Top 10 Isekai Manhwa Protagonists Who Use Cheats to Dominate Their New Worlds

Summary

Protagonists in isekai manhwa benefit from unique systems or cheats that give them an edge in the new world.
These systems help in gaining skills, items, or knowledge to navigate new worlds and challenges.
The inclusion of sentient systems, ancient artifacts, and game-like mechanics adds depth and excitement to the manhwa.

The isekai genre, characterized by stories about individuals traveling from our world to alternate realms, has consistently captivated audiences across various formats like anime, manga, and manhwa. The allure lies in the concept of maintaining one’s contemporary knowledge and life experiences while exploring these new dimensions, creating compelling storylines. This unique aspect often provides an advantage for the protagonist when tackling medieval challenges in these fantastical worlds.

Instead of just transporting characters to other worlds through reincarnation or transmission, contemporary isekai stories incorporate ‘systems’ or other advantages. These perks empower the protagonist, making it easier for them to navigate their new environments with reduced effort. These advantages also contribute significantly to shifts in power dynamics, magic usage, and combat strategies. They could range from a damaged ability, a valuable artifact, or a game-like setup featuring level-ups or enhancements. Reading about these perks is an enjoyable aspect of many intriguing manhwa series.

The Greatest Estate Developer

Sentient System That Helps The Protagonist With Various Skills

MyAnimeList Score: 8.76
Published: Jul 30, 2021
Authors: Moon, Back-kyung (Story), Kim, Hyunsoo (Art)

Lloyd Frontera is among the most notorious bully and heavy drinker in the Frontera manor. One day, Suho Kim unexpectedly swaps places with Lloyd in the world depicted in a book he has read. Armed with knowledge about Lloyd’s family history and aware of their impending misfortune, Suho dreams of using this opportunity to create a brighter future for them all, as well as indulge in a luxurious lifestyle that was previously unattainable. However, he faces constant challenges from a self-aware system that seems determined to hinder his efforts at saving and uplifting lives, while it appears fate is working tirelessly to steer the events back towards their predestined, disastrous course.

One highly praised graphic novel, often referred to as The Masterful Real Estate Magnate, captivates readers for numerous reasons. It delves deep into intricate world creation, boasting memorable characters, and humor that will leave you in stitches. The main character leverages past-life wisdom and engineering skills in the initial chapters. Yet, this initial struggle rewards him with a conscious design tool, simplifying the construction of complex structures. Additionally, he obtains a gacha system, enabling him to secure magical creatures, future insights, and other valuable resources for his adventure.

The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide

Protagonist Knows The Game By Heart And Easily Gains Skills & Items

MyAnimeList Score: 7.95
Published: Dec 28, 2023
Authors: Green Kyrin (Art), Korita (Story)

In a well-liked video game, Edward Rothstaylor is portrayed as a secondary antagonist who experiences an untimely demise following his embarrassment at the hands of the hero, rejection by his kin, and expulsion from the academy dormitory. Yet, the central character unexpectedly switches bodies with Ed immediately post-expulsion. To move forward with the main narrative, he concentrates on staying alive, avoiding the primary characters, and not getting entangled in their affairs. However, he consistently winds up shaping the key events, and the major characters inexplicably gravitate towards him at every juncture.

In my viewpoint, I’ve come across a captivating manhwa titled “The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide“. This protagonist is remarkably intelligent, always thinking several steps ahead and refining his abilities to guarantee his survival. His method bears resemblance to Lloyd Frontera’s in “The Greatest Estate Developer“, yet it lacks sentience. Consequently, Ed Rothstaylor enhances his skills by diligently practicing and performing particular tasks. Once he masters an action, he repeats it repeatedly to elevate it to its peak. This approach provides him with an advantage over peers or individuals who may possess the same skill but with greater expertise.

The Perks of Being an S-Class Heroine

The Protagonist Can Buy Skills & Items From The System With Money

MyAnimeList Score: 7.90
Published: Mar 31, 2022
Authors: Irinbi (Story), Grrr (Art)

In a surprising turn of events, a sudden occurrence known as “The Age of Resurrection” sweeps across the globe, as people mysteriously receive text messages about a near-expired life insurance policy. When the main character meets an untimely end, she receives one such message and uses all her savings to purchase the plan. To her astonishment, she is granted exclusive privileges to select her next life and the kind of world she desires. Having lived a life full of misfortune, she yearns for a new beginning in a romantic fantasy novel, but instead finds herself in a realm with S-class challenges.

Compared to other isekai manhwa featuring cheating protagonists, The Perks of Being an S-Class Heroine stands out in many ways. Unlike other titles that primarily focus on depicting extraordinary adventures, this manhwa centers around the protagonist’s system cheat. She has invested a significant amount for its advantages, allowing her to make life easier in a cruel world. By leveraging the balance, she can acquire skills and information at will, and even customize her status as desired. Furthermore, the manhwa offers an engaging blend of action, humor, and emotional depth.

