Summary
Clashing blades, heightened skills, and battle-ready strategy that leaves readers on the edge of their seats is what makes a great fighter. Whether the skill was miraculously given or earned through hard work, it’s always enamoring to see swordmasters dish it out on the battlefield with no care for their surroundings.
The best thing about swordmasters, though, is that they’re not always the strict, military type seen in other forms of media. Sometimes, they’rea little goofy, mysterious, or foolish, but that’s what makes them all the more eye-catching. Here are some of thebest and most iconic swordmasters in manhwathat readers may enjoy, not only for the level of their skills but the substance they bring to their respective stories.
Updated on May 19, 2025 by Aditi Jeyanathan:What makes a manhwa great is not just the tremendous world building or the exquisite art, but also the engaging scenes that hook readers in. For action manhwa, one important factor is how good each character’s battle acumen is and how long they can hold out in a fight. It’s especially intriguing when it comes to the way of the sword and the variety of skills many characters obtain through its practice. This can range from sword aura, to sword control, counterattacking, and parrying - all of which are not usually obtainable in real life. Hence, this is why swordmasters of such stories are always welcomed for their talent and genius in the art. They’re powerful, unyeidling, and forged under boiling temperatures - just like the tenacious blades they wield.
2021
Biga (Story), LICO (Art
147
Status
Ongoing
After reincarnating 100 years in the future, Cheongmyeong returns to Mount Hua Sect only to find the place barely surviving. A former shell of what the glorious Sect used to be, Cheongmyeong decides to restore its glory by training the current disciples and bringing back the very sword styles Mount Hua was known for. Despite reincarnating into the body of a child, Cheongmyeong’s abilities far surpass everyone around him, and his tenacity for growth rises at an exponential rate.
He’s trapped in a body that limits his physical prowess, but that does not stop him from pushing his limits and exercising the elegant sword strikes that have been ingrained into him. He’s the number one swordmaster inReturn of the Blossoming Blade, and even though he can be a little rough around the edges, he carries skills that are 100 years too early for others to master. He’s elegant, swift, and clean, making it quite captivating to see when he fights.
2022
85
Once known as a violent ‘war god,’ Duan Yuxian, who was sealed for 1000 years, has now returned to a world far different from his past. When he comes across a dying little girl named Xiaomei, he decides to revive her out of pity, and she continues to follow him as repayment. Now that they’ve become a family together with Zhang Santai and Quan Wujin, Duan Yuxian only hopes for peaceful times in this martial world.
Not only does Duan Yuxian have skills that are imperceptible to the naked eye, but he’s alsoa genius martial artist, with or without a weapon. However, he does primarily use a sword in battle, and he’s the type of warrior who only unsheathes his sword when he gets serious. His duality is something that will easily catch readers' eyes inReturn of the War God, since by day, he’s a doting father to Xiaomei, and by night, he’s the greatest protector of his new family.
2023
72
The Academy’s Genius Swordsmanfeatures two characters who can be considered swordmasters in this fantasy story: Ronan, the MC, and his rival, Schliefen Grancia.After Ronan travels back in timewith the help of Adeshan, he finds himself 10 years in the past with only one goal in mind: Become the greatest swordmaster ever and stop the apocalypse.
Schliefen and Ronan are from completely different backgrounds, one being a noble blood and the other being a commoner, but the two of them share one thing in common, and that’s their love for the sword. Ronan can be a little unhinged when he’s fighting, but Schliefen, on the other hand, is more strategic. Their personalities are so different yet so alike, which makes their rivalry in swords and power all the more exciting to witness.
115
Jin Runcandel was once destined to become the head of his clan, but despite all his hard work, he was banished and killed for his poor swordsmanship. Just before his death, theGod of Shadows, Solderet, makes a deal with Jinand clears the curse on him that hindered his progress. With this, he was sent back to the day of his birth with another chance to become the greatest spellsword master ever lived.
Although Jin isThe Swordmaster’s Son, his family is far from what one would expect it to be. It’s a brutal battle to rise to the top, and his thirteen older siblings will do whatever it takes to make sure he doesn’t succeed. Despite this, Jin shows exceptional promise with the sword and magic, becoming the type of MC who will make his family and enemies suffer just to protect the ones he cares about.
