There are many many comics with good art out there but there are some, where you just want to print out every panel and hang it up in your room (or am I the only one?). With this list I want to show you some Romance Manhwa with good art. I think one of the most important things are expressions (so the characters look alive), anatomy and shading. Without good highlights and shading the Webtoon tends to look kind of flat. Here is a short overview of whats to come: They are ranked based on the art, not the story.
Romance Manhwa with good art:
- Unholy Blood
- Who Made Me a Princess
- I’ll Be the Matriarch in This Life
- The Witch and The Bull
- Beware the villainess
- The princess imprints a traitor
- The way to protect the female lead’s older brother
- To love your enemy
- Aideen (or Aidin)
- My Gently Raised Beast
Romance Manhwa with godlike art Unholy Blood (alt. title White Blood)
Official summary on Webtoons: „When vampires destroy her chance to have the normal life she’s always wanted, Hayan is forced to draw on her darkest secret to rid the world of the merciless hunters that took it over 10 years ago. With the support of a rising star in the local police force, Hayan steps up to protect her loved ones, face her past, and get her revenge.“
What makes the art stand out? E.V.E.R.Y god damn brush stroke. Just look at the picture. Or you know what? Don’t look at it. Just one picture can’t do this beautiful creation justice. Go look at the Webtoon and let your eyes be healed. Nothing more to say here.
Review: I sacrificed some sleep to read this comic through in one go and I love it. BUT, there are some unanswered questions that I can’t discuss here because this should be a spoiler-free short „first look“ so to speak. Unholy Blood has a very Shounen-like feel to it. What I mean is: they meet one bad guy, deal with him, and then go on to the next bad guy. But I think that the moment it started getting repetitive, there was a little plot twist.
You should check it out if you:
- don’t mind a very late start for their romance. They have their moments but the romance is still very subtle in Unholy Blood.
- like reading a story with a badass female lead
- love reading a story with angst and drama
Romance Manhwa with godlike art: Who Made Me a Princess
Official summary on tappytoon: „The beautiful Athanasia was killed at the hands of her own biological father, Claude de Alger Obelia, the cold-blooded emperor! It’s just a silly bedtime story… until one woman wakes up to suddenly find she’s become that unfortunate princess! She needs a plan to survive her doomed fate, and time is running out. Will she go with Plan A, live as quietly as possible without being noticed by the infamous emperor? Plan B, collect enough money to escape the palace? Or will she be stuck with plan C, sweet-talking her way into her father’s good graces?!“
What makes the art stand out? First I thought: Wow, I have never seen eyes drawn like that. Then I thought: Wow the attention to detail is insane. Then I thought: what’s up with the beautiful shading and backgrounds? You get the gist. Everything about this comic is beautiful.
Review: Who made me a princess is one of my favorites. The way the dynamic between Athanasia and Claude slowly changes, the complex storytelling with lots of flashbacks and revelations – I love it all. BUT, I wish I wpuld have been patient enough to wait, so I could read this in one go. Tappytoon doesn’t update WMAP weekly and with how the story is going it kind of throws you out of the immersion. So if by any chance you don’t know of this comic yet (which is highly unlikely because it is extremely popular, I know): wait it out. Wait at least till WMAP has about 110 chapters.
You should read if you:
- like father-daughter stories with lots of feels
- don’t mind when the comic has almost zero lovey-dovey scenes and blushing
- like feeling conflicted about characters: should I like her or should I pity her (Jeanette)? Should I be mad at his behavior (Claude)? Should I root for him (Ijekiel)?
Isekai with good art: I’ll Be the Matriarch in This Life (title may change as this isn’t licensed in English yet)
Summary: Florentia lived an unhappy life in Korea, got hit by a car, and reincarnated as the illegitimate child of the Lombardis – the richest and most prestigious family in the empire. But that life didn’t turn out so well either: after her father died, she was abandoned by her relatives and her cousins brought the Lombardi family to ruins. Devasted about that outcome she got drunk and got hit by a carriage – only to find herself going back in time and waking up as her seven-year-old self. After knowing the outcome she tells herself that she will become the new head of the Lombardi family.
What makes the art stand out: I’m beginning to repeat myself but the art is very beautiful. The lineart is clean, the anatomy is on point, the backgrounds are very pretty. What the artists do really well too is the drawing of expressions. There are almost no panels with chibi sequences or where some details are left out.
