Magic is a staple component of the fantasy genre, incorporating wondrous elements to separate stories from reality. In manhwa, each representation of magic is different. It could be the classic use of wands and brooms, or it could be a manifestation of power that resides in the body. Either way, it takes years of training to master.

Related

Best Anime Based On Manhwa

While most anime is based on manga, there are also some fantastic series that are based on Korean manhwa.

In every story, there is almost always someone who stands at the top of the food chain, the pinnacle of magic power. Whether it's decimating a landmass, felling an army, or summoning a mythical beast, these mages have made themselves known as the best in their respective worlds.

Updated May 19, 2024 by Garrett Huon:Knowing who is the strongest of anything across multiple stories and titles can be difficult because each world has its own rules and mechanics, and in some cases, those rules aren't well-defined or explained.

The new additions to this list are lauded as the best in their respective stories, and it's only fair to see how they compare to the existing entries. This is also a chance to introduce some very interesting and powerful characters that readers may not know about.

13 Elric Melvinger

Radiant Star Duke Of The Melvinger Family

It may be difficult to believe someone so young could be one of the strongest mages, but Elric has already made a big impression despite his story only just starting. First, he was born with the ability to sense mana better than anyone else and a genius intellect. Second, he was able to solve his own magic-blocking disease. Third, he has the demon Mephistopheles at his beck and call.

These aren't the only feats that make him great. In fact, his talent alone makes him fierce competition, but as he is now, there is still a lot of growing to do. He'll definitely get stronger as the manhwa continues.

12 Fiona Green

Villainess From The Final Chapter

As the original villainess in the story, Fiona Green would become a powerful mage due to her innate talent. Unfortunately, her circumstances and environment led her down the wrong path, resulting in her demise after she sold her soul to a demon. However, after the protagonist took over her body, that talent bloomed into power.

Related

9 Best Romance Manhwa You Should Read, Ranked

Love permeates these manhwa series, making it easy for readers to connect with the characters on an emotional level.

After participating in demon hunting since the age of nine, the new Fiona can dispatch most enemies without a thought. Dragons are the strongest existence in this world, and she managed to take one down almost by herself.

11 Egret

Loved By Spirits

Known as The Great Sage and a master spiritualist, Egret was known for holding the power of all four elements and holding contracts with four spirits. Normally, a mage would only contract with a single spirit. Even having two contracts is incredibly rare. Unfortunately, Egret's immense power caused him to live a solitary life, but he made his mark on history.

Reborn as Prince Judas, he was able to maintain his identity and contracts from his previous life, even if he couldn't use all of his power. Still, he's able to defeat dragons and contend with the most powerful necromancer in the story.

10 Mikhail Walpurgis

Hero Chosen By God

Before going back in time, Mikhail Walpurgis was the only 9th-circle wizard in the empire, and even he couldn't stop demons from destroying the world. However, he was able to break his limits and rewind time for himself, so he could get another chance.

Related

13 Best Time Travel Manhwa, Ranked

Making use of the time travel plot device in fiction isn't always an easy task. Here are the best manhwa that do it right.

Determined to correct his own mistakes, Mikhail starts on the path of magic much earlier, developing his incredible talents from the start. As of now, he hasn't reached the power of his previous life, but he has been recognized as the "Hero" and acknowledged by god as a saint. It won't be long until he surpasses the 9th circle.

9 Charlotte Eleanor

Genius Grand Sorcerer

Charlotte Eleanor is a genius sorcerer with talent and power surpassing eight circles. When she was young, she defeated the Cataclysm almost alone, and while she did suffer injuries, she was still able to live afterward to the old age of 101. She was also able to raise five incredibly powerful disciples, the likes of which were kings, legendary guardians, and fae creatures.

In the story, she accidentally reincarnates herself as Aria Lisen, leaving her without the vast amount of magic she once contained. Despite this, Aria was able to perfectly control and manipulate the flow of magic to seal large demons and break barriers.

8 Arthur Leywin

Fate Bound King

Before he was Arthur, he was King Grey. In a world where the victors rule, he is the strongest, undefeated warrior to live. His talent remained as he was reborn into a world of magic, allowing him to grow quickly and surpass those around him. He's even trained with god-like beings, which makes him the strongest human in the world.

