Top 20 Best War and Military Manhwa/Webtoons Ever Created
History is filled with short-lived periods of peace escaped through wars. In these conflicts, humans encounter and surpass the limits of their brutality and morality, showcasing their violent natures. But in these periods of warfare, other limits are also surpassed: those of courage, sacrifice, and endurance. Perhaps that is why many of us are fascinated by war and military stories. If not the human aspect, conflicts' politics, tactics, and psychological manipulations are fascinating in their own rights. In this list, you'll find such captivating stories recounted through the best war and military manhwas ever created.
+Manhwa Where MC is an Overpowered Transfer Student+
1.70
2023 brings with it the 70th anniversary of the Korean war armistice of 1953. While humans foolishly continue to believe that the natural state of the world is Peace, stability collapses once again as a crisis emerges. Conspiracies and unknown forces meticulously move the South and North into a battlefield where Intelligence services, politicians, spies, and elite specialized forces get tangled. Set against a backdrop of historical evidence, ‘‘70’’ is a clever military manhwa that meticulously explores the different facets of wars: from counter-terrorism and intelligence warfare to large-scale raids and conflicts.
+Chapters: +97
+Published: 2013 to 2016
+Genres: Action - Mature - Sci-fi - Military
+Authors: Kim Jae-Hee [Story&Art]
+Serialization/Other work: Daum Webtoon
2.Steel Rain
스틸레인
Steel rain weaves together espionage and warfare to design a story reminiscent of old spy movies. This war manhwa begins on the eve of Kim Jong Il’s death, which sets in motion a coup where different North Korean power holders compete to seize control of the government. As information trickles down to the other side of the Pacific, the United States uses the chaos of the situation to attempt to eliminate the menace of this totalitarian regime once and for all. But as South Korea gets inevitably entangled in the escalation of the situation, the Korean peninsula seems to be steadily approaching an all-out nuclear war.
+Chapters: 61
+Published: 2011 to 2012
+Genres: Action - Historical - Military - Drama
+Authors: Yang Woo-Seok [Story] Jepigaru [Art]
+Serialization/Other work: Daum Webtoon
3.The Ravages of Time
火鳳燎原
Ancient China saw the fall of the prosperous Han dynasty nearly 2000 years ago. The collapse brought with it the rise of three distinct nation-kingdoms: Wu, Wei, and Shu, and thus started the historical era referred to as ‘‘The Three Kingdom period’’. Many mangas, manhuas, novels, and movies have taken inspiration from that epoch, some choosing to stick strictly to facts, others adding twists of fate and fantasy. The Ravages of Time is such a work, told from the perspective of the Shima Clan - told to have united the three kingdoms. In it, the author has chosen to stick mostly to history. This is a story of loyalty, betrayal, and heroic deeds drenched in blood where brilliant tacticians, political figures, and warriors meet in intriguing events where the lines of good and evil are forever blurred.
+Chapters: +80
+Published: 2001 to Present
+Genres: Action - Adventure - Historical - Military
+Authors: Chen Mou [Story&Art]
+Serialization/Other work: Media Factory + Tong Li
4.MIA Lost in Operation
M.I.A 작전중실종
This war manhwa blends in military life with eerie horror and mysteries that will gently make your spine shiver in anticipation of what comes next. Not for the faint of heart, expect blood-filled panels with soldiers slowly succumbing to dark forces or their fragile mental resilience. The story follows eleven soldiers sent on a mission to the DMZ (The Korean Demilitarized Zone) and their encounter with a mysterious foe that seems to test the limits of their psychology.
