There is no doubt thatSolo Levelingbecame a global success and the fan-favorite candidate for best anime of 2025 due to itsfast-paced story full of action and impressive animation, but also due to the reputation of its original manhwa. However, this doesn’t mean thatSolo Levelingis the only manhwa out there that is prompted to take the world, as its popularity has given the opportunity for other popularwebtoontitles to be animated, with the past few years being filled with exciting announcements of new adaptations.
Although animes of highly-regarded works likeThe Beginning After the EndandTower of Godhave experienced production issues that have stopped them from becoming bigger hits, thanks to the rise of new series based on manhwas, there are several upcoming adaptations that could challengeSolo Levelingand reach the top of the medium.Even if fans have to wait a little while to watch them,these upcoming manhwa animated adaptations from Japanese, Korean, and Chinese studios have the potential to become successful seriesonce they are released.
12Your Letter
Animated by Studio LICO and Studio N, Based on the Manhwa by Hyeon A Cho
Your Letteris a popular webtoon that follows a student, Sori, who, after experiencing bullying and transferring from her school, on her first day in a new class, finds a letter from the previous owner of her desk. This will unfold a series of events and fateful meetings as Sori begins to follow the clues he left in the letters.Sori’s story was being adapted into an animated film by the studios N and Lico, directed by Kim Yong-Hwan.
The film premiered at the Ottawa International Animation Festival in Fall 2024 and later as the opening movie at the Bucheon Festival, where it won three awards. Despite its short length, with only 10 chapters,Your Letteris known as one of the best completed manhwa for its touching story about friendship and its beautiful art, currently sitting on a rating of 9.98 on Webtoon’s platform. Unfortunately, the specific release date for the film adaptation has not been announced so far.
11True Beauty Season 2
Animated By Studio N & Cocktail Media, Based on the Manhwa by Yaongyi
One of the highlights of the Fall 2024 romance series,True Beauty,was quickly renewed for a second season. This Korean animated series released on Crunchyroll has mixed reception due to the rushed pacing by including a lot of content in only 13 episodes. However, it’s a more faithful adaptation of the manhwa than the K-drama that became a sensation on Netflix.
True Beauty Season 2will also have a simulcast broadcast through Crunchyroll, and viewers will get to know the continuation after the cliffhanger in the season 1 finale, further exploring Jugyeong’s relationship with Seonjun and Suho.True Beautymight seem like a superficial story at first glance, but it’s the opposite,with a marked criticism of issues like bullying, trauma, self-esteem, and unrealistic beauty standards in today’s society, themes that it explores quite well without losing its touch of humor. This way,True Beauty Season 2the perfect option for fans of romantic comedies.
10Who Made Me a Princess
Animated by Colored Pencil Animations, Based on the Manhwa by Plutus and Illustrated by Spoon
Who Made Me a Princessmight share a common premise in Isekai Manhwa, following the story of Athanasia, who was reincarnated in reality from a novel as a princess, daughter of the emperor, Claude de Alger Obeli, who is renowned for his cruelty. However, this is a story of survival as Athanasia knows what awaits her, which will not be a dream life thanks to the tyrant emperor, so she will seek to escape her tragic destiny by any means.
Despite having an endearing romance subplot,Who Made Me a Princessfocuses on familial bonds as Athanasia will try to warm the heart of the cold emperorto maximize her chance of avoiding an early death. Additionally, the series is full of palace dramas and intrigues. This way, asWho Made Me a Princesswill be adapted as a donghua, with the trailers showcasing a beautiful art style that resembles the manhwa, it could be an exciting series for any fantasy fans. Although the adaptation was originally announced to be premiered in 2024, there’s currently no confirmed release date.
9Dark Moon: The Lost Altar
Anime Series Produced by Aniplex, Based on the Manhwa by HYBE
A fantasy romance series,Dark Moon, is set in a prestigious academy filled with vampires and werewolves. The webtoon has resonated with international readers not only because of the universal appeal of paranormal creatures like inTwilightbut also because the story is centered around fictionalized versions of the members of the popular K-pop group, ENHYPEN, whose personas are actually vampires, with the abilities and physiology that entails. The story features how ENHYPEN’s vampire personas befriend Sooha, who had recently moved out to the academy.
But they aren’t the only fictionalized idols taking part in the story, as another popular K-pop group,&TEAM, are portrayed as werewolf brothers. The anime adaptation ofDark Moonwas announced at Aniplex Online Fest 2024 but more information regarding the project has yet to be unveiled.
8Terror Man
Animated by Dr Movie & Studio Bazooka, Based on the Manhwa by Han Dong-Woo & Ko Jin-Ho
Terror Manis a series that perfectly portrays how to do incorrect things for good reasons,where Jungwoo Min ends up becoming a terrorist with the purpose of saving people. Jungwoo has unique eyes that allow him to see the misfortune of others, and after unsuccessfully trying to warn others, he starts to use threats as a way to prevent people from being victims of disasters.
