Best Manhwa Like The Legend Of The Northern Blade

Summary

• Unique narratives with beautiful artwork in murim manhwa titles captivate readers.
• Fans can look forward to titles exploring themes of personal growth and ancient traditions.
• Some of these manhwa feature detailed world-building with a lovable and unpredictable protagonist.

As The Legend Of The Northern Blade marks its end with 202 chapters, it continues to amass more fans, the concept of the murim world continues to captivate readers. Blending unique narratives with beautiful artwork, these manhwa titles set in the murim world often delve into themes of perseverance, revenge, and skillful techniques with incredible action scenes. Like Jin Mu-Won, these manhwa titles provide insight into some fantastic protagonists who are unafraid to achieve what they want.

Fans of the murim genre can look forward to the following titles, which are on par with masterful world-building, emotional depth, and intense combat choreographies. They also delve into similar themes of personal growth, power struggles, and ancient martial traditions. The following provides something for everyone, from lone warriors to ambitious disciples and reluctant heroes.

1

Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Beautiful World-Building With An Unpredictable Protagonist

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

Cheongmyeong wakes up a hundred years later in the future after the tremendous bloody battle against the leader of the Demonic Cult. The battle had cost many lives and almost saw the end of the Ten Great Sects in China. Although he had succeeded in striking down Cheonma, he had lost his life after succumbing to his injuries. However, he gains a second chance at life only to discover that his beloved Mount Hua Sect has almost disappeared into the shadows. Brimming with hope, he sets out to revive the shadowed sect back to its former glory.

The Return of the Mount Hua Sect is one of the most favored murim manhwas and for good reasons. It has detailed world-building with some fantastic characters and elaborate battles. The protagonist is unpredictable and will stop at nothing to get things done to help revive his beloved sect. The manhwa has some great comedic moments, and the plot is well-written. Following the protagonist’s journey, the readers experience masterful action and sect progression with beautiful dynamics between the sect members.

2

Nano Machine

Explore The Intricacies of Martial Arts Decoded By An AI

• MyAnimeList Score: 8.17
• Published: Jun 10, 2020
• Authors: Hanjung Wolya (Story), Geumgang Bulgoe (Art)

Yeo-un has an unfortunate position within his clan due to his mother being an unofficial wife of the patriarch. As a result, he is constantly bullied and has a target on his back due to this bloodline. Although his father’s blood qualifies him to be the Minor Priest in his clan, the families of the other competitors do not want it to happen. During one such assassination attempt, a person claiming to be his descendant and from the future saves his life. Later, he also injects Yeo-un with nanomachines to aid in his recovery. When Yeo-un comes to, he interacts with the nanomachine, who goes on to help him become stronger.

Nano Machine has an excellent portrayal of sci-fi incorporated into the murim world. The protagonist starts with nothing and suddenly gains an advanced, intelligent companion. Being a part of him, the nanomachine helps the protagonist by directly analyzing and integrating martial techniques into his brain and muscles. As a result, he can grow much quicker than others and climb his way up in the murim world. The story is well-detailed, with proper accounts of the various factions under his sect. Moreover, readers will love the training arcs and the action scenes that follow.

3

Murim Login

A Hunter Can Freely Traverse To A Murim World To Become Stronger

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

Jin Tae-Kyung is a low-rank hunter desperately trying to make ends meet as there isn’t much demand for people of his level. One day, he picks up a VR machine from the streets, hoping to sell it for some money. However, he accidentally logs into the game while trying to sleep and is stuck in a martial arts world for three months. When he returns, he discovers only a few hours have passed. Moreover, he gained the results of training in the game in real life. While trying to ignore going back into the game, he misses the NPCs of the game and logs back in to solve their problems and become stronger.

Despite the title, Murim Login takes place in a hunter/dungeon/monster world, but the protagonist is whisked away into the murim world through a virtual game. The overall manhwa is around 75% murim and 25% hunter world. Therefore, readers will still love the murim aspect of the story. Moreover, the virtual game is linked with only the protagonist, and it is still unclear whether it is another world or coded programming. The characters in both worlds have fantastic development, and the comedy is amicable. The protagonist is grounded in reality, making the readers relate to him. The action and training scenes are also noteworthy.

4

Gosu

A Fresh Take On The Murim World With Great Characters

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.89
• Published: Sep 8, 2015
• Authors: Mun, Jung-Hoo (Art), Ryu, Ki Woon (Story)

Gang Yong vows to avenge the death of his master and hones his skills for that very pledge. After training for years in seclusion, he sets off to find the traitors responsible for the master’s death but discovers that they’re already dead! Unsure what to do next, he travels around to find another meaning to his existence.

Gosu may have begun with the motive of getting revenge, but the revenge aspects get thrown off right in the beginning. As a result, the readers get to experience something else entirely. However, it can be compared to One Punch Man as the manhwa focuses more on the side characters than the protagonist. These characters are well-fleshed out, and their interactions with the protagonist make the manhwa enjoyable. The action is good, and the comedy hits its mark amicably. Fans of the series can also check out Yongbi The Invincible manhwa by the same author, which also occurs in the same world as Gosu.

