Overpowered main characters are really popular among manga/manhwa fans. But, there’s also a huge amount of people who love stories with Strong Female Leads. So here are the 25+ Best Manga/Manhwa With Strong Female Lead!
For those of you who don’t already know, manhwa is the South Korean equivalent of manga. They have a distinct artistic style and incorporate storytelling, culture, and history that are unique to the country. As a result, manga fans may find a manhwa to be a breath of fresh air.
Manhwa stories are frequently different from manga stories, and many explore mature themes and focus on adult-based narratives. Manhwa authors aren’t afraid to cast strong female leads, which manga authors struggle with. It’s one of the many differences 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 as Astina Lette, the daughter of a count, 100 years after her death. Her peaceful, everyday life as a noble lady, in stark contrast to her previous life, is, however, short-lived. Her family is deeply in debt as a result of her father’s failed trade business. To save her family from financial ruin, Astina sells herself to marry Grand Duke Thereode instead of her sister Kanna. But Thereode is cursed to take on the form of a beast for the rest of her life, and no one expects her to survive the night with him…
Despite this, she battles the beast with her impressive swordsmanship and miraculously survives. As she tames him as her pet, a slow relationship develops between them.
Astina gives Theo a brief peck on the lips as a reward for his obedience one night, and suddenly… Theo becomes…. human?
24. Charlotte Has Five Disciples
Charlotte Eleanor is an Archmage who saved the world once. Rather than dying, she reverses the age of her body to that of a young child and begins a new life as Aria Lissen. Except for one minor regret, she had a fulfilling life in her first lifetime. Aria is determined in her new life to find and live for the one thing she never had…LOVE.
Magic bestows what the heart desires … at least that’s what the great witch Charlotte Eleanor believed. Charlotte saved the world while forming followers of five disciples to learn her magical gifts.
Despite all this, she could not find the true love that her heart longs for. Now, after her death, she was reborn in Aria Lisen! Can Aria, with the help of Grand Duke Louister, finally find her true love while hiding her new identity from her former disciples?
23. The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up At The Duke’s Mansion
Poisoned to death by her own betrothed?! Eunha didn’t wake up in a novel’s story only to be killed off as an unlucky extra! She needs a cover to change her story… 6 months pretending to be the novel’s male protagonist, Duke Noah Wynknight’s, phony fiancée. Will this cold-hearted, angel-faced demon of a man really be able to help her avoid another tragic ending?!
I highly recommend this, as someone who’s binged hundreds of webtoons and mangas this has one of the best plots I’ve seen among the vast sea of shoujo manga/manhwa.
22. The Blood of Madam Giselle
Giselle, a rebellious spirit trapped in her marriage to a violent husband, lives a miserable life as a meek wife and lady. However, while exploring her new home one night, Giselle comes across what appears to be a young boy trapped inside a cage. The boy, an heirloom from her husband’s eccentric father, is regarded as a monster, an immortal “flower that feeds on blood.” Despite her fears, Giselle begins to pay nightly visits to the boy. Will her life be shattered as a result of these illicit encounters?
21. The Saga of Tanya The Evil
A young girl battles army mages in high-stakes aerial duels with bullets, spells, and bayonets high above the blood- and mud-soaked trenches. Tanya Degurechaff is the Devil of the Rhine, and she is one of the greatest soldiers the Empire has ever seen! But inside her head is a ruthless, cunning ex-salaryman who lived a peaceful life in Japan before waking up in a war-torn world. Tanya, a destitute orphaned girl with nothing but memories of a previous life, will do whatever it takes to survive, even if it means hiding behind the barrel of a gun!
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 empire’s richest family. She had expected everything to go smoothly in the future. But her father had died, her relatives had abandoned her, and the honorable family she was so proud of had been completely ruined…. But is this true? She drank a little (a lot) and was hit by a carriage. She was seven years old when she opened her eyes again. Furthermore, the Second Prince, who was her family’s enemy in her previous life, is following her around 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
Who cares if you’re invisible in high school when you can see and talk to the invisible? Reserved and quiet, Jamie Oh prefers to remain in the background and confide only in his friends, who happen to be ghosts. But when the most popular girl in school takes interest in him, his normal — or rather, paranormal — life takes an unexpected turn.
