Manhwahas grown incredibly popular over the last decade, and certain genres are heavily associated with the industry. Even more so than their equivalent in anime or manga,reincarnation manhwaare almost inescapable, with many of the biggestSouth Korean comicsfeaturing the concept in some form or another. Many of them do not even involve an isekai element, as reincarnation is more than enough as a selling point.
When trying to get into any medium, I know it can be overwhelming to get started, especially when there are so many options out there. Although not every release is readily available on a legal platform, manhwa are relatively easy to come by, so some guidance might be needed to get going. So, here are some of thebest reincarnation manhwa, just to get you started.
Updated on May 18, 2025 by Mark Sammut:With so many fantastic reincarnation manhwa out there, we need to streamline the selection a bit. Consequently, two popular names have been added: Villains Are Destined to Die and Return of the Mad Demon. Both of these are unique within their genres, and they are highly entertaining.
10Trash of The Count’s Family
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.3 / 5
Trash of the Count’s Familyexplores a story within a story in a somewhat comedic manner. The series revolves around the events in the novel The Birth Of A Hero, read by the central character, Kim Roksu, a relatively average human. Kim Roksu’s life drastically shifts from ordinary when he suddenly awakens as the would-be villain of the book he was just reading, Cale Henituse.
Now Cale Henituse, born of a noble family and the drunkard noble destined to be beaten up by the story’s would-be hero, Choi Han, Cale has no intention of allowing the story to proceed as originally intended. However, changing the story’s course by wanting to live peacefully will prove harder than Cale could imagine.
9Villains Are Destined to Die
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.44 / 5
Arguably the most famousotome game manhwa,Villains Are Destined to Diealmost threatens to be overhyped by this point, but it is generally fantastic and well worth a read for anyone craving a video game twist on the reincarnation formula. Siyeon has become obsessed with “Daughter of the Duke’s Super Love Project,” an otome game that has a secret ending that requires winning hard mode. The latter involves completing the villainess route, but so many of Penelope’s decisions result in death. After an all-nighter, Siyeon wakes up in Penelope’s body, and she must then use her gaming experience to avoid a grim demise and also try to succeed at love.
The reincarnation aspect comes from the many, many times Siyeon died while playing as Penelope, and she must use these failures to avoid catastrophe in her isekai timeline.Villains Are Destined to Dieblends drama and romance incredibly well, all the while featuring an MC who goes through quite a bit of development throughout the rather long story.
Villains Are Destined to Dieis not a traditional reincarnation anime, as Siyeon does not die herself; however, before becoming the gaming character, she plays through Penelope’s route multiple times, all of which end in her demise. Therefore, she is using knowledge of (fictional) past lives to try and survive her isekai journey.
8Existence
Anime-Planet Rating: 3.94 / 5
TheExistenceembodies and typifies reincarnation, making it a vital and focal accessory to its plotline. The series revolves around the central character, Ja-In Lee, an entity that has lived countless lives as different organisms of different species. Endlessly reincarnating, each life is different from the last. However, one thing remains a constant element: man’s cruelty.
After dying at the hands of a human, Ja-In reincarnates one last time; this time, he is a human. Born with every ability of every organism he once lived, Ja-In questions the essence of his final life. After experiencing emotions and the love of his mother, who gave up her life to protect him, Ja-In finally concludes the reason for his being: the elimination of humanity. However, whether Ja-In will follow through on his purpose remains a mystery.
7Reincarnation of the Suicidal Battle God
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.26 / 5
Fighting against fate and asthe last surviving humanof a world long abandoned by the gods, Zephyr, the protagonist, finally succumbs to death in battle against the God of Destruction, Tartarus. Fate, however, has one more twist in store for Zephyr, as all hope is not lost.
Granted another opportunity at life by the gods, who found his life and battles amusing, Zephyr is sent back ten years into the past. Now armed with the knowledge of the future, Zephyr sets out on a journey of revenge and love, which will decide humanity’s fate.
6Doctor’s Rebirth
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.12 / 5
Doctor’s Rebirthfocuses on the protagonist, Jin Cheonhee,a regular doctorwho had volunteered overseas to help in a civil war. During his voluntary work, Cheonhee is killed while trying to save a patient. Suddenly, he awakens as a child in an unfamiliar world; Cheonhee soon realizes he has been reincarnated into the world of his favorite Murim novel.
