Summary
- The Shojo genre prioritizes romance & slice of life over action, but recent trends show more aggressive protagonists.
- Shojo protagonists are evolving to take up weapons themselves instead of being protected, adding depth to stories.
- Shojo stories like "The Red Knight Seeks No Reward" feature relatable characters & engaging plots with minimal filler.
Shojo is the category of media marketed towards young and teenage girls. If Shonen is known for action-packed fights and daring adventures, Shojo is commonly associated with romance and slice of life. Of course, neither is limited to those genres, but there are clear differences in content between both categories. For example, Shojo stories tend to lack action sequences.
17 Best Villainess Manhwa
Telling a story through the eyes of the antagonist, these villainess manga create fascinating characters and interesting worlds.
Fighting is especially rare in Shojo because most settings don't require it, preferring to have a protagonist solve their problems less directly. However, it has become more common for Shojo protagonists to take a more aggressive role in their stories. A popular trend is having the main character pick up a sword herself rather than be protected by someone else.
Updated October 26, 2024 by Garrett Huon: This update will add three more great manhwa featuring strong swordswomen. The Taming Of The Tyrant and The Lady And The Beast both feature protagonists who are extremely skilled and make use of their martial prowess. Beware The Villainess uses swordsmanship as more of a cheat in the story.
1 The Taming Of The Tyrant
A Woman Gets Revenge By Raising A Tyrant
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.01
- Published: 2021 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Drama, Fantasy, Time Travel
- Author: Yusoy
- Illustrator: Melting
Charlize Ronan was a prodigy with a sword, and when the emperor took note of her talent, she believed she would be recognized for her talent. Instead, she was experimented on until her body transformed into a sword. For generations, she served as the emperor's weapon until her prayers were answered. She was sent back in time to when she was thirteen. Her only goal is to destroy the empire.
It's not often that a female character is the most notable power in Shojo manhwa, so this story is a welcome change from the usual narrative. Charlize is a fantastic protagonist with a ton of potential and the plot itself is full of mystery and intrigue. However, the intensity of the story and the illustrations don't quite match, which makes the story feel a little flat.
2 The Red Knight Seeks No Reward
A Penny-Pinching Knight Learns To Enjoy Life
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.10
- Chapters: 120
- Published: 2021 to 2024
- Genres/Theme: Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel
- Author: Rosiwon
- Illustrator: Jaemin Song
After being obsessed with earning money, Judith takes the wrong job and is killed for it. When she wakes up as a new recruit in the past, she vows to lead a better life and truly understand what it means to be a knight. Instead of joining the Black Order, she joins the Red Order to change her fate.
Judith is a very sympathetic character and her situation is relatable. Her trouble with money led her down a desperate road, and many will be able to see themselves in her character. Although she's technically a genius in the story, she remains a character to rally behind.
3 Let's Hide My Younger Brother
A Young Girl Tries To Survive In A Toxic BL Novel
- MyAnimeList Score: N/A
- Published: 2021 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Historical, Nobility, School Life
- Author: Ji-hoo Chae
- Illustrator: Chen Li
In the world of a BL novel, Kyla Vesta is the sister of the protagonist Franz and a minor character in the original story. After being reincarnated as her, the main character decides the only way to stay alive is to protect her brother. As the original protagonist, Franz gained the attention of many high-profile people, including the prince and Kyla's fiancé. It's their terrible obsession that leads to Franz's suffering and the downfall of his family.
In this story, Kyla is the knight in shining armor, although no one knows it. By taking up the sword in her brother's place, she can allow him to avoid his cruel fate and stay alive herself. This story has wholesome themes, but there are some underlying moral issues with some of the characters, namely coercion and kidnapping.
4 The Lady And The Beast
The Reincarnated Empress Tames Her Husband
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.15
- Published: 2020 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Fantasy, Romance, Reincarnation
- Author: Maginot Seon
- Illustrator: Hongseul
This reincarnation manhwa features a past empress being reborn. Astina Lette is the daughter of a count, but in her past life, she was Empress Martina, the leader who united the continent and formed the Carabella Empire. To save her sister from marrying Archduke Thereode Atalenta, rumored to be a beast, Astina takes her sister's place and encounters a face from her past.
