10 Anime Like Solo Leveling That You Must Watch
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If you’re a fan of Solo Leveling and craving more anime with overpowered protagonists, epic battles, and thrilling progression, you’re in for a treat!
We’ve compiled a list of 10 anime like Solo Leveling that will keep you hooked with intense action, captivating worlds, and unstoppable main characters. Get ready to dive into realms filled with monsters, dungeons, and limitless power!
10. The God of High School
| Genres | Action, Fantasy |
| Release Date | 2020 |
In a world where martial arts reign supreme, The God of High School follows Jin Mori, a talented high school fighter invited to participate in a prestigious tournament. This competition gathers the strongest fighters across South Korea, with the promise of granting the winner any wish they desire. However, as the tournament unfolds, it becomes clear that there’s more at stake than just the title, as supernatural abilities, gods, and hidden conspiracies come into play.
Like Solo Leveling, this anime features thrilling battles and a protagonist who constantly evolves, growing stronger as the story progresses. Both series have a game-like power system, where characters unlock new abilities through hard-fought victories. Additionally, they share high-energy openings, stunning animation, and relentless action, making them must-watches for fans of intense combat anime.
9. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
| Japanese Title | Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken |
| Genres | Action, Comedy, Fantasy |
| Release Date | 2018 |
Satoru Mikami, an average office worker, meets an untimely death and finds himself reincarnated in a fantasy world—not as a human, but as a slime. However, this is no ordinary slime. Blessed with powerful skills, including the ability to absorb and mimic the abilities of others, he quickly rises to become a dominant force in his new world. Naming himself Rimuru Tempest, he sets out to create a kingdom where all races can coexist peacefully while taking on dangerous enemies.
Much like Solo Leveling, this anime revolves around a protagonist who starts weak but continuously gains immense power. Both Rimuru and Sung Jin-Woo rise from humble beginnings to become some of the strongest beings in their respective worlds. If you enjoy watching characters evolve and dominate their enemies, this is a great pick.
8. Jujutsu Kaisen
| Genres | Action, Award Winning, Supernatural |
| Release Date | 2020 |
Jujutsu Kaisen follows Yuji Itadori, a high school student who stumbles into the dangerous world of sorcery when he swallows a powerful cursed object. This act binds him to Sukuna, a malevolent curse feared by all. To prevent Sukuna from fully taking over his body, Yuji enrolls in a Jujutsu school, where he trains to exorcise curses and fight supernatural entities.
Like Solo Leveling, this anime features breathtaking fights, a protagonist who steadily gets stronger, and an ever-present sense of danger. Both series showcase dark fantasy elements, where the characters face monstrous enemies and unlock new abilities through intense battles. Fans of Solo Leveling will appreciate Jujutsu Kaisen‘s fluid animation, well-choreographed fights, and thrilling power progression.
Related: The 10 Best Action Anime to Fuel Your Adrenaline
7. A Nobody’s Way Up to an Exploration Hero
| Japanese Title | Mob kara Hajimaru Tansaku Eiyuutan |
| Genres | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
| Release Date | 2024 |
Set in a world where adventurers explore dungeons and hunt monsters for fame and fortune, A Nobody’s Way Up to an Exploration Hero follows a struggling adventurer who starts at the bottom of society. Despite facing ridicule and hardship, he pushes forward, determined to climb the ranks and prove his worth.
This premise mirrors Solo Leveling, where the protagonist begins as weak and unrecognized but gradually rises to power through hard work and determination. Both anime feature dungeon exploration, a structured ranking system, and an underdog story that makes viewers root for the main character’s growth.
6. Shangri-La Frontier
| Genres | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
| Release Date | 2023 |
Sunraku, an elite gamer, dedicates himself to beating the most challenging virtual reality games. When he stumbles upon Shangri-La Frontier, a VR MMORPG with an incredibly immersive world, he embarks on a journey to conquer its toughest enemies and become a legend among players.
Much like Solo Leveling, this anime embraces the concept of “grinding” for power, where the protagonist actively seeks out powerful foes to grow stronger. Both shows feature a game-like progression system, thrilling battles, and a main character with a strategic mind who pushes his limits to become the best.
5. The Rising of the Shield Hero
| Japanese Title | Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari |
| Genres | Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy |
| Release Date | 2019 |
Naofumi Iwatani is one of four heroes summoned to a fantasy world to protect it from waves of monstrous invaders. Unlike the others, he is granted only a shield, making him the weakest of the group. Betrayed and falsely accused early on, he is forced to survive alone, gradually growing stronger as he overcomes adversity and seeks revenge.
This anime shares numerous similarities with Solo Leveling, including an underestimated protagonist who works tirelessly to grow stronger and prove his worth. Both stories involve characters adapting to a new system, facing monstrous threats, and undergoing a significant transformation from weak to overpowered. If you love revenge-driven narratives and powerful main characters, this is a must-watch.
4. GATE
| Genres | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
| Release Date | 2015 |
When a mysterious portal opens in modern-day Tokyo, unleashing medieval fantasy creatures and warriors upon the city, the Japanese military is sent through the gate to explore the otherworldly realm. As they navigate this new world filled with magic, monsters, and politics, they must balance diplomacy and warfare.
Like Solo Leveling, GATE explores the concept of otherworldly invasions where powerful enemies spill into reality through a portal. Both anime feature military-style organizations responding to these threats, as well as intense battles against supernatural creatures. However, GATE gives humanity a technological edge, while Solo Leveling leans more into the protagonist’s personal power growth.
3. Overlord
| Genres | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
| Release Date | 2015 |
In the online game Yggdrasil, the servers are about to shut down, but Momonga, a veteran player, remains logged in until the end. To his surprise, he finds himself trapped in the game world, now in control of his overpowered character, Ainz Ooal Gown. With loyal NPC subordinates at his side, he sets out to conquer this new world.
Like Solo Leveling, Overlord features an overwhelmingly strong protagonist who commands absolute authority. Both Sung Jin-Woo and Ainz grow into near-invincible beings with devoted followers who carry out their will. If you enjoy power fantasies and strategic world domination, Overlord is a perfect fit.
2. Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
| Japanese Title | Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka |
| Genres | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
| Release Date | 2015 |
Bell Cranel is an adventurer in Orario, a city where dungeon exploration is the key to power and prestige. Initially weak and inexperienced, Bell quickly rises in strength under the guidance of the goddess Hestia, determined to become one of the greatest adventurers.
Much like Solo Leveling, this anime follows a protagonist who starts from the bottom but rapidly grows stronger by fighting in dungeons. The leveling system, monster battles, and hero’s journey all resemble Sung Jin-Woo’s experience, making it a great recommendation for fans of power progression anime.
1. Sword Art Online
| Genres | Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance |
| Release Date | 2012 |
Set in a virtual reality MMORPG, Sword Art Online traps its players inside the game, where dying in the game means dying in real life. Kirito, an experienced gamer, takes on the challenge of clearing all the game’s levels to earn his freedom. Along the way, he becomes one of the most powerful players, forming alliances and battling formidable enemies.
Both Solo Leveling and Sword Art Online share game-like mechanics, overpowered protagonists, and immersive fantasy settings. Kirito and Sung Jin-Woo both embody the “lone wolf” archetype, cutting through enemies with incredible strength. If you love high-stakes battles and virtual worlds, this anime is a must-watch.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving anime similar to Solo Leveling, these ten picks offer the same thrilling power progression, intense battles, and immersive fantasy worlds. Whether it’s dungeon crawling, supernatural battles, or game-like systems, these series will keep you entertained with their action-packed stories. Which one will you watch next?
