Indian Mythology Finds New Life in Global Webtoon Fantasy

Time of India

19-05-2025

Credits: Reddit
In recent years
Webtoon platforms
have seen a surge of fantasy comics drawing on Hindu mythology. Series like Kubera and Abide in the Wind blend Asian magic with concepts like reincarnation and karma, while independent Canvas titles explicitly rework Indian epics. South Korean creator Currygom's
Kubera
centers on a 16-year-old girl who survives her village's destruction and learns her fate is entwined with gods and demons. As the official synopsis explains, the pair journey through a world of 'Gods and Suras' (suras being analogues of Hindu asuras). In fact, one fan-review notes that minor characters include 'Agni, the fire god' and even 'the actual god Kubera' in human form, making the Hindu roots plain.
Kubera
has attracted a large international following (the
Webtoon
page lists over 260,000 subscribers), and its plot hinges on destiny and duty reminiscent of the
Mahabharata
.
Another hit is Abide in the Wind (Shin Weol), a Korean webtoon about a village girl and a dragon whose journey across realms ends in sacrifice and a reset of time. Though not explicitly Hindu, it evokes Eastern cycles of rebirth and dharma: a protagonist willingly gives her life (absorbing a magic pearl) and 'resets' the world, echoing the idea of karma and reincarnation found in Indian thought. Such narratives of sacrifice, fate and cosmic order remind readers of similar themes in the
Ramayana
and
Mahabharata
, even if filtered through a fantastical dragon tale.
On Webtoon's Canvas platform, new creators are freely weaving Hindu lore.
Nerya: The Unblessed
by Neto Rito is set in a world where being 'Blessed by the Gods means everything'. A reviewer praises its Indian touch: characters wear
saris
and bindis, adding 'a notable touch of difference', and one god is literally named 'Ausra' (a play on the word
asura
). This infusion of myth makes Nerya feel 'incredibly unique' compared to more generic fantasy. Likewise,
Astradhari
(by Vishal and Ajay) is billed as a 'Hinduism pioneering fantasy web comic', promising warriors and sorcerers who bring 'the rich tapestry of Hindu mythology' to life. Even traditional tales get a digital retelling: one Canvas series titled
Ramayan
explicitly 'explores themes of dharma (duty), righteousness, and the triumph of good over evil', summarizing Rama and Sita's epic rescue quest. (Another Canvas comic,
Radha and Krishna
, directly recounts the divine lovers' story.) These series openly reference gods like Vishnu and Hanuman and adapt mythic lessons for a modern readership.
Key mythic motifs recur across these stories:
Gods and Asuras (Demons) –
Kubera's world is built around battling devas and suras, just as Hindu epics pit devas against asuras.
Blessings & Karma –
Tales often hinge on divine favor. For example, Nerya's very setup is a girl striving in a land where 'being Blessed by the Gods means everything'. Characters suffer or succeed based on past deeds or godly boons, mirroring karma.
Reincarnation & Rebirth –
Many plots involve life-death cycles. Abide's heroine is reborn via cosmic magic, and Kubera hints that Leez's fate spans lifetimes, reflecting the transmigration of souls.
Dharma (Duty) –
Righteous duty guides heroes. The
Ramayan
Webtoon explicitly highlights 'dharma (duty)' as its theme, and characters across series make hard moral choices that feel drawn from Hindu philosophy.
This blend of mythic depth and adventure is resonating globally. Fans praise the novelty: one reviewer notes that because Webtoon 'notably lacks works that are culturally different,' a series with Indian elements 'stands out' and feels unique. The infusion of elements like gods, karma and cosmic justice gives international readers fresh stories grounded in rich lore. Even mainstream platforms seem to notice: Webtoon's description of
Astradhari
boasts that its 'diverse cast brings to life the rich tapestry of Hindu mythology', signaling how creators and platforms are highlighting this trend.
As audiences around the world embrace these fantasy webcomics, Indian-inspired epics are finding new life online. By combining anime-style visuals with Hindu cosmology and themes of karma and dharma, the creators are building bridges between cultures. The result is a new global fanbase eager to explore worlds where sari-clad warriors, dragons, and gods of fire and wealth share space – proof that ancient Indian myths have truly gone international.