The apocalyptic manhwa genre has always provided more action and adventure than any other genre. It’s just like they say, “Humanity shines the brightest when facing certain adversity.” The popular end-of-world concept has continuously captivated curious readers over the years. Ranging from natural to man-made disasters, the number of probable reasons for the world’s ending has always ignited humans’ imagination.
Popular titles, like Solo Leveling, aren’t usually considered post-apocalyptic but highlight some elements of the genre. Solo Leveling is the best manhwa for new fans of the popular genre. Having said that, here are a few other notable apocalyptic manhwa worth a look.
Leviathan
The popular Korean post-apocalypse manhwa, written by Lee Gyuntak, is one of the best in the genre today. It has everything a good manhwa needs: solid characters, an exciting story, and a unique art style. The story takes place a century ago after a giant comet wiped out human civilization. It completely levels the cities and continents where humans previously lived, sinking them into the sea and leaving the last few survivors roaming the oceans searching for a new home. The story centers around siblings Bota and Rita after their father sacrifices his life to save them from a sea monster.
Tomb Raider King
Like Solo Leveling, Tomb Raider King isn’t regarded by many as an apocalyptic manhwa. However, the manhwa offers a lot of apocalyptic scenarios towards the end, which earns it its place on the list. The manhwa follows Seo Joo-Heon, who excels at tomb raiding. He and his team raided dungeons and brought glory to their employer, Kwon Tae-Joon. Due to his remarkable work and skills, he and his team are tricked by CEO Kwon, who ensures their death. After being given a second chance by a powerful relic, he returns to the past to gather all the relics. Armed with all the knowledge and skills from his past life, he aims to get revenge and stand atop the world.
Return to Player
In this exciting apocalyptic story, the gods personally put humanity to the sword. The gods turn every human being in the world into players in their despicable game. They are forced to kill or be killed by epic monsters or creatures. They are armed with various supernatural abilities to help them not persevere, even if it’s just for a little while.
Sehan Kim, a video game addict, played the game and ultimately became its last survivor. In a game that had been nothing but amusement to the gods, Sehan stood as the last human alive. However, he is given a chance to do a second walkthrough, returning ten years before the game starts. With all his memories intact, he vows to save as many people as possible and alter the game’s results. While the manhwa has been criticized for its art, it offers a refreshing story for fans of the genre.