Overpowered protagonists are extremely popular among manga/manhwa fans. However, there are many people who enjoy stories with strong female leads. So, without further ado, here are the 25+ Best Manga/Manhwa With Strong Female Lead!
Manhwa is the South Korean equivalent of manga, for those who are unfamiliar. They have a distinct artistic style and incorporate indigenous storytelling, culture, and history. As a result, manga fans may discover that a manhwa is a breath of fresh air.
Manhwa stories are frequently distinct from manga stories, with many focusing on mature themes and adult-oriented narratives. Manhwa writers aren’t afraid to cast strong female leads, whereas manga writers are. It is one of many distinctions between it and its Japanese counterpart.
Manga With Strong Female Lead
25. The Lady and the Beast
Empress Martina, the founder of the Carabella Empire, reincarnates 100 years after her death as Astina Lette, the daughter of a count. In stark contrast to her previous life, her peaceful, everyday life as a noble lady is short-lived. Her father’s failed trade business has left her family deeply in debt. Astina sells herself to marry Grand Duke Thereode instead of her sister Kanna in order to save her family from financial ruin. But Thereode is cursed for the rest of her life to take on the form of a beast, and no one expects her to survive the night with him…
Regardless, she fights the beast with her impressive swordsmanship and miraculously survives. A slow relationship develops between them as she tames him as her pet.
One night, Astina gives Theo a brief peck on the lips as a reward for his obedience, and suddenly… Theo transforms…. human?
24. Charlotte Has Five Disciples
Charlotte Eleanor is a former Archmage who once saved the world. Rather than dying, she changes her body’s age to that of a child and begins a new life as Aria Lissen. She had a fulfilling life in her first lifetime, with the exception of one minor regret. Aria is determined to find and live for the one thing she has never had…LOVE.
Magic grants what the heart desires, or so the great witch Charlotte Eleanor believed. Charlotte saved the world while training five disciples to learn her magical abilities.
Despite this, she has yet to find the true love that her heart craves. She was reborn in Aria Lisen after her death! Can Aria finally find her true love with the help of Grand Duke Louister while keeping her new identity hidden from her former disciples?
23. The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up At The Duke’s Mansion
Her own betrothed poisoned her to death?! Eunha did not wake up in a novel only to be killed off as an unfortunate extra! She requires a cover to change her story… 6 months pretending to be Duke Noah Wynknight’s phoney fiancée in the novel. Will this cold-hearted, angel-faced demon of a man be able to save her from yet another tragic ending?!
As someone who has binged hundreds of webtoons and mangas, this has one of the best plots I’ve seen in the vast sea of shoujo manga/manhwa.
22. The Blood of Madam Giselle
Giselle, a rebellious spirit trapped in a violent marriage, lives a miserable life as a meek wife and lady. Giselle, on the other hand, comes across what appears to be a young boy trapped inside a cage while exploring her new home one night. The boy is regarded as a monster, an immortal “flower that feeds on blood,” an heirloom from her husband’s eccentric father. Despite her reservations, Giselle begins to pay the boy nightly visits. Will her life be shattered as a result of these unauthorised encounters?
21. The Saga of Tanya The Evil
In high-stakes aerial duels with bullets, spells, and bayonets high above the blood- and mud-soaked trenches, a young girl battles army mages. Tanya Degurechaff is the Devil of the Rhine, and she is one of the Empire’s greatest soldiers! But inside her mind is a ruthless, cunning ex-salaryman who grew up in Japan before waking up in a war-torn world. Tanya, a destitute orphaned girl with only memories of a previous life, will do anything to survive, even if it means hiding behind a gun barrel!
This manga also has an anime with 12 episodes.
20. I’ll Be The Matriarch In This Life
Florentia was reincarnated as the illegitimate child of the richest family in the empire. She had anticipated that everything would go smoothly in the future. But her father had died, her relatives had abandoned her, and the honourable family she was so proud of had been utterly destroyed…. Is this, however, correct? She drank too much and was hit by a carriage. When she opened her eyes again, she was seven years old. Furthermore, the Second Prince, her family’s enemy in her previous life, is tailing her like a dog!
“Tia, you’re more beautiful than I am.” “….Are you sure you’re not kidding me?” “No. “I really mean it.” Okay, the Second Prince and his family are both mine!
In this life, I’ll have to become the head of the family.
19. Who Made Me A Princess
When I opened my eyes, I was a princess!
But why does it have to be a princess in this romance novel who has the fate of death from her own blood-related father?
