Key Takeaways
- Reverse harems in manhwas explore themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and emotional growth with captivating characters and intricate plotlines.
- Top manhwas, like Villains are Destined to Die, exhibit well-developed characters, beautiful romance, and engaging storylines.
- Manhwas such as The World’s Strongest Are Obsessed With Me showcases notable character growth and charming protagonists admired by readers.
Mangas and manhwas are captivating stories that take readers into intricately crafted worlds with vibrant characters and stories. Mangas originate from Japan and feature-rich storytelling and detailed artwork. On the other hand, manhwas originate from South Korea, which provides a unique blend of visual storytelling and dynamic plotlines.
Accordingly, harems and reverse harems are popular tropes in mangas and manhwas. In particular, reverse harems feature female protagonists surrounded by multiple male characters as love interests. Hence, these tropes explore individual characters and the themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and emotional growth. Some of these manhwas examine the complexities of love and relationships that can be heartwarming or exhilarating.
Updated on September 26, 2024, by Sumit Agarwal: In the ever-evolving world of manhwa, the reverse harem trope is quickly becoming popular by offering a female protagonist’s perspective of being pursued by multiple male suitors. Like regular harems, there is a level of character depth and dynamic storylines with beautiful visual art. However, many harem tropes focus on the harem as a secondary factor, while the original plot revolves around something else. In that sense, reverse harem manhwa focuses heavily on captivating characters and their growth and themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and emotional development. They also explore the intricacies of polygamy and polyamory, which goes on to discover the complexities of love and relationships in general. As a result, these reverse harem manhwa can offer a heartwarming or exhilarating experience.
Villains are Destined to Die
Well-Fleshed-Out Characters With Great Romance
- MyAnimeList Score: 8.37
- Published: May 1, 2020
- Authors: Gwon, Gyeoeul (Story), SUOL (Art)
A regular university student had lived a fateful childhood life before finally gaining her freedom in adulthood. She learns about a new otome game from her friends, who tell her to try it out. The game had only two modes – normal and hard. She completed the normal mode in an instant and tried it again in hard mode. Suddenly, she is whisked away into the otome game world, where she plays the villainess Penelope Eckhart. She finds out that everything she had done in normal mode has increased in difficulty by several bounds, and she is fated to die.
Villains are Destined to Die is a fun read with a well-thought-out story and characters. Given the otome genre, the clichés are there, but the protagonist doesn’t fail to address it funnily. Still, all the characters are well-grounded in reality, giving them a depth that will make readers relate to them at times. Plus, the romance is overall wonderful, and relationships build naturally without relying on the plot to drive them. The readers will also love the nature of the protagonist, who manipulates her way to ensure her survival at any cost.
My Life as an Internet Novel
Emotional Rollercoaster With Good Comedy
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.82
- Published: Apr 1, 2019
- Authors: Yu, Han-ryeo (Story), Ah Hyun (Art)
Dani is an ordinary student who loves reading internet novels, especially those including a beautiful heroine surrounded by handsome boys. One day, she wakes up to discover that she is now at the attention of that very same trope. She has gained a new best friend, Yeoryung, and four handsome boys are vying for her attention. After accepting her new reality, Dani decides to stay away from the usual plots and clichés, but the story demands to be told how it is meant to be.
Although My Life as an Internet Novel has a reverse harem and romance tag, it occasionally delves into mystery and mind-bending genres. As a result, the summary of the manhwa does not do it justice at all. Readers can also look forward to beautiful psychological elements that will mess with their heads. If one is looking for an ’empty-mind’ type of read, this manhwa isn’t one of them. It will drive the readers into proper existential crises with its fantastic storytelling. The art is beautiful, and the manhwa will make the readers fall in love with each character.
