12 Manhwa With Fantastic Character Development

Key Takeaways

• Some of the most inspiring characters in fiction have undergone significant character growth and development.
• Desir from
  A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special
  is a character whose growth is a testament to his dignity and determination.
• Vlad from
  Star-Embracing Swordmaster
  is a character who had to adapt to survive in a dangerous world.

From zero to heroes, these manhwa characters have seen the edges of the gutter and climbed back against all odds. Such a glorious reversal of fate wouldn’t be fun if the characters didn’t learn anything in the process. Character development is one of the most important things in a story, and these protagonists have gotten their fair share of it.

This list includes manhwa main characters who have gone through tremendous changes during the continuity of their respective stories. Some of them are heroes, some of them just want to be left alone, and some are dark avengers capable of bringing pain and destruction to the world. But, how did they get there? That’s what makes these individuals such interesting characters.

If you are reading any of these series, and you are not up-to-date: Mind the spoilers ahead.

Updated on November 3rd, 2024, by Lucas Simons: There have been a great deal of character developments in all manhwa series mentioned in this list. In Star-Embracing Swordmaster, for example, Vlad has matured greatly, and he’s finally on the right path to becoming a Knight. On the other hand, Infinite Leveling Muring has entered a hiatus after its second season ended with Dan Yuuseong finally coming face to face with his archnemesis. Various characters in Reality Quest have suffered considerable changes, especially its main character, who is much more mature and has embraced the path of violence completely. The second season finale of Villain To Kill left fans tremendously excited about Cassian finally becoming one of the top villains in the world, beating Money King to a pulp, but it closed with a tremendous cliffhanger. There are a lot of new and exciting things happening in the top manhwa series, and two new contestants have joined this list of manhwa with the best character development. Let’s take a look at them.

12 Desir Arman (A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special)

Desir Relived An Ordeal Time And Time Again Just To Save The Ones He Loved

• Genres: Isekai, Sword & Magic, School Drama
• Author: Wookjakga
• Artist: Usonan
• Status: Complete
• Number of chapters: 268
• Publisher: D&C Media/Kadokawa Shoten

Having witnessed everyone he loved fall during the Shadow World Crysis, Desir Arman turns to face his annihilation, being the one left standing. With all he went through and all his beloved friends buried in the wake of the worst catastrophe humanity has faced, he decided to go all out and die fighting.

Returning from certain death, Desir discovers he has another chance to do things right. Throughout his second life, Desir not only develops as a character, but he forges everlasting friendships with the least expected allies. Being the only one who remembers what happened, Desir carries a heavy burden. Nevertheless, he does so with dignity and stoicism while working his way toward a single goal: to prevent a worldwide disaster. He is a great example of character growth.

11 Vlad (Star-Embracing Swordmaster)

Went From Waif To Knight, Putting His Life On The Line

• Genre: Adventure, Drama, Dark Fantasy
• Author: Q10 – Hong Dae Ui (Adaptation)
• Artist: juno
• Status: Ongoing
• Number of chapters: 62
• Publisher: Naver/ LINE Webtoon

Raised in a brothel by one of the most dangerous gangs of Shoara, Vlad had to adapt to survive. At first, he was only a carefree waif roaming the streets alongside his friend Jemina. But after tragedy struck in the form of a ruthless gang war that ended with the murder of everyone he loved and the destruction of his foster home, Vlad swore to take revenge on the person who took away the closest thing he had to a family.

After going through a mercenary life, he managed to attune himself to a mysterious spirit who offered him guidance. He met Sir Joseph, one of the Elite of the Bayezid family, and took an oath to become a Knight. Vlad has undergone a seriously deep transformation, relinquishing his desire for vengeance and redirecting it towards the path of knighthood. He was able to channel all his rage into a just and righteous fury and set on a path to cleanse the world of darkness.

Wanted To Be A Side Character, Ended Up Being In The Spotlight

• Genre: Adventure, Drama, Dark Fantasy, School Life, Reincarnation, Isekai
• Author: Korita
• Artist: GREEN KYRIN
• Status: Ongoing
• Number of chapters: 39
• Publisher: Naver/Webtoon

The story is about a Korean gamer who gets transported into his favorite fantasy RPG/Galge, in the flesh of the worst trash character: Ed Rothtaylor. As Ed, our MC will need to do whatever is necessary to survive the harsh environment of the Magic Academy, while also trying to avoid all the bad endings that are constantly bombarding his path to survival. However, some developments have changed Ed for good: He is no longer regarded as a lout but as someone really valuable and capable of great feats.

