding his abilities made them stagnate, making him one of the weakest awakened. When he was discovered by Kayden by mere chance, the (alleged) most powerful man on the planet saw something special in him.
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So, besides developing an endearing friendship and an incredibly well-written student/mentor relationship, Kayden made sure Jiwoo’s efforts didn’t go to waste. It is great to see this underdog who never deviated from the right path finally getting the recognition he deserves.
2
Summoners Academy
A Group Of Misfits Work Together To Survive
- Genre: Action, School Life, Comedy, Sword and Sorcery, Drama
- Author: Tarzyan
- Artists: Grami
What began as one of the best new fantasy manhwa has now turned into the struggles of four underdogs to stay afloat in one one the harshest school life environments readers will see in a fantasy trope. With a thrilling plot, unexpected dark twists, and a pacing that will give readers vertigo, this series underrated narrates the tale of several wizards from various origins who are looking for their place in the world.
But a dark secret buried deep in the Academy will test not only their mettle but their friendship bonds as well. Will they survive the onslaught to come, or will they fall prey to the evil schemes of the mysterious Elven Director who seems to be hellbent on making them suffer? A great underdog becomes a top dog tale.
A Trash But Hard-Working Character Becomes Essential
- Genre: Action, Isekai, Sword & Sorcery, School Life, Shounen, Drama
- Authors: Korita
- Artist: Girin Geurin
The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide has an underdog as the main protagonist: a trash character named Ed Rothtaylor, who was expelled from the school dorms and needs to live in a cabin in the woods, procuring his own food, clothing, and keeping track of his studies at the same time. He is not a particularly gifted character: his magic is awful, his physical stats are subpar, and he has no allies.
But as the others witness how hardworking and relentless Ed becomes after being partially expelled from the Academy, they begin to see him in a new light. Turns out somebody else is occupying his body, and this former low-rate villain is slowly becoming essential to the plot. Despite some questionable decisions, Ed’s choices have been always for the greater good. Even the pseudo-harem growing around him is starting to become interesting to read.
4
Nano-Machine
An Exiled Prince Receives A Gift From The Future, And Climbs To The Top
- Genres: Martial Arts, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama, Tragedy, Time Travel
- Author: Jeolmu Hyeon
- Artist: Geumgangbulgoe
An exiled prince from a Martial Sect, a visitor from the distant future, and nanotechnology that empowers martial arts; all of these tropes compose the script for a truly intriguing underdog story, where a seemingly defeated martial artist becomes powerful again using strange technology that seems out of this world.
Honor, revenge, and the feeling of walking the righteous (though sometimes morally complex) path complete this gripping rise-to-power story. But readers beware: the unexpected turns and viciously difficult moral choices are aplenty in this story. This is not simple underdog becomes top-dog and gets revenge story, it is a truly deep and convoluted path to power tale.
5
Tower Of God
A Weak Boy, A Big Dream, And Lots Of Morally Complex Decisions
- Genre: Psychological, Thriller, Drama, Mystery, Fantasy, Action, Shounen
- Author & Artist: SIU
Tower of God has become one of the fan-favorite “underdog rises to power” tales in modern manhwa. With its intriguing main characters, a plot ridden with betrayal, unexpected twists, and bloody battles for supremacy, it is one of the best in the shonen genre.
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The story has many mysteries, so if readers don’t get a chance to figure them out by themselves at first, it’s a great excuse for re-reading the first arcs and sweeping through the pages trying to connect the dots. And for those who never picked it up, prepare for the journey of a lifetime, since Bam’s tale of climbing to the top against the odds will give them no quarter.
6
Weak Hero
The Best Strategy Against Bullying Is Banding Together
- Genres: Action, School, Drama, Martial Arts
- Author: SEOPASS
- Artist: Razen
Weak Hero is one of the best underdog climbs to the top stories, and the best part is that it has an interesting anti-bullying message lying in plain sight. The main character is not particularly strong, but he is smart and knows how to move.
So, tired of his school bullies doing whatever they please, he stands his ground and his example leads others to slowly but steadily become an anti-bullying force. It has some of the greatest and endearing friendship moments, and it has some of the best character development and villain redemption arcs as well.
7
Reality Quest
From Bullied Student To Street Thug And Local Hero
- Genre: Urban Fantasy, Martial Arts, Drama
- Author: Lee Joo-woon
- Artist: Lee Joo-woon
When Reality Quest began, it was about a bullied boy suddenly gaining a path to power through a mysterious system. But now, as Han Do-Wan’s intentions become more and more focused on discovering the link between his father and the infamous Bully Council, this underdog has become a powerful justice-seeking hound.
With incredible action scenes, this series is all about overcoming weakness through sheer force of will. No room for doubt as the main character ties the links that bind his dead father’s past to his current situation, and steps hard and forward as he takes the reigns of his own future. Great character development here, ripe for any reader who enjoys drama, action, and martial arts.
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