After awakening, Cheonhee finds himself across a destroyed carriage and several oddly dressed injured people. After deciding to apply first aid to the wounded, Cheonhee saves the life of the story’s protagonist, the future Demon King, Yeoharyun. What follows is the tale of how Cheonhee becomes Murim’s greatest physician following a singular act.
5The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.09 / 5
The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Yearspresents a tale of a ceaseless struggle between demigods, demons, and humans, with one man at the center of it all. The series revolves around the protagonist, Lucas Traumen, humanity’s greatest archmage, until he is condemned to spend eternity with insanity.
After four millennia, Lucas awakens in the body of Frey Blake, the shame of the Blake House, and the weakest mage student at the prestigious Westroad Academy for Mages. With only the goal of destroying the Demigods, Frey sets out on a quest to regain the height of his powers and exert his revenge.
4The Swordmaster’s Youngest Son
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.23 / 5
Born as the last of the twelve children of the Runcandel Household, Jin Runcandel was destined to become the head of the swordmaster clan. His destiny, however, never comes close to being fulfilled as Jin is eventually banished for not having below-average swordsmanship skills.
Eventually forging a contract with his household’s contract god, Solderet, and freed from the curse placed upon him at birth, Jin ultimately meets a cruel end. Fate, however, has one more chance in store for Jin. Reborn to the past as a baby, Jin retains his memories of his previous life, and with that, he is determined to find the one responsible for the curse placed on him at birth and for his death. No longer handicapped, Jin is on a quest to become the Runcandel Household’s greatest swordmaster.
3Revenge of the Iron-Blooded Sword Hound
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.28 / 5
Revenge of the Iron-Blooded Sword Houndpresents a tale of revenge, blood, and betrayal. All of which culminate in a second chance. The series follows the central character, Vikir Von Baskerville, an illegitimate child of the Baskerville clan, a household that prides itself on unrivaled strength and power.
Born and raised as an assassin, Vikir lived his life in loyal dedication to the family, only to be met with an untimely death at the hands of his father and the clan head, Hugo Baskerville, being branded a traitor. The end seems to have come for Vikir until he is inexplicably reborn into the past. Retaining the memories and experiences of his past life, Vikir swears revenge on his father and vows to rise above his clan.
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.29 / 5
Now, here is agreat reincarnation manhwathat lives up to its title.Return of the Mad Demonfollows Jaha Lee, a martial artist known as the Mad Demon. Before jumping off a cliff to his death, he swallows the Jade of Heaven, which not only causes him to time travel and reincarnate as his younger self, but also gives him the power to absorb other people’s QI. Also, the “mad” part is not for show; Jaha is unpredictable, uncontrollable, prone to bursts of violence, wicked, and also hilarious. He sets out to create the ultimate sect called the Low Down, absorbing other factions along the way.
Now, I know time travel and reincarnation are different things, but there is more than enough overlap forReturn of the Mad Demonto qualify. Jaha’s journey is triggered by his death, and he uses his past life’s knowledge to further his growth. At the same time, he is walking a different road than before, so he still faces plenty of surprises. If you are craving anOP MC manhwawith a protagonist who is, let’s say, unusual, give this story a try.
1Return of the Blossoming Blade
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.46 / 5
Return of the Blossoming Blade’s protagonist, Cheongmyeong, also known as the Mount Hua Sect’s Plum Blossom in his previous life, awakens into the body of an orphan boy a century in the future. His only lingering memory is of the bloody battle betweenthe Ten Great Sectsand the leader of the Demonic Cult, Cheonma.
A battle that almost brought the Murim to its knees and very nearly saw the end of the Ten Great Sects, with the sects earning a loss-filled victory as Cheongmyeong delivered the final blow to the evil Cheonma, and soon after succumbed to his wounds in death. Now a street orphan, a hundred years into the future, Cheongmyeong soon discovers his beloved sect is no longer what it once was. Filled with determination and guilt, he swears to make the Mount Hua Sect great again.
