Magic is an integral part of fantasy in any medium, whether it's a power to control or a phenomenon that occurs in the world. It opens up many possibilities in a story, and most importantly, it can bring to life characters like wizards who study it, or sorcerers who are born with it.

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Witches are popular character types that appear in contemporary media and in fairy tales, usually as women who are feared or awed for practicing magic outside the norm. The word "witch" itself comes with its own connotations, but what makes stories about witches interesting is how authors and artists put their own spin on the idea. The creators behind these manhwa are no different, and have each put their own spin on the idea of witches.

10 Follow The Bread Crumbs

MyAnimeList Score: 6.36

• Chapters : 70
• Published : 2021 to 2022
• Genres/Theme s: Fantasy, Romance, Isekai, Reincarnation
• Author : Soreum-idang
• Illustrator : Gyeoni

In the original story of "Hansel and Gretel," the two siblings were able to get away from the witch by pushing her into her own oven, and then they lived happily ever after. In this manhwa, the protagonist reincarnates as Yielle, the witch from the fairy tale, and instead of trying to eat the children, she helps them. A new story begins as the three start traveling together.

Depending on how it's done, retellings of famous fairy tales can be a bit bland, especially when nothing changes from the source material. This rehash of "Hansel and Gretel" is very cute, but it maintains a good amount of drama to keep the story interesting. There are also some minor interactions from other fairy tales, Easter Eggs that are fun to explore and which add more depth to the setting.

9 Her Majesty, The Witch

MyAnimeList Score: 6.84

• Chapters : 71
• Published : 2021 to 2022
• Genres/Theme s: Fantasy, Romance
• Author : Hyojin Yang
• Illustrator : Graycat

Sistina is a normal girl who happens to also be a witch. She lives her days peacefully delivering bread to people around the city. However, on an innocent delivery run, she learns that she's the granddaughter of the late emperor, and with no other blood relatives, she needs to take the throne. With no other choice, Sistina must take care of the empire's finances and politics on top of finding her destiny as a witch.

Witches in this world are accepted by society as rare individuals, meaning there's no real prejudice against them. While this makes the setting more peaceful, it also means there is no conflict regarding this side of the story, relegating the witch aspect to a background detail. The story is enjoyable at face value, presenting a comedic situation with a fun solution, but there is nothing deeper to the plot.

8 The Sacred One Speaks

MyAnimeList Score: 6.82

• Chapters : 60
• Published : 2022 to 2023
• Genres/Themes : Fantasy, Romance
• Author : Minato
• Illustrator : Roju

To save their holy kingdom, the people of Cairon hunt and kill those who are strange and unnatural. After killing all the superhuman Nox, they set their eyes on the witches of Tempey, who can compel beasts to do their bidding. One day, the kingdom's most devout knight, Sir Macklart, captures the leader of the witches, a woman with red eyes named Vienie, but rather than resist, she offers to help hunt down her kind.

This manhwa has a rich and interesting story that subverts many expectations, but with only 60 chapters, some ideas are not given enough time to be developed. While this doesn't affect the central plot, the story as a whole is weaker because of it. This manhwa also uses religious ideology and chauvinistic behavior as plot devices, which may not appeal to some readers.

7 The Tyrant's Tranquilizer

MyAnimeList Score: 6.72

• Chapters : 109
• Published : 2021 to 2024
• Genres/Themes : Fantasy, Romance, Isekai, Reincarnation
• Author : Forgiven
• Illustrator : Yeonju

After reading the upsetting ending to her favorite web novel, Lee Suyeon is reincarnated into Amelie Bourbon, the tragic side character who dies at the beginning of the story. To escape her fate, Amelie decides to run away, but first she must learn to use her magic powers as a witch. Despite her efforts, she still becomes entangled with the emperor and the calamity within him.

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This manhwa is actually a fun and entertaining read given its average score. While it is a generally light story, there are still darker moments that give depth to the characters and setting. The romance between Amelie and the emperor is well-paced, leaving room for some drama without drawing it out too long. This manhwa doesn't do anything that especially stands out, but it's a good story with good art to go with it.

6 The Wicked Little Princess

MyAnimeList Score: 6.97

• Published : 2021 to Present
• Genres/Themes : Fantasy, Reincarnation
• Author : Sohee Cha
• Illustrators : Hwasom and Chouchou

As the strongest witch on the continent, Arina believed she had nothing to worry about, especially with 300 years of experience under her belt. Then she fell in love with a human and helped him ascend to the throne, and in return, she faced betrayal and death. She is then reborn as Liona, the youngest daughter of the Hasys Empire, where she must fight for her life in the contest of succession and get her revenge.

