Manhwa about underdogs taking power

Summary

• Manhwa underdogs rise to power offer compelling plots.

• The main characters show growth, hard work and friendships.

• Stories like Eleceed and Tower of God captivate fans with twists and turns.

Underdogs has been part of the manhwa culture for a long time, but recently the popular trope of these seemingly weak characters has taken over has increased in strength. For those fans specifically looking for these stories, with hard-working heroes, or growth-type protagonists, there are various recommended series they can pick up.

Characters with few chances in life who rise through sheer force of will, heroes not by accident but by choice, and most importantly those often considered misfits generate some of the best plots in fiction. So this topic highlights some manhwa about underdogs taking power that fans should read.

1

Eleceed

A humble and shy boy makes the best disciple

• Genres: Action, Martial Arts, Comedy, Urban Fantasy, Dystopian
• Author: Son Jae-ho
• Artist: ZHENA

Jiwoo was always afraid of being discovered as a superhuman and a lifetime of hiding his abilities caused them to stagnate, making him one of the weakest awakened. When he was discovered by Kayden by pure chance, the (alleged) most powerful man on the planet saw something special in him.

So, in addition to developing an adorable friendship and an incredibly well-written student/mentor relationship, Kayden made sure Jiwoo's efforts didn't go to waste. It's great to see this underdog who never strayed from the right path finally get the recognition he deserves.

2

Summoners Academy

A group of misfits work together to survive

• Genre: Action, School Life, Comedy, Sword and Sorcery, Drama
• Author: Tarzian
• Artists: Grammy

What started out as one of the best new fantasy manhwa has now turned into four underdogs' struggle to stay afloat in one of the toughest school environments readers will see in a fantasy trope. With an exciting plot, unexpected dark twists and a pace that will leave readers dizzy, this underrated series tells the story of several wizards from different origins searching for their place in the world.

But a dark secret buried deep within the academy will test not only their mettle but also their friendship. Will they survive the onslaught to come, or will they fall victim to the evil plans of the mysterious Elven Director who seems hell-bent on making them suffer? A big underdog becomes a top dog story.

A trashy but hardworking character becomes essential

• Genre: Action, Isekai, Sword and Sorcery, School Life, Shounen, Drama
• Author: Corita
• Artist: Girin Geurin

Extras Academy Survival Guide has an underdog as its main character: a trashy character named Ed Rothtaylor, who was kicked out of the school dorms and needs to live in a cabin in the woods, get his own food, clothes and keep up with his studies at the same time. He's not a particularly gifted character: his magic is terrible, his physical stats are subpar, and he has no allies.

But when the others witness how hardworking and relentless Ed becomes after being partially expelled from the academy, they begin to see him in a new light. It turns out that someone else is occupying his body, and this former low-cost villain slowly becomes important to the plot. Despite some questionable decisions, Ed's choices have always been for the greater good. Even the pseudo-harem that grows around him becomes interesting to read.

4

Nano machine

An exiled prince receives a gift from the future and climbs to the top

• Genres: Martial Arts, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama, Tragedy, Time Travel
• Author: Jeolmu Hyeon
• Artist: Geumgangbulgoe

An exiled prince from a martial art, a visitor from the distant future, and nanotechnology that brings martial arts; all these tropes compose the script for a truly exciting underdog story, where a seemingly defeated martial artist becomes powerful again with the help of strange technology that seems out of this world.

Honor, revenge and the sense of walking the righteous (but sometimes morally complex) path complete this gripping tale of power-taking. But readers beware: the unexpected twists and wickedly difficult moral choices abound in this story. This isn't a simple underdog becomes top-dog and gets revenge story, it's a truly deep and intricate road to power story.

5

Tower of God

A weak boy, a big dream and lots of morally complex decisions

• Genre: Psychological, Thriller, Drama, Mystery, Fantasy, Action, Shounen
• Author & Artist: SIU

Tower of God has become one of the fan-favorite “underdog rises to power” stories in modern manhwa. With its intriguing main characters, a plot full of betrayal, unexpected twists and bloody battles for supremacy, it is one of the best in the shonen genre.

The story has a lot of mysteries, so if readers don't get a chance to figure them out for themselves at first, it's a good excuse to re-read the first few arcs and flip through the pages trying to connect the dots. And for those who never picked up, get ready for the ride of your life, because Bam's story of climbing to the top against the odds will give them no quarter.

6

Weak hero

The best strategy against bullying is to band together

• Genres: Action, School, Drama, Martial Arts
• Author: SEOPASS
• Artist: Razen

Weak hero is one of the best underdog climb to the top stories, and the best part is that it has an interesting anti-bullying message to it. The main character is not particularly strong, but he is smart and knows how to move.

So, fed up with his school bullies doing whatever they want, he stands his ground and his example leads to others slowly but steadily becoming a force against bullying. It has some of the greatest and most endearing friendship moments, and it also has some of the best character development and villain redemption arcs.

7

Reality Quest

From bullied student to street busine and local hero

• Genre: Urban Fantasy, Martial Arts, Drama
• Author: Lee Joo-woon
• Artist: Lee Joo-woon

When Reality Quest began, it was about a bullied boy suddenly being given a path to power through a mysterious system. But now, as Han Do-Wan's intentions become more and more focused on discovering the connection between his father and the infamous Bully Council, this underdog has become a powerful justice hound.

With incredible action scenes, this series is about overcoming weakness through sheer willpower. No room for doubt as the protagonist ties the links that bind his dead father's past to his present situation, stepping hard and forward as he takes control of his own future. Great character development here, ripe for any reader who likes drama, action and martial arts.