How to Start Reading Webtoons (And 10 Series to Check Out)
I downloaded the Naver Webtoon app in late 2019 and have since fallen down a wormhole of these digital comics called “webtoons” — a portmanteau of “web” and “toons.”
Manga vs. Webtoons: If you’re used to Japanese manga, reading these South Korea-born webtoons might require a bit of an adjustment. For one, there are no black-and-white grids — nearly all webtoons are in full color. There’s no flipping of pages or reading from right to left either. Webtoons are formatted vertically, so you’ll have to scroll down to read. Developed with digital natives in mind, webtoons are optimized for smartphones, so you can read your favorite series even when you’re on the go.
Episodes, Fast Pass, and Coins: The Naver Webtoon app/website is a great place to read webtoons for free. Well, chapters (called “episodes”) are generally free. But if you’re like me who’d fail the infamous marshmallow test because you can’t delay gratification, more recent episodes (called “fast pass episodes”) can be unlocked using “coins,” the app’s currency. (A fast pass episode can go from 3 to 5 coins. 10 coins go for US¢ 0.99.) The episodes do eventually become free, so you can just wait it out. If you can.
Creating a Webtoon Account: You won’t need a Webtoon account to read, but if you’d like to get customized recommendations, save your reading list, and eventually purchase coins, you’ll have to make one. The sign-up instructions are pretty standard.
Updates: Any webtoon series typically updates once a week, much like your regular TV show. Some series are divided into “seasons” (really, just like your regular TV show), and they can go on breaks in between.
Creator Support: Naver Webtoon has a very supportive fan community. You can follow the creators on social media, like their episodes, leave a comment, rate their work, and (for others) support them on Patreon.
Top Comments: Comments are sort of a thing in Naver Webtoon. The top three comments (i.e., the ones with the most likes) are prominently placed at the end of the episode.
What to read: Webtoon genres may not be as diverse as that of mangas, but there’s no shortage of good stories here too. My recommended starting points include a time travel story set in a zombie apocalypse, a tale of star-crossed-lovers set under the sea, and a chilling series of “human stories” told by ghosts.
Two of the webtoons in this list feature an unlikely alliance — one between a grim reaper and a disgraced detective, and the other between an assassin and a human lie detector. One webtoon is an adaptation of a YA book; another is soon to be adopted as a live-action TV series!
Finally, there’s a “silent” webtoon where words aren’t used; one where silence is a prominent theme; and a heartwarming story where we learn the value of speaking up for others who can’t.
Here are my recommended webtoon series:
#10. Rebirth by 69Michi
Noah Collins survived the apocalypse, only to go through it all over again.
In an undisclosed future, the world is irrevocably changed. Humans-turned-monsters prowl the land, and what’s left of humanity cower in the ruins of what was once progressive cities. The triggering event is a mysterious eclipse, a phenomenon that altered people in horrifying ways.
“Wouldn’t it be great if life had a rewind button?”
Noah, the CEO of a prominent company and father of two, thought he’d seen it all. Then he inexplicably wakes up six years earlier, a day before the eclipse, armed with all the memories, knowledge, and mystical skills of his post-Armageddon self. Noah sets out to salvage what he could, particularly his strained relationship with his first son, Neo. The future Neo is embroiled in a much larger narrative where his life at risk, and Noah is determined to protect his son this time around, even as ugly family secrets continue to drive them apart. There’s also something else: Noah isn’t the only one who’s been granted a cosmic rewind button.
69Michi’s Rebirth brazenly combines two well-worn tropes in fiction: the zombie apocalypse and time travel (see Set Right What Once Went Wrong). A third plot element — humans evolving to acquire superpowers — adds a great complication to the plot and leads to a lot of dynamic fight scene visuals. The story switches between the present and the future, balancing the perspectives of Noah, Neo, and other members of the Collins family. The cast is ever-expanding, with later episodes focusing on a group of military personnel with a mission of their own — a perfect foil for Noah’s ragtag group of survivors.
Rebirth does run the risk of getting bloated with storylines and characters. But so far, the narrative remains clear, and the characters are memorable and relatable. Much of the story’s charm stems from Noah and Neo’s dynamics, and Rebirth effectively plays off the Wacky-Parent-Serious-Child trope to deliver heartwarming moments of father-son bonding. At the core, however, is Noah’s tale of redemption, which I’m looking forward to when this webtoon returns with Season 2!
