The Murim Manhwa genre has become one of the more beloved genres to read. This is because it combines themes of martial arts storytelling, revenge, legacy, redemption, and more. What is Murim? In manhwa, the term murim typically refers to a hidden world or society centered around martial arts, with the genre drawing heavily from East Asian martial traditions and philosophies.
Below are 22 Manhwa masterpieces that highlight these themes in a unique way with depth and versatility. Curious? Well, then this is your perfect place to look at and choose from the greatest murim manhwas of all time.
Note: This is not a ranking list, the 22 titles her are alphabetically ordered to improve the reader’s experience.
Are you more of a fan of manhwas about swordsmen, overpowered MCS, or mages? Then check out the linked posts.
- From Underdogs to Legends – Many protagonists start weak but become stronger as the story progresses.
- Different Genres – Anticipate a combination of martial arts with isekai, sci-fi, school life, slice of life, and even comedy, so there’s something for every reader.
- Deep Worldbuilding – Clans, cults, sects, and ancient rivalries form the backbone of stories that involve strategy, and politics.
- Must-Reads – The Sword of the God of War, The Sword Demon’s Way, and The Scholar’s Reincarnation are the ultimate stories of the murim genre.
22. A Modern Man Who Transmigrated to the Murim
In A Modern Man Who Transmigrated to the Murim, office worker Lee Jinsung wakes up in an ancient martial world full of clans, warriors, and bloodlines. With no martial talent, Jinsung must rely on modern knowledge to survive Murim’s harsh realities.
He turns the tide using logic, chemistry, and strategy rather than fists or swords.
As the story unfolds, Jinsung gains influence in a world defined by strength, forming uneasy alliances while navigating complex clan politics.
He reshapes outdated systems, shocking traditional martial families with his futuristic logic and unconventional tactics.
This murim manhwa reinvents how power can be redefined.
Genres: Isekai, Strategy, Martial Arts, Drama
Volumes: 7+
21. Chronicles of the Demon Faction
Chronicles of the Demon Faction follows Cheon Yeo-Woon, a candidate heir in the infamous Demon Faction.
Growing up amidst betrayal and constant assassination attempts, Cheon must survive brutal trials against other successors to secure his place.
As this murim manhwa dives deep into forbidden techniques and power struggles, Cheon’s path reveals hidden truths about the faction’s past and his own heritage.
Slowly, he becomes a dark reformer, challenging even the cult’s elders while preparing for future war beyond the faction’s gates.
Genres: Martial Arts, Power Struggle, Cult Politics, Action
Volumes: 6+
20. Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon
Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon begins with the execution of Hyuk Woon Seong, an innocent martial student framed by the Orthodox Sect. Reborn in the Demonic Cult, Hyuk vows revenge, rising through its deadly hierarchy while perfecting forbidden arts.
This murim manhwa chronicles Hyuk’s internal conflict as he balances vengeance with growth, manipulating both orthodox and unorthodox factions from the shadows.
His dual identities as a scholar and warrior create a layered journey full of deception, righteousness, and personal redemption.
Genres: Reincarnation, Revenge, Martial Arts, Cultivation
Volumes: 10+
19. Gosu
Gosu introduces us to Gang Yong, a trainee to a legendary assassin who trained for revenge. Only to find his enemies already dead. Trying to live peacefully, Gang hides his strength under a goofy persona while his name spreads unknowingly across murim.
With unexpected threats resurfacing, Gosu becomes a tale of incredible power, hidden identity, and the burdens of legacy within a turbulent murim world. Gang’s lighthearted façade gives way to high-stakes battles that rock the martial underworld to its core.
Genres: Martial Arts, Action, Comedy, Revenge
Volumes: 15+
18. Heavenly Grand Archive’s Young Master
In Heavenly Grand Archive’s Young Master, Jin Ryu, the “wasted heir” of a prestigious clan, secretly trains in forbidden martial arts.
When an attack threatens the clan’s existence, Jin reveals his hidden strength, shocking enemies and allies alike.
This murim manhwa explores hidden potential, internal family conflict, and the struggle to lead when no one believes in you, until you leave them no choice.
Jin’s journey from slacker to savior evolves alongside growing threats from rival factions, making every chapter a strategic power shift.