+Chapters: 40
+Published: 2015
+Genres: Action - Horror - Mystery - Psychological - Supernatural - Tragedy - Military
+Authors: KIM Chang Woo [Story] LEE Chang-Jun [Art]
+Serialization/Other work: Daum Webtoon
5.LIMIT BREAKER
黑暗血时代
Fans of monsters and overpowered main characters gather around this apocalyptic war manhwa. As the fabric of reality gets breached, and the sky gets torn apart by the appearance of dungeons and monsters emerging from them, Gibong Kim, a convenience store part-timer, suddenly gets transported to another dimension. There, he trains for 3000 years in hopes of going back to his reality to serve and defend his people. Time runs differently in both worlds, so only ten years have passed on Earth when he finally reaches the max level of his powers. But, the world he once knew has fallen into chaos.
+Chapters: +80
+Published: 2020 to Present
+Genres: Action - Fantasy - Horror - Mystery - Sci-fi
+Authors: Oh + Hongsil [Story] MIN0 [Art]
+Serialization/Other work: Naver Webtoon
6.Peak
피크
As you’re probably familiar with, Korean male citizens must undergo mandatory military service in the ROK Army. The army itself has different units and branches, and Peak follows 21-year-old Ryu Yeon-Seong as he gets assigned to the mountain police rescue unit stationed in Mount Bukhansan. Don’t expect any impending war scenario here. The story delves into the human psyche explored through the eyes of a team of men undergoing intense search and rescue training in an environment where anything that can happen tends to happen.
+Chapters: 45
+Published: 2011 to 2014
+Genres: Action - Drama - Psychological - Military
+Authors: Hong Seong-su [Story] Im Gang-hyeok [Art]
+Serialization/Other works: Daum Webtoon
7.Duty After School
방과 후 전쟁활동
As they were going about the mundanity of daily high school life, a group of students witnessed the end of the world as they know it, brought forth by the invasion of the sky by mysterious purple orbs. First appearing harmless, the orbs soon showcased their tendency for unpredictable violence as they sporadically caused the death of millions. As the South Korean military forces soon diminished, the government imposed martial law and mandatory army enlistment for those 11 and older. The story follows a group of those enlisted students in their new lives. This manhwa is full of emotional repercussions, depth, substance, and eerie accuracy.
+Chapters: 50
+Published: 2012 to 2013
+Genres: Action - Drama - Sci-Fi - Military - Psychological - School
+Authors: Ha Il-Kwon [Story&Art]
+Serialization/Other works: Naver Webtoon
8.hive
하이브
One day, you kiss your child and wife goodbye to go to work, only to end up trapped in your office tower because Seoul, the city you live in, is undergoing the beginning of the apocalypse. Gigantic oxygen-dopped insects swarm into the neighborhood, killing some of your co-workers and laying larvae in others. This interesting bug-take on the apocalypse is full of adrenaline-pumping scenes, flame-throwers, AK-47s, extremely disgusting and blood-thirsty insects, and slimy substances, as well as the good old 'I need to find my family' tale that is sure to leave you both entertained and throwing up in your mouth from sheer disgust.
+Chapters: 99
+Published: 2014 to 2016
+Genres: Action + Horror + Apocalypse + Psychological
+Authors: KIM Kyusam [Art&Story]
+Serialization/Other works: Naver Webtoon
9.Mosquito wars
모기전쟁
While I agree that the title and general plot sound a bit ridiculous, you have to admit that most humans have at least once in their lives thought about exterminating every single mosquito out there -a sort of insect genocide, if you will. Alas, that is not the storyline of this war manhwa. Instead, it explores and expands into a sort of conspiracy theory that has become a reality: for the past millennia, mosquitoes have been gathering DNA information to enable a sudden transformation of their physical bodies. Now humanoid in form and immune to most weapons, mosquitoes have decided to eliminate the Earth’s biggest parasite: the human.
+Chapters: 49
+Published: 2017 to 2018
+Genres: Action - Sci-Fi - Military
+Authors: Jeong Ji-Hoon [Story&Art]
+Serialization/Other works: Lezhin Comics Webtoon
Similar manga:
10.The Art of War - Sun Tzu
孫子攻略
One can't mention war without paying regard to the brilliant ancient Chinese military book of general, strategist, and philosopher Sun Tzu. While this manhwa does not recount the book, it follows the strategies and tactics set forth by its author in the many battles and war scenarios it depicts. The story follows a two-year conflict between the Chu and Wu clans at the end of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty of Ancient China.