A perfect school idol meets a gloomy loner boy! The main character’s only friends are ghosts so he gets a big shock when the class idol initiates a conversation with him on the first day of school.
17. Miss Not-So Sidekick
Hyejung enjoyed reading to relieve her daily stress. But that was before she awoke in the strange world of her favorite novel! Instead of being the main heroine who pursues three eligible men, she is now Latte Ectrie – a minor villain whom everyone despises?! In any case, it’s a chance for her to relive her most beloved storyline, with popcorn in hand to watch all the drama! Taking control of the story has a whole new meaning!
This manhwa is very wholesome and cute and just makes my heart flutter. It focuses on the romance between the ml and the FL but still finds its way to being a page-turner. It’s pretty comedic and lighthearted I’d recommend it to people who appreciate lighthearted romance and comedy.
16. Ghost in the Shell
Deep into the twenty-first century, 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 become puppets to carry out the hackers’ criminal ends.
When Major Kusanagi follows the cybertrail of one of these master hackers, the Puppeteer, her 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
The ruthless Minister Honest takes advantage of the new Emperor’s ignorance and rules the country from the shadows with twisted morals and no regard for human life. As a result, an epidemic of crime and corruption has spread throughout the country’s capital city, resulting in a society in which the privileged have complete dominance over the less fortunate.
However, there exists an organization to combat this rife abuse of power: Night Raid, a secret division of the opposition Revolutionary Army. It is made up of a small group of ruthless assassins who murder anyone who participates in or turns a blind eye to the Empire’s heinous wrongdoings.
14. Survive As The Hero’s Wife
Carnelia Easter met her end at the hands of the male lead. As the penniless baron’s daughter, she was betrothed as a child to Cesear, the first prince, as part of the empress’ plot to give him as little political power as possible. Carnelia was not only her spy, but she was also a shrewd businesswoman with no redeeming qualities. Her flaws eventually led to her demise, a fitting conclusion for the supporting antagonist.
When a woman is killed in a car accident, she is reborn as Carnelia just hours after her and Cesear’s wedding. She intends to befriend her husband and then leave peacefully when the time comes for him to meet the main female character. Cesear, on the other hand, has grown attached to Carnelia and may not let her go easily.
13. Lady Baby
Calliope Rustichel’s family dies one by one in a series of tragedies. Just when she had given up all hope, a mysterious woman grants Calliope a second chance at life. Little did she know that chance would literally start from birth! Now stuck as an adult in a baby’s body, Calliope must uncover the conspiracy behind the death of her family and use her memories of the past to change the future… all while learning how to walk and talk! Who said being a baby was all naps and diaper changes?
12. Doctor Elise
Dr. Song Jihyun is a prodigy among Korean surgeons, known for her ability to save patients in any condition. Her jealousy and greed led to the loss of her loved ones and, eventually, her death in her previous life as Elise de Clorance, the emperor’s ill-mannered wife. As a result, she vowed to now save lives rather than destroy them.
Elise finds herself in her former body after a fatal plane crash. With her prior knowledge of modern medicine and the opportunity to correct her errors, she is determined to contribute to the empire as a medic in this life. Will Elise, however, be able to avoid her engagement to Prince Linden de Romanoff, the man she has loved to the point of death?
11. Monster Duchess And The Contract Princess
It’s been over a century since the Sperados had an heir capable of controlling the darkness. Marquis Sperado sacrifices his second-born Leslie, whose sole purpose in life was to be useful to his eldest daughter, to help her strengthen her weak shadow powers. However, mysterious beings save Leslie from death, and she awakens shadow magic that rivals her sister’s ability.
Leslie decides to cut ties with her abusive family due to their repulsive practices. To accomplish this, she seeks a deal with Acela Benkan Salvatore, also known as the “Monstrous Duke,” the head of the Salvatore duchy. Leslie offers to train a “Dark Saint” under her wing in exchange for a normal life with Acela’s family until adulthood. She will do whatever it takes to become a Salvatore and seize happiness for herself, determined to escape the Sperados’ clutches.
