10 Best Murim Manhwa, Ranked

One of the most popular genres in South Korea, murim manhwa represent a captivating combination of martial arts, the supernatural, and heroic ventures usually brought about in a vast and fantastical world. The word “murim” usually represents a society of martial arts, and the genre draws inspiration from the East Asian martial arts culture.

Heavily dominated by concepts of martial arts culture, the genre explores the relationship between the physical and the metaphysical and creates intense and thrilling narratives. It also incorporates various subgenres, accommodating a broader range of readers. Regarding murim manhwa, here are some of the best the genre offers.

Updated on June 22, 2025 by Mark Sammut: Murim manhwa are extremely popular and, more importantly, synonymous with South Korean stories. These manhwa are fairly plentiful, and they tend to feature great action, powerful protagonists, and best-in-the-industry art. This article has been updated with more information regarding each story, along with another great murim manhwa.

10

Fist Demon of Mount Hua

Anime-Planet: 3.93/5

• Author: Woogack
• Chapters: 182
• Status: Canceled

Born with a lame leg and discriminated against, Dam-Ho has the worst possible condition for a martial artist due to his disability. Despite being severely mocked and told that it is impossible to become a martial artist, Dam-Ho is persistent in his training to overcome his limits. Thought to be dead in an unfortunate expedition, Dam-Ho is abandoned by his sect under the rubble of a mountain. Still, with a burning desire to survive and go beyond his limits, Dam-Ho re-emerges as a master at the mention of whose name all the murim will come to fear and acknowledge.

Due to being canceled, Fist Demon of Mount Hua is a bit harder to recommend nowadays since the story will likely never be complete. That said, the available content is generally fantastic, offering great art and a fascinating story with a strong protagonist. Even in its current state, Fist Demon of Mount Hua is still one of the best murim manhwa.

9

Return of the Mad Demon

Anime-Planet: 4.29/5

• Author: JP, Jinseong Yu
• Chapters: 159+
• Status: Ongoing

Return of the Mad Demon has a catchy title that raises some expectations, primarily of a protagonist who is a bit more outlandish and over-the-top than usual. Surprisingly, the manhwa actually sticks to its title and premise, as Jaha Lee is genuinely quite ridiculous and often acts in ways that defy logic. He lives up to the “mad demon” moniker, which is refreshing.

So, what is the story? Well, Jaha aspired to become the God of Martial Arts, but he never quite managed to reach that level. His dream also saw him making plenty of enemies, all setting the stage for a climactic and, ultimately, fatal battle. However, rather than drift into the unknown, Jaha travels back in time and reawakens in his 20s. Armed with details of the future and the martial arts skills he acquired over decades, Jaha has to now decide how to use this knowledge, while fully aware that decisions have consequences.

8

Gosu

Anime-Planet: 4.15/5

• Author: Giun Ryu
• Chapters: 231
• Status: Complete

Gosu follows the protagonist, Gang Ryong, a martial artist burdened with his master’s revenge. His master, Dokgo Ryong the Heavenly Destroyer, once the most feared martial master of the murim, was betrayed by his followers and allies.

As a dying wish of his master, Gang Ryong takes up his master’s request for vengeance, armed with his master’s overwhelming martial arts. Raised to be the ultimate weapon for his master’s enemies, Gang Ryong grows immensely powerful and ensures to fulfill his master’s dying wish. While a bit long in the tooth at times, at its peak, Gosu is phenomenal, featuring some of the best fight sequences in the murim genre. The manhwa should be receiving an anime soon, which is exciting.

Before reading Gosu, I recommend checking out Yongbi the Invincible, which is essentially a prequel. It is also great.

7

Murim Login

Anime-Planet: 4.27/5

• Author: Zerobic
• Chapters: 228+
• Status: Ongoing

The story, set in a world of monsters and hunters, follows Jin Tae-Kyung, a low-ranking monster hunter struggling to make a living. He comes across a peculiar VR machine and accidentally logs into a game, which is, in fact, another world: a murim world.

With no choice but to survive in the hope of escaping the game, he is forced to level up, and after several attempts, he finally returns to his world. He soon finds out that all the skills and abilities gained in the game have been transferred back to his reality. Out of care for the comrades he makes in the game, he chooses to return to the game. Incorporating isekai elements, Murim Login manages to do justice to all its popular themes, with top-notch fights and art. While the real world is kept around by the plot, the majority of the story takes place in the murim realm, and that is for the better.

6

Reaper Of The Drifting Moon (Or The Reaper)

Anime-Planet: 4.27/5

• Author: Woogack
• Chapters: 94
• Status: Season 2 ended in 2024, and there is still hope for another season.

The Reaper is another captivating tale of revenge, martial arts, and violence. The story follows Pyo Wol, a young orphan and wanderer. Without family or relatives, Pyo Wol wanders around the continent, exploring and experiencing it firsthand. His life of freedom, however, takes a sour turn when he is kidnapped and forced to become an assassin.