+Chapters: 63
+Published: 2004 to 2006
+Genres: Action - Historical - Military
+Authors: Lee Chi Ching [Story&Art]
+Serialization/Other works: Culturecom Limited
Similar manga:
11.THE FIRST HUNTER
최초의 헌터
Out of nowhere, mythical monsters suddenly appeared in South Korea, wrecking everything and everyone they came into contact with. As the world slowly and violently fell into war and chaos, a few human beings became aware of a change in their bodies: they each acquired distinct special abilities that granted them the power to defeat their enemies. Although a very straightforward story, 'The First Hunter' is well executed and full of exceptionally great action scenes. This war manhwa follows Taehun Kim, a vastly overpowered MC who used to work in the secret special forces and awakens to terrific abilities on doomsday.
+Chapters: +50
+Published: 2020 to Present
+Genres: Action - Adventure - Fantasy
+Authors: D-DART &
JEON Chanwook [Story] JEON Chanwook [Art]
+Serialization/Other work: Webtoons
12.Beautiful Soldier
뷰티풀 군바리 - Beautiful Gunbari
Beautiful soldier focuses on military forces rather than conflicts and war. In this manhwa, although the Republic of Korea enjoys safety and prosperity, mandatory military service has been extended to women who must also devote four years of their twenties to training and serving the country. The story follows Su-ah in a sort of slice of life in the army as she struggles through daily tasks and training and the challenges and rewards of military service.
+Chapters: 329
+Published: 2015 to Present
+Genres: Comedy - Drama - Slice of Life - Military
+Authors: Seoli [Story] Yoon Sung-Won [Art]
+Serialization/Other works: Naver Webtoon
13.Bloodless Wars
In this imagined future, technology has offered man endless opportunities for betterment, genetically engineering him and making his life more leisurely and efficient. But one thing remains the same: our species’ tendency to warfare. As ethics evolved, a new common consent was reached in war: conflicts will be resolved bloodlessly through the bias of virtual worlds where entire armies could log in, and combatants could get killed but not lose their lives (Think Sword Art Online but on steroids). In this war manhwa, virtual reality influences the real world, sometimes with consequences not foreseen by its own operators.
+Chapters: +70
+Published: 2019 to Present
+Genres: Action - Drama - Scifi - Military
+Authors: Tovon [Story&Art]
+Serialization/Other works: Webtoon
Similar manga:
14.Nambul: War Stories
남벌 - Conquering the South
Nambul: War Stories is the OG when it comes to war manhwas, as it was published back in 1994 when floppy disks were still a thing. This work focuses on political conflicts and cleverly designs a complex history that triggers impending doom in the present and potential future. As the second Middle Eastern war plunged the world into yet another economic crisis, Japan decided to invade Indonesia in hopes of finding oil. South East Asia became a fertile terrain for man's folly to take root: violence exploded in major capitals, assassinations occurred, and secret alliances got forged. When chaos finally reached its boiling point, Korea declared war against the Japanese government.
+Volumes: 9
+Published: 1994 to 2014
+Genres: Historical - Drama - Military
+Authors: Lee Hyun Se [Story&Art]
+Serialization/Other works: Haksan
15.BABY
December 1, 2043 AD. The mysterious lifeform BABY invades Earth and takes control of a number of human hosts, parasitizing them. The possessed bodies metamorphize into monsters called ‘Organos,’ which slaughter a great mass of humanity in a series of bloody massacres, bringing mankind to the brink of extinction. Thereafter, December 1 came to be known as ‘Extinction Day’. While battling an Organo, Elettra, the protagonist of the story, finds that BABY has infected her left hand. However, aside from a throbbing pain in her hand, nothing about the rest of her body changes. Elettra begins to search for other survivors, hoping to solve the mystery of BABY.
