Manhwa are teeming with all sorts of intriguing archetypes, yet most characters can easily be defined as protagonists or villains through their actions. Vigilantes, on the other hand, present a moremorally ambiguous characterization, one that forces readers to question the characters’ motives every step of the way.
Plenty of manhwa feature vigilante characters that defy convention as they take up arms against oppressing forces. While their end goals have merit, their morality can be swayed to tread a darker path, even taking on therole of an anti-hero. These characters add a certain nuance to the narrative, compelling readers to root for the morally gray and see through the method in their madness.
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Serialization
Naver Series
Vigilantes tend to take justice into their own hands for personal reasons, yet Cassian Lee has this role thrust upon him by nature. With the world comprising two factions, Psykers and Villains, some become vigilantes and others take on the role of criminals. While Cassian was originally a Psyker, heaccidentally gets transmigratedinto the body of a Korean Villain.
Cassian’s sense of justice is unwavering, as he continues to walk down the path of a vigilante even after becoming a Villain. However, Villain to Kill doesn’t quite expand on Cassian’s role as part of the Villain faction, a facet of his characterization that could have added a bit of moral ambiguity to his persona.
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Naver Webtoon
Similar to most vigilantes, Seongbin Cha lives a double life, shifting between the persona of a nerdy high school kid to an internet avengerfamous for punishing bullies. Known as Neon Mask, Seongbin dons his mask and punishes oppressors from the shadows like a true vigilante.
While Seongbin might seem like an online rendition of Batman, his characterization and actions are truly unique. Seongbin refuses to put down his mask until every single delinquent is put to rest, a resolve that deems him a true vigilante.
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Hwan Seok was an ordinary man with little to no ambitions in life, though all of that changed after his heroic act of saving his neighbor from a group of gangsters. While he ends up dying at the hands of the thugs, Hwan Seok finds himself alive once more, albeit three days prior to the time of his death.
With theability to cheat death, Hwan Seok takes on the role of a selfless sentinel, all to protect the next-door girl. Despite being a supernatural action manhwa,Reawakened Mandoesn’t fall into any power fantasy tropes by keeping Hwan Seok grounded in reality, a trait that lends his characterization plenty of nuances.
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Castlefollows Kim Shin’s revenge on a criminal organization behind his father and mentor’s deaths. Instead of jumping into the fray, Kim Shin takes his time building up networks and connections, along with sharpening his skills — all forthe perfect revenge.
With time being Kim Shin’s primary asset,Castle’snarrative progresses at a snail’s pace. However, the pacing isn’t exactly a negative aspect, as it allows the story to present fleshed out characters that build up the narrative. The slow pace lets readers tap into Kim Shin’s mind and understand exactly where his actions stem from.
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Devil Returns to School Daysis a take on Korean schools being plagued by incessant bullying, as Kim Hyungsung’s life is cut short by school bullies who throw him off the roof. Despite being in a comatose state, Hyungsung remains aware of the events that follow, and his rage transports him ten years back, giving him ample time to plan his revenge.
With vengeance at its core, the manhwa can trend towards somegrim and macabre themes. Kim Hyungsung isn’t above torture and blackmail, as he’ll use any method possible to exact revenge on those who bullied him. While Hyungsung’s motives are merely based on revenge, justice is a major subtext in his actions, deeming him a vigilante who’ll rid his school of bullies and delinquents.
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Kakao Page
Lee Joohyuk was an undercover detective set to topplea criminal syndicate, yet his plans were derailed after his true identity was uncovered, leading to his untimely demise. However, Jookyuk’s days of crime fighting weren’t over, as he was transmigrated to his former self with his memories intact.
Despite being a detective, Joohyuk decides to take an unorthodox route by eradicating villains all by himself. Joohyuk’s ruthless demeanor makes his role as a vigilante all the more morally ambiguous. While his actions might portray a tottering moral compass, Joohyuk remains committed to justice, though his methods can be a bit grisly at times.
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True to its namesake,Vigilanterevolves around Jiyong’s endeavors as a rogue revenger who fills the gaps left behind by the country’s failed justice system. Jiyong’s role as a police officer further complicates matters, as no one would expect a police officer to hound ex-convicts in his free time.
Jiyong’s characterization becomes all the more profound considering his origin story, as he was forced to go down the path of a vigilante after the law failed to exact punishment on his mother’s killer. The duality of Jiyong’s character is another focal point of this manhwa, as balancing his duty as a cop with his vindictive escapades makes him a truly intriguing character.