5

Return of the Mad Demon

Strongest Person In the Murim Returns to His 20s to Pave a New Path

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.87
• Published: Jul 22, 2021
• Authors: Yu, Jinsung (Story), Ihy (Art)

Jaha Lee is known as the Mad Demon in the world of murim who wishes to become the God of martial arts. However, his dream is cut short when he falls off a cliff while escaping the Demonic Cult for stealing their Jade of Heaven. Suddenly, he finds himself back in his 20s due to a twist of fate. Now armed with the knowledge of future events and his previous life in martial arts, he sets out to achieve his dream once again.

Return of the Mad Demon is one of the most entertaining murim manhwa, and it has a great story and beautiful art. Apart from the unpredictable protagonist, all the characters are interesting, and the comedy is spot on. The dialogues are well-written, and the plot makes itself known when needed instead of dumping all the information in one go. The manhwa does the regression trope well, and the readers will love the protagonist’s antics and interactions with the other characters.

6

Reaper of the Drifting Moon

Great Revenge Story Of a Former Assassin

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.76
• Published: Jul 15, 2022
• Authors: Woogack (Story), Inkyo (Art)

Pyo Wil was an abandoned orphan who was abducted and left rotting in an isolated space. After surviving for months, he discovers he is not the only kid subjected to such grueling torment. Soon, a group of masked men start training them to become assassins. As a result, he tries to become the best of the best to escape his current situation.

Reaper of the Drifting Moon may have a basic story, but its artwork perfectly complements it. Despite revenge being at its core, the author has done a great job grounding it without it being edgy. When it comes to the characters, their interactions with the protagonist are memorable, and each of them has amazing designs. The protagonist is likable and smart in his actions. He calculates each step along the way to ensure he achieves his ultimate goal.

7

Martial Wild West

Modern Man Reintroduces Proper Martial Arts In A New World

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.58
• Published: Sep 27, 2022
• Authors: Cup Ramyeon. (Story), Jeong, Hangil (Art)

Zhang Qian transmigrates into a world where the Han Empire reigns supreme and oppresses common folk and martial artists alike. When a new continent is discovered, thousands start crossing the ocean to escape the emperor’s wrath. They soon begin settling in the new plains and establishing a Martial Wild West era. However, years of oppression have diminished the elegance and techniques of proper martial arts. Hence, Zhang takes it upon himself to change it for the better and establish authentic martial arts in the new realm.

Unlike other popular murim manhwa, Martial Wild West is well-grounded without special effects. The martial arts in this manhwa are familiar to us as portrayed in movies and series. As such, the protagonist is a fan of the same and struggles to discover that that’s not the reality of this world. He finds the martial arts to be half-baked and goes on to perfect them through his numerous battles.

8

Heavenly Demon Reborn!

Beautiful Story With Detailed Exploration Of Cultivation and Skills

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.57
• Published: Aug 15, 2018
• Authors: Ilhwang (Story), Gomguck (Art)

Unseong watches on in horror as his beloved master is beaten to death on a false accusation. Although he tries his best, he is unable to kill those responsible for his master’s death and meets his demise. However, he soon finds himself awakening as a child under training to become an elite soldier of a demonic sect. He then embraces the demonic arts to become strong enough in his quest for revenge.

With a basic plot, Heavenly Demon Reborn! It isn’t all that it seems due to its unforgettable characters and pacing. The protagonist emphasizes his training and becoming stronger since his knowledge of his past life has little effect on his journey. Since the demonic arts are new, he has little room to incorporate his previous training. Moreover, readers have often compared it to The Legend Of The Northern Blade for its better-detailed cultivation lore. The story may be about revenge, but the protagonist doesn’t let it blind him and sticks to making wise decisions. Readers will love it for its quality plot and beautiful art.

9

Return of the War God

Ancient Martial God Re-emerges To Try And Live A Different Life

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.47
• Published: May 31, 2022
• Authors: Myosu (Story), Rough (Art)

Woohyun Dan was the Martial Divine Demon sealed for nearly a thousand years. He was deemed too dangerous for the world to handle when the saints sealed him, but he was released after a millennium. As he was wandering around, he found a sick child on the verge of death whom he saved without any passing thought. However, the child returns healthy and continues to stick beside him. As a result, he adopts her as his daughter and finds a new hope in life… but with dangers hidden around him.

Return of the War God is a unique murim manhwa with a good mix of slice-of-life and action genres. For the most part, readers will follow the journey with the protagonist trying to raise an orphan child. However, fate has different plans for him, and he ends up in many extreme situations. As a result, he gives in and decides to step into the world of murim once again. Although he may be overpowered, he soon finds adversaries that have stayed back in the real world even a thousand years later.

10

Legend of an Asura: The Poison Dragon

Hard-Minded Protagonist Aims To Grow Stronger For Revenge

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.27
• Published: Feb 28, 2021
• Authors: Senior (Story), Yeonggwang (Art)

An elder of the Venom Clan takes the protagonist, Zhen Ziqiang, as a test subject. He injects him with various poisons, and Zhen ends up becoming an Asura. Fortunately, he escapes and begins to plan revenge against the elder and the entire poison faction. Zhen aims to give them a taste of their poison through his newfound abilities.

Legend of an Asura: The Poison Dragon differs from most murim manhwa with a slow but enjoyable pace. The protagonist has no special perks of regression or reincarnation but gets his innate power through chance. As a result, readers experience the journey of a typical protagonist who has nobody to trust but himself to climb the ranks in the murim world. The story explores his journey in its entirety without any skipped scenes. The villains are stronger than him, but that doesn’t stop the protagonist from straying away from his vow of revenge.