Best Shojo Royalty Manhwa

Key Takeaways

• Shojo manhwa often feature princess protagonists in fantasy realms with romance elements.
• The genre includes unique twists on classic fairy tales, with charismatic protagonists driving the narrative forward.
• Updated manhwa titles include Secret Lady, blending romance, fantasy, and mystery for an exciting read.

Nothing is quite as shojo as being a princess. Romance occupies a large space in the shojo genre, which is why fantasy settings are so popular. Living in castles, wearing ornate gowns, and falling in love with a prince all lend themselves to a traditional fairy tale or a dream people may have.

It’s no surprise that many shojo manhwa feature protagonists living as princesses or daughters of other nobility. These plots are often very similar, but a charismatic protagonist or a unique aspect of the world usually helps great stories stand out among the rest.

Updated October 28, 2024 by Garrett Huon: This update will include small changes in the list format. The manhwa Secret Lady will also be added to the list. The protagonist is the daughter of a duke and the plot revolves around the crown prince, which should appeal to readers who enjoyed some of the other stories represented here.

1 My Secretly Hot Husband

Her Husband Is Not The Beast But The Beauty

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.43
• Published: 2020 to 2023
• Genre/Theme: Fantasy, Romance, Reincarnation
• Author: Jungyeon
• Illustrator: Harara

Some manhwa take classic fairy tales and put a spin on them. Despite its title, this manhwa is like Beauty and the Beast, at least in concept. After being reincarnated as Letitia Grey, the protagonist is sent off to marry the lord of Halstead, known to look and behave like a monster. However, once she gets there, she learns those rumors aren’t true.

This manhwa is full of lovable characters, and each one is dynamic and grows throughout the story. Even the supporting characters feel like real people. Although it doesn’t do anything outside the box, it’s an example of a reliable, well-written shojo isekai.

2 I Am The Real One

She No Longer Needs Her Father’s Approval

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.45
• Published: 2020 to Present
• Genre/Theme: Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel
• Author: Samwol
• Illustrator: Yuun

Keira spent her entire life committed to her duties as a noble, but when a girl claiming to be the Grand Duke’s real daughter shows up, her position is put into question. Through various schemes and set-ups, Keira is framed as a villain and executed. Then a miracle happens, and she is sent back in time.

I Am The Real One is a classic shojo regression manhwa, using common tropes and concepts to tell a familiar story. Most of its popularity comes from the main characters. Keira doesn’t necessarily take a revenge path and moves on with her life. Cosette is a great villain who punishes the real evil in the story: the Grand Duke.

3 Second Life Of A Trash Princess

The Princess Abandons Propriety To Get Revenge

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.47
• Author: Wheedrian
• Illustrator: Jonadan
• Published: 2022 to Present
• Genres/Themes: Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel

Princess Regina lost everything: her family, her status, and her kingdom. However, at her last stand, she’s able to turn back time and live her life again. This time around, she won’t be the helpful older sister. She’s going to be the worst princess in history.

One pitfall many shojo stories step into is having a passive protagonist. Many things happen to them, but they take no action otherwise. Regina is exactly the opposite. She takes what she wants and does what she wants to further her goal. A main character like her is refreshing.

4 Philomel The Fake

A Fake Princess Tries To Fix The Story

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.48
• Author: Oaen
• Illustrator: Logo
• Published: 2023 to Present
• Genres/Themes: Fantasy, Romance

One day, Princess Philomel finds a strange book in the garden, and strangely enough, the main character shares her name. In the book, Philomel is switched at birth with the real princess. Later, she is executed for tricking the emperor. Philomel brushes it off as fantasy — until events in the book start happening in real life.

This isn’t a regression or a reincarnation story. Philomel is a child at the start of the story, and her emotions feel very true to how a child would feel. She is portrayed as a normal person and not as a quirky character, which makes the story more immersive.

5 Mother’s Contract Marriage

A Little Girl From The Slums Learns To Be A Princess

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.86
• Author: Siya
• Illustrator: Choo, Hae-Yun
• Published: 2022 to Present
• Genres/Themes: Fantasy, Time Travel

This manhwa is special because the main character isn’t the one regressing. Lyrica is a little girl who lives in the slums, taking care of her mom. One day, her mom jumps out of bed and starts doing things she’s never done before. Not too long after, they both move into the palace.

Lyrica is a kind and innocent girl, and this story is about all the new experiences she has as a princess. The plot doesn’t have a clear focal point, meaning the direction of the story is a little vague, but it makes sense because the story is told by a child. The images and art style evoke a sense of wonder that reflects Lyrica’s narrative.

