Summary
There is no doubt that manhwa andwebtoonsare more popular than ever, since several titles likeThe Beginning After the EndandThe Remarried Empressare gaining international famethat surpasses even well-known manga. Because of this, animation studios are turning the increasing popularity of the manhwa into fuel for new anime productions.
Although this rise of new productions is partially due to the availability of streaming services and the general acceptance of recentanime adaptations of manhwalikeTower of GodorViral Hit, it’s also thanks to the incredible first season ofSolo Leveling, which became a global success and the fan-favorite candidate for best anime of 2024, giving the opportunity to other popular titles to be adapted.
15 Best Long Manhwa Every Fan Needs to Binge
Thanks to their high number of chapters, these long manhwa feature some of the medium’s most complex stories and immersive, intricate worlds.
101 Second
Anime Series by NAMU Animation, Based on the Manhwa by Sini & Kwang Woon
The action manhwa from Naver Webtoon,1 Second, was announced in October 2023 to have an anime adaptation by NAMU Animation and Duripix. The news was shared by the same studio, NAMU Animation, a recognized outsourcing animation company that has contributed to the production of anime likeBoruto,Baki, andBlack Clover: Sword of the Wizard King.
The first season of1 Secondis revealed to have 13 episodes, with plans to conclude production in 2024.1 Seconddisplays the front line of the firefighters, showing how they race against time and survive critical fire-related tragedies, following Hosu, who solves fires and disaster situations with a 100% rescue success rate using his special ability to see the future. An anime that reminds of series like the Crunchyroll animeFirefighter Daigo: Rescuer in Orange, but with an added thrilling and supernatural element of future sight ability.
9Terror Man
Anime Series by Dr Movie & Studio Bazooka, Based on the Manhwa by Han Dong-Woo & Ko Jin-Ho.
Terror Manis an exciting manhwaseries, part of Super String’s universe of webtoons by YLAB, and its most representative work. It is published in English by Ablaze Publishing. The story was written by Han Dong-Woo and illustrated by Ko Jin-Ho and follows a morally gray protagonist,Jungwoo Min, who has the power to see misfortune and use threats to prevent people from getting caught in said disasters, ending up becoming a terrorist.
The popular manhwa is getting an anime adaptation by Studio Bazooka alongside Dr. Movie, a Korean animation studio that has previously worked with different Japanese studios, co-produced the second season ofThe Rising of the Shield Hero. Although the anime was announced at the beginning of 2023 with a trailer from the streaming platform TVING,Terror Manhas yet to share an official release date.
8A Returners Magic Should Be Special Season 2
Anime Series by Arvo Animation, Based on the Manhwa Adaptation by Wookjakga.
A Returners Magic Should Be Special, the anime adaptation of the webtoon illustrated by Wookjakga, had a total of twelve episodes and aired during the fall of 2023. After the airing of the 12th episode, it was announced that the anime will have a sequel, which is currently in production, without a scheduled release date so far.
The first season ofA Returners Magic Should Be Specialis available on Crunchyroll and tells the story of Desir Arman, one of the last surviving magicians, who goes back in time before the war began and now has an opportunity to get stronger and change things in the future.A Returners Magic Should Be Specialis an underrated fantasy animewith a captivating story and a must-watch series for fans of time-regressing protagonists.
7Season of Blossom
Anime Series by Studio XTorm, Based on the Manhwa by Hongduck and Nemone.
Season of Blossomanime will be produced by the recently formed studio XTorm, which will specialize in adaptations of different manhwa and Korean web novels.Season of Blossomis one of the most appraised romance manhwa, with a 9.89 rank and more than 79 million views on the Naver Webtoon platform, which earns it a live-action adaptation released in 2022.
Season of Blossom’s story is presented in the form of an anthology, with each part taking place during one season of the year and featuring a different main couple, touching themes from first love to friendship, bullying, mental health, and grief. The anime will adapt the first part, Bomi’s Flower, and despite the original release date, which was expected in the first quarter of 2024, currently there’s no additional information about the project.
6Tomb Raider King
Anime Series by Studio EEK, Based on the Manhwa by Sanji Jiksong & 3B2S
Tomb Raider Kingis a manhwa adapted from the web novel created by SAN.G and introduces Jooheon-Seo, who enjoys exploring mysterious tombs that contain powerful relics to unravel their secrets. He regresses 15 years into the past after being betrayed by his employer and starts anew with the goal of becoming the Tomb Raider King. The series is widely popular, andTomb Raider Kingis consideredSolo Leveling’s biggest rivaldue to the thematic similarities between both stories.