What’s worse is he has attracted the attention of not only one, but six of the Academy’s main female characters, who are causing some serious ruckus around Ed’s (formerly) relaxed lifestyle in his cabin in the woods. This has led to some serious character development, including from the “maidens in love,” who have come to realize they have feelings for Ed and are ready to compete against each other for the bachelor’s attention. Suddenly, this dark action fantasy manhwa has become a rom-com.

9 Knox (Time-Limited Genius Dark Knight)

Worked Damn Hard To Become The Sion Of The Family

• Genre: Adventure, Drama, Dark Fantasy, Reincarnation, Isekai
• Author: Jung seonyul
• Artist: nagi
• Status: Ongoing
• Number of chapters: 79
• Publisher: LINE Webtoon

Destined to die once more, and reincarnated as Knox, a terminally ill patient is now trying to survive in a dark fantasy world where every odd is against him. With a countdown indicating the exact time when he’s going to die (again), Knox will have to overcome many ordeals to reach adulthood. Knowing the outcome of the game world where he was isekai’d to is a great deal of help, and his experience min-maxing the characters is also helping him develop into a powerful Dark Knight.

This series not only showcases the MC’s growth throughout his adventure, but that of other side characters as well. Specifically, Djitri, Knox’s faithful maid, a former noble who has fallen from grace, and the straightforward and dutiful Talian Von Stilliner, who is destined to become a fearsome Knight and the one who kills Knox in the future. Both characters have come a long way and have developed into magnificent protagonists of this thrilling story. We will see how much they develop as the main plot moves towards the pinnacle of Knox’s journey.

8 Dan Yuseong (Infinite Level Up In Murim)

He Showed Great Character And Built A Hoard Of Allies With Hard Work And Resilience

• Genre: Martial Arts, Adventure, Action
• Author: Gonbung
• Artist: Jinwoo Kim
• Status: Ongoing
• Number of chapters: 219
• Publisher: WEBTOON

As a regressor, Dan Yuseong had a tremendous advantage over all martial artists in Murim. He could have used that knowledge to become rich and powerful, but instead, he went back to the Murim Alliance Academy to build his strength and prepare for the future. From rock bottom to top of the class, he preached by example, gaining the trust and friendship of former enemies and new allies as well.

Many of his teachers and colleagues believe he doesn’t have a speckle of talent, only raw, pure willpower. He proves it at every step of his painful road to becoming the best in the world, gaining strength through suffering, training, and most importantly, by protecting those he cherishes.

7 Bam (Tower Of God)

Proving That Friendship Can Beat Even The Cruelest Of Fates

• Genre: Dark Fantasy
• Author: Lee Jong Hui
• Artist: S.I.U. (Lee Jong Hui)
• Status: Ongoing
• Number of volumes: 15
• Publisher: Young Com

Bam decided to climb The Tower to find his only friend, Rachel. And even when facing total annihilation, he never faltered and kept going, fueled by the desire to find the only person who he cared for. But, during this arduous path, he met a lot of Candidates, who soon became his friends and allies.

Even after being left for dead and taken hostage by the evil FUG group, he kept hiding his pain and pushing forward. The friendships he made along the way and his great character development came to fruition during the Workshop Battle Arc, where he learns that friendship can overcome any obstacle. The second season of the Tower of God anime is a good chance to watch Bam’s growth live.

6 Ha Do-Wan (Reality Quest)

From Bullied Weakling To Gang Boss And Protector

• Genre: Urban Fantasy, Martial Arts, Drama
• Author: Lee Joo-woon
• Artist: Lee Joo-woon
• Status: Ongoing
• Number of chapters: 137

Ha Do-Wan thought his life was over when his father died. He had already given up on finding the person responsible for his death and was being treated poorly at school. But when he was on the verge of being killed during a bully attack, he unlocked a strange System that granted him a chance to gain power. Instead of using that power to abuse others, he infiltrated a dangerous criminal organization and beat his way up until he became one of its leaders.

He has undergone many changes, not only becoming physically boosted and a martial adept but maturing enough to understand that he should not abuse others. Becoming a sort of protector of the weak, he seeks those who murdered his father and will stop at nothing to complete his quest.