Episodes: 71 | Status: Season 1 complete. Season 2 to be released this year.
#9) I’m the Grim Reaper by Graveweaver
The macabre is alive and well in Graveweaver’s I’m the Grim Reaper.
A dead woman in line for judgment is immediately snatched up and brought to Hell. The Devil — horned, clawed, and outrageously sassy — is very impressed with her earthly misdeeds and offers her a job as the Grim Reaper! Well, it’s that or be banished to the ninth circle of Hell for eternity (Yes, she was apparently that bad).
“…this world is infested with two-faced sinners who walk amongst us, wearing masks made of human flesh. People who deserve nothing short of death and an eternity of suffering in hell. I never imagined that I’d be one of them.”
With a one-kill-per-day quota, the woman returns to the living world and adopts the name “Scarlet.” Her reaper’s eyes point her to a multitude of sinners, marked by scarlet X’s across their chests. There’s that cute guy on the street, a working girl, and — surprise, surprise — even a detective. But the detective, Chase, might be Scarlet’s only link to the person she’d been — a woman in an unsolved top-secret case. Scarlet and Chase strike a deal to advance their own agenda, their investigation leading them into the crosshairs of a nefarious organization and a very deadly foe.
I’m the Grim Reaper doesn’t shy away from some dark and gritty places, yet it also doesn’t take itself too seriously. Suspense and tension flow so naturally with moments of humor, as Scarlet teeters between her past and present, Earth and Hell, and Chase and the Devil. The artwork makes effective use of blacks and whites and bold colors to infuse every page with a delightful noirish vibe.
Often irreverent and darkly funny, the story is also a commentary of sorts. Ambiguity becomes a prominent theme here, as Scarlet quickly learns that the damning X’s don’t fully capture the nuances of evil or sin. What did she even do to gain her mark? What did Chase do to gain his? I’m the Grim Reaper leaves these mysteries hanging, as the story gears up for what promises to be an explosive second season.
Episodes: 26 | Status: Season 1 complete. Creator has “gone into hiding” to work on Season 2.
#8. True Beauty by Yaongyi
If you’re a K-drama fan, True Beauty is the way to go.
Dorky Jugyeong Lim had her heart broken in middle school. Seeking advice from an internet forum, she learns a crucial lesson that will change her life completely: Beauty is everything. And if you don’t have it…that’s what make-up is for, girl!
“No one would ever like an ugly, ordinary girl like me.”
With persistence and a deft hand, Jugyeong masters the cosmetic arts and debuts her sizzling hot new self in high school. She settles for a dual life, keeping her “true face” hidden from the public, even her friends and social media followers. But when gorgeous transfer student Suho Lee stumbles upon her secret, Jugyeong’s life takes a very interesting turn.
Yaongyi depicts a familiar world in True Beauty, where there’s relentless pursuit for physical perfection, the youth are fixated with social media, and people are typecast based on their appearance. Jugyeong, who geeks out over Linkin’ Park and gory horror movies, has to hide this part of herself because they’re not what “pretty girls” normally like. Her unwavering faith in the power of beauty — and the cosmetics that make this possible for her — is so deeply entrenched that it’s gearing up to be her own undoing.
The art is fantastic as well. The story is filled with beautiful people who look like they could just jump off the page. I love how Yaongyi plays a lot with Jugyeong’s looks, going from a goddess with a demure smile to a pockmarked, double-chinned girl in the span of a panel. The story often meanders, but expect a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, swoon-worthy romance, and make-up tutorials!
Episodes: 82+ (*Note: If you can read Korean, find more episodes here.) | Status: Still going strong, with weekly episode releases.
#7. Not Even Bones by R Schaeffer/Alai Cinereo
Artist Alai Cinereo breathes life into Rebecca Schaeffer’s YA book, Not Even Bones.
When your mom hunts supernatural creatures for a living, life will never be easy or boring. Nita gets it. She actually likes her part in the “family business” — dissecting the corpses so they can sell the parts. Then mother dearest brings home something alive. A boy. A breathing boy who can talk. A boy who asks for Nita’s freaking help!
“He looked like a human on the outside. But on the inside…that was a different matter.”
With one decision, Nita’s life devolves into a nightmare. The tables are turned, and Nita ends up on the wrong side of the monster marketplace. Caged in the middle of nowhere, Nita must make do with what little resources she has — her undeveloped abilities and the dubious help of unlikely allies — to pull off an impossible escape.