If I want to live, I will have to stay away completely from his sight. However…
“Since when did this kind of scumbag start living in my castle?”
Not a single drop of blood nor tear to drop, that cruel and cold emperor, Claude!
Will Athanasia who has entered his eyes survive?
“I… What should I do……”
18. Oh! Holy
What does it matter if you’re invisible in high school when you can see and communicate with the invisible? Jamie Oh, reserved and quiet, prefers to remain in the background and confide only in his ghost friends. But when the most popular girl in school expresses interest in him, his normal — or, more accurately, paranormal — life takes an unexpected turn.
A perfect high school idol meets a depressed loner boy! Because the main character’s only friends are ghosts, he is taken aback when the class idol strikes up a conversation with him on the first day of school.
17. Miss Not-So Sidekick
To relieve her daily stress, Hyejung enjoyed reading. But that was before she awoke in her favourite novel’s strange world! Instead of being the main protagonist who pursues three eligible men, she is now Latte Ectrie – a minor villain who everyone despises?! In any case, it’s a chance for her to relive her favourite storyline while munching on popcorn and watching all the drama! Taking command of the story has taken on a whole new meaning!
This manhwa is wholesome and adorable, and it makes my heart skip a beat. It focuses on the romance between the ml and the FL but manages to be a page-turner. It’s quite comedic and lighthearted, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys lighthearted romance and comedy.
16. Ghost in the Shell
The distinction between man and machine has become increasingly blurred as humans rely on mechanical implants for enhancement and robots are upgraded with human tissue. Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg superagent, is tasked with tracking down the most cunning and dangerous terrorists and cybercriminals, including “ghost hackers” capable of exploiting the human/machine interface and reprogramming humans to act as puppets for the hackers’ criminal ends.
Major Kusanagi’s journey takes her into a world beyond information and technology, where the very nature of consciousness and the human soul are turned upside down.
15. Akame ga Kill
With twisted morals and no regard for human life, the ruthless Minister Honest rules the country from the shadows, taking advantage of the new Emperor’s ignorance. As a result, a crime and corruption epidemic has swept through the country’s capital city, creating a society in which the privileged have complete dominance over the less fortunate.
Night Raid, a secret division of the opposition Revolutionary Army, does exist to combat this rampant abuse of power. It is composed of a small band of ruthless assassins who murder anyone who participates in or ignores the Empire’s heinous wrongdoings.
14. Survive As The Hero’s Wife
Carnelia Easter was killed by the male protagonist. As the penniless baron’s daughter, she was betrothed to Cesear, the first prince, as a child as part of the empress’ plot to limit his political power. Carnelia was not only her spy, but also a cunning businesswoman with no redeeming features. Her flaws eventually led to her demise, which was a fitting end for the supporting antagonist.
Just hours after her and Cesear’s wedding, a woman is killed in a car accident and reborn as Carnelia. She intends to befriend her husband and then leave quietly when it is time for him to meet the main female character. Cesear, on the other hand, has grown attached to Carnelia and may be reluctant to let her go.
13. Lady Baby
In a series of tragedies, Calliope Rustichel’s family members die one by one. A mysterious woman grants Calliope a second chance at life just as she had given up hope. She had no idea that chance would literally begin at birth! Calliope, now trapped as an adult in a baby’s body, must uncover the conspiracy behind her family’s death and use her memories of the past to change the future… all while learning to walk and talk! Who said being a baby was all about taking naps and changing diapers?
12. Doctor Elise
Dr. Song Jihyun is a Korean surgeon prodigy known for her ability to save patients in any condition. In her previous life as Elise de Clorance, the emperor’s ill-mannered wife, her jealousy and greed led to the loss of her loved ones and, eventually, her death. As a result, she resolved to save rather than destroy lives.
After a fatal plane crash, Elise awakens in her former body. She is determined to contribute to the empire as a medic in this life, given her prior knowledge of modern medicine and the opportunity to correct her mistakes. Will Elise, on the other hand, be able to avoid her engagement to Prince Linden de Romanoff, the man she has loved to death?
11. Monster Duchess And The Contract Princess
The Sperados haven’t had an heir capable of controlling the darkness in over a century. Marquis Sperado sacrifices his second-born Leslie, whose sole purpose in life was to assist his eldest daughter in strengthening her weak shadow powers. Leslie is saved from death by mysterious beings, and she awakens shadow magic that rivals her sister’s ability.
