Highlights
- Manhwa are starting to address mental illness more, providing insightful representations in various genres.
- Some manhwa like
I’m Not That Kind of Talent
and
The Duchess Has A Deathwish
tackle PTSD, anxiety, and eating disorders. - Stories like
Taste Of Illness
and
Dr. Frost
offer nuanced portrayals of anxiety and other mental health issues.
As a mental health advocate and avid reader of manhwa, I find these three stories to be powerful portrayals of various psychological conditions. Each one offers unique insights into different aspects of mental illness, making them not only entertaining but also educational.
Mental health issues are frequently challenging to address and represent, making them a common avoidance in the media. However, over the past few years, there’s been an increasing push for mental health awareness, resulting in these topics becoming more prevalent across various entertainment platforms.
Absolutely, you’ll find manhwa on this list as well. Although the number is limited, these comics offer compelling narratives that delve into and sometimes overtly discuss various mental health issues. Given the sensitive nature of the subject matter, some content may be graphic, so warnings will be provided when necessary. Here are some outstanding manhwa that tackle mental illness topics.
7 I’m Not That Kind Of Talent
MyAnimeList Score: 7.43
- Published: 2022 to Present
- Genre/Themes: Action, Fantasy
- Author: Denpi
- Illustrator: Meona
The narrative of “I’m Not That Kind of Talent” may not be centered on mental illness, but it profoundly shapes the protagonist, Deon Hart. Initially, Deon was an ordinary child, but a series of manipulations by other nobles led him to partake in the 8-Year War, an experience that irrevocably altered his character and left lasting scars on his psyche.
In this tale, we encounter representations of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Dissociative Identity Disorder, skillfully portrayed through the use of a imaginative backdrop. This narrative serves as an exceptional demonstration of how mental health concerns can dominate one’s existence and how past traumas intensify these struggles.
6 The Duchess Has A Deathwish
MyAnimeList Score: N/A
- Published: 2022 to Present
- Genre/Themes: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
- Author: HiMyDear
- Illustrator: RECON
Content Warning – Self-Harm, Suicide
In this graphic novel, the story delves deeply into themes of suicide and self-inflicted harm. After enduring a harsh existence, the main character contemplates taking her own life, only to be mysteriously transported into a book instead, inhabiting the villainous character Selena. Facing an ominous conclusion, she contemplates jumping from a clock tower.
Although it starts off gloomily, this narrative unfolds into a tale of healing. Selena undergoes a progressive transformation as she encounters love and compassion for the first time in her life. Yet, her journey isn’t without challenges, as she wrestles with recurring thoughts about death throughout her progression.
5 How To Win My Husband Over
MyAnimeList Score: 8.13
- Published: 2021 to Present
- Genre/Themes: Drama, Fantasy, Isekai, Psychological, Villainess
- Author: Nyangi-wa Hyangsinnyo
- Illustrator: Siru
Content Warning – Abuse
“Winning My Husband’s Heart: Ruby’s Struggle”
Though Ruby’s bulimia isn’t frequently discussed throughout the narrative, it’s subtly established from the start, serving as a constant undercurrent of struggle. As new challenges surface, Ruby continues to grapple with the psychological and physiological impacts of her eating disorder as the story progresses.
4 The Pizza Delivery Man And The Gold Palace
MyAnimeList Score: N/A
- Published: 2022 to Present
- Genre/Themes: Boys Love, Drama, Romance
- Author: Upi
- Illustrator: Upi
Anxiety is something many people go through, but when it intensifies significantly, it can become incapacitating. Kang Seo-An struggles with severe anxiety issues which lead to panic attacks and keep him confined within the walls of his home. His most challenging moments are when he encounters Doh Woo-Won, a man who constantly hops from one job to another without commitment.
In essence, Seo-An’s anxiety plays a pivotal role as an unseen adversary in the narrative, hindering him from engaging in work and social activities. His life is essentially frozen due to the overpowering dread that grips him when he’s in public. However, his connection with Woo-won serves as a beacon of hope, providing him with the space necessary for personal growth.
3 Sweet Home
MyAnimeList Score: 8.27
- Chapters: 141
- Published: 2017 to 2020
- Genre/Themes: Action, Drama, Horror, Suspense, Gore
- Author: Carnby Kim
- Illustrator: Young-chan Hwang
Content Warning – Extreme Violence
When discussing mental illness can be challenging, writers frequently employ creative methods to convey its experiences. For instance, the horror-drama series “Sweet Home” employs a zombie apocalypse as a metaphor for understanding depression and other emotional hardships.
In this graphic novel, Cha Hyun experiences a devastating loss when his family is involved in a heartbreaking accident, leaving him to fend for himself in a new apartment at an early age. However, life becomes even more challenging when the people around him start metamorphosing into ravenous monsters, a transformation triggered by their overwhelming desires and emotions. The story also explores disturbing levels of violence and gore, as well as its portrayal of various mental disorders.
2 Taste Of Illness
MyAnimeList Score: 7.80
- Chapters: 15
- Published: 2018 to 2019
- Genre/Themes: Drama, Psychological, School
- Author: Il-Kwon Ha
- Illustrator: Il-Kwon Ha
A Taste of Sickness is known for its exceptional portrayal of anxiety in manhwa. The narrative follows Byeon Yujin and Lee Suni, who become tentative friends during a class project. Being solitary individuals, their bonding process proves challenging.
As someone who has struggled with anxiety for many years, I found the way this story portrays it to be incredibly relatable and powerful. The depiction of Yujin’s panic attacks through the black goo is a unique and effective way of conveying the overwhelming and terrifying sensation that can come with an anxiety attack. Many people may not fully understand what it feels like to experience a panic attack, but this manhwa does an excellent job of shedding light on the issue without being too heavy-handed or graphic. I appreciate the creators’ efforts to raise awareness about mental health and the challenges that come with living with anxiety. This story has left a lasting impact on me and has helped me feel less alone in my own struggles with anxiety.
1 Dr. Frost
MyAnimeList Score: 7.97
- Chapters: 258
- Published: 2011 to 2021
- Genre/Themes: Drama, Medical, Psychological
- Author: Jong-bum Lee
- Illustrator: Jong-bum Lee
In terms of manhwa focusing on psychology, Dr. Frost stands out as one of the top and widely recognized. It tackles a broad spectrum of mental health concerns. This character, reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes, is brilliant in his field but struggles with empathy and emotion. Despite this, he maintains his role as a therapist at Yonggang University.
Beyond simply being an engaging tale, this manhwa offers valuable insights into the field of psychology, using character narratives to illustrate key concepts when needed. It’s not just about mental illness; it delves deeper, exploring various psychological aspects. Few manhwas can claim to be both educational and entertaining, but Dr. Frost successfully balances these elements effectively.
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2024-08-08 06:33