Summary
Themanhwaindustry is packed with series set in historical backdrops, but for some reason, even the most old-timey-looking series exist in this weird, ambiguous time-space rather than a clearly defined era. That’s exactly why finding newermanhwa explicitly set in the Victorian erais almost impossible. Most stories that do somehow actually exist have been around long enough to feel historical themselves.
That said, the Victorian era—despite its “minor inconveniences” like rampant disease, laughably low life expectancy, and Gotham-level crime rates—has a certain charm. When done right, it offers the perfect blend of elegance and absolute chaos. It’s basically marked as the “transition era” of history, with lavish ballrooms on one end and dark alleyway mysteries on the other. It’s no wonder thatVictorian-era manhwa, rare as they are, have such strong appeal.
2011
Genre(s)
Mystery, Romance
The Victorian era has always been tied to thedark, gritty, and macabre—basically making it the perfect breeding ground for detectives, unsolved murders, and all things mysterious. So many culturally defining stories from this time thrive on that very thrill, andLizzie Newton: Victorian Mysteriesdelivers exactly that to its readers.
Lizzie Newton: Victorian Mysteriesis an old-school mystery thriller about a high-society girl with interests that are, let’s say, not exactly ladylike for the time. Lizzie is a mystery writer with a talent for attracting trouble, much to her father’s dismay. He’s determined to see her married off to a highly decorated lawyer, but Lizzie has zero intention of putting her career on pause for some guy. Her timing couldn’t be better (or worse) when a suspicious death occurs at her manor—one that she’s convinced has something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface. She’s willing to bet her life that it was murder.
2009
Drama, Mystery, Supernatural
For better or worse, one of the most famous figures to come out of the Victorian Erawas the serial killer, Jack The Ripper. Because of how mysterious the entire lore around the guy is, the world does not particularly know his real story. This is why there are a plethora of books and shows that retell the entire story in their own way—but none are as unique asJack the Ripper: Hell Blade.
This manhwa isn’t just another generic retelling of the Whitechapel murders. It flips the entire fable of Jack the Ripper around. In it, Jack is a sort of “good guy” who does what he does to prevent a greater evil. Each brutal killing of his is part of something much bigger, something supernatural, and it might be the only thing standing between London’s society and hell. The series leans hard into horror and mystery, making full use of its eerie setting and historical backdrop. It’s got conspiracies, grotesque murders, and enough action to keep things moving at a breakneck pace. If Victorian London wasn’t already terrifying enough,Hell Blademakes sure to turn it into an absolute nightmare—but in the best way possible.
2016
Drama, Mystery, Romance
19th End Century Memorandumis the perfect manhwa for those who are looking forsomething with a more gothic touch. It’s a slow-burn mystery that features almost every ‘typical’ trope one would find in a 19th-century setting—massive mansions, grand secrets, and suspiciously polite aristocrats with something up their sleeves. This manhwa is about two siblings who are separated as children after their parents' death. Lillian, the girl, is sent to live with a family known as the Clearwaters. They treat her just right and ensure she feels right at home with them.
Despite that, she always feels off and decides to move back to her brother’s place the instant her adoptive father dies. Her brother is now a Marquis of the family he was adopted by and seems to hold a lot of power. What starts off as a cute little family reunion turns out to be anything but. Lillian starts seeing things—shadowy figures, cryptic visions, and just enough nightmare fuel to make her question reality. Without any help from her brother, she takes matters into her own hands. The more she digs, the more it seems like something is very, very wrong in this house.
Mystery
Sherlock: Her Majesty’s Detectivetakes theworld’s most famous fictional detectiveand throws him into a version of 19th-century Britain that’s a little more chaotic than average—and that’s saying something. In this particular retelling of the story, the characters are a little different. Sherlock (a civil servant working directly under the queen) is paired with one Dr. Jane Watson.
Together, they dive into a series of cases that initially come off as standard thefts and murders, but are not. There’s something bigger lurking beneath the surface—something that threatens not just the nation, but possibly the entire world. This particularSherlock Holmesrendition is different in the sense that it isn’t just about solving crimes. It’s a strange mix of mystery, action, and a little sci-fi that makes the entire setting feel more cyberpunk than Victorian. As Sherlock and Jane peel back the layers of each case, they realize they’re tangled up in something far more dangerous than they expected.
2005
Victorian-era manhwa have one thing going for them that many others don’t—an intense level of creativity in how they build their stories around actual events.Mary Godwinis a dark, eerie fictional dive into the life of Mary Shelley, the iconic gothic writer best known for penningFrankenstein. It’s set around the time that she’s writing her most famous work, but instead of the usual “struggling writer” narrative, things get a lot more dramatic when a masked servant named Jean enters her life. He’s mysterious and unsettling, and may just be the reason she’s able to write one of the most iconic horror novels of all time in the first place.
As Mary navigates high society and her own creative struggles, Jean’s presence starts pulling her into something much bigger and more dangerous. Very soon, his status as her employee and occasional writing assistant blurs out and her entire life is thrown into some much grander horror.
2008
Drama
Savage Gardentakes a step back from fantasy and focuses on a more social (and just as twisted) aspect ofwhat living in Victorian high societywould be like as a relatively underprivileged person. This manhwa revolves around a girl named Gabriel who ends up taking the place of her deceased noble friend, Jeremy, at an elite all-boys boarding school. Her cause is fairly noble, and she tries to convince herself that’s all there is to it. But ultimately, as a less fortunate girl, she simply wants to experience high society through a first-person lens.
Of course, surviving in a world of privileged young men with their own hidden agendas is easier said than done. Between tangled relationships, cruel power struggles, and a growing list of people who might be onto her secret, Gabriel is basically left to her own devices. She makes friends, falls in love, and eventually finds her true self in what seems like a hellish scenario.
Drama, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural
The Pale Horseis a heavy, emotionally charged gothic manhwa that doesn’t shy away from the bleak. It’s set in a small French village and follows Rose Dupre, a girl ostracized by a populace completely gripped by fear as they consider her a“witch’s daughter.” Her only solace is in her friendship with her childhood friends Marie and Pierre, who are thankfully not swayed by the public’s opinion of her.
That is, until a mysterious demon enters their lives and turns everything for the worse. As paranoia spreads more and more, tragedies begin to follow. Rose struggles to hold onto her reality while protecting those she cares about, but her survival, unfortunately, comes at the cost of human life. As the lines between truth and delusion blur,The Pale Horse becomesless about fighting external forces and more about Rose’s battle with herself.
