To read manhwa, scroll from top to bottom through each episode on your phone or computer, reading panels and speech bubbles left to right where they sit side by side. Most modern manhwa are published as full-color webtoons, with new episodes released on a regular weekly schedule on official platforms. This beginner’s guide from TCB Scans, covers the format, the update rhythm and where to read legally.
Key Takeaways
- Manhwa are Korean comics, and most new ones are made as vertical-scroll webtoons.
- You read top to bottom, and side-by-side text reads left to right.
- Most webtoons are in full color and update in weekly episodes.
- Official platforms such as WEBTOON offer free episodes and optional paid early access.
What Manhwa and Webtoons Are
Manhwa is the Korean word for comics. Printed manhwa existed long before smartphones, but today most popular series are created digitally for reading on screens.
A webtoon is a comic designed for vertical scrolling. The term started in South Korea and is now used worldwide, including for series created in other countries. Not every manhwa is a webtoon, but most new ones are.
If you are coming from Japanese manga, the differences can feel surprising at first. Our comparison of manga vs manhwa vs manhua explains them side by side.
How the Vertical Scroll Format Works
Instead of turning pages, you scroll down a long strip of panels. Artists use the space between panels to control pacing, building suspense with empty space or speeding up action with tightly stacked images.
Reading Direction
The main direction is always top to bottom. When two speech bubbles or panels sit side by side, read them from left to right, the same as English text. This is the opposite of Japanese manga, which reads right to left.
Color and Art Style
Most webtoons are fully colored, which helps with mood and makes action easy to follow on a small screen. Many series also use cinematic pacing, with large panels for important moments.
Episodes Instead of Chapters
Webtoons are usually split into episodes. An episode is often shorter than a manga chapter in page terms, but it is designed to be read in one sitting on a phone. Use the platform’s own episode list to keep your place, since numbering can differ between editions.
How Webtoon Updates Work
Most series update weekly on a fixed day. Platforms often display their schedule by weekday, so you can see what arrives on Monday, Tuesday and so on.
Many webtoons are released in seasons. After a season ends, the series may pause for weeks or months while the creators build up a lead before the next season begins. For more detail, read our guide to manga release schedules or browse the release schedules section.
| Feature | Typical Webtoon | What It Means for You |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Vertical scroll | Read top to bottom on any device |
| Color | Full color | Easy to follow on small screens |
| Updates | Weekly episodes on a set day | Check the platform’s weekday schedule |
| Seasons | Breaks between story parts | Expect planned pauses |
| Access | Free episodes plus optional paid early access | Read free or pay to read ahead |
Where to Read Manhwa Legally
WEBTOON, operated by NAVER WEBTOON, is one of the largest official platforms. It offers many series for free, a weekday release schedule and optional paid features for reading ahead of the free release.
Other publishers run their own official apps as well. Before reading, check that a platform clearly names the publisher and the series’ rights holders. Official services also keep your devices safer, because they do not rely on pop-up ads or unexpected downloads. Our manhwa and webtoons section covers more reading tips.
Good Manhwa for Beginners
The following series are popular starting points. Each has a page in the TCB Scans library with a short summary of its premise.
- Eleceed: a lighthearted action story about a kind teenager with lightning-fast powers and a grumpy cat mentor. It is published officially on WEBTOON.
- The Beginning After the End: a fantasy story about a king reborn into a world of magic, adapted from a web novel.
- Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint: a reader finds that the novel he has followed for years has become reality.
- Solo Max-Level Newbie: a game-inspired story about a player who uses his deep knowledge of a game to survive.
Common Terms You Will See
- Regression: a character returns to an earlier point in their life with their memories intact.
- System: game-like status windows or quests that only the hero can see.
- Season: a block of episodes followed by a planned break.
- Hiatus: a longer pause, usually announced by the platform.
- Adaptation: a webtoon based on an existing web novel.
Tips for Your First Series
- Start with a completed season so you can read several episodes at once.
- Use the platform’s subscribe or favorite button to get update notices.
- Read on a phone in portrait mode, which is how the format is designed.
- Note the update day so new episodes do not catch you by surprise.
Fantasy fans may also enjoy our guide to isekai manga. For the full list of series and guides, visit the TCB Scan homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Read Manhwa Left to Right or Right to Left?
Manhwa reads left to right, like English. Most modern manhwa are webtoons, so the main direction is top to bottom as you scroll, and any side-by-side panels or speech bubbles read from left to right. This differs from Japanese manga, which traditionally reads from right to left across each page.
Are All Manhwa in Color?
Most modern manhwa are published as full-color webtoons, because color works well on phone screens. Older printed manhwa were often in black and white, similar to manga. If you read a classic series in a printed edition, you may see grayscale pages, while new digital series are almost always colored.
How Often Do Webtoons Update?
Most webtoons release one new episode per week on a fixed day. Many also run in seasons, with planned breaks between them so the creators can prepare new episodes. TCB Scans explains these patterns, but the official platform’s schedule page is the most accurate place to check a specific series.