10. Villainess Level 99 ~I May Be The Hidden Boss But I’m Not The Demon Lord~
In the Varschein Kingdom, dark hair is stigmatized to an abnormal degree, according to an Otome RPG. Eumiella Dolkness is the count’s daughter, despised from birth due to her pitch-black hair—and she is also the hidden boss! Eumiella, at the age of five, recalls memories of her previous life in Japan. Uninterested in the original game’s romance, she devotes herself to training her rare dark-type magic.
Despite this, Eumiella’s goals are clear: avoid becoming the hidden boss and stay out of the limelight. Upon entering the magic academy, however, she shakes the foundation of the kingdom when her level 99 status comes to light. Whether in a physical brawl or magic duel, her abilities are unmatched, and coupled with her black hair, she sticks out like a sore thumb. To make matters worse, the original heroine begins suspecting she is the demon lord! Can the deadpan noble girl achieve her wish of a peaceful life?
9. Black Lagoon
The plot revolves around the Lagoon Company, a group of mercenaries who smuggle goods into and around Southeast Asia’s seas. Their headquarters are in the fictional Thai city of Roanapur, and they transport goods on the PT boat Black Lagoon. Lagoon Company does business with a variety of clients, but it has a special relationship with the Russian crime syndicate Hotel Moscow. In various Southeast Asian locations, the team takes on a variety of missions that may include 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 souls of all the students were transported into a fantasy world and reincarnated. Some students were reincarnated as princes or prodigies, while others were not so fortunate.
Our heroine, who was the lowest in the class, discovered that she was reincarnated as a spider!? Now at the bottom of the food chain, she needs to adapt to the current situation with willpower in order to live! Stuck in a dangerous labyrinth filled with monsters, it’s eat or be eaten!
This is the story of a spider doing whatever she can in order to survive!
7. Claymore
It’s the Middle Ages, and humanity’s last survivors are plagued by paranoia and death. The word “Yoma,” when spoken in fearful whispers, conjures up a vivid image in everyone’s mind: monstrous beings with an insatiable appetite for human flesh. Fear of their gruesome appetite, however, pales in comparison to fear of their ability to shapeshift and steal the memories of their last meal. Humans, who are always vulnerable to attack, live in fear, even among family members.
There are only a few ways to kill a Yoma. The Organization, colloquially known as “Claymore,” is humanity’s only line of defence, sending half-human, half-Yoma female warriors to cleanse Yoma villages. A lonely and dangerous existence, death comes with each new assignment for these warriors. What little time they have between difficult battles and long, arduous journeys is spent in an ever-intensifying struggle to resist their Yoma blood and retain their humanity. Knowing this, the villagers pay for their security reluctantly and have nothing but contempt for their protectors.
Claymore follows Clare, a stoic and low-ranking member, on her perilous journey in search of personal vengeance. She learns a lot about the world along the way, from the camaraderie and hope held by her sisters-in-arms to the sinister truth behind the Claymore Organization.
6. A Stepmother’s Marchen
The iron widow, the spider widow, the male hunter, the witch of Neuwanstein castle, the humiliation of noble ladies…… All of these words were used to describe the Marchioness, Suri Van Neuwanstein. Despite the world’s condemnation, she raised her ‘children,’ who were unrelated to her by blood and old enough to be called her siblings. Finally, on the day of her first son Jeremy’s wedding, she felt that all of her hard work had paid off. But she was completely wrong. She was killed in an accident while leaving the castle after hearing the message requesting she not attend the wedding. But when she opened her eyes, she was seven years ago, 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 beautiful story, I was filled with various emotions while reading this. The development between the family is so heartwarming and the truth about the past is heartwrenching (will not spoil further) anyways, I seriously recommend this story, it has amazing art, cute kids, some comedy here and there, strong family dynamics, a strong female lead, lovable characters, and more. I can’t express how beautiful yet tragic this story is, the recent chapters have moved me to tears and I am left in pain.