Although this is like a typical reincarnation manhwa, there are many charming features to this story. One is the presence of actual danger in the story. Most protagonists fear a far off event that will end their lives, but Liona actively participates in the battle for succession. Liona is a very active protagonist, who helps move the story along, unlike in some other shojo manhwa.

5 Absolute Witch

MyAnimeList Score: 7.68

• Chapters : 83
• Published : 2006 to 2010
• Genres/Themes : Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
• Author : Tae-Yeon Kim
• Illustrator : Tae-Yeon Kim

Despite its imposing title, Absolute Witch is a coming of age story. Skyla Pendleton is an orphan taken in by a band of pirates, and for fifteen years, they raise her as their daughter. She's young and impressionable and doesn't know much about the world, but she's happy to be free, doing whatever she wants. This manhwa is about her journey to meet her husband, Jewel Valentine, and the many changes she goes through on the way.

For those who enjoy classic shojo manga, this manhwa is perfect, as it uses a similar art style to 90s-era shojo with writing to match. This story focuses on character growth and progression, studying the cast and their motivations, but it lacks action, which makes the pacing feel slow.

4 Witch Hunt

MyAnimeList Score: 6.99

• Chapters : 88
• Published : 2014 to 2016
• Genres/Themes : Fantasy, Supernatural, School
• Author : So Park
• Illustrator : So Park

In this world, witches are born from the wishes of humans, and depending on the wish, the power and the abilities of the witch will vary. Among them, there was a single witch who was more powerful than the rest, and she was capable of creating demons who were incredibly strong. One day, however, that witch changed, and her demons began hunting other witches to sustain themselves. Her name was Suri, and now she was going to fix her mistakes.

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This manhwa has a great concept and setting, incorporating some excellent worldbuilding into a familiar background, which helps the reader adjust to the magical elements in the story. The characters all feel real as well, each with their own flaws that motivate their individual journeys, and those details make the story much more complex and fulfilling.

3 Wait Where The Shooting Star Falls

MyAnimeList Score: 7.28

• Published : 2018 to Present
• Genres/Themes : Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
• Author : Manmulsang
• Illustrator : Manmulsang

In a world where witches fall from the sky, a mysterious problem occurs when a witch dies and her cat familiar is still alive after her passing. At the same time, a newly fallen witch comes of age, but she receives no companion. In order to find the truth behind these circumstances, Effie and Bibi must work together to figure it out.

Few manhwa are able to take advantage of an online format, often segmenting pages and panels traditionally. In Wait Where the Shooting Star Falls, the author uses the verticality of manhwa to enhance the story's atmosphere. Coupled with a unique and bright art style, the mood of the story is clearly communicated. The already great writing helps create a package that holds a unique modern fairy tale.

2 The Spark In Your Eyes

MyAnimeList Score: 7.37

• Published : 2020 to Present
• Genres/Themes : Drama, Fantasy
• Author : Muro
• Illustrator : Muro

In her kingdom, she is known as a hero of war and a righteous figure, the Sun Knight. To enemies, she is a dreaded opponent and an unstoppable force, the Sun Witch. With her magic powers and immortality, she was feared by friend and foe alike, but few know her real identity nor her current state after the war. Her name is Hildegar, a young woman suffering from an unknown illness, and her only hope is a pharmacist named Erkin from the conquered north.

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The Spark in Your Eyes is an engaging and fantastic story that depicts the life of Hildegar's life post-war. The results of the actions taken during that time all come to fruition in this story, for better or for worse. The main cast is made of many wonderfully complex and interesting characters, each struggling with vices that can affect others and the state of the story.

1 This Witch Of Mine

MyAnimeList Score: 7.98

• Episodes : 62
• Published : 2015 to 2018
• Genres/Themes : Drama, Fantasy, Romance
• Author : Heyoon
• Illustrator : MAS

Witches are portrayed differently from story to story, and in some cases, they are even seen as inhuman. In This Witch of Mine, witches are nearly-immortal beings that use magic to satisfy their selfish desires, usually at the expense of humans. This manhwa is a series of stories that feature witches navigating feelings of love and how these eternal existences can allow them to love the humans they meet.

Though there are many stories in this manhwa, none of them fall short. They each impart their own values and lessons while also being wildly different but still closely connected. Each one is incredibly emotional, displaying its own form of tragic love.

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