Solo Leveling will soon return with a second season, but if you’re eager for something similar to Chugong’s DnD-inspired narrative, we have plenty to offer.
Solo Leveling was one of the best anime of 2024. While we wait for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, fans need another show to fill the void. And, as expected, A-1 Pictures has managed to release something that does just that.
It’s a story about Sung Jinwoo, an underdog who gets an opportunity to turn his life around and become the strongest hunter to ever live. Besides an engrossing backdrop that utilizes elements of Dungeons and Dragons and The Matrix, the anime show contains some jaw-dropping sequences and more than a few twists.
It’s a level of quality that not many can match, and those that do are particularly special. So here are the best anime like Solo Leveling.
20. Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There!
This underrated Isekai anime has a very similar concept to Solo Leveling as it’s set in a world where “Gate” or Portal converges the real world to the fantasy world, wreaking havoc among the people on earth.
The story centers around Youji Itami, an off-duty apan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) officer as he witnesses the gate emerging and monsters threatening public safety. He saves as many lives as he can.
Three months after the incident, he is tasked with leading a special recon mission that would be sent to the world beyond the gate, which is now known as the “Special Region.” In an effort to establish amicable relations with the reigning empire, they must venture into this uncharted world to gain a better understanding of the situation.
19. The Eminence in Shadow
The story follows Minoru Kagenou, who has always been fixated on becoming stronger. He dies in a truck accident while lamenting about his powerlessness. Unexpectedly, he reincarnates as Cid in another world where magic is common.
Now a second child of the noble Kagenou family, he already has the power he desperately desires. He establishes Shadow Garden and dons the alias “Shadow” who fights the Cult of Diablos, an organization that only exists in his imagination. However, as the Shadow Garden gains members, Cid realizes that the Cult isn’t imaginary after all.
18. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
The story follows a 34-year-old man, who dies in a tragic accident and reawakens as Rudeus Greyrat in another world. He now has a loving home and memories of his previous life as his past of being bullied and scorned is over.
He displays magical talent at a young age and hones his magic under the tutelage of a mage named Roxy Migurdia and learns swordsmanship from his father, Paul. Rudeus also befriends Sylphiette, a girl his age. Granted a second chance at life, he uses this blessing to break through the shackles of his traumatic past.
17. The God of High School
The God of High School centers around a tournament that seeks out the greatest fighter among Korean High School students. The winner will have any wish granted. Jin Mo-Ri joins the competition and befriends Han Dae-Wi and Yu Mi-Ra.
Mo-Ri is aware of what ruthless battle awaits them. Under the facade of the tournament, lies a secret that has Korean presidential hopeful Park Mu-Jin.
16. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
The story begins with the ending of an epic journey: Four members of the victorious hero party return home after traveling together for ten years. Together, mage Frieren, hero Himmel, priest Heiter, and warrior Eisen defeat the demon king and bring peace to the kingdom after a ten-year-long journey.
Years pass by, and one by one, Frieren loses her companions. But she stays the same as elves have an eternal life span. Before Heiter dies, he requests Frieren to take Fern, a talented young mage, as her disciple. Frieren and Fern embark on a new journey before Frieren finds a new purpose in life.
15. The Rising of the Shield Hero
If you’re looking for full of action and adventure, but with a dark tone, the first anime we’d recommend you to check out is The Rising of the Shield Hero. It starts off like a typical isekai anime — the protagonist is sent to a fantasy world with special powers.
But Naofumi Iwatani’s isekai adventure soon comes to a screeching halt when he’s wrongfully accused by Princess Malty. Thus begins his journey of revenge and redemption, and it’s as intriguing as you’d expect. And like Solo Leveling, you’d get a taciturn (but cool) main character hellbent on growing stronger.
14. Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen and Solo Leveling boast a similar dark theme, and they’ll both make you fall out of your seats. Like JJK, Solo Leveling features several spectacular fight scenes. While the former features sorcerers fighting curses, the latter showcases a battle between hunters and monsters.
Jujutsu Kaisen revolves around the students of Jujutsu High and their mentors. The main protagonist, Yuji Itadori, eats a rotten finger of the King of Curses, Sukuna, and becomes his host. The narrative then follows him as he joins forces with the ones who hold the responsibility to fight every evil curse in existence.
13. Tower of God
Tower of God is an underrated gem that is waiting to be appreciated by fans. It focuses on Bam, who spends most of his life trapped under a Tower. However, he decides to enter this Tower to find his girlfriend, Rachael. On his journey, Bam learns to grow stronger, and on each level, he meets new people – allies and enemies.
It is a spectacular anime series that is a lot like Solo Leveling in terms of story, focusing on an underdog protagonist who gradually becomes more powerful.
12. Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer is a straightforward show that is known for its battle dynamics, and that’s what makes it similar to Solo Leveling. Fans who have read the manga are familiar with what the upcoming episodes will feature.
However, anime-only enthusiasts will have to wait until Solo Leveling unleashes its true nature, which will surely make you remember the brilliance of Demon Slayer.
Demon Slayer revolves around Tanjiro Kamado, a coal burner’s son whose family gets killed by the demons. The kind-hearted boy who could never think of hurting someone, even by his words, picks up the sword to slash countless demons.
11. Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man and Solo Leveling feature weak main protagonists who become the strongest beings alive in their respective universes. For instance, Chainsaw Man’s Denji gets devilish powers from his pet Pochita, while Solo Leveling’s Sung Jinwoo receives God-like powers from a powerful entity during his mission in a dungeon.
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Chainsaw Man is set in a world where devils exist. Our primary character, Denji, shows up as an undernourished young boy who lives with his pet named Pochita, the chainsaw devil. One day, when Denji gets betrayed and killed, Pochita merges with him, making Denji the Chainsaw Man.
10. Death Note
Death Note features Light Yagami, the protagonist who doesn’t have any physical prowess but is incredibly smart. His journey from being a nobody to becoming someone with God-like powers always gives us goosebumps.
The boy receives the powers from a mysterious book of a Shinigami, the Death Note. After realizing what the book can do, Light Yagami exploits it to fulfill his evil agenda, which is to control the entire world.
Similarly, Sung Jinwoo of Solo Leveling doesn’t have any physical strength at the start, but he becomes powerful after receiving the powers from “The System.” He uses it to become an overpowered protagonist who we all love.
9. Goblin Slayer
Goblin Slayer revolves around a protagonist whose only motive in life is to eliminate every goblin around. He is part of an adventurers group who comes with the same aspirations, and they are often seen going to dungeons to fight numerous goblins.
Similarly, in Solo Leveling, the hunters keep on going into deadly dungeons to hunt the monsters. Apart from that, both series follow a ranking system for the adventurers/hunters. So, if you love watching Solo Leveling, you should definitely give Goblin Slayer a try.
8. Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor
Based on a light novel of the same name, the anime follows Glenn Radars whose unconventional powers are kind of similar to Solo Leveling’s Sung Jinwoo. The story is set in the Alzano Empire, home to the prestigious Alzano Imperial Magic Academy.
Sistine Fibel and her best friend Rumia Tingel are thrown off by the sudden retirement of their favorite teacher, only for the eccentric Glenn Radars to replace him.
He has a lazy lifestyle and is completely indifferent about magic, earning scorn from his students. However, he’s more than meets the eye as he hides a dark past and strange power hidden from others.
7. Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
Just like in Solo Leveling, this anime also features a world where people raid dungeons and defeat monsters to make a living. Both series start off with incredibly weak protagonists and then show their incredible growth over time. As we follow the protagonists’ road to success, the stories only keep getting better.
This particular series is set in a world where gods and humans coexist. When Bell Cranel encounters the lonely goddess, Hestia, he realizes he’s far closer to his goal than he ever imagined.
6. Death Parade
If you crave mysteries, Death Parade is an atmospheric short anime set in the afterlife that offers several. A purgatorial bartender pits people who have died at the same time against each other to figure out the final destination of their souls.
His business becomes complicated when he develops an interest in our ability to feel, as well as an unseen God who works behind the scenes. The spiritualism and mythology give the narrative an intriguing edge.
5. Dragon Ball Z
The primo shonen anime is one of the gold standards for massive fights. If Solo Leveling’s flashy battles are the selling point, you’re going to want to check out Goku fighting Frieza on Namek or Gohan running through Perfect Cell in Dragon Ball Z.
These matches are fluffier than what you get in the likes of Demon Slayer or My Hero Academia, but they’re absolutely exhilarating. Akira Toriyama knew the components of a memorable set piece, and his influence endured.
4. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
For something more on the fantasy side, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is an isekai anime about someone who — you guessed it — becomes a slime in an alternate dimension. Rather than trying to get home, the protagonist settles into his life as an amorphis blob, eventually becoming royalty and helping to ward off evil.
It’s a charming show, funny, but with a light bit of edge that kicks in when some extra stakes are needed. One for the DnD players.
3. One Punch Man
If only life’s problems simply required a single punch to be solved. We’d have a utopia! That’s the fantasy Saitama offers, as a superhero with an unstoppable punch that knocks out everyone with a clean shot.
The first two seasons of One Punch Man have provided huge set-pieces and clever superhero satire, and the upcoming third should continue that trend. With a film on the way, you’d be well-served to get on board now.
2. Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online focuses on virtual reality worlds created by several companies. In the anime, you explore unique gaming worlds, including a universe that plays around the RPG elements. Similarly, in Solo Leveling, you get a protagonist who has to perform different tasks to level up his skills.
Sung Jinwoo has to defeat several monsters to gather powerful resources, including overpowered daggers. So, in that sense, Solo leveling and Sword Art Online play around the same concept, which is inspired by Role Playing Games.
1. Overlord
Overlord, like several other anime on this list, is based around a video game genre: MMORPG. The main protagonist of the anime, Ainz, finds himself transported into a game world where all the NPCs have come alive. Ainz now uses his knowledge of the game to rise to power and survive this world.
So, you could say that Ainz is a lot like Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling, who also uses an RPG element to level up and become the strongest.
If you’d like to keep up with other hits, check out our list of the best anime like Jujutsu Kaisen, and our guides to Sakamoto Days, Oshi no Ko Season 3, and One Punch Man Season 3 for other shows on their way back.