6 The Abandoned Empress

The Empress Goes Back In Time To Live Without Regrets

• MyAnimeList Score: 6.69
• Author: Yuna Jeong
• Illustrator: iNA
• Published: 2017 to 2021
• Genres/Theme: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel

This is a common royalty manhwa where the protagonist is given a second chance to live. Aristia La Monique is a duke’s daughter who regresses through time after being executed, and with her knowledge of the future, she serves as a knight to avoid being empress.

Though other manhwa tell similar stories, this one is known for its good pacing, its great illustrations, and its strong characters. However, its ending leaves many with a sour taste in their mouths, even ruining the story for some.

7 Into The Light, Once Again

A Reincarnated Princess Confronts Her Past

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.53
• Author: Tikatika
• Illustrator: Yuya
• Published: 2021 to Present
• Genres/Theme: Drama, Fantasy, Reincarnation

It’s not very often that a protagonist is reincarnated into the same world as the one where they died. After being framed and betrayed by her family, Princess Alyssa is executed, but then she opens her eyes as Aisha, the first princess of a rival kingdom who was just born.

The narrative is incredibly character-driven. It is up to Aisha to decide what happens and when. She’s so distant from her past life that she could ignore it, but she doesn’t. The ways she confronts her problems and betters herself show how a good protagonist can carry a story.

8 The Monster Duchess And Contract Princess

A Girl With Dark Powers Chooses Her Real Family

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.56
• Author: Liaran
• Illustrator: MinJakk
• Published: 2019 to 2022
• Genres/Theme: Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Despite having no isekai or reincarnation elements, this manhwa tells a compelling story of a girl born to be a sacrifice. The protagonist, Leslie, runs away after being abused her entire life, allying with the Salvatore family in order to save herself. There she learns what a real family is like and what it means to be loved.

Leslie’s character development is what drives the story, even among the intricate subplots happening in the background. The only negative would be the repetitiveness of those subplots, which only slowed down the narrative. Reinforcing a lesson only makes sense if it benefits the story.

9 For My Abandoned Love

Saving The Second Male Lead For A True Happy Ending

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.65
• Author: Seonyu Kim
• Illustrator: Kimyong
• Published: 2022 to Present
• Genres/Theme: Fantasy, Romance, Isekai, Reincarnation, Time Travel

Also known as For My Derelict Favorite, this manhwa puts a twist on a typical plot by having the protagonist become a background character named Hestia. She’s a fangirl who is content with watching her favorite character, Caelus, from afar. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end well.

While the story itself is interesting, the depiction of depression is also a highlight. The difference the support of a single person can make is evident through Hestia’s character. Her strength and initiative are great to see from a protagonist in this genre.

10 Happily Ever Afterwards

One Fangirl Lives Her Dream By Marrying Her Favorite Character

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.76
• Author: Dotol Hwang
• Illustrator: Jeongseo
• Chapters: 89
• Published: 2020 to 2022
• Genres/Theme: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Isekai, Reincarnation

When the protagonist is reincarnated into her favorite novel, she becomes Peony, the princess of the kingdom of Garten. As a character who doesn’t show up at all in the story, her life and future are fine, especially since the original story has already ended. However, that means her favorite character, Richt, has been abandoned in the northern wasteland.

This romance starts as an unrequited love of a fangirl for the banished second male lead. What starts as an obsession turns into understanding and an actual relationship. It’s one of the best depictions of people falling in love with each other in manhwa.

11 Saving My Sweetheart

God’s Favorite Princess Goes Back In Time To Save The Day

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.66
• Author: Mayak Jelly
• Illustrator: Jiui Kim
• Published: 2021 to Present
• Genres/Theme: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel

The saintess can be a huge figure in shojo fantasy, usually because she’s the main character. However, in this manhwa, the saintess is an evil queen, and it’s her daughter who will end her tyranny and corruption. Leticia lived her first life in fear of her mother, but with some divine help, she was given a second chance. Now, she’ll do anything to protect her loved ones.

Saving My Sweetheart does a great job of balancing the romance plot with the overall narrative, making space for great world-building and character development. The lore and history of the world have a huge impact on the plot, which helps the story feel more immersive.

12 Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady With The Lamp

A Doctor Lives Her Third Life As A Genius Princess

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.67
• Author: Yuin
• Illustrator: mini
• Published: 2017 to 2021
• Genres/Theme: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Reincarnation

Elise is one of the more fascinating main characters in this genre because she’s actually been reincarnated twice. Having her third life be in her first identity is a great twist on how reincarnation works, and it helps this manhwa stand out from others in this genre.

