5 Cozy Manga and Manhwa for Beginners
I’ll admit it – I’m newer to manga and manhwa. The first graphic novel I read was Heartstopper (love), and that completely opened my world to a new type of entertainment. Soon after, I started reading HYBE’s manhwa for BTS, TXT, and ENHYPEN. Slowly, but surely, my taste evolved, and I started reading manhwa that inspired K-dramas and eventually manga as well. It was even only this year when I found out what shonen and shojo are and the difference between them. (Shonen is more action-based and originally aimed at male teens, while shojo is more romance and slice of life-based and originally aimed at female teens – for those like me who didn’t know.)
While I am still growing my taste and finding new titles to start, I wanted to write the introduction that I wish I had, with different options for beginner manhwa and manga. The fun thing about this genre, as well, is, if you don’t like the first volume, it isn’t that big of a commitment! You can put down the book and try another title, but with these five, I hope you love all of them as much as I do.
Dark Moon: The Blood Altar
HYBE released a physical manhwa for BTS, TXT, and ENHYPEN in 2023, and I’ve been reading all of them since. Out of all three, ENHYPEN’s Dark Moon: The Blood Altar most definitely has the strongest plot and can stand on its own without the group’s promotion. Though, since the plot of this manhwa is so intricately woven into the group’s lore as well, it makes it feel more supported and a lot more interesting.
Dark Moon: The Blood Altar begins with a girl named Sooha. After being turned away from her community after accusations of being a vampire, she loathes vampires with everything in her. So, when she transfers to Decelis Academy, the one thing she plans on avoiding at all costs is vampires. That is, unbeknownst to her, all seven of her new friends just so happen to be those creatures themselves. Their desire to protect her grows, yet they don’t understand why. As they become closer, more drama unravels, and as they uncover more about each other, they realize they may be closer than they initially thought. If you are looking for a manhwa that has equal parts action to emotional relationships, Dark Moon: The Blood Altar is a great series to start with. With vampires versus werewolves and good versus bad, there is enough conflict and heartache to keep everyone happy.
Where to read: Webtoon
2. See You in My 19th Life
When I heard the K-drama See You in My 19th Life was based on a Webtoon, I quickly looked up how I could read it. When realizing that Webtoon was a literal app, I immediately downloaded it. The entirety of See You in My 19th Life is free, so I started reading and was hooked. The series is focused on Ban Ji-eum, a woman who can remember all 18 of her past lives. In her 18th life, she met her best friend Moon Seo-ha, and they hung out nonstop until one day, when they were in a tragic car accident and she died. After reincarnating almost immediately and receiving the memories of her past lives at a young age, she devotes her life to finding Seo-ha and protecting him – because she thinks the fatal car accident wasn’t much of an accident after all.
See You in My 19th Life is a finished series spanning 12 volumes, so while there is plenty to read, it won’t take up too much of your time, and if you decide to read it on Webtoon, it won’t cost you anything either. I’m not much of a fantasy person, but the fantasy aspect of this story doesn’t overpower the romance or drama genre, so it was very digestible and a wonderful addition to the story. See You in My 19th Life is sweet, heartwarming, and a story about the world of soulmates – and my mom liked it, so that proves everyone will.
Where to read: Webtoon or physical copies available to purchase on ThriftBooks
3. Kimi ni Todoke
The English title of this series is From Me to You, which may sound a little more familiar to you. Written by Karuho Shiina, Kimi ni Todoke has taken on a bit of a cult following and is the ultimate beginner shojo manga. This series focuses on Sawako Kuronuma, a shy girl who has never had any close friends due to her dreary exterior. A rumor that she can see and talk to ghosts has spread to the whole school, and though she knows this, she doesn’t want to change who she is. When the cool and refreshing Shota Kazehaya starts talking to her, so do others, allowing her to make her first friends and even evolve into having her first crush.
The plot of this series is very slow and requires a calm and patient reader. If you don’t enjoy slice of life or slow-paced dramas where it feels like you are living with the character, then this series is not for you. If you enjoy feeling like you fully know a character and are experiencing everything with them, then I can’t recommend this more! Having also turned into an anime and a live-action drama, there are so many ways to enjoy Kimi ni Todoke that will support the obsession you’re sure to have.
Where to read: Online with free copies or physical versions available to purchase on ThriftBooks
4. A Sign of Affection
This manga was recommended to me, and it is my all-time favorite manga to this day. I love every page and second of it. The story is focused on Yuki Itose, a deaf college student who is navigating her first school experience with hearing people. On the train to school, she meets Itsuomi Nagi, a student a couple of years older than her with a passion for travel and language learning. With help from her best friend Rin Fujishiro, she begins to build a relationship with Itsuomi, as he is as interested in her as she is in him.
This story is so beautiful and comforting, and watching both Yuki and Itsuomi grow and bloom into their personalities keeps the reader truly engaged. There is no miscommunication trope in this series, which I really appreciate, and Yuki, Itsuomi, and their friends all approach situations naturally. This is a story with enough uncertainty that the reader feels engaged and enough resolution in each volume that the reader feels satisfied.
Where to read: Physical versions available to purchase on ThriftBooks
5. Operation: True Love
This was the first manhwa I read independently away from outside influence, and it was somehow the perfect pick for me. Much like A Sign of Affection, this is my favorite manhwa of all time, and I recommend it to everyone. The main character, Su-ae, is absolutely hilarious and relatable, and feels like your best friend when reading.
One day, when Su-ae goes to school, she finds an old Jelly Pop flip phone in her locker. Upon opening it, she finds out it’s not any ordinary vintage Jelly Pop phone, but a magically possessed one that texts her and tells her everyone’s love points. Love points are accumulated when someone falls for you, but everyone has a predetermined number that they will receive. Some people have millions while some have a tragically lower number, but everyone has at least one – except for Su-ae. No one in the history of love points has ever had zero, and the mystical Jelly Pop gives Su-ae a mission: receive one love point, or she will die. The unfortunate part is, Su-ae has a boyfriend, who obviously does not love her. Now, she must make someone fall for her, whether that’s her boyfriend or someone else.
Where to read: Webtoon
The important thing to note is that there is a manga and manhwa for everyone! Did none of these strike your fancy? Let me know! I’d love to make a recommendation based on the type of book you typically enjoy.
Looking for more entertainment recommendations? Check out “5 K-dramas to Warm Up With This Winter” here!
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