Arthur can use all four elements as well as the deviant forms of lightning and ice. His powers have even let him slow time when working with his dragon Sylvie. His true power has yet to be seen as the manhwa has been on hiatus, but he's been shown to take down enemies others can barely scratch.

7 Desir Arman

Analytical Genius

Circles are a common indicator of how proficient a mage is. Desir was stuck in the third circle in both his previous life and his current one. He was only able to compete with higher-class mages using magic tools. It's his understanding and analysis of magic that makes him strong.

By reading the magic formula of a spell and "hijacking" it, Desir can cancel the spell or divert its power. Being able to control other people's magic is already impressive, but Desir does it at an inhuman level, surpassing even the master of the Magic Tower. This later helps him control "fundamental" magic on par with a god's power.

6 Ian Paige

Dragonic Descendant

In his first life, Ian Paige was the strongest mage to live. His strength caused awe and fear in those around him, eventually leading to his death. He was able to turn back time by using ancient dragon magic and returned to when he was twelve years old. At twelve, he was able to defeat one of the Magic Tower's masters and other fully-grown magicians.

Ian is also half-dragon. Dragons are god-like beings in this world, and Ian inherited authority from his father, the Gold Dragon. That's how he was able to understand the dragon language and dominate dragonians. He is someone who transcends humanity.

5 Rangderkessel

The Grand Mage

In the story of Mage Again, Rangderkessel surpassed the seven great magics and became widely known as the Grand Mage. His magic power exceeded everyone else in the world, but in exchange his heart was empty. Mages in this world must hide their emotions to make room for magic power, and Rangderkessel could feel nothing.

At the request of his apprentice, however, he challenged the Demon of Destruction Perisiadis, an immortal being that killed and destroyed anything in its path. The two fought for ten days straight, and in the end, Rangderkessel was able to split Perisiadis's body and seal him at the cost of his own life. His legacy was so great that mages years later continue to study his magic.

4 Ylledia

Immortal Creator Of Magic

In this manhwa, the world has gone through numerous cycles of destruction and rebirth, with many civilizations rising and falling. Persistent through it all are the Immortals–those who don't die nor age. As such, they see many worlds come and go. The one commonality between each cycle is the language of magic, Bonitas.

Ylledia is extremely proficient in Bonitas, and she's capable of drawing great power from just a few words. That's because she invented the language in her first world, giving a voice to the oppressed and sparking a revolution. In the current story, no one can compete with her power and knowledge of Bonitas.

3 Lee Seol-ah

Final Boss Of The Story

In the original timeline of the story, Lee Seol-ah was known as "The Witch" and acted as the final boss of Earth's dungeon, wielding incredible ice magic that could freeze countries. She could even hop through dimensions. This all happened due to a series of events that caused her intense trauma. She became a villain to get her revenge on the world.

Even as a child in the new timeline, Seol-ah is capable of things that would otherwise be impossible for mages in that world. For example, she was able to create a giant ice golem within seconds to protect her family. When it was raining, she was able to change the weather with the point of her finger. Her potential is limitless.

2 Lucas Traumen

Transcending Divinity

Known as the strongest magician in history, Lucas Traumen was an archmage in the 9th circle, capable of defeating nearly anyone and anything. Lucas has many feats under his belt and a résumé to surpass all other mages. For example, he was locked in an abyss for 4,000 years, conscious the entire time. A normal person wouldn't have lasted a fraction of that.

Related

10 Best Manhwa Villains, Ranked

These are some of the most outstanding villains in the medium of manhwa.

That was at the end of his first life. As Frey Blake, he is able to defeat Demigods single-handedly and absorb their power. By doing this, he can surpass his limits and become the first 10th-circle mage.

1 Diablo Volpir

Reincarnated To Destroy Gods

Diavolo Volpir was an incredibly powerful mage who led a rebellion against the 12 Gods that were usurping humanity for power. After many wars with the gods, Volpir was the only one left, but the gods could only seal him away. However, he was able to survive 66,666 years of pain and torture to reincarnate.

He was able to start again as Jamie Welton. In his new body, he displayed immense talent and affinity for magic. At nine years old, he reached the power of a 4th circle mage, and by the time he turned ten, he was at 7th circle. This sort of growth far surpasses anybody else.

More

10 Great Manhwa With Middle-Aged Protagonists

These are some of the best manhwa series, featuring middle-aged protagonists who are past their early youth.