The Novel’s Extra

The Protagonist Has A System & Laptop To View And Edit Current Events

MyAnimeList Score: 7.77
Published: Jun 30, 2022
Authors: Ji, Gapsong (Story), Carrot Studio (Art)

In a surprising twist, Hajin Kim finds himself stepping into the realm of his own novel as just an insignificant character. A mysterious entity desires him to witness the conclusion of his story, even though he holds minimal influence over its events. Remarkably, he’s well-acquainted with this world, but alas! The plot starts twisting in unforeseen ways, making him question if things might not be as straightforward as they initially seemed.

In essence, the character in “The Novel’s Extra” bears a resemblance to the central figure in the “Tower Defense Game’s Tyrant,” both being transported by a divine entity into their respective worlds with a mission. The former is summoned as an insignificant extra and is tasked with altering the fantasy realm’s outcome for the better. He is equipped with a sentient system to predict forthcoming events, as well as modifications made to them, and can earn special points by engaging with major characters, enhancing his abilities and weaponry. Interestingly, the protagonist in this story understands the novel’s sequence of events because he serves as its author.

Tyrant of The Tower Defense Game

System and an “Admin” Rewards The Protagonist For Successful Defense

MyAnimeList Score: 7.77
Published: Aug 5, 2022
Authors: Ryueun, Garam (Story), Gyong (Art)

For more than ten years, “Protect the Empire” was known as an undefeatable game. However, this reputation changed when a popular streamer named “Mr. Gamer Geek” managed to conquer it on its highest difficulty level while broadcasting his victory on his channel. In an unexpected twist, he was suddenly transported into the game world, where he discovered himself as Prince Ash, a seemingly insignificant character in the game. He was then given a system and tasked with creating the best possible outcome for this new realm. With the assurance of returning to reality once that ending is achieved, he found renewed determination to assist this new world.

In the captivating comic series, “Commander of the Tower Defense Game,” the story unfolds in a conflict-torn universe where our hero is the least powerful character. To survive and thrive, he relies on his intellect and game understanding to guide those under him. This strategic acumen earns him leadership abilities from the system, along with tangible and non-tangible bonuses after each successful defense. Interestingly, the entity who summoned him also serves as a trusted advisor, working alongside him to ensure the world reaches its intended conclusion.

Cleric of Decay

Game Knowledge, A Goddess, and a System Help The Protagonist

MyAnimeList Score: 7.47
Published: Jun 23, 2023
Authors: Yoo, Jetae (Art), Sadadm (Story)

Upon an unexpected turn of events, I find myself thrust into the realm I sought to conquer, yet this time as one of its least favorable characters – a cleric of decay. My deity, a goddess with but a solitary hand, persistently utters the ominous word “Murder.” As I strive to adapt to this strange new world, I swiftly discern the hidden might of this overlooked class.

In this thrilling manhwa I’ve been engrossed in lately, I find myself drawn into the tale of a fallen goddess and her devoted cleric – that’s me! – who hails from the contemporary realm. The goddess bestows her affection upon me, but I can hardly wait to return to my own world, having been trapped within this narrative.

Thanks to the goddess, I now possess eternal life and holy powers, which I employ to combat those hindering my progress. Interestingly, the system, working on behalf of the goddess, endows me with extraordinary abilities as a trade-off for harvesting souls and devouring sacred relics from other faiths. The skills I acquire are versatile, ranging from summoning beasts to honing my martial arts prowess. What’s more, the powers available to me evolve according to the points I accumulate, with each point bringing a new level of mastery. It’s quite an adventure, and I can hardly wait to see where this tale takes me next!

Magic Academy’s Genius Blinker

The Protagonist Uses the Game System and Knowledge To Become Stronger

MyAnimeList Score: 7.43
Published: Jun 8, 2024
Authors: Eunmilhi (Story), Seoyu (Art)

In a game-like setting, Baek Yuseol, the main character, finds himself in an entirely new realm as a weak character. This figure was known back on Earth for having poor abilities and being incredibly difficult to play. The primary issue lies in the fact that this character lacks the freedom to use magic compared to others in a fantasy universe. To make matters worse, he is assigned a mission crucial to the world’s “True Ending”, equipped with only one magic power called “Blink”.

The spellbinding “Blinker Genius” from Magic Academy Manhwa is a captivating read that often leaves readers engrossed from start to finish in one go. What sets it apart from other otome isekai manhwas are its numerous distinct aspects. The protagonist, despite being the weakest character initially, possesses a singular skill which evolves throughout the narrative thanks to an assisting system. This ability, “blink,” functions like a short-range teleportation for a few meters. However, our hero deftly employs it to gain an advantage over adversaries and opponents. The characters are also intriguing, adding depth and overall enjoyment to the storyline. Moreover, the manhwa delves into the struggles faced by him as he readjusts to academy life after having lived as an adult in his previous existence.