Genres: Cultivation, Clan Politics, Martial Arts, Drama
Volumes: 8+
17. Infinite Level Up in Murim
In Infinite Level Up in Murim, martial artist Yuseong Dan dies during a mission and awakens in the past with a mysterious level-up system embedded in his body. As he trains and grows stronger, he realizes this second chance may allow him to prevent past tragedies.
This murim manhwa combines RPG elements with martial storytelling, creating a compelling mix of action, strategy, and character growth.
Yuseong must navigate past alliances, alter fate, and face familiar enemies with new strength and sharper resolve.
Genres: Regression, System, Martial Arts, Adventure
Volumes: 7+
16. Legend of Asura: The Venom Dragon
Legend of Asura: The Venom Dragon centers on Lee Seryeong, orphaned and raised by a poison cult to become a lethal assassin. Known as the Venom Dragon, he sets out across murim to discover his identity and escape the darkness that shaped him.
Throughout his journey, Seryeong confronts moral dilemmas, inner demons, and deadly martial sects in a journey that’s both bloody and redemptive.
Along the way, he forms hesitant bonds that challenge everything he was raised to believe.
Genres: Dark Fantasy, Assassin, Martial Arts, Drama
Volumes: 6+
15. Legend of the Northern Blade
Legend of the Northern Blade tells the tragic tale of Jin Mu-Won, the last heir to a destroyed sect. While the martial world forgets his name, he trains in solitude, waiting for the day he can avenge his father and revive the Northern Heavenly Sect.
A staple murim manhwa, it slowly unfolds a beautifully written revenge tale full of secrets, political corruption, and masterful swordplay.
His return to the stage sparks waves that shift the entire balance of martial alliances and ancient rivalries.
Genres: Martial Arts, Revenge, Historical, Action
Volumes: 10+
14. Lightning Degree
Lightning Degree stars Ryuyeon, a mysterious genius who joins a martial academy to investigate his master’s death. Behind his aloof demeanor hides deadly skill and deep purpose.
This murim manhwa is a brilliant fusion of school life and martial politics, following Ryuyeon’s rise from an outsider to a central figure who shapes the future of murim.
His interactions often mask deeper strategy, revealing long-term plans to shake up the sect system.
Genres: Martial Arts, School, Mystery, Comedy
Volumes: 8+
13. Memoir of the God of War
Memoir of the God of War traces the life of Jang Young, a slave turned martial hero. From battlefields to royal courts, he transforms into one of Murim’s most powerful figures while haunted by the chains of his past.
This manhwa paints an expansive picture of warfare, loyalty, and ambition, wrapped in intense martial duels and large-scale wars.
It captures the rise of a commoner whose fists reshape empires and rewrites history books across murim.
Genres: Military, Martial Arts, Historical, Heroic Rise
Volumes: 9+
12. Mookhyang: The Origin
Mookhyang: The Origin follows a young boy raised by the Shadow Sect into a life of assassination and control. As Mookhyang rises in rank, a forbidden emotion awakens in him, altering his path.
This murim manhwa explores identity, indoctrination, and rebellion against fate in a cold and calculated martial underworld.
The deeper Mookhyang climbs, the more he questions whether he’s the blade, or the hand holding it.
Genres: Martial Arts, Cult, Tragedy, Action
Volumes: 6+
11. Murim Login
In Murim Login, Jin Tae-Kyung is a weak hunter who enters a full-dive VR murim game and becomes an unstoppable warrior. As he conquers dungeons and gains real-life strength, Jin uncovers that the game is more real than anyone thought.
Incorporating martial training and virtual worlds, this murim manhwa adds a modern twist to the genre.
This is perfect for fans of gaming stories. Secrets of the game and murim history intertwine in startling ways.
Genres: VR, Action, Martial Arts, Fantasy
Volumes: 9+
10. Nano Machine
Nano Machine follows Cheon Yeo-Woon, an outcast prince implanted with futuristic nanotech in a brutal martial society. Guided by an AI from the future, he dominates assassins, cultivators, and elders in a quest to reshape Murim’s power structure.
This murim manhwa bridges science fiction and traditional martial storytelling epically. Yeo-Woon’s rise is as political as it is physical, making him both feared and respected.
Genres: Sci-fi, Martial Arts, Cultivation, Action
Volumes: 12+
9. Peerless Dad
Peerless Dad is about Noh Gajang, a father of three who reenters the world of martial arts to provide for his children. Unknown to most, he’s a retired warrior with overwhelming strength.
As he balances parenting and clan conflicts, Peerless Dad paints an emotional yet powerful picture of life in murim through a deeply personal lens.