Touch My Little Brother, And You’re Dead
Hilarious Manhwa With An Exciting Storyline
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.41
- Published: Jul 1, 2021
- Authors: Morpho (Story), Webjak Toonga (Art)
One day, the protagonist wakes up as Rosalite, Asterion’s older sister, in the novel Asterion of the Twilight. Sadly, Asterion is fated to die when he turns 20. In the beginning, Rosalite tries everything in her power to prevent this, but he ends up meeting the same fate. Plus, she time-travels back into her 16-year-old self as Rosalite and becomes more determined to prevent his untimely demise.
Most readers have exclaimed that the manhwa is unhinged in terms of comedy. It is a delightful read with a confident, badass, and funny central character. There are many twists and turns with a good storyline. The premise may start dark, but it will get readers laughing now and then. Since the original novel (where the manhwa takes place) is BL (boy’s love), fans of such a genre can sometimes expect such moments. The artwork is fantastic, with meme-style elements that add to the comedy.
I Don’t Want to Play Matchmaker!
Funny Romantic Drama With Beautiful Character Interactions
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.37
- Published: Dec 3, 2022
- Authors: Sal-oreun Gopdungi (Story), Clover (Art)
Shuryna reincarnates into a novel where she knows the character she is reborn as is destined to die. However, she plans to divert from the original route and retire rich after becoming a magic knight. Life has other plans for her when four handsome men fall in love with her best friend, Hestia. As a result, they all want Shuryna to play matchmaker and help set them up with her best friend, knowing that that’s the original route that leads to her demise.
I Don’t Want to Play Matchmaker! is an excellent mix of romance and comedy that uses the isekai trope correctly. Having been reborn into a new world, she uses her past-life knowledge to create new magical inventions to help retire rich. Readers love the protagonist, who is driven, has a clear goal, and is not afraid to stand up for herself. They will also love the interactions between the characters, and the female lead carries the plot beautifully. The male love interests have distinct personalities that will make readers love and root for them.
The World’s Strongest Are Obsessed With Me
Notable Character Developments With A Charming Protagonist
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.37
- Published: Sep 30, 2021
- Authors: Kim, Kokkiri (Story), Zion (Art)
One day, Dahlia Phesterose suddenly recalls her past life when she was just a child at 13. She realizes that she has been reborn as the sister of the main villain in a dating simulation game. What’s more, the male leads are destined to fall into madness. She realizes that if she stays any longer, she will also meet her untimely demise. Dahlia works hard to gain her brother’s favor to escape. However, when her brother returns home, she gains the unwanted attention of that very male lead.
Most readers love the manhwa for Dahlia’s cunning mindset and ability to showcase her cute charms to get what she wants. The story is well-paced, with proper fights, drama, and tense moments. Although some may think the plot to be clichéd, Dahlia carries the narrative well with her knowledge of the game events. She also uses her knowledge to save important characters around her. The other characters are well-penned, and the interactions flow naturally to help drive the story. Readers have also commended The World’s Strongest Are Obsessed With Me for its beautiful art and progressive character development.
The Beloved Fake Saint
Funny Story and Characters With Memorable Moments
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.19
- Published: Oct 21, 2022
- Authors: Junnye (Story), Hwinangsie (Art)
Reincarnated as Ariel Celestin in the world of the novel, she realizes that she is destined to die for being a fake saint once the real one appears in five years. She was appointed in her position due to politics, and now she has devised a plan to escape from the temple. However, the gods have started doting on her, and Ariel also accidentally catches the attention of a powerful merchant, the pope, and the crown prince. She might indeed need a big miracle with all their eyes on her.
The Beloved Fake Saint has an amusing premise where readers can expect to laugh at each turning page. Ariel starts as an intelligent protagonist and becomes cleverer as the story paces. However, some readers may refute it as the gods have started paying attention to her. In a way, she’s not the “fake” saint anymore. The gods play a part in the story by watching her life from afar and commenting on it like a drama series. Their conversations and bickering with Ariel are one of the fun highlights of the manhwa. She starts catching the attention of all the other important male leads, which soon turns into a fun fest. Moreover, readers will never be able to guess who she’ll end up with as her heart skips a beat, and she starts blushing in front of all the male lead candidates. It adds to the fun and overall trope of reverse manhwa.