I found my way to Schaeffer’s Market of Monsters series through this stunning webtoon. The story is grim and raw and very surprising, with morally gray characters that you can’t help but root for. Nita herself is no innocent heroine. She’s flawed, with really messed-up hobbies — an extraordinary girl, true, but one who rightly suffers the consequences of her actions.
Cinereo’s artwork looks very polished and does great justice to the story, though readers sensitive to blood and gore should be forewarned. And since I have no self-control whatsoever, I’ve already binge-read the two books in the series — Not Even Bones and Only Ashes Remain. (A third book, When Villains Rise, is due for release on September 2020). After getting a taste of it in this webtoon, it’s almost impossible not to.
Episodes: 20+ | Status: Currently torturing non-book readers with cliffhangers.
#6. Choco Latte by Ann
Who says you need words to tell a love story?
A cup of latte cheers up Lilly Ackerman after a disastrous day, and the cute barista, Kyle Shaw, happens to go to her school! What’s more, they’re on the same committee together.
Hilarious mix-ups abound as Lilly and Kyle slowly fall for each other. And as you’ve undoubtedly built your Lilly-Kyle ship early on in the story, the fun lies in watching your precious vessel navigate the perilous sea that is high school life.
Told without any speech or thought bubbles, Ann’s Choco Latte is one refreshing experience. The art does all the heavy lifting, and it’s really just a mark of the artist’s creativity that everything still works beautifully.
Though misunderstandings remain to be the story’s staple source of conflict — as with Ann’s earlier work, Love Doesn’t Talk — the situations are not so overwrought to the point of frustration. Characters actively resolve their own misconceptions, and for a webtoon that doesn’t rely on words, it’s amazing how the story underscores the importance of open communication. For fans of shoujo manga, Choco Latte is a must-read!
Episodes: 32 | Status: On Hiatus
#5. #muted by kandismon
Words are a precious commodity in kandismon’s tale of a boy who won’t speak and the other boy who falls in love with him.
Jasper, a librarian, is drawn to Kai, a quiet, dark-haired boy who often visits the library. They bond over books and become fast friends, despite Kai remaining quiet throughout.
“…there’s one thing about him that I still can’t figure out. Up until this day…he hasn’t said a single word to anyone.”
Silence, however, isn’t a barrier to love. Jasper understands Kai’s expressions — and he can talk enough for two anyway! But with much of Kai’s past still shrouded in mystery, is what they have going to be enough?
#muted flows at a comfortable pace, quickly pulling readers into the highs and lows of a budding relationship. We follow Jasper and Kai through the different phases: the meet-cute, the getting-to-know part, the confession, the first fight, first kiss, and other firsts…
And yes, gender is a point of conflict in the story, and I love how kandismon showcases protagonists with different sexualities. The artwork is breathtaking and gives the story a definite sense of place and atmosphere. The colorful lights at a night market…snow falling on a cobbled street…the library where Jasper works…everything is rendered so beautifully. Truly a fitting backdrop to such a heartwarming love story.
Episodes: 6 chapters divided into 60 short episodes | Status: Ongoing, with twice-a-month updates.
#4. Purple Hyacinth by Ephemerys/Sophism
Purple Hyacinth starts with a bang and just never lets up.
Like many in the city of Ardhalis, Officer Lauren Sinclair is haunted by an unsolved, decade-old mass murder. And she will stop at nothing to bring down the group behind the carnage — the Phantom Scythe.
“We were taught that lies are evil. But sometimes, the truth is worse.”
Lauren is up to the task, even if it meant teaming up with a treacherous bastard — an assassin called the Purple Hyacinth (so-named for the flowers he leaves on his victims’ bodies). With the assassin’s access to inside information and Lauren’s uncanny ability to detect lies, the pair work in the shadows to suss out the Phantom Scythe’s elusive leader. But Lauren should have known: When you dance with the devil, you should never ever let down your guard.
Grounded in a compelling world reminiscent of medieval Europe, Purple Hyacinth hurtles forward at a brisk pace, throwing readers headlong into a multi-layered story filled with mysteries, secrets, betrayals, and lies. With solid worldbuilding, fleshed-out characters, and terrific music, creators Ephemerys and Sophism bring forth a very atmospheric story. The stakes feel real, and the tension is palpable. Readers sensitive to blood and gore, however, should beware.