He remains unaware that his quiet actions influence powerful sects across the realm.
Genres: Martial Arts, Slice of Life, Family, Action
Volumes: 10+
8. Reaper of the Drifting Moon
In Reaper of the Drifting Moon, Pyo Wol escapes an underground assassin cult after years of torment. Reemerging into murim as a lone killer, he sets out to destroy those who turned him into a monster.
Dark, atmospheric, and relentless, this murim manhwa captures the eerie beauty of vengeance and loneliness.
With every kill, Pyo Wol becomes a legend, feared even by kings.
Genres: Assassin, Martial Arts, Psychological, Revenge
Volumes: 9+
7. Return of the Mount Hua Sect
Return of the Mount Hua Sect begins with Chung Myung, a martial legend, reincarnated into a declining sect. With the knowledge of past techniques and future threats, he trains a new generation and restores Mount Hua’s dignity.
This murim manhwa is a brilliant mix of sharp humor, heartfelt moments, and insane martial arts sequences.
Chung Myung’s energy reignites ancient power and reshapes an entire generation of warriors.
Genres: Martial Arts, Reincarnation, Sect Revival, Comedy
Volumes: 10+
6. Storm Inn
In Storm Inn, retired warrior Soho opens a peaceful inn in a quiet village. Unfortunately, his reputation attracts fighters, fugitives, and rivals from all across murim.
What starts as a hospitality venture becomes a battleground for secrets, grudges, and long-forgotten debts.
Each guest adds another layer to the forgotten legend hiding behind the smile of an innkeeper.
Genres: Martial Arts, Slice of Life, Action, Adventure
Volumes: 5+
5. Sword Fanatic Wanders Through the Night
Sword Fanatic Wanders Through the Night follows Jin Sohan, a cult escapee who obsesses over the sword. Emotionless and precise, he walks a lonely path through Murim’s darkest corners.
Each duel brings him closer to mastery—and further from humanity.
Sohan’s existence becomes a whispered myth among those who value technique over talk.
Genres: Martial Arts, Dark Fantasy, Wandering Warrior
Volumes: 6+
4. The God of War
In The God of War, Gwan Jang becomes a symbol of strength, fear, and respect throughout murim. When war and politics reach a boiling point, Gwan must either become a tyrant or prevent civil collapse.
His legacy is written in both blood and honor, shaping the fate of generations.
With alliances constantly shifting, Gwan’s every step sends ripples through an unstable martial world.
Genres: Martial Arts, Epic, Historical, Political Drama
Volumes: 10+
3. Reborn as a Scholar
Reborn as a Scholar introduces Shin-Ryun, a former warlord reborn into a peaceful family. Determined to protect his loved ones, he uses old martial knowledge to guard his new life.
This murim manhwa offers a heartfelt perspective on change, balance, and legacy.
As new enemies rise, Shin-Ryun is forced to choose between peace and preemptive justice.
Genres: Reincarnation, Martial Arts, Family, Fantasy
Volumes: 8+
2. The Sword Demon’s Way
In The Sword Demon’s Way, Jin Tae-Kyung is betrayed by his sect and forced to embrace a forbidden martial path. Shunned by all, he becomes a grim antihero who walks the edge between savior and slayer.
It’s a haunting murim manhwa of sacrifice, identity, and strength born through suffering.
Tae-Kyung’s journey explores the price of power and the isolation of being feared.
Genres: Martial Arts, Antihero, Tragedy, Dark
Volumes: 7+
1. Volcanic Age
Volcanic Age follows Joo Seo-Cheon, a once-weak martial artist who lived through the bloody turmoil of murim’s darkest era. After dying of old age, he is regretful of the decisions he didn’t make. So now Seo-Cheon is reborn as his younger self, retaining all the knowledge and experience from his previous life.
With a second chance at life, he vows not to be a bystander this time, but a true leader who changes the fate of murim.
In this murim manhwa, Seo-Cheon uses his future knowledge to maneuver through sect politics, train in powerful techniques, and make new allies and enemies across the martial world. Determined to prevent war and death, he carefully chooses which factions to support, all while hiding the source of his wisdom.
His rise through the prestigious Mount Hua Sect earns him recognition, suspicion, and eventually, fear from those who see his rapid ascent as unnatural.
Genres: Reincarnation, Martial Arts, Historical, Sect Politics
Volumes: 10+