Review: I almost forgot this is an Isekai because it’s only mentioned in a small text panel, so that is a plot point, that is completely useless. I would treat this one as a time travel Manhwa and it is one of the best ones I got the pleasure of stumbling upon. I love the characters, I love the storytelling and pacing, I love hating the antagonist. If you aren’t interested in the art just go read this Manhwa for the story. It is truly Top-tier (and only number 3 because this list is focused on art).
You should check it out if you:
- like to read about the loveliest Dad in Manhwa-history (talking about you Gallahan – of course)
- love seeing the female lead being competent and wooing everyone around her
- like Manhwas where the children of the family have to compete against each other for succession
Webtoon with godlike art: The Witch and The Bull
Official summary on Webtoons: „Tan’s job as the King’s royal advisor has nothing to do with his hatred for witches, but it does make him a prime target for a curse that turns him into a BULL! The only way to undo this hex is to rely on the beautiful witch, Aro. Can her kindness turn his feelings around, and break this spell?“
What makes the art stand out? Everything in this comic is drawn beautifully, otherwise, it wouldn’t be on the list but what really stands out is the color palette. I can’t really describe it, you have to go look at it yourself. The colors Moonsia chooses are more in the pastel range and that gives the Webtoon a very unique feeling. Other than that the transitions are just stunning and don’t get me started on the constellations…this comic just glows.
Review: The Witch and The Bull is a story about the aftermath of a war between humans and witches. It talks about very serious topics like exclusion, trauma and prejudices but delivers it in a way, so it doesn’t get too heavy – and I love that. First and foremost this is a fantasy story about love and friendship.
You should check it out if you:
- like reading a story with lots of character development
- love it when the main characters hate each other at first
- like seeing love develop from a genuine friendship (although we are not quite there yet)
Romance Manhwa with good art: Beware the villainess
Official summary tapas: „Sit back and take in this romantic tale of an angelic heroine and her devoted suitors as they vie for the depths of her love… or not. This story’s about to go through some edits! After an accident, a modern-day college student awakens as the story’s villainess, Melissa Foddebrat. She’s far from anyone’s favorite, but she IS the daughter of the duke. Determined to live it up, this new Melissa is doing things her way — antiquated society, be damned! All idiots, prepare to step aside or perish!“
What makes the art stand out? Beware the villainess has just really really clean art in general. The lineart is great and the anatomy is on point – even during the fighting scenes. But what makes the art stand out are the expressions. The faces Melissa makes are hilarious and drawn really well.
Review: This Manhwa is mainly a comedy. Sometimes using too many Memes in a comic can hinder the immersion into the story but I think with Beware the villainess it’s still not too much (maybe sometimes). There are many serious moments and it is an entertaining read. The way Melissa disposes of every male lead in her own way is hilarious.
Check it out if you:
- don’t mind a very late start for the Romance (Melissa is pretty dense on that topic)
- like it when a story implements various Memes
- love seeing the female lead torturing the male protagonists of the original novel
Romance Manhwa with good art: The princess imprints a traitor
Summary: Evenrose ist the main protagonist of this story and the seventh princess of the imperial family. She lives in a world where Homonculus are treated as slaves and Michael, the male lead, is one of them. In order to change the system Michael rebelled and killed half of the imperial family – except for Rosenite and Evenrose. At the beginning of the story Rosenite gets jealous and wants to keep Michael to herself, so she poisons Evenrose. After finding out that Evenrose got killed Michael falls into despair and reverses time. Evenrose being the only one who remembers the first timeline now tries to change their fate.
What makes the art stand out? Actually, there is nothing that really stands out it is just overall beautiful and executed really really well. So why is this on the godlike art list? Definitely NOT because this is one of the best time-reversal Manhwa I have read…definitely not.
Romance Manhwa with good art – Review: In the first few panels you already know that this is gonna be a great ride. It is probably the first Romance Manhwa that dedicates the first chapters to the first timeline and explains in detail how and why the time is reversed. I freaking LOVE that. Aside from that the pacing is great, the dynamic between the main characters is great and the story is refreshing and interesting.
You should read even if nothing on this list appeals to you. Nevertheless, check it out if you:
- like it when the main couple has a servant and master relationship (although Evenrose doesn’t really want that)
- love reading about a female lead that is really kind and has a huge goal: abandoning slavery
- like it when there is a competition for the throne and the female lead has to prove herself
Unique eyes and nice transitions: The way to protect the female lead’s older brother
Summary: Our protagonist reincarnated as Roxana, a side character in a 19+ reverse harem novel. She isn’t the main villainess of the story, but rather part of a psychotic family of assassins: the Agriches. Roxana tries to prevent the death of Cassis Pedelian, who is the brother of the heroin Sylvia. Because in the original novel after learning about the death of her brother, Sylvia goes on a rampage and Roxana will end up getting killed. When her family kidnaps Cassis she tries to keep up the act of torturing him so her father doesn’t get suspicious, while also trying to free him.