I Fell Into a Reverse Harem Game!
Discover A Fresh Take on the Otome Isekai Genre
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.10
- Published: Sep 5, 2020
- Authors: Inui (Story), Goya (Art)
Transported into the world of a reverse harem game, Elvia, the Imperial Princess, finds herself stuck as a villain. She wakes up in bed with two lovers, and it progresses with a host of love interests. Moreover, she must avoid clashing with Arielle, the original game protagonist, who plans to take her down.
I Fell Into a Reverse Harem Game! is an enjoyable manhwa where the protagonist has the power to see other character’s player titles. The story starts slowly but soon progresses beautifully as the plot develops. One of the most remarkable differences from other otome isekai genres is that Elvia can see what the original protagonist is doing or planning to do. Moreover, she clearly knows how her interactions with the male leads affect them. As a result, she is not overly oblivious to their interest in her like most other female leads in other reverse harem manhwas. Even the male leads have proper depth; overall, the manhwa characters are lovable. They have precise characteristic details with good backstories that also make them relatable.
Chitra
Great Insight Into Polygamy With An Entertaining Story
- MyAnimeList Score: 6.87
- Published: Nov 30, 2018
- Authors: Taesun (Story), Reffe (Art)
The protagonist reincarnates as Chitra Cerekino in another world where she is the countess of the Cerekino Castle. Moreover, she gains a superpower from the God of Beauty to help her transition smoothly into the new world. As a result, she tries to use that superpower by building a better society and attracting the attention of rare characters who become her love interests.
Readers must emphasize that Chitra mainly focuses on comedy with little plot development. The main character is calculative and intelligent and strengthens as the story progresses. Plus, she has a gacha-based system where she has to roll for some events to advance. As the story progresses, readers can expect to gain exciting insights into love and relationships from Chitra’s point of view. The manhwa also does a great job of building a society from a logical point of view by using her knowledge from her past life. Readers and fans of the reverse harem genre will love this gem.
The Concubine Contract
Interesting Plot With Likable and Funny Characters
- MyAnimeList Score: 6.76
- Published: Aug 11, 2019
- Authors: Raison (Story), Bulgeun Manyeo (Art)
Yeseo is one of the most famous assassins in a fantasy world, where she receives an odd job offer. She has had a lack of jobs lately, and so she reluctantly agrees, as the new job offers quite a sum of money. Her job involves portraying an airheaded concubine to find a spy hiding in Emperor Ahon’s palace. What seemed an easy job quickly turned out for the worse, with her getting entangled with many suspicious officials.
The Concubine Contract has received much praise from its readers for being overtly raunchy and funny. The plot is exciting, and readers are set for a pleasant surprise of hilarious, unexpected events. All the characters are witty and likable, but Yeseo steals the show because she’s a badass. She’s strong, funny, and cunning, and she provides an excellent portrayal of a strong female lead. Moreover, the male leads are devilishly handsome, and their actions will make the readers laugh stupidly throughout the series.
Wake Up, Warrior
Beautiful Character Developments With Good Comedy
- MyAnimeList Score: 6.72
- Published: Jan 8, 2020
- Authors: Danaan (Story), Ananas (Art)
Kakana is a half-human and half-animal hybrid who lives in a solitary home as a herbalist. She has been hiding as society doesn’t accept ‘her kind.’ One day, five poisoned adventurers arrive at her doorstep and ask for help. Although she initially refuses, she gives in, and they end up living with her.
Wake Up, Warrior is a great, funny, slice-of-life manhwa with a good story. It is a light read with unique characters who have individual depth and growth. Kakana is intelligent, and the other male leads have distinct abilities and flaws. These characters end up relying on each other for emotional support, which makes the manhwa have a feel-good vibe. The art style is beautiful, and readers can expect it to melt due to the overall cuteness of this reverse harem manhwa.