Determined to survive, he endures through hellish training until it is time to fulfill his objective. Trying to find the mastermind behind his abduction, he is left on the brink of death and undergoes a deadly transformation, and with this, he is finally ready to begin his quest for vengeance. The Reaper has produced two very good seasons that work splendidly as power fantasies, although they do emphasize Pyo Wol’s growth rather than just focusing on making him feel OP.

5

Peerless Dad (Or Father, Unrivaled)

Anime-Planet: 4.19/5

• Author: Cyung-Chan Noh
• Chapters: 296
• Status: Complete

Contrary to the typical murim manhwa, Peerless Dad presents a much more wholesome story of fatherhood, marriage, and single parenthood underneath the usual battles, martial techniques, and intimidating individuals.

The story centers around Gajang Noh, a single father of two children who loses his wife after the birth of his second child. Devastated by the loss of his wife, he promises never to neglect his children in any circumstance. Gajang is not particularly quick-witted, but he is skilled enough as a martial artist, and for the sake of his children, he is determined to improve his skills and protect them. While not devoid of action or heavy stakes, Peerless Dad offers a more family-oriented and almost slice-of-life take on the murim concept, at least at times.

4

Nano Machine

Anime-Planet: 4.36/5

• Author: Hanjungwolya
• Chapters: 265+
• Status: Ongoing

The protagonist, Yeon-Woo Cheon, seems destined to live a life of weakness and oppression, but he suddenly obtains a unique item, the Nano Machine, that infuses a unique power system into his body. Seizing his window of opportunity, Yeon-Woo quickly rises through the ranks of the demonic with the aid of the Nanomachine, becoming immensely powerful along the way. Determined to reach the pinnacle of strength of the Heavenly Demonic Cult, Yeon-Woo must prove his strength to all. The story combines the classical trope of the overpowered main character, who constantly gets stronger, making for an engaging read.

Nano Machine blends murim, fantasy, and sci-fi surprisingly well, a combination that is quite difficult to find. For the most part, the original driving force behind the story is revenge, and these arcs firmly establish Nano Machine as an all-time great manhwa.

3

The Breaker

Anime-Planet: 4.34/5

• Author: Jeon Geuk-jin
• Chapters: 72 (Original Series)
• Status: Complete (Original Series)

The Breaker brings the world of the murim to modern society, making for an exciting combination. The story follows Shi Woon Yi, a weak high school student who is the target of constant assault and bullying at his school. However, his life takes a drastic turn when he accidentally discovers that the newly transferred teacher, Chunwoo Han, is a martial arts master. Witnessing his teacher’s skills, he begs Chunwoo to make him his disciple and teach him how to defend himself. With this, Shi Woon becomes a part of the dangerous world of the murim, where only the strong can survive.

An argument could be made that The Breaker is the most influential and important murim manhwa of all time. Debuting in 2007 and lasting until 2010, the original series helped introduce South Korean webtoons to an international audience. It was successful enough to spawn two sequels, and the second one (The Breaker: Eternal Force) is currently ongoing. The Breaker goes against the norm by featuring a protagonist, Shiwoon, who is far from overpowered, to the point of coming across as notably weak at times.

2

Return of the Blossoming Blade

Anime-Planet: 4.46/5

• Author: Biga
• Chapters: 152+
• Status: Ongoing

Dying in battle is a thing of honor for most martial artists, but the protagonist, Chung Myung, disagrees. Dying in battle, the Sword Saint awakens after a century in the body of a young boy. Determined to reclaim his former status as the Sword Saint, he returns to the Mount Hua Sect, but what he finds on his return is not what he expected.

Disgraced and nearly penniless, the Mount Hua Sect is a shadow of its former self and in rapid decline. Unable to let go of the past, Chung Myung is determined to restore the sect to its former glory. Return of the Blossoming Blade is among the most popular murim manhwa, earning a very positive reputation due to featuring a lovable protagonist, brilliant art, and an interesting take on reincarnation. The manhwa balances action, comedy, and drama incredibly well, all the while focusing on character development.

1

Legend of the Northern Blade

Anime-Planet: 4.4/5

• Author: Hae-Min
• Chapters: 202
• Status: Complete

Legend of the Northern Blade is an intense and captivating tale of the Northern Wall. The story follows Jin Mu-Won, who inherits the position of sect leader of the Northern Heavenly Sect from his father, a martial master acknowledged by the whole of Jianghu, another name for murim in the series. Portrayed as weak and hopeless, Mu-Won only uses this as a front as he seeks revenge on the Central Heavenly Alliance, the organization responsible for his father’s death.

Determined to carry out his revenge, Mu-Won disappears without a trace and re-emerges years later, having mastered the Northern sect’s ultimate techniques. The story, first thought to be one of revenge, becomes a chaotic storm that threatens to bring the murim world to its knees, with Jin Mu-Won at the heart of it all.