Leslie decides to cut ties with her abusive family because of their heinous behavior. She seeks a deal with Acela Benkan Salvatore, also known as the “Monstrous Duke,” the head of the Salvatore duchy, to accomplish this. Leslie offers to take a “Dark Saint” under her wing in exchange for a normal childhood with Acela’s family. She is determined to escape the Sperados’ clutches by doing whatever it takes to become a Salvatore and seize happiness for herself.
10. Villainess Level 99 ~I May Be The Hidden Boss But I’m Not The Demon Lord~
According to an Otome RPG, dark hair is stigmatised to an abnormal degree in the Varschein Kingdom. Eumiella Dolkness is the count’s daughter who has been despised since birth because of her pitch-black hair—and she is also the hidden boss! Eumiella, who is five years old, recalls her previous life in Japan. Uninterested in the romance of the original game, she devotes herself to honing her rare dark-type magic.
Despite this, Eumiella’s objectives are simple: avoid becoming the “hidden boss” and staying out of the spotlight. When she enters the magical academy, however, her level 99 status shakes the foundations of the kingdom. Her abilities are unrivalled in a physical brawl or a magical duel, and when combined with her black hair, she stands out like a sore thumb. Worse, the original heroine begins to suspect she is the demon lord! Can the deadpan noble girl’s wish for a peaceful life come true?
9. Black Lagoon
The plot revolves around the Lagoon Company, a mercenary group that smuggles goods into and around the seas of Southeast Asia. They have their headquarters in the fictitious Thai city of Roanapur and transport goods on the PT boat Black Lagoon. The Lagoon Company works with a wide range of clients, but it has a special relationship with the Russian crime syndicate Hotel Moscow. The team works on a variety of missions in Southeast Asia, including violent firefights, hand-to-hand combat, and naval battles.
8. So I’m a Spider, So What?
When a mysterious explosion killed an entire high school class, the students’ souls were transported and reincarnated in a fantasy world. Some students were reincarnated as princes or prodigies, while others did not.
Our heroine, who was at the bottom of the class, discovered she had been reincarnated as a spider!? Now at the bottom of the food chain, she must adapt to her new surroundings with determination in order to survive! It’s eat or be eaten in a dangerous labyrinth filled with monsters!
This is the story of a spider who will do anything to survive!
7. Claymore
The Middle Ages have arrived, and humanity’s last survivors are beset by paranoia and death. When spoken in fearful whispers, the word “Yoma” conjures up a vivid image in everyone’s mind: monstrous beings with an insatiable appetite for human flesh. The fear of their heinous appetite pales in comparison to the fear of their ability to shapeshift and steal the memories of their last meal. Humans, who are constantly at risk of attack, live in fear, even among family members.
A Yoma can only be killed in a few ways. The Organization, also known as “Claymore,” is humanity’s only line of defense, dispatching half-human, half-Yoma female warriors to cleanse Yoma villages. Death comes with each new assignment for these warriors, making their lives lonely and dangerous. What little time they have between difficult battles and long, arduous journeys is spent in a never-ending battle to resist their Yoma blood and retain their humanity. Knowing this, the villagers reluctantly pay for their security and have nothing but contempt for their protectors.
Clare, a stoic and low-ranking member, is followed by Claymore on her perilous journey in search of personal vengeance. Along the way, she learns a lot about the world, from the camaraderie and hope shared by her sisters-in-arms to the sinister truth behind the Claymore Organization.
6. A Stepmother’s Marchen
Suri Van Neuwanstein was dubbed “the iron widow,” “the spider widow,” “the male hunter,” “the witch of Neuwanstein castle,” and “the humiliation of noble ladies.” Despite the world’s condemnation, she raised her ‘children,’ who were not blood relatives and were old enough to be called her siblings. Finally, on the day of her first son Jeremy’s wedding, she realised that her efforts had paid off. But she was completely incorrect. She was killed in an accident on her way out of the castle after hearing the message asking her not to attend the wedding. But when she opened her eyes, she found herself seven years earlier, on the day of her husband’s funeral. I will not suffer any longer. I’m not going to live my life the same way twice!
This one has such a lovely story that I was overcome with emotion while reading it. The family’s growth is heartwarming, and the truth about the past is heartbreaking (I won’t spoil it any further). Anyways, I highly recommend this story because it has amazing art, cute kids, some comedy sprinkled throughout, strong family dynamics, a strong female lead, lovable characters, and more. I can’t express how beautiful and tragic this story is; the most recent chapters have moved me to tears and left me in pain.
