Shounen (or “shōnen”) is one of the most popular genres, primarily targeting young and teenage boys. However, enjoying a great manhwa transcends genre boundaries, and everyone should indulge in this captivating medium. Typically, shounen features a male protagonist who embarks on adventurous quests filled with challenges. This genre tends to focus less on romance and often includes elements of comedy, fantasy, action, or drama. Despite its target audience, shounen offers valuable life lessons about friendship, self-discovery, and personal growth, making it worth reading for everyone.
While well-known manhwas like Solo Leveling, Tower of God, and The Gamer are already popular and excluded from this list, the following selections represent the best of shounen webtoons and manhwa, showcasing the wide range of emotions that fall under this genre’s umbrella.
21. Wizard of Arsenia
Other names: 아르세니아의 마법사
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Shounen
Author: Sungho Park
Status: Ongoing
Summary: The adventure begins when Lee Kyul Ip, a third-year high school student, suddenly finds himself transported to an alternate universe. There, he encounters Reyard of the Great Red Dragons, who informs Kyul Ip that he is now in Dragon Mountain on the continent of Arsenia. Reyard has summoned him to demonstrate that red dragons are not foolish. Faced with this bizarre predicament, Kyul must choose between two paths to return home: waiting for Reyard to conjure magic from scratch or creating a dimension and a portal back to his world.
20. Last Word of the World
Other names: Tao Yu Mo Shi Zhi Shu, 桃与末世之书
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Martial Arts, Sci-fi, Shounen, Supernatural
Author: Chenxii
Status: Ongoing
Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world where civilization has crumbled due to a failed experiment, society has fragmented into tribes and small groups. The inhabitants are divided into two categories: Cyborgs, which combine human bodies with mechanical parts, and Beast Spirits, who blend human and animal DNA. These two factions are locked in a constant struggle for supremacy. Among them is Hei Tong Shi, a cyborg who traverses the realms of both groups. Once part of the killer group known as ‘Hei Qi Eight,’ he has since rebelled and now fights to uncover the world’s mysteries and his own identity.
19. Player
Other names: 플레이어
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Shounen
Authors: Park Jong-Seok (Story), Oh Hyeon-Jun (Art)
Status: Ongoing
Summary: Player is an action-comedy webtoon that follows high school student Seol Jin Heo, who gets teleported into a manhwa after posting the ‘best comment.’ His life takes a turn from mundane school days to a realm of fights and adventures as he must defeat the top-ranked player in the manhwa. Guided by ‘God,’ he embarks on his first mission alongside Libur, facing challenges he never anticipated.
18. Slave B
Other names: 슬레이브 B
Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen
Authors: Imines, Park Ji
Status: Ongoing
Summary: When the Shadow Lord, Secneum, shatters the peace of the world, slaves are treated as mere commodities. Niro, a half-elf, is adopted by a slave couple after the death of his parents. Unfortunately, Niro’s adoptive parents fall victim to mistreatment, leaving him to care for his younger siblings. To change their fate, he must graduate from Excanum Academy, just like the current Emperor Muren, who once lived as a slave.
17. The Devil’s Boy
Other names: Angmaui Sonyeon
Genres: Action, Fantasy, School Life, Shounen, Supernatural
Authors: Kirin, Jihyun
Status: Completed
Summary: Jungho, a bullied school student, reaches his breaking point and prays for help. His prayers are answered by Mephistopheles, an archdevil who offers him magical powers to exact revenge on his tormentors—but at the cost of his soul. For Jungho, escaping his hellish existence seems worth the price, unaware that he is merely a pawn in a much larger game played by demons and exorcists.
16. Volcanic Age
Other names: Volcanic Rebirth
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Shounen
Authors: Tomato (Artist), Jeong-Jun (Story)
Status: Ongoing
Summary: Adapted from a Korean light novel, this manhwa follows Joo SEO Cheon, a man who survives a war-torn era through luck alone, ultimately becoming the elder of the Hwasan faction, filled with regret and uncertainty. On his deathbed, he gets a chance to travel back to the past and uses his knowledge from his previous life to achieve his goals earlier. With foresight into future treasures and alliances, he impresses many sect leaders along the way. The question remains: will this knowledge truly alter his fate?
15. Glacias
Other names: NA
Genres: Fantasy, Action, Supernatural, Shounen
Authors: Yaruno and Nawa
Status: Ongoing
Summary: This webtoon explores the quest for coexistence between humans and dragons in a world where fear reigns. Seventeen-year-old protagonist Juka strives to establish harmony between the two species, aided by his dragon companion, Lyth. Raised by a dragon sage and lacking basic human etiquette, Juka is determined to prove that understanding can bridge the gap. Will he succeed in realizing his dream of creating Glacias, a city where humans and dragons can live together peacefully?
