Best Manhua For Beginners

Chinese comics or manhua are completely different from the Japanese and Korean versions. The characters not only have Chinese names, but the themes in all these stories portray parts of the culture that not many readers know about. These parts can either pertain to traditions in love, spiritual connections, or even mythical beings.

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By  Aditi Jeyanathan

Manhua create a different outlook and the way they are written is distinguishable from what readers might be used to. They can indeed be a little different, but there are some amazing comics out there that can ease beginners into the genre. This topic will tackle some memorable, easy-to-read manhua that range from romance to slice of life, and action.

Updated February 24, 2025 by Aditi Jeyanathan: Chinese comics are mostly known for the ancient whimsicality or heartwarming wholesomeness that each story brings. With popular genres like romance and slice-of-life taking precedence over others, readers should not forget there's a whole other list of genres to explore.

Some of the greatest stories in manhua come from the exciting action and fantasy stories that seem like they go on forever. If readers are having trouble deciding where to start, they can refer to this list of beginner-friendly manhuas that are short, sweet, and easy to digest.

1 Love Like Cherry Blossoms

The First Spring Of Youth That Welcomes Love, Growth, And Friendship

Lin Lu has a secret she would take to her grave, and it’s her crush on her friend Gou Feng. Gou Feng is the typical nice guy and though he has many admirers, he’s not the type for romance. When the supposed bad boy of her school, Xia Yi, finds out her secret crush, Lin Lu, is pretty much a goner at this point. But to her luck, she finds out that he’s the son of a celebrity, something that no one must find out.

The only thing they can do is make a deal to keep each other's secrets hidden, but Xia Yi decides to help her confess to Gou Feng. He might just be teasing her, but as the two of them spend more time, they begin to unknowingly fall for one another instead. Love Like Cherry Blossoms is a great starter Manhua as this story addresses a variety of themes, whilst also keeping it light-hearted with some comedy and romance aspects.

2 Accidental Love

What Started As Revenge Soon Became Something To Cherish

In Accidental Love, Zheng Shuyi has it all; youth, beauty, and a great job, but the one thing she doesn’t have is a faithful boyfriend. After catching him in the act, she decides she’s done feeling sorry for her mistakes, and instead decides to show him that she can do better. It’s here that she meets the renowned CEO Shi Yan, a public figure that she has been dying to score an interview with.

Shi Yan is supposedly the uncle of the girl her ex-boyfriend cheated on her with, and what better way to get her revenge, than by turning their family upside down? She’s on a mission to seduce him and become her ex-boyfriend’s Auntie! This manhua brings together a hilarious female lead and a gap-moe male lead, who have no idea just how perfectly they complement each other, despite their social statuses.

3 Protect My Star

The Life Of An Idol Isn't As Glamorous

Lu Yan was an unknown trainee who had little to no fans. The only reason he blew up in the idol world is because an influencer in the fandom, Hua Can, drew him as her ideal type. Drawings of him cross-dressing and paired in yaoi situations circulated the internet, and this shot him to stardom. Although grateful, the last thing Lu Yan wants is for his fans to see him as a "feminine" man, so he sets out to find Hua Can and convince her that he's anything but.

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Protect My Star not only focuses on the budding romance between Lu Yan and Hua Can but also dives into the struggles of the entertainment industry. Lu Yan and Hua Can's relationship against such a backdrop is also discovered in a way that's easy when it comes to the idol genre. The terms aren't overly daunting and for a beginner manhua, this would do well for readers who enjoy seeing couples in the limelight.

4 The Evil Ring

The Awakening Of The Descendant Of God

In a world divided by power and politics, Shan Yue is the long-lost remaining descendant of the Divine God who was hidden away eighteen years ago for his safety. Struggling to make ends meet, he joins a fight club, and his identity is immediately exposed to the upper class who have been looking to get rid of him.

It’s only together with five gifted individuals who have been tasked as his "protectors" does Shan Yue slowly begin to learn about his background, and come to terms with his powers, and the many sacrifices he will need to overcome. The Evil Ring brings in fantasy and action, incorporating it with amazing art and cute moments to balance out the heaviness that this story can bring.

