Fantasy Manhwa is gaining more and more readers, and while these popular reads are usually associated with Isekai, reincarnation, and sword and sorcery genres, some stories mix fantasy with history to create a particular subgenre: Historical Fantasy.
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This subgenre is often related to people who went back in time and have lower levels of fantasy than medieval fantasy or the Isekai genres. This list contains several manhwa that blend historical places, events, and characters with a balanced mix of action, drama, comedy, and martial arts.
5 The Demon King Who Lost His Job
A Mixture Of Arthurian Myths, European History, And High Fantasy
- Genre: Martial Arts, Adventure, Action, Fantasy
- Author: Tang Li Shui
- Artist: Sf Qing Xiaoshuo, Ye Wu
- Number of chapters: 403
- Status: Ongoing
The Demon King Who Lost His Job draws from Arthurian mythology and some European folklore to create an alternate Middle Ages Europe where magic, fantasy, and adventurers are a common thing. In this story, Merlin Lucifer III, the First Demon King, decides to live among humans and enjoy life. Meanwhile, the heroine, Alice, is forced into a marriage with the former Devil King to restore her good name and pay up the high debt she has with the church due to losing a divine artifact to Merlin.
Alongside the story, you'll learn about several historical places and people. Even Robin Hood makes a subtle appearance, both as a hidden character controlling things from the shadows, and mentioned as the founder of the adventurers guild. It is quite a refreshing read, combining humor, action, and lots of fighting scenes. But, perhaps what's most appealing about this manhwa is the relationship between Alice and Merlin — what starts as a fake marriage slowly develops into true love between two polar opposites.
4 Infinite Leveling Murim
Based On The Historical Japanese-Korean Conflict
- Genre: Martial Arts, Adventure, Action, Historical
- Author: Gonbung
- Artist: Jinwoo Kim
- Number of chapters: 199
- Status: Ongoing
This manhwa is based on historical facts and people, set during the Korean-Japanese wars (14th - 16th centuries) and the Pirate Invasions orchestrated by the Empire of Japan on Korea. Infinite Leveling Murim is a mixture of the reincarnation trope — featuring plenty of fantasy, action, and martial arts — where Dan Yuuseong is sent back in time to an alternate timeline and given a second chance to save his homeland from total annihilation.
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He will need to train hard and become powerful and influential to change the course of history, starting with the invasion of Japan and the destruction of the Three Factions Alliance at the hands of an evil Buddhist Monk. It is really an interesting story with great character developments, mainly focused on the value of friendship and the strength that comes from it.
3 I Shall Live As A Prince
Mc Gets Isekaid To 15th Century Korea
- Genre: Reincarnation, Adventure, Historical, Drama
- Author: Dopamine
- Artist: Kusa
- Number of chapters: 88
- Status: Complete
I Shall Live As A Prince is a story about a modern Korean man who dies while struggling to find a job and gets reincarnated into a prince from the Joseon Dynasty. But, he's now none other than the little brother of the infamous Yeonsangun, also known as "the blood drinking demon" — the worst tyrant of Korean history. The reincarnated Grand Prince Jinseong plans to change the course of history, preventing his brother from becoming a bloodthirsty tyrant, and safeguarding his own life in the process.
It is an interesting story, with some sprinkles of humor and a decent and colorful art-style. Easy to read, and most important, it is completed, meaning that readers will be able to enjoy the story from beginning to end without having to wait years for it to be released.
2 The Divine Doctor
A Modern Doctor Is Sent To Ancient China
- Genre: Isekai, Historical Drama, Romance, Shoujo
- Author: Ping Ping Jun
- Artist: Sanfu Comic, Yang Shi Liu
- No. Of Chapters: 622
- Status: Ongoing
In The Divine Doctor, a medical genius and military doctor, Feng Yu Heng, is sent to an alternate timeline and reincarnated in the body of the 12-year-old daughter of the Da Shun Dynasty's Emperor (17th Century Chinese ruler). But, what Yu Heng doesn't know is that she has landed in a viper's nest. Using all her wits and high level of intelligence, she will survive hundreds of dangerous encounters.
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In the end, she becomes influential enough to be called "saintess of the Palace," a person who heals the ill and helps those in need. Even the youngest Prince cannot avoid admiring her exploits, and ultimately, he falls in love with Yu Heng. An interesting take on the historical drama, with a pinch of fantasy and, of course, a lot of wuxia-esque situations.
1 Doctor Elise
The Story Of A Female Surgeon In An Alternate Victorian Europe
- Genre: Isekai, Historical Drama, Comedy, Romance
- Author: Mini
- Artist: Kidarient, Yui
- No. Of Chapters: 143
- Status: Ongoing
Doctor Elise is about a modern Korean surgeon transported to Victorian Europe, where she is reincarnated as Elise de Clorance, a villainess and wife of the Emperor. She uses all her medical skills and knowledge to gain a lofty reputation among nobles and commoners alike, healing those in need, no matter who they are.
She also gains the support and unconditional love of the Emperor, as she proves that she is the smartest woman in the Empire by implementing incredible changes that quickly revolutionize society, including modern medical treatment and procedures that greatly improve the health of its citizens. Quite an interesting historical drama, with a quirky main character who loves to get in trouble, but who also is kindhearted enough to be loved by everyone.
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