Terror Man’s animated adaptation as a collaboration project between the Korean studios Studio Bazooka and Dr. Movie was announced in 2023 along with a short trailer shared bythe streaming platform TVING onYouTube. However,Terror Manhasn’t confirmed the series official release date yet. Dr. Movie, a Korean animation studio that has become a leading name in the animation industry, has worked with Japanese studios, even co-producingThe Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2, which signals the adaptation will be up to par withTerror Man’s manhwa incredible action-packed battles.
7Season of Blossom
Animated by Studio XTorm, Based on the Manhwa by Hongduck and Nemone.
Season of Blossomis a webtoon divided into four parts, where each part focuses on a different couple and takes place during one season of the year. Although it showcases multiple perspectives on the sweetness and uncertainty of young love,Season of Blossomfeatures many emotional moments by portraying difficult themes like bullying, struggling with mental health as well as overcoming grief and finding significant friendships.
The manhwa continues to be one ofthe most popular romance webtoonwith a sequel calledSeason of Lovesomeand adapted into a K-Drama in 2022, being selected as one of the first projects produced by the newly formed Korean studio XTorm which looks to animate different manhwas and web novels.The adaptation is set to cover the first season of the webtoon Bomi’s Flower,and even though it was expected for 2024, the studio hasn’t announced a specific release date yet.
6A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special Season 2
Animated by Arvo Animation, Based on the Manhwa Adaptation by Wookjakga
A Returner’s Magic Should Be Specialis a webtoon based on the web novel by Usonan, which was adapted intoanime during the fall of 2023. The anime, currently available on Crunchyroll, follows Desir Armand, a mage who, after apparently succeeding in defeating the final boss with his companions, is sent back in time, thirteen years before the war began, to the moment just before he enrolls in the Hebrion Academy. NowDesir will use his knowledge of the future to change both the discrimination in the academy based on social classes and avoid many sacrificesin the process.
A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special was announceda second season after the anime’s final episode, which is currently in production and will take Desir one stage closer to the definitive battle once again, with him and his friends having recently been promoted to another class.A Returners Magic Should Be Specialis a much-watch anime for fans of fantasy worlds with magic, especially since Desir doesn’t regress as an overpowered mage but rather uses his years of battle experience realistically to improve himself and make others stronger.
5Tomb Raider King
Animated by Studio EEK, Based on the Manhwa by Sanji Jiksong & 3B2S
A regression manhwa adapted from the web novel by SAN.G,Tomb Raider Kinghas often beencompared withSoloLevelingdue to the similarities between both stories. In a world marked by the appearances of mysterious tombs, Jooheon Seo searches for relics until a sudden betrayal brings him to the brink of death. While Jooheon was able to survive thanks to a special relic, he regresses to the past, where he will start anew with the goal of becoming the Tomb Raider King.
The manhwa is widely popular due to its incredible art by the same studio ofSolo Leveling, REDICE, as well as its unique power system based on relics, world-building, and dynamic action. Additionally, the adaptation is in charge of Studio EEK, a Korean animation studio that has previously worked on the Netflix original seriesLOVE, DEATH & ROBOTSand is scheduled to premiere in 2026.
4The Boxer
Animated by Studio XTorm, Based on the Manhwa By Ji-Hoon Jeong
The Boxeris one of the most appraised sports manhwa by the same author of the acclaimed dystopian workThe Horizon. While it follows the story of Yun, a young man being scouted as a promising boxer,The Boxeris far more than just about a sport, being more focused on the psychology behind the characters.In the manhwa, competitive boxing is the vehicle to display one of the most emotionally charged stories about self-worth, filled with violence, bullying, the search for identity, and growth that will make any viewers reflect.
Even so,The Boxeralso includes exciting and crude boxing matches that engage readers on the same level as legendary titles likeHajime no IppoandAshita no Joe, being one of the most recommended titles for those looking for a similar series, and that will surely impact when adapted into an animated format.The animated adaptation ofThe Boxerby Studio XTorm was announced in 2023with an alleged release date for the second half of 2025.
3Gosu
Animated by Toei Animation & Studio N, Based on the Manhwa by Ryu Ki-Woon & Mun Jung-Hoo
Gosuis a popular manhwa sequel toYongbi the Invincible,about Gang Yong, who, looking to avenge his master’s death, secludes himself and trains for years, returning once he has gained enough power. However, Gang Yong finds out he won’t be able to claim his revenge like he planned, as the responsible parties are already dead. What has stood out aboutGosuis its incredible portrayal of martial artswith exceptional battle scenes that have made it one of the best murim manhwas along with The Legend of the Northern Blade.
Gosu’s anime will be produced by Toei Animation, which has partnered with Studio N with the aim of creating a globally successful series. While the anime was announced in 2023, given that Toei Animation is currently working onOne Pieceandthe new Digimon anime, it’s possible thatGosu’s adaptation won’t be released until 2026.