5. Light and Shadow
An uprising in Earlswald has resulted in the deaths of the kingdom’s lecherous and tyrannical king, his wife, and their son. Cayden, the rebel leader, is crowned as the new monarch and bestows the title of duke on his right-hand man, Eli, a peasant. Despite being regarded as a war hero for his achievements, Eli is rumored to be a cold-blooded madman who terrorizes both allies and enemies.
A nobleman must marry off his eldest daughter to Eli because he previously supported the former king. Instead, he sends a servant named Edna under the guise of being his illegitimate child.
Despite their rocky start as newlyweds, Eli is drawn to Edna’s sophisticated demeanor and fiery personality, while she believes her husband is more than the rumors suggest. Nonetheless, Edna must keep her mask on because if Eli discovers who she truly is and why she cares so much about the kingdom, it will cost her 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 the death of a true villain. Aria’s story is one of the rags-to-riches; after her mother married a count, Aria began flaunting her newfound wealth and abusing her position. People could only feel sorry for her saintly sister, Mielle, who had to put up with such a sibling for so long. But, just before she dies, Aria discovers the truth: her demise was all part of Mielle’s plan.
When Aria reawakens, she finds herself in the past, next to a mysterious hourglass. The former villain now has only one goal in mind: vengeance. Aria will have everything Mielle once loved, from the count’s respect to her fiance’s affection. Aria will do whatever it takes to see her vengeance through, even if it means using others or faking a smile, using her knowledge of the future and the hourglass’ power to turn back time.
3. Villains Are Destined To Die
The latest otome game has recently become popular, so a regular university student decides to see if its fame is well-deserved. She quickly exits normal mode and finds herself pitying the villain, Penelope Eckhart. Penelope is a stand-in for the game’s protagonist, the duke’s missing daughter.
Initially confident of completing the hard mode as well, the woman is taken aback by the sudden increase in difficulty, eventually collapsing from exhaustion. When she wakes up, however, she is no longer aware of her surroundings because she has been reincarnated into the body of the villainess!
In a world where everyone seems to be out for her blood, Penelope must make wise decisions to keep herself from dying. Will she win the affections of a tyrant prince, a suspicious magician, a nobleman from a fallen nation, or one of her nasty adoptive brothers?
2. Beware of the Villainess
Take a seat and enjoy this romantic story about an angelic heroine and her devoted suitors as they compete for the depths of her love… or not. This story is about to undergo some revisions! Melissa Foddebrat, the story’s villain, awakens after an accident as a modern-day college student. She is not everyone’s favorite, but she is the duke’s daughter. This new Melissa, determined to live it up, is doing things her way—antiquated society be damned! Prepare to step aside, idiots, or perish!
1. Yona of the Dawn
Once upon a time, a red dragon in human form ruled the kingdom of Kouka. Four dragon-blooded warriors aided him in leading the kingdom to prosperity. As time passed, this story became a legend for children to tell.
Yona, as the sole princess of Kouka, lives a lavish life of ease. She wants nothing and remains sheltered 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. Kouka, despite its peaceful appearance, is about to undergo political turmoil. Yona is forced to flee with only Hak by her side after her beloved Su-won stages a bloody coup and murders her father.
Despite being surrounded on all sides by enemies, the exiled princess longs to save her kingdom. Her solution comes from an exiled priest, who tells 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 restore her kingdom.
BONUS: Adelaide
Adelaide Chamille Borbon’s second life could not be more ordinary after being reincarnated after a car accident 17 years ago. She longs for adventure as a nobleman’s daughter living in the countryside before being married off. When Adelaide overhears about a black-haired woman from another dimension, she rushes to the capital to meet this mysterious “saint” at the debutante ball.
In other news, Felix Mikhail Noah Elias is sick of hearing about himself and the so-called saint. In reality, the latter is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, constantly attempting to seduce him and spreading false rumors for her own gain. Felix has no choice but to find an aristocratic lady and arrange an engagement as soon as possible to rid himself of the unwanted guest and the bad reputation she brings him.
When their paths cross, Felix asks Adelaide to serve as his fiancée for the time being. But, despite his assurances that no feelings will be involved, Felix may find it difficult to keep his simple promise with Adelaide constantly by his side.
That was it for the list, let us know what’s your favorite manga/manhwa with a strong female lead in the comments below!
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