Mugen Monday - 20th Edition

Since a brief period of time that had its onset about a week prior to this, Spiel Anime has been sending you cues as to what this Christmas it wishes it to be for you. A partial answer lay therein our recently sent newsletter, Shinzou Saturday, calling it a 'Murim Christmas’. But what exactly do we mean?

In Spiel Anime we deal quite a lot in Anime. But that’s just an umbrella term - a term that incorporates a multiload of other things. For example, if you ask us if we don’t give two coins about the latest Chainsaw Man Manga hiatus, then we will tell you that such is not the case. Because we do give a damn, about Manga, about Anime, heck even about light novels originating from Japan.

But as of late, I, the editor-in-chief, have found myself more inclined towards the world of Korean webcomics - or now famously known as Manhwas. 

Do not worry, we still have plenty of Animanga experts in our department, and this venture of introducing Korean Manhwa to you is merely a reflection of the editor-in-chief’s inner personal transmutation.

With that established, it helps to give you an insight into what Murim exactly is. It is nothing other than, quite literally, the world of martial arts.

Most Murim Manhwas are based on cultivation techniques in which one channels the life force energy through one’s body and mind, to reach higher forms of enlightenment while simultaneously mastering one or multiple martial arts. Set in a medieval oriental setting, mostly China, Murim Manhwas (although they are Korean-made) delves into such themes.

The best way to explain the Manhwa field to one is to give them the example of Solo Leveling, which very well has its international premiere in multiple countries as of now. And as we speak, the Solo Leveling Anime is well on its way towards a streaming release by the beginning of January.

This particular Solo Leveling Anime is based on a Manhwa by Redice studio, drawn and led by the CEO himself of the studio known as Dubu, which again is based on the original Korean web novel by author Chugong. So as we see, there’s this hierarchy of adaptations that goes from source to animation.

Perhaps more of this is down below? Stay tuned, and as always, a big thanks for joining us up for Mugen Monday.

- From the Editor’s Desk

Rhytham Das, Editor-in-Chief, Spiel Anime