5. Light and Shadow
Earlswald’s lecherous and tyrannical king, his wife, and their son have all been killed in an uprising. Cayden, the rebel leader, is crowned as the new monarch, and his right-hand man, Eli, a peasant, is given the title of duke. Despite his achievements as a war hero, Eli is rumoured to be a cold-blooded madman who terrorises both allies and enemies.
Because he previously supported the former king, a nobleman must marry off his eldest daughter to Eli. Instead, he sends Edna, a servant who poses as his illegitimate child.
Despite their rocky marriage, Eli is drawn to Edna’s sophisticated demeanour and fiery personality, while she believes her husband is more than the rumours suggest. Nonetheless, Edna must keep her mask on because if Eli discovers who she truly is and why she is so concerned about the kingdom, she will lose not only their marriage but also her life.
4. The Villainess Reverses The Hourglass
People cheer as Aria Roscente walks to the gallows, relieved to see a true villain executed. Aria’s is a rags-to-riches story; after her mother married a count, Aria began flaunting her newly acquired wealth and abusing her position. People could only feel sorry for Mielle, her saintly sister who had to put up with such a sibling for so long. But, just as she is about to die, Aria discovers the truth: her demise was all part of Mielle’s plan.
When Aria reawakens, she is in the past, next to an enigmatic hourglass. The former villain is now obsessed with vengeance. Aria will have everything Mielle once desired, from the count’s adoration to her fiance’s affection. Aria will go to any length to exact her vengeance, even if it means using others or faking a smile, using her knowledge of the future and the hourglass’s ability to turn back time.
3. Villains Are Destined To Die
The latest otome game has recently gained popularity, so a regular university student decides to see if its notoriety is justified. She quickly switches out of normal mode and begins to feel sorry for the villain, Penelope Eckhart. Penelope serves as the game’s stand-in for the protagonist, the duke’s missing daughter.
Initially confident that she will be able to complete the hard mode as well, the woman is taken aback by the sudden increase in difficulty, eventually collapsing from exhaustion. When she awakens, she is unaware of her surroundings because she has been reincarnated into the body of the villainess!
Penelope must make wise decisions to avoid death in a world where everyone seems to be out for her blood. Will she be able to win the love of a tyrant prince, a suspicious magician, a nobleman from a fallen nation, or one of her evil adoptive brothers?
2. Beware of the Villainess
Enjoy this romantic story about an angelic heroine and her devoted suitors competing for the depths of her love… or not. This story is about to go through some changes! Melissa Foddebrat, the story’s villain, wakes up as a modern-day college student after an accident. Although she is not everyone’s favourite, she is the duke’s daughter. This new Melissa, determined to live life to the fullest, is doing things her way, society be damned! Idiots, prepare to step aside or perish!
1. Yona of the Dawn
Once upon a time, the kingdom of Kouka was ruled by a red dragon in human form. He was assisted in leading the kingdom to prosperity by four dragon-blooded warriors. This story became a legend for children to tell over time.
Yona, as Kouka’s sole princess, lives a lavish life of ease. She wants nothing and is protected by her bodyguard, Son Hak, from the harrowing reality outside the castle walls because she is in love with her cousin, Su-won, and is protected by her bodyguard, Son Hak. Despite its peaceful appearance, Kouka is about to experience political turmoil. After her beloved Su-won stages a bloody coup and murders her father, Yona is forced to flee with only Hak by her side.
Despite the fact that she is surrounded on all sides by enemies, the exiled princess longs to return to her kingdom. An exiled priest provides her with a solution, telling her that finding the four legendary dragon warriors is her only hope. Yona sets out to find these warriors, guided by this seemingly fictitious myth, determined to return her kingdom to its former glory.
BONUS: Adelaide
Adelaide Chamille Borbon’s second life after being reincarnated following a car accident 17 years ago could not be more ordinary. As a nobleman’s daughter living in the countryside before being married off, she yearns for adventure. Adelaide rushes to the capital to meet this mysterious “saint” at the debutante ball after hearing about a black-haired woman from another dimension.
In other news, Felix Mikhail Noah Elias has had enough of hearing about himself and the alleged saint. In reality, the latter is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, constantly seducing him and spreading false rumours for her own gain. Felix has no choice but to find an aristocratic lady and arrange an engagement as soon as possible in order to get rid of the unwanted visitor and the bad reputation she brings.
When they meet, Felix asks Adelaide to be his fiancée for the time being. Despite his assurances that no feelings will be involved, Felix may find it difficult to keep his simple promise with Adelaide by his side all the time.
That was it for the list, let us know what’s your favorite manga/manhwa with a strong female lead in the comments below!