Manhwa as a genre has gained immense popularity over the years, yet it often employs the same formula: overpowered protagonists, convenient plot devices, and cliches that are recycled with little creativity. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint stands out in such a crowded field not by rejecting these familiar tropes but rather by embracing them in a way that is fresh and thrilling.
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint starts by giving readers what they expect, only to subvert those expectations in ways that keep them hooked. This manhwa’s brilliance is found in the way it utilizes the cliches to create a metafictional story that is equally about the process of reading and the events taking place in its universe.
The Power Fantasy Characteristics of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint
To understand why Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint is so impactful, it’s crucial to look at its opening arcs. Many readers have pointed out that the first few arcs can feel like a standard power fantasy; something that is often associated with overpowered main characters, endless battles, and high-stakes adventures.
In Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, the protagonist Kim Dokja, a seemingly ordinary office worker, suddenly finds himself living through the events of his favorite web novel, Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse. Thanks to his broad knowledge of the novel, Dokja appears to have an overwhelming advantage in this new world, knowing exactly what is going to happen and how to manipulate events to his favor.
In manhwa and light novels, this setup of an all-knowing protagonist having access to a wealth of future knowledge is a common theme. However, this seemingly cliched setting is only the hook for Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint. The universe, the characters, and the events are far more complicated than they first appear, and Dokja’s over-reliance on his reader bias soon turns into a strength as well as a drawback. As a result, we get a story that is predictable at first but rapidly develops into something much more complex.
Subverting the Familiar Trope of Manhwa with Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint
The plot becomes far more complex after we get past the opening setup. The world that Dokja lives in is complex, full of laws, institutions, and entities with their own agendas. It’s not just another arena for protagonists with a constant hunger for power to fight over. These components offer the story more depth and raise issues like fate, free will, and the very nature of storytelling itself, in addition to providing Dokja with new challenges to overcome.
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint doesn’t just break the fourth wall; it shatters it. Kim Dokja’s journey is one that is both literal and metaphorical. As he navigates the world of Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse, he isn’t just fighting monsters or trying to save the world, but he’s wrestling with the very nature of storytelling itself.
The distinction between reader and character becomes hazy at some points in the series. Dokja frequently remarks on how ridiculous some things are, and his familiarity with the story gives him a distinct, almost godly perspective. But even Dokja comes to understand that being a reader doesn’t provide him with all the answers as the story goes on; it only makes things more difficult at times.
It’s no secret that a lot of readers find Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint‘s early storylines to be a little monotonous. The world-building and explanation in the first few chapters are vast, and the power fantasy aspects can get repetitive. But this slow start is intentional. Before slipping a curveball under their feet, this manhwa wants its readers to get used to the genre’s cliches and norms.
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint is currently available to read on Webtoon.