Doctor Elise is a wholesome story that’s meant to be a redemption for the protagonist, but it doesn’t do much with the plot other than introducing contemporary medicine into a historical setting. The lack of variety doesn’t take away from how good this manhwa is though.

13 Beware The Villainess!

A Reincarnated Woman Wants To Live Peacefully

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.78
• Chapters: 128
• Published: 2020 to 2022
• Genre/Theme: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Isekai, Villainess
• Author: Ppongtta Mat Screw Bar
• Illustrator: Blue Canna

The themes of royalty and villainess characters often go hand-in-hand because they often have to deal with the position of crown princess, and it can be difficult to find one without the other. In this case, Melissa Fodderbrat is the main character and the villainess. Having been reincarnated into a new world, she must work incredibly hard to achieve the leisurely life she wants.

Beware The Villainess! is incredibly popular for how bold and confrontational the female lead is. Rather than blend into her new surroundings, Melissa refuses to submit to the outdated ways of thinking that come with historical settings. She is by far one of the most popular shojo protagonists ever.

14 Marriage Of Convenience

She’s Given A Second Chance To Live

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.86
• Author: Ken
• Illustrator: Ant Studio
• Published: 2022 to Present
• Genres/Theme: Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel

There are few manhwa as dramatic and tense as Marriage of Convenience. What would seem like a normal romance with some time travel turns into a political narrative with scheming and assassination. There are many twists and turns in the story, especially toward the end.

The manhwa is carried by the relationship between Bianca and Zachary. As they grow closer, the story also becomes more complex as more characters are introduced and new conflicts appear. It’s a very sweet and heartfelt story. That being said, it’s a story where the beginning is the hardest to get through.

15 Secret Lady

Ghosts Help A Young Girl Learn The Secrets Of The Royal Family

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.98
• Published: 2021 to Present
• Genre/Theme: Fantasy, Romance, Reincarnation, Supernatural
• Author: Anngato
• Illustrator: Banana

The story of this manhwa follows Rosentine Arzen, the eldest daughter of Duke Arzen, who can see and speak to ghosts. It’s an ability she’s had since her first life, but she’s hidden it ever since she was reborn in fear of being abandoned once more. However, when she accidentally overhears ghosts talking about an assassination attempt against the second prince, Charteris, she feels like it’s her responsibility to do something.

Secret Lady is a thrilling romance that includes many mystery elements and themes. Not only are there ghosts shown throughout the story, but there are trapped treasures and government conspiracies. It’s an exciting manhwa to read because new things are always being revealed.

16 The Remarried Empress

The Empress Is Taken For Granted So She Moves To Another Kingdom

• MyAnimeList Score: 8.04
• Author: Alphatart
• Illustrator: Sumpul
• Published: 2019 to Present
• Genres/Theme: Fantasy, Romance

This manhwa is full of political intrigue and conflict. The story follows Empress Navier as her position is put into question by the emperor’s new concubine. The struggle between the two factions causes strife within the palace and ends with her deposition.

Navier is a strong protagonist; something not very common in the shojo genre. She is proud, confident, and intelligent, never backing down when challenged and always looking three steps ahead. It can be difficult to understand all the scheming that’s done, but it’s easy to see how impressive it is.

17 The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up At The Duke’s Mansion

A Normal College Student Saves Herself In A Romance Novel

• MyAnimeList Score: 8.15
• Author: Milcha
• Illustrator: Gorae
• Published: 2017 to 2021
• Genres/Theme: Fantasy, Romance, Isekai, Reincarnation

This story is like the typical isekai romance with contract marriages and surviving death flags, except there’s so much more. The protagonist, Park Eunha, was murdered, which resulted in her transmigration into Raeliana McMillan, a character in a novel whose death starts the story. To prevent her own death, she enlists the help of the duke.

The mystery elements add some much-needed excitement to the otherwise bland story. Raeliana herself is also a great protagonist who keeps the story going when it drags on. There are a few loose ends here and there, but overall, it’s a great manhwa to read.

18 Who Made Me A Princess

A Lonely Princess Tries Her Best To Get On Her Father’s Good Side

• MyAnimeList Score: 8.45
• Author: Plutus
• Illustrator: Spoon
• Published: 2017 to 2022
• Genres/Theme: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Reincarnation

This manhwa is a staple on any reading list regarding royalty and fantasy romance. This manhwa tells the story of a girl who was reincarnated as Athanasia, the unwanted daughter of Emperor Claude. While it begins as a story of survival, it quickly becomes a story of family and relationships.

In the story, Athy has no connection to her father, but over time, their strained relationship becomes the driving force behind the entire narrative. Its depiction was so well done that it popularized the father-daughter theme seen in many other manhwa.