Horror manhwa that could be difficult to adapt into an anime


Key takeaways

  • Unique horror manhwa formats may not translate effectively to anime due to limitations in animation capabilities.

  • The psychological horror manhwa relies heavily on internal monologues to build tension, making them a challenge for anime adaptation.

  • The graphic and disturbing content of horror manhwa can be difficult to depict in anime without facing censorship or toning down elements.

Due to the nature of horror manhwa, some titles may contain sensitive and adult content.

While anime has successfully adapted many genres, horror manhwa present unique challenges. Due to intrinsic limitations, the use of page turning to increase tension or extremely detailed images intended to be viewed for long periods of time are simply not feasible in animation. Horror media frequently delve into deeply disturbing themes, and psychological horror often derives much of its fear factor from a character’s internal monologue.

With haunting imagery that draws readers into their chilling worlds, manhwa often utilize slow burn, displaying intricate emotional depth and grotesque imagery that can be difficult to translate into animation without losing the intense atmosphere. From psychological thrillers to body horror, some manhwa rely so heavily on visual tension and nuanced storytelling that anime adaptations risk diluting their impact. The raw dread, subtle details, and disturbing themes of these stories often make them difficult to adapt into an anime adaptation.

1

Unknown call

Unique formatting requirements

  • Release date: 2016
  • Author:Horang
  • Number of chapters:3

Originally published as a Line Webtoon exclusive, Unknown call features an idiosyncratic horror experience that uses the reader’s phone camera and augmented reality to create jump scares. It’s an interesting gimmick, but it’s unlikely to transfer over to an anime format. It’s a short anthology of only 3 chapters and doesn’t have the most developed story, but it’s a unique experience nonetheless. It is a psychological horror manhwa that plays with the fear of the unknown, combining supernatural elements with real-world anxieties.

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The story revolves around a series of disturbing phone calls from an unknown number that little by little turn the protagonist’s life upside down. As the calls increase, so does the tension, with hair-raising twists and a growing sense of dread. The strength of the manhwa lies in its ability to create a claustrophobic atmosphere, where the protagonist is never sure what is real. Make sure you read this one with the sound on!

2

Bastard

Terror based on internal struggle

  • Release date: 2014
  • Author: Carnby Kim and Youngchan Hwang
  • Number of chapters: 92 + Epilogue

The tension and psychological horror in Bastard It largely depends on its atmosphere and narrative. This manhwa presents the chilling story of Jin Seon, a high school student whose father is a serial killer. The manhwa’s strength lies in its masterful pacing and psychological tension, drawing readers into Jin’s paranoia and oppressive fear of being trapped with a monster.

Much of the horror comes from Jin’s internal turmoil, which is difficult to express visually without relying heavily on monologues or internal dialogue, which can make for somewhat overwhelming viewing. This type of suspense is easier to create in a manhwa format where readers control the pacing. In an anime, condensing the story into episodes while maintaining the same unsettling sense of dread would be a complex task.

3

Kill Stalk

Graphic content that pushes boundaries

  • Release date: 2016
  • Author: Koogi
  • Number of chapters: 67

Kill Stalk gained widespread popularity for its intense psychological horror and dark, twisted relationship dynamics. The story follows Yoon Bum, a mentally unstable man obsessed with his classmate, Oh Sangwoo, who turns out to be a sadistic murderer. Themes of extreme violence, abuse, and trauma would require a delicate hand to avoid being too graphic and off-putting to a broader audience if adapted into an anime.

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Themes of abuse, trauma, and toxic obsession are handled in a way that might not sit well with those who prefer less disturbing narratives, and the gritty, uncomfortable realism is difficult to replicate in animation without potentially provoking viewers or facing heavy censorship. . An anime is likely to struggle to maintain the eerie realism of the manhwa without toning down key elements, making this story difficult to fully capture on screen.

4

sweet home

Monsterization Apocalypse

  • Release date: 2017
  • Author: Carnby Kim and Youngchan Hwang
  • Number of chapters: 140

Another work by Carnby Kim and Youngchan Hwang, sweet home is a horror manhwa set in a world where humans begin to transform into monstrous creatures based on their inner feelings. It has already been adapted into a live-action series to mixed reception, with many viewers lamenting the fact that the stories behind many of the monsters were cut from the show for the sake of being more concise.

The monstrous transformations of various humans are vividly depicted in the manhwa, and while animation could bring it to life, the level of detail may need to be reduced for a wider audience, or simply not be as effective, as viewers won’t. They can control the pace of the action. In an anime, as in the live-action adaptation, the balance between action and horror would be difficult to maintain, which could lead to a focus on spectacle at the expense of emotional depth and character development.

5

The horizon

less is more

  • Release date: 2016
  • Author: Jeong Ji Hoon
  • Number of chapters: 21

The horizon It follows two children as they navigate a war-torn world, focusing on emotional horror rather than graphic violence. Its austere, minimalist artwork and limited dialogue emphasize the isolation and desperation of its characters. Translating this into an anime would be difficult, as the deep tranquility and impact of the manhwa could be drowned out in favor of the faster pace and action-driven nature of most anime adaptations.

This manhwa is a heartbreaking portrait of two children trying to survive, and its horror comes not from the scares or the monsters, but from the bleak atmosphere and the weight of death, despair, and loneliness. The subtle emotional depth of the story and its often disturbing art would be difficult to replicate in animation. The lack of dialogue and emphasis on visual storytelling also doesn’t sit well in an anime, where dynamism and dialogue tend to take priority.

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