5 Papa Wolf And The Puppy

A Light-Hearted Family Drama

Papa Wolf and The Puppy brings together two opposite characters in this manhua. The story is non-linear and involves the daily life of a wolf who finds a puppy in the woods. The story is split into two versions, with the first section depicting their lives as animals, and the second with a human counterpart alternate version. Both are equally adorable as readers get to see how these two very different species learn to cohabitate.

The wolf is aggressive and grumpy, whereas the puppy is an adorable ball of sunshine that always manages to melt his hard exterior. Since the puppy was adopted by the wolf, watching him try to raise and teach him the ways of the world proved to be quite hilarious. Readers will certainly find this manhua enjoyable since it’s very light-hearted, with short chapters and cute moments that make one go "aw."

6 Nan Hao and Shang Feng: The Odd Couple

An Anthology Of Chaotic Best Friends

Nan Hao and Shang Feng are two ordinary high school boys, or at least that’s what they try to be and fail miserably at. The two of them are class clowns and every situation they’re in ends up being ridiculously comical. Whether it be at home with their families, at school with their classmates, or spending time outdoors, these two best friends know how to make the most of every moment.

Nan Hao and Shang Feng: The Odd Couple is a little different in comparison to other manhua. There is no set plotline that the story follows, and each chapter includes various instances in which the two boys find themselves. This manhua is great for beginners since it sets a lighthearted tone and can easily make one laugh.

7 The Daughter of Duke Doesn't Want to Be Spoiled

From Spoiled Princess To Independent Warrior

Yvette Winchworth is the sheltered daughter of her family, hidden away from society and pampered endlessly. Unfortunately, her lethargic life is uprooted due to political turmoil, and she’s then forced to move to the border with a trustworthy mercenary group.

The Daughter of Duke Doesn’t Want To Be Spoiled perfectly illustrates what it means to become a hardworking individual and do things yourself. Yvette is by no means a capable character, but her tenacity to learn and grow is something that readers may appreciate. Additionally, the story doesn’t focus much on the romance and brings a more comedic, feel-good aspect to Yvette and her companions' lives.

8 I Just Want To Mooch Off Your Luck

A Delusional Love Always Ends In Yearning

Zhao Mingxi died a miserable death and after going back in time, her only hope is to cut off ties with her petty family and improve her health. The only way she can do that is with the help of the luck system that manifests, and the young master of a wealthy family, Fu Yangxi, is overflowing with luck. She needs to do whatever she can to make him happy and mooch off enough luck that will guarantee her life.

In this cute, school-life romance, I Just Want To Mooch Off Your Luck, takes an adorable tsundere male lead and pairs him with a nonchalant female lead. This manhua dutifully touches on topics of mental health, family burdens, and abandonment quite well, and for a starter manhua, this is the perfect option.

9 Secret Love/My First Crush

The First Blossoming Romance

Bai Ling has the biggest crush on her classmate, An YuZhe, but what she also doesn’t know is that he also has a crush on her. The two of them have no choice but to keep their secret crush hidden from their friends, as the two of them are in completely different friend groups. Their shared time is limited, so Bai Ling and An YuZhe do whatever they can to get closer to one another.

Readers will enjoy the wholesome fluff that is in Secret Love, as they’ll get to see Bai Ling and An YuZhe try to get each other’s attention without being overly direct. The hidden jealousy and stolen glances eventually turn into purposefully falling in trouble just to spend time with their crush. This manhua is sure to take the reader back to their high school days when they used to crush on their first love. It reminds one of the heart-thumping nervousness whenever their crush walks past or speaks to them.

10 Guiding A Rival To Become The Emperor

Transmigrated Into A Novel Set In Ancient China

After transmigrating into the body of the rotten princess of the Ye family, Mu Ye has her work cut out for her to return to the real world. She needs to find a special map and the only way she can attain it is by helping an enemy of her family, Lin Yan Mo.

Much like the ancient China seen in history books, Guiding A Rival To Become The Emperor incorporates many of the same cultural practices that are easy for readers to understand. The struggle for the throne is an ongoing battle, with lost princes, traitorous clans, and scheming royals. If readers are looking for a manhua that brings in politics, action, and romance, this story is the perfect one.