Tomb Raider King’s anime was announced by its author, SAN.G., on the X platform, with the release date scheduled for 2026. No further details were shared about the series; however, a laterrepost in X by SAN.Grevealed Studio EEK is in charge of the project, a Korean animation studio known for producing the Netflix original seriesLOVE, DEATH & ROBOTS.
5Gosu
Anime Series by Toei Animation & Studio N, Based on the Manhwa by Ryu Gi-un & Mun Jung-Hoo
Gosuis a popular manhwa that has been viewed over 1.4 billion times on the Naver Webtoon and Line Manga platforms. It is the sequel to the manhwa Yongbi the Invincible (written by Ryu Ki-woon and illustrated by Mun Jung-hoo).Gosuis the story of Gang Yong, who secludes himself and trains exhaustively after promising to avenge his master’s death. However, he will find his path to revenge too short.Gosuis a true showcase of martial artsthat has conquered readers with its powerful characters and overwhelming battle scenes.
Gosu’s anime will be produced by Toei Animation in association with Studio N, which has adapted popular dramas based on webtoons such asSee You in My 19th Lifeand thehorror manhwaSweet Home, demonstrating their potential to create global hit series. No further details aboutGosu’s anime have been revealed so far. While the anime was announced in 2023, given that Toei Animation is currently working onDragon Ball Daima, it’s possible that details aboutGosu’s adaptation won’t be shared until 2025.
4The Boxer
Anime Series by Studio XTorm, Based on the Manhwa By Ji-Hoon Jeong
The Boxeris a sports manhwa created by the same author of the highly acclaimed titleThe Horizon. The anime adaptation ofThe Boxerwas announced in 2023 by Studio XTorm, with a planned global release in the second half of 2025.
The Boxeris considered one of thebest completed manhwafor its dark and emotionally charged story that uses the world of competitive boxing as an excuse to convey one of the most intense and violent journeys of self-worth, identity, and personal growth behind what seems like a typical sports series.The Boxershows a crude story, exploring themes like bullying, demoralization, self-discovery, and effort that, when adapted in an animated format, surely won’t leave viewers indifferent.
3True Beauty
Anime Series by Studio N & Cocktail Media, Based on the Manhwa by Yaongyi
Yaongyi’s Manhwa TrueBeautytells the story of Jugyeong Lim, a girl who is bullied for her appearance and decides to transform herself with makeup, which gains her popularity at school and on social media, and later finds herself in a love triangle with two boys that are unaware of her real appearance. The manhwa had a live-action adaptation in 2020, which quickly rose in popularity outside South Korea, becoming a hit on Netflix.
While the premise of the manhwa might seem superficial,True Beautyshares an honest look at unrealistic beauty standards and how they affect young women and men, serving as social criticism and addressing themes like bullying, the cult of beauty, self-esteem, and personal acceptance.True Beautyis the perfect option for fans of romantic comediesand will have a simulcast broadcast through Crunchyroll, which begins streaming on July 24, 2025.
2Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint
Anime Series Produced by Aniplex, Based on the Manhwa by singNsong & Sleepy-C
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpointis based on a web novel written by the same author ofThe World After the Falland has amassed a large fanbase across the world, receiving an adaptation into five live-action films with the first movie set to premiere in 2024. Due to this increasing popularity,Omniscient Reader’s Viewpointwill have an anime adaptationproduced by Aniplex that will be streaming on Crunchyroll upon its release.
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpointfollows Kim Dokja, an employee whose world ends up merging with the novel he used to read and is now the only one who knows the end of the story. At the moment, there is no more information on which animation studio will take charge of the project or a release window for the series.ORVis one of the most anticipated anime adaptationsand will appeal to fans ofSolo Levelingwho like power-scaling protagonists.
1Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise From the Shadow
Anime Series By A-1 Pictures, Based on the Manhwa By Chugong
Solo Leveling Season 1has become an international success due to its fast-paced story and impressive animation, which have an overwhelming receptivity among fans eager to continue watching Sung Jinwoo level up. It’s not surprising thatSolo Leveling season 2is one of the most anticipated manhwa adaptations since it will show how Jinwoo will master his newly acquired power.
Furthermore, althoughSolo Levelingis the story of how Sung Jinwoo strives to increase his strength on his own, in the following arcs, starting with Red Gate,the series gives more relevance to secondary characters and introduces even more powerful hunters, further developing its world and revealing some of the mysteries of the system. ThoughSolo Leveling season 2was expected for the end of 2024, the series hasn’t shared an official release date yet.