A Modern Man Who Got Transmigrated Into the Murim World

Modern Knowledge And A Jade Pearl Necklace Helps The Protagonist Become Unrivaled

MyAnimeList Score: 6.97
Published: Nov 30, 2022
Authors: Park, Hui-Jin (Art), Cheong, Ruyeon (Story)

In the course of a late-night delivery, the main character suffers a tragic accident when struck by a fast-moving vehicle, leading to his untimely demise. Just before he passes away, he reaches for a jade pearl necklace that was once owned by his father. Miraculously, he is transported to another world – an ancient era within the murim realm – as Jo Hwi, the second son of a struggling clan. Upon arrival, he learns that his new family is deeply in debt and lacks influence in this unfamiliar world. However, using his knowledge from his former life and experience as a public official, he navigates through hardships and eventually lives a life of luxury.

In contrast to other manhwas that rely on a structured system, this one stands out by incorporating a distinctive jade pearl necklace instead. This talisman is home to the spirits of numerous ancestral masters, each excelling in diverse disciplines like martial arts and medicine. Occasionally, these ancestors lend their expertise to the protagonist, whether it’s superior fighting techniques or healing methods. What sets him apart, though, is his proficiency in economics, gained from his attempts to pass Earth’s civil examinations. He primarily employs this knowledge to establish businesses within the murim world. Nevertheless, he also makes use of the abilities bestowed upon him by his ancestors to pave the way towards his objectives.

Reincarnation of the Murim Clan’s Former Ranker

Past-Life Skills And A System Makes The Protagonist Stronger In New Life

MyAnimeList Score: 6.66
Published: Oct 31, 2021
Authors: Sanbo (Story), Inyong (Art)

Kang Taeha, a renowned SSS-rank hunter with a legendary status, meets an unexpected demise when powerful guilds pursue him for a mysterious stone he’d been given as an honor. Frustrated and defiant, he swallows the stone. Suddenly, he wakes up in the body of a weak young Chinese noble amidst ancient times. Despite his desire for a peaceful life, he soon finds himself entangled in the intrigue of power-hungry relatives and the turmoil of murim politics. Consequently, he needs to boost his powers once more, transforming into an overpowering ruler.

In this distinctive manhwa, the protagonist finds himself reborn into a new world, having previously been a powerful figure in a hunter/dungeon/monster realm – specifically, a necromancer hunter. Now, as the young scion of a prominent family, he carries over his old system and abilities. As time goes by, this system provides him with unprecedented options. Furthermore, his necromancer class undergoes a fresh evolution due to the undead being skilled martial artists. Consequently, Kang has the potential to surpass his former strength and extend his influence within the Murim world.

How to Live As a Bootleg Healer

Sentient Game System Helps Protagonist Gain Various Skills

MyAnimeList Score: 6.82
Published: Apr 28, 2023
Authors: Saesongi Deopbap (Story), Nayen (Art)

In a sudden turn of events, Songhyun Kang discovers himself amidst numerous others on the Azul Continent, a fantastical realm. Upon arrival, they were each bestowed with a status window and various professions to aid their survival in this strange land. Remarkably, Songhyun was assigned the healer job despite lacking any healing abilities. Thus, he must improvise by applying contemporary medical practices, unofficially serving as a healer. As he grapples with the intricacies of this new world, Songhyun gradually uncovers the mysteries behind the system and the means to make his way back to Earth.

Title Suggestion: “Living as an Underground Healer: A Unique Journey”

This manhwa stands out due to its distinctive plotline and innovative system. Before the main story unfolds, our protagonist possesses a rare class that utilizes contemporary medical wisdom to aid healing. This unique class equips him with various skills, such as controlling bleeding and stitching. Intriguingly, this manhwa’s system has a particular purpose for which it summoned individuals from Earth. As they carry out tasks related to their professions, they can accumulate points that can be exchanged for random rewards by spinning a roulette wheel.

As the plot progresses, our protagonist manages to communicate with the entities governing the system and starts uncovering their hidden truths.

The Holy Emperor’s Grandson Is a Necromancer

Game System With Necromancy Skills In a Holy Body

MyAnimeList Score: N/A
Published: Oct 19, 2023
Authors: Geurimjakkun (Story), Gimung (Art)

In a surprising twist, our main character finds himself inhabiting the physical form of Allen Alfalls, following his untimely death during a virtual reality game session. To make matters more intriguing, he learns that his abilities from the necromancer video game character have merged with Allen’s holy blood. This unique blend grants him both dark necromancy and divine power, allowing curses to bring about healing and summoned undead to become holy. Despite his attempts at living a lavish lifestyle, he continually finds himself drawn into unforeseen predicaments, ultimately taking on the role of a reluctant hero.

Fans of manhwa featuring necromancer protagonists are sure to enjoy “The Holy Emperor’s Grandson Is a Necromancer“. The main character spent years crafting his game persona as a necromancer, only to be reborn into another world following his death. Remarkably, the systems and skills of the necromancer character also transferred into this new existence. Due to an unexpected turn of events, he wakes up in the body of the Holy Emperor’s grandson. Consequently, his necromancy abilities are now imbued with holy energy, transforming them into something entirely different.

2025-03-03 08:05