This manhwa is a unique retelling of Beauty and the Beast that takes the classic fairy tale in a whole new direction. Astina is neither helpless nor powerless, and while many themes stay the same, she takes a proactive stance in the story. It's actually very funny to see her beat up a werewolf with her bare hands. Some of the best moments are just Astina showing her skills with a sword.
5 The Knight And Her Emperor
A Warrior Begins An Unlikely Romance With Her King
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.28
- Chapters: 197
- Published: 2019 to 2023
- Genres/Themes: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
- Author: An-gyeong Wonsung-i
- Illustrator: Gyeoul & Heyum
Pauliana had worked hard to survive after being abandoned by her family. In a war that seemed like it would never end, she sacrificed herself, so her platoon could escape. However, her capture did not end in her death. Instead, she was enlisted as Prince Lucius's personal knight for her intelligence, strength, and cunning.
22 Best Gender Bender Manhwa You Should Read
These are some of the most interesting gender bender stories the manhwa medium has to offer.
From the beginning, Pauliana was resolute about her survival, and she wasn't afraid to sacrifice anything if it meant she could live. She has a certain grit that's rare to see in a romance, especially in Shojo. Some moments drag on, but overall, it's a fun story that strays from tradition.
6 Cassmire: The Loyal Sword
For Her Sister, She Would Do Anything
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.24
- Published: 2022 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Fantasy, Isekai, Reverse Harem, Villainess
- Author: Si-ion
- Illustrator: ilye
After her mother dies, Cassmire is the only one able to care for her sick sister. She becomes a mercenary to provide for them both, learning how to wield a sword and kill monsters. However, one day, an accident causes some head trauma, and she suddenly remembers her past life. She's living in a book world. It isn't long before she realizes her actions have changed the story.
This is a common plot in isekai where the reverse harem centers on the new protagonist. What makes it different is that Cassmire's work as a mercenary is the catalyst for all her connections. All the original male leads were saved by her at least once, and that's why they love her.
7 Master Villainess The Invincible!
A Teenage Girl Gets Isekai'd Into A Murim Novel
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.36
- Published: 2020 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Action, Fantasy, Isekai, Martial Arts, Villainess
- Author: Willbright
- Illustrator: Yooani
After dying in a car accident, the protagonist is reborn as Dang Haewon from the fantasy martial arts novel she finished reading. Originally, Haewon is the villainess of the world who continuously tries to harm the original female lead, but with a new person inside her body, she desperately tries to prevent her own death.
10 Best Murim Manhwa, Ranked
Murim manhwa explores East Asian culture, especially in the realm of martial arts, and these are some of the genre's best series.
This manhwa is great because there aren't very many Murim stories with female protagonists, especially in this genre. Murim stories are generally about men, and even when women are placed in this setting, they rarely do martial arts themselves. This story uses this theme well with great character development, plot, and illustration.
8 The Night Without Shadows
A Dark Being Makes A Deal To Protect The Prince
- MyAnimeList Score: N/A
- Published: 2022 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
- Author: Miyu Kim
- Illustrator: TEAVA
Roselyn is a knight who protects the second prince. Although she's lacking in many areas, she's loyal and dedicated to her cause. Unfortunately, that devotion leads her to the bottom of a cliff. It is by an unknown miracle that she survived, but she's different now. She's more childlike, she can't remember much, and she's far stronger than before.
This story is full of mysteries, and each one leads the story in different directions. It can often be hard to balance multiple plot lines, but the creator does it well without disrupting the flow of the story being told. All of this is supported by great characters who are fun to follow.
