BC's Manga/Manhwa recommendations

Some folks have told me that they're curious what kind of stuff I read or watch when I'm not writing.

So...I'm going to share some stories with everyone that I've been enjoying. :)  Most of these are Korean.  I've really been digging a lot of Korean storytelling lately.

In no particular order:

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Path of the Shaman
https://asurascans.com/comics/path-of-the-shaman/

This is a story about an old, evil wuxia villain who is reincarnated into a super regimented orthodox sect, and how he begins to corrupt the people around him while simultaneously bringing his new sect to glory...but for selfish means.

One reason this is so good is that the character development is slow, and the MC acts exactly how I'd imagine some powerful, arrogant old bastard to act in his position.  It's not super-super serious, but serious enough to keep me interested.

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Peerless Dad
https://methodscans.com/comics/775872-peerless-dad

My wife likes this one too. :P  This is a cross between Wuxia and Xianxia, with a slow MC who is still very three dimensional.  The title doesn't like--he really loves his kids.

The MC's misunderstandings about how the world works and his place in it are very understandable once you know his background, and seeing him grow and mature is a fun ride.

This story takes place in the same universe as Red Storm, a different IP I'm not going to cover (but has been finished).

Peerless dad is really unique, and seems to be even more fun for folks that have kids.  I don't and I still love the hell out of it.

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Murim Login
https://methodscans.com/comics/741529-murim-login

The MC of this story starts out super stupid and cowardly.  If you can power through it, this one is a lot of fun.

A short explanation is the MC is a low level hunter in a world with dungeon portals.  He finds a mysterious VR pod that he levels up in, then when he comes back, he is a lot stronger and has the same skills he earned in the game.   

I recommend this one, because what happens in the "game" world is just as fun as what goes on in the "real" world.

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Legend of the Northern Blade
https://leviatanscans.com/comics/68254-legend-of-the-northern-blade

I adore this story so far.  Truly.  It's extremely unique, the fights are gorgeous and super stylized, and the plot is great.

Seriously.  Just try it.  Put your expectations at the door.  It's a fun ride.

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My Dad is Too Strong
https://leviatanscans.com/comics/956629-my-dad-is-too-strong

When this one first start, I almost dropped it.  I hate stories where the MC is powerful, but hides it from everyone for #reasons and nobody ever finds out.

This story doesn't take that route forever, and it eventually adds enough seriousness to the comedy that I  began having fun.

There is some slapstick in here, and some sill stuff, but I recommend it.  Also, in the last few chapters it seems the MC might not be able to adhere to his plan to lay low forever.

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The Tale of a Scribe who Retires to the Countryside
https://leviatanscans.com/comics/612457-tale-of-a-scribe-who-retires-to-the-countryside

The story is an absolute gem.

I've seen people in the comments say that this basically has the longest prologue ever, and they're not fun.  That said, it makes everything feel organic and earned.  At this point it feels like the main story is finally starting, but I'm telling you...if you start, you'll be glad that you took the ride.

A more concise description would be this story is how a scholar entered the world of murim, even when he was not aware that he was doing so.

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I am the Sorcerer King
https://leviatanscans.com/comics/i-am-the-sorcerer-king

This is a story about about a lowly nobody in post-dungeon-portals-Korea (the setting should be familiar to a lot of folks, it's sort of like Solo Leveling), whose past self, or another self reincarnates into him--one of the most powerful sorcerers who have ever existed.

So a normal Korean man begins to slowly morph into one of the great powers of the universe, all while integrating modern technology and electricity into his magic.

It's not super high brow stuff, and I've noticed at some point that all the people surrounding the MC these days tend to be pretty women, but the story is a lot of fun.

There is no romance yet.

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Return to Player
https://reaperscans.com/comics/371413-return-to-player

This story takes place in the Korean post apocalypse game-like world that a bunch of modern stories are borrowing from.  In this one, the very last survivor on earth gets his special reward, and chooses to do everything all over again.

He goes back in time armed with his knowledge, and a bunch of the currency used in the item store.

For folks familiar with these types of stories, there are usually gods or constellations watching as people fight, play death games, or even sabotage each other.

This story hasn't progressed far enough to tell if it's a gem yet, but the MC is gritty and savage enough that I've enjoyed it so far.

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Mercenary Enrollment
https://reaperscans.com/comics/535459-mercenary-enrollment

If you've ever seen Full Metal Panic!, this is kind of like the Korean version of that story.  Very similar to FMP, the MC has been a mercenary from a very young age and is extremely well trained (and gifted) in combat.

Unlike FMP, the MC is not socially clueless, and it takes the story a lot more seriously, with no slapstick.

After living almost his entire life in war zones, the MC finally returns to the regular world.  He begins to attend high school...but with the analytical mind of a survivor and the skills of a trained killer.  His intentions are to live a peaceful life, but (like many Korean stories) he finds out someone is being bullied and is driven to take action, all of which begins a chain of escalating events.

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So there you have it!

If you are reading any of the stories I've mentioned, comment below and add your opinion to why folks should read it or avoid it.  :)

-BC