Purple Hyacinth oozes with creativity, depth, and research. It’s practically a labor of love — you just see it in the details, like the alliteration in the titles and the aptness of the accompanying soundtrack. Even the creators’ notes are witty as hell. There’s little in the way of romance (or at least, not yet), but the chemistry between the protagonists is electrifying. I can’t wait to see where this page-turner (or screen-scroller?) of a story is going!
Episodes: 43+ | Status: Ongoing, with a new episode released each week.
#3. Ghost Teller by QTT
QTT deftly redefines what horror is in this thought-provoking series.
Humans tell ghost stories to scare the crap out of each other. Yet the inverse is also true. In QTT’s Ghost Teller, ghosts gather around a table to share their scariest “human stories.” Each tale will prove the unacknowledged truth: The living are infinitely more horrifying than the dead.
“What I’m about to tell you is more terrifying than any ghost. It is a tale…of humans.”
The stories are tied to our spectral narrators. Picture these: A plain-looking girl meets a handsome laundromat owner — but isn’t he too good to be true? A photographer takes on a dubious assignment — and catches on film an appalling tragedy. An anonymous post on social media destroys a pop idol’s career — and her response shocks the world.
Filled with intrigue and surprising twists, Ghost Teller keeps readers engrossed with its elegant art and unpredictable storylines. Each tale brings to light the frailties of human nature — of greed and malice and that universal self-centeredness that blinds people to the needs of others.
Ghost Teller stands out for being such a conversation-starter. Was justice served? Did the end justify the means? Would things be different if he/she didn’t do that? And what the heck even happened back there? Ghost Teller evokes emotions, incites questions, and occasionally sparks a debate or two. And isn’t that what good stories do?
Episodes: 68+ | Status: Season 1 complete. Season 2 ongoing, with weekly updates.
#2. Castle Swimmer by Wendy Lian Martin
Think of Castle Swimmer as a star-crossed-lovers story set under the vast ocean — with mermen!
There are prophecies all over the great sea, and all involve a chosen one called the “Beacon,” a merman with a tail of gold…and the power to bring about what was foretold.
“And you are the Beacon. A light that shines for others.”
Among the curse-stricken sharks, the Beacon is said to be their only hope for salvation. And it falls upon the young prince, Siren, to kill the Beacon and break the curse. But Siren has other ideas. So does Kappa, the Beacon. With sparks flying each second that they’re together, Siren and Kappa resolve to make their own decisions and live their own lives, destinies and prophecies be damned.
Wendy Lian Martin tells a very efficient and compelling story. There’s a touch of Ella Enchanted in Kappa’s predicament, his free will all but erased when he’s near a prophecy that needs fulfilling. Siren, on the other hand, is bound by his people’s (and his mother’s) expectations. Throughout the story, we see how restraints can come in many forms…and how love can be both stifling and liberating.
Castle Swimmer makes no attempt to vilify anyone in the story. Everyone has their own goals — or they’re just simply trying to make the best out of a given situation. The art captures the mystique of the story’s underwater setting, and the colorful creatures populating the pages are a visual delight. If you like subversive fairy tales, Castle Swimmer will earn a space on your digital bookshelf.
Episodes: 45 | Status: Season 1 complete. Season 2 to debut in March 2020.
#1. Your Letter by Hyeon A. Cho
Hyeon A. Cho’s Your Letter is crafted with a drop of magic and a whole lot of heart.
Doing the right thing made life so miserable for middle-schooler Sori Lee. She thought she’d have a fresh start in a new school, but somehow, she’s lonelier than ever. Until she finds a strange letter taped under her desk.
“P.S. If you want to read more, you’ll have to find my second letter.”
It’s the first in a series of letters, Sori discovers, and thus began a most unusual scavenger hunt that has Sori exploring the nooks and crannies of her new school. What lies at the end? And what does Eugene Park, the boy that Sori keeps bumping into, have to do with everything?
The subject of bullying is central to many stories in both mangas and webtoons, though most are handled rather clumsily — as a narrative device to justify revenge, for instance. Your Letter keeps it sweet and simple but still manages to strike a chord with readers, especially those whose sufferings were met with silence, those who found the courage to speak up for others who can’t, and those who had begun to wonder if the right thing is even worth doing.
The fact that Your Letter is the highest-rated webtoon ever is just a testament to how its message resonates. With endearing characters and a compact, heartwarming story, Sori’s tale will stay with you long after you’ve closed the screen.
Episodes: 12 | Status: Complete.
And there you have it! Happy reading, everyone!