2020
134
Hiatus
Choi Han was the original protagonist of the novel Kim Roksu (now Cale Henituse) reincarnates into. But he is now a loyal follower of Cale in the current story. He doesn’t have that big of a role, sinceLout of the Count’s Familyfocuses on Cale’s rise to power, but he does play a magnificent supporting role in the story. As Cale’s loyal follower, he does anything for him, since Cale is the one who gave him the resolve to continue living.
What’s interesting about Choi Han as a character is that, though he looks extremely calm and peaceful on the outside, he’s the most vicious. He was able to master the sword at a young age, and this, in turn, made him a hero of justice. He only ever fights against evil, and his entire persona often changes from lighthearted to cruel and cold. Choi Han’s combat skills are unmissable and always a rousing sight whenever Cale lets him lose on his enemies.
2019
Ykb (Story), Soon-q, Studio khit (Artist)
217
Hanbin Ryu got the short end of the stick when he was transported to another world and trapped in the tutorial stage for 20 years. When he’s finally released from this personal hell, he comes to find out that Otherworlders like him are shunned and killed for their existence. He now has no choice but to hide his identity while trying to level up in this unfamiliar place.
This proves to be a tricky feat; despite being a low-level hunter on the outside, his skills have reached their maximum level after being trapped in the tutorial stage for over two decades.Hanbin is an exceptional warrior, as his power scaling is off the charts inLatna Saga: Survival Of A Sword King. It’s also quite amusing to see a buff guy with a soft personality attempt to pretend that he’s not the enemy his friends are afraid of.
80
After falling terminally ill and being doomed to die within a year, Chan Yu decides to spend his last days playing in his favorite RPG world. But he dies that very same night and wakes up as Nox, a villain in the game whose constitution is just as bad. Except, Chan is desperate to live his life out as Nox and change the final ending where he gets executed.
Although Nox comes from a renowned noble family, he’s the black sheep due to his frail body and curses inhabiting him. But now, with knowledge from his previous life, Nox climbs the ranks and uses his curses to grant him new skills. Whether it be resistance to poison or obtaining dark magic, he’s also managed to become a genius swordsman inTime-Limited Genius Dark Knight. His abilities grow with each chapter and Nox knows how to enact his revenge perfectly.
165
As Lloyd Frontera’s personal guard and knight inThe Greatest Real Estate Developer, Javier Asrahan is also a genius swordsman for the family.After Kim Suho is reincarnated as Lloyd, their relationship significantly changes as well. Javier, who was known to show adamant disdain for the original Lloyd, slowly began to see him in a new light. Javier can be considered a ‘true’ knight in this sense, due to his righteous nature and personal morals.
Though he looks calm on the outside, he’s known to be openly expressive around those close to him, especially when it comes to playfully mocking Lloyd. It’s especially exciting to see him in action, as Javier’s combat skills in the story keep expanding along with his abilities, mana, and aura control. He’s always a fan favorite among readers and is sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seats whenever he unsheathes his sword.
82
Raven Balt spent 10 years as a contract monster hunter and just when he was finally free from the war, he was killed alongside Allen Pendragon, the only dragon-tamer in the Empire. Raven then wakes up 7 years in the past, but this time in Allen’s body with all his memories and battle skills intact. He now has the connections and money to find out the conspiracy behind House Balt’s downfall and the original Allen’s death.
A born warrior, Raven’s battle instincts and prowess carried over when he became Allen Pendragon, and his authoritative personality also made it easier for him to command his troops. But he hardly needs any protection inDuke Pendragon: Master of the White Dragonas he already knows the best way to slice up his enemies. Despite being a swordmaster, Allen is more a warrior, and it’s those killer instincts from his past as Raven that makes him the best swordsman the Empire has seen.
249
Nano Machineis set in the Murim world and follows the life of Yeo-eun Cheon, a low-born son of the High Priest who is consistently under danger. One night, he’s saved by one of his descendants who injects him with high-tech nanomachines to reconfigure his body.
Now equipped with new skills and a computer running through his veins, Yeo-eun is ready to go against his half-siblings and secure his position in the family. Aside from the comedic value, the action scenes bring a futuristic twist to this ancient backdrop. It’s interesting to learn how Yeo-eun learns his martial arts techniques from the past and future, before incorporating it into his own sword style.