+Chapters: 25
+Published: 2008
+Genres: Action - Drama - Mature -Mystery - Sci-fi - Military
+Authors: Chang Sheng [Story&Art]
+Serialization/Other works: Dragon Youth
16.THE HORIZON
수평선
Dark and gritty art where the lines between the protagonist and his environment blur serve to depict the heavy atmosphere of this manhwa set during a ravaging war. Although war stories are nothing new, the particularity here is that the perspective is given from that of a child, juxtaposing innocence and cruelty in a hauntingly dreadful world. After the death of his mother, a boy is left to fend for himself amidst the chaos and panic of bloodshed. Fleeing, he eventually finds a companion: a girl his age hiding between lifeless bodies. The Horizon is a masterfully told story and does not hold back in addressing and depicting some of the darkest facets of the human experience.
+Chapters: 21
+Published: 2016
+Genres: Drama - Adventure - Psychological
+Authors: Jeong Ji-Hoon [Story&Art]
+Serialization/Other work: Afternoon
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17.Flower War
플라워 워
This military and war manhwa re-imagines the consequences of global warming: here, our end is not brought by the common sheer stupidity of our species but by ancient guardians who awake as the Earth near its biological demise. These flower-shaped entities are tasked with the mission of rebalancing the world and restoring it to its once thriving biodiversity. To achieve this, they must eliminate our planet's main parasites: humanity and civilization.
+Chapters: 76
+Published: 2011 to 2014
+Genres: Action - Drama - Psychological - Military
+Authors: BlessYoon &
Yun Jun [Story] Hong Banjang [Art]
+Serialization/Other works: DCC
18.Teenage Mercenary
입학용병
Ex-warrior teenager gets a chance at a normal life when he is shipped back to his Korean hometown to become an everyday school student. If you’ve read mangas or watched anime in the past, you’re probably already familiar with this very popular plotline, whose popularity reduces its originality. I read a few other titles with similar stories, but this one was my favorite as it brings entertainment and a tiny bit of originality to the genre. Wars are less intense, but if you’re familiar with school bullying (especially in Korea), you know that this doesn’t mean this work is any less bloody, cruel, or violent than the rest of the items on this war manhwa list recommendation.
+Chapters: +90
+Published: 2020 to Present
+Genres: Action - Drama - School Life - Military
+Authors: YC [Story] Rakhyun [Art]
+Serialization/Other works: Naver Webtoon
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19.Vagrant Soldier Ares
떠돌이 용병 아레스
Vagrant Soldier Ares takes place in a fictional world which combines the architecture and customs of Ancient Rome with modern-ish (?) clothing apparel. The story follows Ares, Michael, and Baroona, three young, incredibly skilled soldiers with dark and intricate pasts. As they participate in various missions and battles with the Temple Mercenaries of a country called Chronos, readers get transported into panels filled with epic fighting scenes and storylines that glorify war and brutality. This work is as heartwrenching as it is thrilling and manages to knit a refreshing story of loyalty, friendship, war, and peace.
+Chapters: 207
+Published: 2001 to 2007
+Genres: Action - Adventure - Drama - Military
+Authors: Ryu Geum Chel [Story&Art]
+Serialization/Other works: Daum Webtoon
Similar manga:
20.Success Story Of The Omnipotent Soldier
만능장교 성공기
This manhwa heavily focuses on how the military works in terms of ranking hierarchy, training, and strategic structure. The plot follows Kang Seong-Tae at the early start of his military career, where a series of unfortunate events seem to bring about the end of his profession before it even begins. But a mysterious system comes to his aid in the form of a computer interface which starts providing him with information about his environment...
+Chapters: +80
+Published: 2020 to Present
+Genres: Action - Drama - Fantasy - Shounen - Military
+Authors: JRobin [Story] Havoc [Art]
+Serialization/Other works: JR Webtoon
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