Best Swordmasters in Manhwa

Important takeaways

• Swordmasters in manhwa are not only skilled warriors; they also provide unique personalities and deep stories.
• Different swordsmen exhibit different qualities, such as elegance, violence, duality, and righteousness.
• The battles, rivalries and growth of these swordsmen in the manhwa make for compelling and exciting stories.

Clashing blades, heightened skills, and battle-ready strategy that leave readers on the edge of their seats is what makes a great fighter. Whether the skill was miraculously bestowed or earned through hard work, it's always endearing to see swordsmen dishing it out on the battlefield without a care for their surroundings.

The best thing about swordsmen, though, is that they aren't always the strict, military type seen in other forms of media. Sometimes they're a bit silly, mysterious or stupid, but that's what makes them all the more eye-catching. Here are some of best and most iconic swordmasters in manhwa that readers can enjoy, not just for the level of their skills but for the content they bring to their respective stories.

8 Cheongmyeong (Return Of The Blossoming Blade)

The greatest practitioner of the Plum Blossom Sword Strike

After reincarnating 100 years into the future, Cheongmyeong returns to the Mount Hua Sect only to find the place barely surviving. Cheongmyeong, a former shell of what the Glorious Sect used to be, decides to restore its glory by training the current disciples and bringing back the very sword styles that Mount Hua was known for. Despite reincarnating in the body of a child, Cheongmyeong's abilities far surpass those around him, and his insistence on growth increases at an exponential rate.

He's trapped in a body that limits his physical prowess, but that doesn't stop him from pushing his limits and wielding the elegant sword strokes that have been ingrained in him. He is the number one swordsman Return of the Blossoming Bladeand while he may be a little rough around the edges, he carries skills that are 100 years too early for others to master. He is sleek, fast and clean, which makes it quite captivating to watch when he fights.

7 Duan Yuxian (Return Of The War God)

The violent warmonger became a family man

Once known as a fierce “War God”, Duan Yuxian, who was sealed away for 1000 years, has now returned to a world very 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 payback. Now that they have become a family together with Zhang Santai and Quan Wujin, Duan Yuxian only hopes for peaceful times in this martial world.

Duan Yuxian not only has skills that are imperceptible to the naked eye, he is also a genius martial artist, with or without weapons. But he mainly uses a sword in battle, and he's the kind of warrior who only takes off his sword when he gets serious. His duplicity is something that easily catches the readers' eyes Return of the God of Warbecause by day he is a loving father to Xiaomei, and by night he is the greatest protector of his new family.

6 Ronan And Schliefen (The Academy's Genius Swordsman)

Two rivals fighting to become the greatest swordsman

Academy genius swordsman features two characters who could be considered sword masters in this fantasy story: Ronan, the MC, and his rival, Schliefen Grancia. After Ronan travels back in time with the help of Adeshan, he finds himself 10 years in the past with only one goal in mind: Become the greatest swordsman ever and stop the apocalypse.

Schliefen and Ronan have completely different backgrounds, one is a noble blood and the other is a common man, but the two share one thing in common, and that is their love for the sword. Ronan can be a bit callous when fighting, but Schliefen on the other hand is more strategic. Their personalities are so different yet so similar, which makes their rivalry in swords and power all the more exciting to witness.

5 Jin Runcandel (Son of the Swordmaster)

A failure given a second chance to become a magic word

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. Shortly before his death, the God of Shadows, Solderet, makes a deal with Jin and removes the curse on him that was hindering his progress. With this he was sent back to the day of his birth with a new chance to become the greatest spell master to ever live.

Although Jin is Son of the Swordmasterhis family is far from what you would expect it to be. It's a brutal fight to make it 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 those he cares about.

4 Choi Han (Lout Of The Count's Family)

The Loyal Dog by Cale Henituse

Choi Han was the original protagonist of the novel Kim Roksu (now Cale Henituse) reincarnates into but is now a loyal follower of Cale in the current story. He doesn't matter that much, then Lout of the Count's Family focuses on Cale's rise to power, but he plays a magnificent supporting role in the story. As Cale's loyal follower, he will do anything for him, since Cale is the one who gave him the decision to continue living.

What's interesting about Choi Han as a character is that even though he looks extremely calm and peaceful on the outside, he is the most evil. He was able to master the sword at a young age, and this in turn made him the hero of justice. He only fights evil, and his whole personality often changes from easygoing to cruel and cold. Choi Han's fighting skills are unmissable and always an exciting sight when Cale lets him lose to his enemies.

3 Hanbin Ryu (Latna Saga: Survival Of A Sword King)

The decades-old beginner's tutorial that hides its true strength

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 is finally released from this personal hell, he will find out that other worlds like him are loathed 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 Latna Saga: Survival Of A Sword King. It's also quite amusing to see a buff guy with a soft personality trying to pretend he's not the enemy his friends fear.

2 Nox Von Leinhaber (Time-Limited Genius Dark Knight)

The terminally ill villain who wants to live

After becoming terminally ill and doomed to die within a year, Chan Yu decides to spend his last days playing in his favorite RPG world. But he dies that night and wakes up as Nox, an in-game villain whose constitution is just as bad. Except Chan is desperate to live his life as Nox and change the final ending where he is executed.

Although Nox comes from a famous noble family, he is the black sheep due to his weak body and curses living within him. But now, with knowledge from his past life, Nox climbs the ranks and uses his curses to give him new skills. Whether it is resistance to poison or getting dark magic, he has also managed to become a genius swordsman in Limited Time Genius Dark Knight. His abilities grow with each chapter and Nox knows how to carry out his revenge perfectly.

1 Javier Asrahan (the biggest real estate developer)

The Righteous Swordsman of the Genius Engineer

As Lloyd Frontera's personal guard and knight in The largest real estate developerJavier Asrahan is also a genius swordsman for the family. After Kim Suho is reincarnated as Lloyd, their relationship also changes significantly. Javier, who was known to show a staunch contempt 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 morality.

Although he appears calm on the outside, he is known to be openly expressive around those close to him, especially when it comes to playfully taunting Lloyd. It's especially exciting to see him in action, as Javier's fighting skills in the story continue to expand along with his abilities, mana, and aura control. Always a fan favorite among readers, he's sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seats when he pulls out his sword.