Summary
Mental illnesscan be one of the hardest things to talk about and portray, so it’s often avoided in the media. In the last few years, there has been more and more advocacy for mental health awareness, which has led to those topics appearing in all forms of entertainment.
Of course, that includesmanhwa. While the number is still quite small, there are great stories that both allude to and directlyaddress various mental illnesses. Due to the nature of this topic, there may be graphic content, so this list will apply warnings when necessary. These are some ofthe best manhwa that deal with topics of mental illness.
7I’m Not That Kind Of Talent
MyAnimeList Score: 7.43
Although the story ofI’m Not That Kind of Talentdoesn’t revolve around mental illness, it is the basis of the main character. Deon Hart was once a normal child, but due to thescheming of other nobles, he was forced to participate in the 8-Year War, which left him scarred and permanently changed his personality.
This story features depictions of PTSD and Dissociative Identity Disorder, which are both tackled very well using the fantastical nature of the setting. It’s a great example of how mental illness can take control of someone’s life and how trauma exacerbates those issues further.
MyAnimeList Score: N/A
Content Warning - Self-Harm, Suicide
This manhwa directly addresses suicide and self-harm. Having lived a terrible life, the protagonist decides to commit suicide, but instead fo dying, she is transported into a novel, taking over the body ofSelena the villainess. With a grim ending on the horizon, she decides to jump from a clock tower.
Despite the dark beginnings, this is actually a story of recovery. Selena goes through a gradual change as she experiences love and kindness for the first time. It’s not without difficulty though, as she struggles with her thoughts and ideations of death every step of the way.
MyAnimeList Score: 8.13
Content Warning - Abuse
InHow to Win My Husband Over, Ruby suffers from many mental illnesses, but the most prevalent in the story is her eating disorder. She developed Bulimia as a coping mechanism for the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father and brothers.
Although Ruby’s eating disorder is only mentioned a couple of times, it’s introduced early enough in the story that it becomes an underlying conflict. While other problems arise, she is still dealing with the mental and physical toll of her Bulimia as the series moves along.
4The Pizza Delivery Man And The Gold Palace
Anxiety is a common feeling people experience, but when it gets really bad, it can be debilitating. Kang Seo-An has terrible anxiety problems that cause panic attacks and prevent him from leaving his home. It’s when he’s at his worst that he meets Doh Woo-Won, a perpetual part-timer jumping from job to job.
Seo-An’s anxiety is essentially the main antagonist of the story, as it prevents him from working and socializing. His entire life is on pause because of the intense fear that takes over when he’s out in public.His relationship with Woo-wonis what helps him cope with his anxiety, eventually granting him the room he needs to grow.
MyAnimeList Score: 8.27
Content Warning - Extreme Violence
Considering that mental illness is a hard topic to discuss, authors often use other means to explain and show what it feels like to suffer from a mental disorder. In this case,Sweet Homeuses amonster apocalypseas a vehicle to understand depression and other emotional struggles.
Cha Hyun lost his family in a tragic accident and was forced to grow up quickly, living alone in a new apartment. Things get worse as the people around him suddenly turn into flesh-eating monsters, transforming as their desires and emotions become too much to handle. This manhwa shows extreme violence and gore on top of its interpretation of mental disorders.
2Taste Of Illness
MyAnimeList Score: 7.80
Taste Of Illnessis widely regarded to have one of the best depictions of anxiety in manhwa. It tells the story of Byeon Yujin as he forms a tentative friendship with Lee Suni, as they arepartnered for a class assignment. Both prefer to be alone, which makes forming a connection even harder.
What makes this story so great is how anxiety is represented. When Yujin experiences intense anxiety, a mass of black goo appears and assaults him, and it gives the whole story a more violent undertone. Many people don’t know how panic attacks feel, and this manhwa does a good job conveying that without being too heavy-handed.
1Dr. Frost
MyAnimeList Score: 7.97
When it comes to manhwa about psychology,Dr. Frostis one of the best and most popular on the market. It covers a wide variety of mental health issues. Frost is a Sherlock Holmes-esque character,a genius in his field, but lacking in empathy and emotion. Nevertheless, he continues to work as a therapist at Yonggang University.
Aside from being an entertaining story, this manhwa is also quite informative, as it gives basic information about the study of psychology, using character stories as examples when necessary. Mental illness is just one part of it. Not many manhwa are educational and entertaining, butDr. Frostmanages to be both in equal measure.