9 The Spark In Your Eyes
A Great Story Of Two Victims Of War
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.36
- Published: 2020 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Drama, Fantasy
- Author: Muro
- Illustrator: Muro
After the war with the North, the hero known as the Sun Witch was said to have retired to a castle in the country, recovering both her health and her mind. In reality, she's a young woman named Hildegard who is suffering from a strange pain caused by the sun. To find a cure, a northerner named Erkin is hired as a pharmacist, but he has his own intentions. He wants revenge on the person who killed his parents, the Sun Witch.
The Spark in Your Eyes does a great job of holding the audience in suspense. Each chapter holds a new revelation or another secret to be kept all while the characters go about their daily lives. The mounting tension bubbling underneath each event is what drives the story and holds the reader's attention. The question is when that bubble will pop.
10 Sigrid
A Swordmaster Chooses How She Lives Her Life
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.42
- Published: 2022 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Action, Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel
- Author: Siya
- Illustrator: Glee
Sigrid believed a proper knight remained completely loyal to her master and remained faithful to her word until death. However, Sigrid's devotion was rewarded with betrayal. When she wakes up after her death, she learns that she's gone five years into the past. Given a second chance, Sigrid resolves to live differently this time and tries to stop the disasters she caused herself.
19 Best Time Travel Manhwa, Ranked
Making use of the time travel plot device in fiction isn't always an easy task. Here are the best manhwa that do it right.
Time travel stories often include a search for redemption, with most ending the same way. In Sigrid, that redemption is actually difficult for her. She's lived her life completely isolated, and her values were set in stone. Coming back to the past, she has no idea how to change, and that makes the story much more relatable.
11 Crimson Karma
The Story Of A Child Soldier's Life In Another World
- MyAnimeList Score: N/A
- Chapters: 118
- Published: 2019 to 2021
- Genres/Themes: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Isekai, Military, Reincarnation, War
- Author: Ssalsup Lemon Gaeguri
- Illustrator: Rada
Kasiya was orphaned at a young age, resulting in her recruitment into the military. For years, she was trained to survive and kill, and at some point, she became numb to her emotions and life in general. Her life ends at the hands of her superior. However, when she opens her eyes, she's on the battlefield. Around her are soldiers preparing for combat, but they wield swords rather than guns.
The story of Crimson Karma is so well done that it's hard to put down. As the reader follows Kasiya's journey to learn about her emotions and to value herself, it's easy to become immersed because of the great flow and pacing. It's only disrupted towards the end as the romance aspect becomes a bigger part of the story.
12 Light And Shadow
The Simple Romance Between Misunderstood People
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.66
- Published: 2016 to Present
- Genres/Themes: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
- Author: Ryu Hyang
- Illustrator: Heewon
Edna is just a regular maid, but due to the schemes of her masters, she's shipped off to marry the newly appointed duke. Unfortunately, she was caught the very first night. Duke Eli wasn't too upset about the trick, since all he needed was to get married. For him, it didn't matter who the bride was. Now they need to work together to run their territory.
This story is about Eli and Edna's budding relationship, but there's more than meets the eye. Edna is keeping a secret, but she has no trouble using her vast knowledge and skills to help, even if it means she's at risk. Her skill and selflessness are what make the story worth reading.
13 Beware The Villainess
This Villainess Fights For Respect
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.78
- Published: 2020 to 2022
- Genres/Themes: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Isekai, Villainess
- Author: Ppongtta Mat Screw Bar
- Illustrator: Blue Canna
After a normal college student dies in a car accident, she is reincarnated as Melissa Foddebrat, and the only thing she wants is to live her life in luxury. However, due to the misogynist system of the medieval period, she was constantly disrespected by everyone, including her family and her fiancé, the prince. Melissa's only choice is to put forward modern ideology to gain recognition.
Although Melissa isn't technically trained, she does wield a sword throughout the story and does so quite proficiently. It's an ancient artifact of the royal family that bestows divine blessings. There are only a few fight scenes in this manhwa, but they're all portrayed very well with good choreography and a clear sequence of events. On top of a well-written story, this manhwa is incredibly fun to read.
20 Best Horror Manhwa You Should Read, Ranked
Fans of manhwa shouldn't deprive themselves of these chilling and unnerving tales.