What makes the art stand out? First of all the eyes and the lips are drawn very uniquely. The highlights in this Manhwa are great as well but what really stands out are the transitions.
Review: In the beginning, it is quite hard to follow the plot because there are many jumps. It gets better though. I find this Manhwa very interesting because it is a Villainess Manhwa that finally deserves its name. The feelings are portrayed very nicely and I just like the premise. It is quite refreshing.
- like reading a villainess Manhwa with an actual villainess. More recommendations here: Villainess Manhwa recommendations where the “villainess” is actually a villainess
- don’t mind comics with moderate gore (it’s not too heavy for my taste)
- like to read about Romance in horrible circumstances
Webtoon with good art: To love your enemy
Official summary on Webtoons: „Having mastered the art of lying her way through life, Yeonhee Bae has vowed to leave her past behind and make a fresh start for herself by going to college at 24. But when she runs into someone who knows a secret from her past that could completely ruin her reputation, her hopes for a perfect life suddenly start to crumble. Amidst college gossip, crushes, and jealousy, can the two set aside their differences and embrace each other for who they really are?“
What makes the art stand out? I really love the perspectives of this comic. The expressions and especially the hands are drawn nicely, the anatomy is on point and even panels with lot’s of people in them show a lot of dynamic. It’s just very clean and pretty art.
Review: The dynamic between Yikyung and Yeonhee is pretty funny because they bicker a lot. I really love that the male lead is the bashful one in this relationship and the female lead is way more straightforward – although she can be shy too. In the recent chapters, there are some issues with miscommunication but it gets resolved rather quickly – thankfully.
You should read if you:
- like to see love develop from a very rough start
- love it when the male lead is the shy one
- like reading Manhwa about college life
Aideen (or Aidin) – Romance Manhwa with good art
Summary: Aideen was basically a puppet for the Emperor. She is the leader of a group of assassins – the „Owls“. After even killing for the Emperor once more he betrays her, blames all the committed crimes on her, and orders a public execution. But Aideen doesn’t die: she wakes up as her 17-year-old self again. With all her memories intact she swears to take revenge. Her first ally is Diceon, the Prince from the enemy country.
What makes the art stand out: I love how the expressions are drawn in this one. They are not exaggerated to still keep the historical/nobility Manhwa-vibe going but still deliver the feelings to the reader. Also, the shading and highlights are gorgeous. Sometimes the anatomy is a bit off and the character’s face structure is kind of the same, but that’s nagging on a high level.
Review: I liked how the story was introduced: You see how every one of her teammates dies, so you can really understand her need for revenge. The thing that I would wish to see more is how she can be the leader of a skilled group of assassins. At this point in the story her being an assassin feels more like a gimmick than anything else.
Check it out if you:
- like reading about a female lead who appears fragile but is a secret assassin (but don’t expect her to be OP)
- love it when the main characters are calm and pragmatic
- like it when the male lead falls in love first
My Gently Raised Beast ist another Romance Manhwa with good art
Official summary on Webtoons: „Blondina is living a real-life Cinderella story. After growing up poor and enduring a difficult childhood, she discovers that she is a princess of the Ates empire. However, her estranged father and half-siblings give her the cold shoulder when she moves into the palace, and Blondina must keep a low profile. That all changes when she befriends Amon, a cat-like creature with mysterious intentions. For years, creatures like Amon and humans have struggled to live in harmony. Can Blondina and Amon’s friendship bring peace, or will it deepen the rift between their people?“
What makes the art stand out? Although the lineart in this Webtoon is not as detailed, the art is still incredibly beautiful. What stands out the most is the way the cats – I’m sorry mighty leopard clan – are drawn. Especially Amon. In many Webtoons the animals turn out unintentionally lucking pretty funny, but in My gently raised beast (or I raised the beast well if you want to search on Reddit) the movements and the behavior of a cat are captured beautifully.
Review: The dynamic between Amon and Blondina is great. At first, Amon is pretty cold and hesitant but he warms up to her very quickly and they become friends. I like how protective he is of Blondina but at the same time, Blondina isn’t dependent on him. She is a really strong character and stands her ground.
You should check it out if you:
- like reading about a very confident and demanding but really caring male lead
- love seeing the female lead dealing with annoying relatives and standing up for herself
- just like seeing beautifully drawn cats getting pet and cuddled
One Response
Into the Light Once Again, is one of them ^^