14. Veritas
Other Names: Veristas, Truth
Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, Ecchi, Martial Arts, School, Shounen, Super Power, Supernatural
Author: Yoon Joon Shik (Story), Kim Dong Hoon (Art), Berry Star (Story)
Status: Completed
Summary: Veritas stands out as one of the top shounen webtoons/manhwas. The narrative follows Ma Gangryong, a middle schooler renowned for his fighting skills, who is hailed as the strongest student in his school. His life takes a turn when he encounters a mysterious man named Youcheon, whose incredible powers challenge Gangryong’s understanding of strength. Eager to learn, Gangryong persuades Youcheon to take him on as a student. However, a year later, he learns of his master’s death and is thrust into a new school where every student possesses supernatural abilities. This pivotal moment alters his life forever.
13. Bal Jak
Other Names: Baljak, Bal Jack, High School
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Ecchi, School, Shounen
Author: Kim Young Oh (Art), Young Jeon Sang (Story)
Status: Completed
Summary: Bal Jak is an underrated gem, having been around for two decades. The story follows Jo Pae, a quirky boy with aspirations to become the Emperor of Korea. Upon entering high school, he sets his sights on becoming the leader of the strongest school, surprising everyone by defeating the school’s toughest challengers. Now a target, rival schools are determined to take him down by any means necessary.
12. Gosu
Other Names: 고수, Gosu – The Master
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Historical, Martial Arts, Shounen
Author: Ryu Ki-Woon, Moon Jung-Hoo
Status: Ongoing
Summary: Gosu tells the story of Gang Yong, a young man on a quest for revenge against those who betrayed his master, a legendary martial artist. Armed with his master’s supreme martial arts techniques, he plans to instill fear in the murim. However, he soon discovers that his master’s enemies have already met their demise due to internal conflicts, leading him to take a job as a dumpling delivery boy—a far cry from the vengeance he sought.
11. Tower Into The Clouds
Other Names: 百层塔
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Manhua, Shounen
Author: Jio Ran
Status: Ongoing
Summary: In Tower Into The Clouds, the main character, a mage named Mao Li, embarks on a quest to ascend a towering structure that promises to fulfill his deepest wishes, including recovering lost memories. After awakening in a desert with amnesia, he discovers the tower and learns about the challenges that lie ahead. Will he be able to conquer the 100th level?
10. The Legend of Maian
Other Names: Mayan Chronicles
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Ecchi, Fantasy, Romance, Shounen, Tragedy
Author: Im Dal Young (Story), Jeong Soo Cheol (Art)
Status: Hiatus
Summary: This manhwa encapsulates a wide range of emotions, from comedy to tragedy. The tale begins with Felicia Rand Philistin, a powerful sorceress intent on conquest, who is ultimately opposed by Maian the Brave. A millennium later, she is unwittingly released by Fenix Maian, who must now prevent her from wreaking havoc once again while fulfilling his ancestors’ legacy.
09. Knight Run
Other Names: 나이트런
Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Mature, Sci-fi, Shounen
Author: Kim Sung Min (Story & Art)
Status: Ongoing
Summary: Knight Run is an underrated manhwa that delves into the conflict between humans and enigmatic creatures in a future war-torn world. While it appears to focus primarily on battles, the story also emphasizes the emotional toll of war. As humanity faces an uncertain future, the Knights are called upon to take decisive action and alter the course of the conflict.
08. Troll Trap
Other Names: 트롤트랩
Genres: Action, Fantasy, School Life, Shounen
Author: Lee Won Seek
Status: Ongoing
Summary: Troll Trap follows Ha-Te, a troll hunter who saves Ji-Hyun from a monstrous troll disguised as her baby brother. After transferring to Ji-Hyun’s school, Ha-Te enlists her as his part-time partner in the hunt for trolls threatening humanity. This engaging webtoon combines adventure and humor, securing its place among the best shounen webtoons/manhwas.
07. God of High School
Other Names: God of Highschool, GoH, The God of Highschool
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Shounen
Author: Park Yong Je (Story & Art)
Status: Ongoing
Summary: God of High School is a must-read in the shounen webtoon/manhwa realm, renowned for its mobile game adaptation and original video animation linked to the game’s soundtrack. The story kicks off when Jin Mo-Ri, a 17-year-old martial artist from Seoul, receives an invitation to participate in a martial arts tournament known as “The God of High School.” Sponsored by a mysterious corporation, the tournament aims to gather participants from across South Korea, eventually selecting three representatives for a global contest. The ultimate prize? The corporation promises to grant the winner any wish. Follow Mo-Ri on his journey to discover his fate in this exhilarating tournament!