5 Ha Leeha (Arcane Sniper)

From Depressed Army Dropout To World Ranker And Top Gamer

• Genre: VR, Videogames, Fantasy, Adventure
• Author(s): Shaymel, Lee Soo-baek
• Artist(s): Depo, glpi
• Status: Ongoing
• Number of chapters: 162

Ha Leeha used to be a highly trained and accomplished military sniper, but after a rough accident in which he became unable to walk and was discharged as a consequence of it, he became severely depressed. But after diving into the world of Middle Earth, a VR game where he could be anyone and earn money by playing, he saw a new chance to be free from his burdens.

Though he chose the worst possible class, Musketeer, through sheer effort and force of will, he overcame the class weaknesses and ended up as one of the top-ranked players. He was not only able to free himself from depression and find a new way of living through gaming, but he did so without giving away his passion and identity as a marksman. Leeha has become quite famous in the game, so much so that he is being showcased in streams and poached by many important guilds. He’s finally embarked on a journey with the other Three Musketeers to stop the Demon Lord Bluebeard from rising again.

4 Sung-Jin Woo (Solo Leveling)

The Weakest Hunter Turns Into A God

• Genre: Dystopian, Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
• Author: Chugong
• Artist: Chugong
• Status: Complete
• Number of chapters: 200
• Publisher: D&C Media/Webnovel/Yen Press

Desperate to support his family, Sung-Jin Woo dove into dangerous dungeons way over his level, knowing all too well that he was the weakest in the rankings. But even after facing total annihilation, he never gave up and was rewarded with a new beginning.

Relentless and dedicated to saving his mother, Jin Woo climbed the stairs of godhood as a Necromancer, beating every enemy on his path to supremacy. When facing the most dangerous of tests, he never let go of his humanity and helped others whenever he could. The events that led him to become the ruler of darkness were all put in motion by his iron will and his ability to overcome pain and suffering.

3 Cassian (Villain To Kill)

Betrayed, Killed, Reincarnated, And Now Fighting Back

• Genre: Dystopian, Action, Martial Arts
• Author: Fupin
• Artist: Eunji
• Status: Ongoing
• Number of chapters: 150
• Publisher: Naver

Cassian, a former Psyker (Hero) betrayed, framed, and murdered by the same organization that trained him, revives as a bullied Korean student: Gangu Gwon. In this new body, he soon discovers that he has become a villain and is being aided by a mysterious dark entity in his quest for vengeance.

Deciding to uncover the corruption of the Lampas International Organization, he assumes his new identity as a Villain and joins the Gadam Vilzone in the hopes of gaining strength and allies to overthrow the corrupt Psykers and clear his name. He decides to re-take the moniker of Cassian as his villain name, and after a lot of hardship, he gains new allies and becomes a known “good” villain. He’s closer to an anti-heroic character than anyone in the series and has even gained the respect and support of both villains and Psykers alike.

2 Leon (Overpowered Sword)

His Hard Earned Hero Title Is Due To Effort, Sacrifice, And Resilience

• Genre: Action, Fantasy, Drama, Shounen
• Author: ELDO
• Artist: ELDO
• Status: Ongoing
• Number of chapters: 104
• Publisher: WEBTOON

Leon was granted the unique chance to rewrite history as a hero, chosen by the Sacred Sword Elcid. But knowing all too well that he wasn’t strong enough to become the Prophesized Hero that would save the world, he begs Elcid to train him. After surpassing countless trials and overcoming all kinds of hardship, Leon has progressed into a full-fledged Hero, recognized by the Church, his allies, and even the former Hero’s spirit.

Even more so, he didn’t have any special skills to begin with. His fervent desire to overcome his weaknesses caused him to pull through the ordeals and forged him into a full-fledged Hero anointed by the Goddess.

1 Arthur (The Beginning After The End)

From Loner To Trusting Those He Loved And Becoming A Leader

• Genre: Isekai, Action, Drama
• Author: TurtleMe
• Artist: Fuyuki23
• Status: Ongoing
• Number of chapters: 186
• Publisher: Yen Press

King Gray was an existence above all, powerful and unparalleled. A paragon of what a monarch should be: just, strong, and righteous. But with great power also comes a heavy burden, and in his loneliness, Gray decided to let himself be killed by those he considered his closest allies. They were too scared of how powerful he had become.

Granted a second chance as Arthur Leywin, he thought he could live a peaceful life but soon discovered that he was called to this new world for a reason: to protect it from destruction. Though he understands that he carries a heavy burden, he is also compromised with those who support him and has sworn not to lose his humanity, no matter how much he advances on the path to godhood. The best part of his character growth is seeing him embrace his new identity and loving his family despite feeling unworthy.