06. Afterschool War Activities
Other Names: Afterschool Military Activity, Banggwa hu Jeonjaeng Hwaldong, Duty after School
Genres: Action, Mystery, Psychological, Shounen, Supernatural, Sci-Fi
Author: Ha Il-Kwon (Story & Art)
Status: Completed
Summary: Afterschool War Activities is an essential addition to the best shounen webtoons/manhwas list. This gripping tale revolves around a group of high school students enlisted to join the army amid an escalating crisis as strange phenomena appear in the sky, signaling the world’s impending doom. With the military stretched thin, these students are compelled to fight against these threats, facing grave dangers and maturing rapidly to survive.
05. Sweet Home
Other Names: 스위트 홈
Genres: Action, Drama, Horror, Shounen, Supernatural, Thriller
Author: Kim Carnby (Story), Hwang Young-chan (Art)
Status: Ongoing
Summary: Sweet Home is a thrilling webtoon crafted by Youngchan Hwang and Carnby Kim. The narrative follows a reclusive high school student who, after a tragic family loss, is forced from his home only to confront an even more terrifying reality: a world overrun by monsters intent on exterminating humanity. Alongside a group of reluctant heroes, he fights to save the world, all while yearning to witness the final theatrical release of his beloved series, Maria from the Sky. This collaboration by Kim Carnby and Hwang Young-chan stands as a highlight in the shounen genre.
04. King of Hell
Other Names: Demon King, Majeh
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Martial Arts, Shounen, Supernatural
Author: Kim Jae-Hwan (Art), Ra In-Soo (Story)
Status: Completed
Summary: Set in ancient Korea and its corresponding afterlife realms, King of Hell centers on Majeh, the envoy of the next world, known as the King of Hell. A legendary swordsman in life, Majeh finds himself in the magical realm of Moorim after death. Upon arriving, he easily defeats over 50 warriors, earning a reputation as one of the most formidable figures in Moorim. When a disaster unleashes wicked demons into the mortal realm, the King of Hell sends Majeh to capture them. This timeless tale remains one of the best in the shounen webtoon/manhwa category.
03. Noblesse
Other Names: 노블레스
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, School, Supernatural, Shounen
Author: Son Jae Ho (Story), Lee Gwang Su (Art)
Status: Ongoing
Summary: Noblesse features Cadis Etrama Di Raizel, known as Rai, who awakens from an 820-year slumber in a white coffin in an abandoned building in South Korea. As he navigates this new era, Rai seeks the help of his loyal companion, Frankenstein, to adapt to modern society. Enrolling as a student at Ye Ran High School, where Frankenstein serves as the principal, Rai aims to experience a normal life. However, unresolved conflicts from his past complicate his journey, forcing him to wield his mysterious powers to protect those he cares for.
02. The Breaker
Other Names: 브레이커
Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, Martial Arts, School, Shounen, Seinen
Author: Park Jin Hwan (Art), Jeon Geuk Jin (Story)
Status: Completed
Summary: In The Breaker, Yi “Shioon” Shi-Woon’s life at Nine Dragons High School is marred by bullying from a gang led by Ho Chang. Seeking to change his fate, Shioon decides to enroll in a martial arts academy. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Han Chun Woo, a substitute teacher who saves him from bullies with impressive martial arts skills. Shioon secretly records this moment and blackmails Chun Woo into teaching him self-defense, thrusting him into the dangerous world of Murim, filled with hidden perils and complex realities.
01. Bastard
Other Names: Hulejasig
Genres: Mystery, Drama, Horror, Romance, Psychological, Shounen
Author: Kim Carnby (Story), Hwang Young-chan (Art)
Status: Completed
Summary: Seon Jin appears to lead a privileged life, yet beneath the surface lies a haunting reality. Bullied at school for his quiet demeanor, he faces a darker terror at home—his father, Dongsoo Seon, is a successful businessman who hides his true nature as a deranged serial killer. As they embark on a years-long killing spree, Jin must confront a new dilemma when his father becomes interested in Yoon Kyun, a kind-hearted transfer student and Jin’s love interest. With Yoon’s safety at stake, Jin faces the ultimate choice: remain his father’s unwilling accomplice or rebel against him.
Dev King is a passionate fan of manga, manhwa, and webtoons, with a love for Korean, Japanese, and Chinese cartoons. Always exploring new worlds and stories, he finds joy in every unique style and plot twist.
