Few anime deliver the same rush as Solo Leveling. It begins with a weak hunter struggling to survive and gradually transforms him into a terrifyingly powerful warrior capable of defeating enemies that once seemed impossible.
The series combines dungeon raids, game-like abilities, monsters, secret powers, dramatic transformations and spectacular battles. Sung Jinwoo’s journey from the weakest hunter to an unstoppable force is the main reason viewers find the story so addictive.
Fans searching for anime like solo leveling usually want at least one of these elements:
- A weak hero who becomes extremely powerful
- RPG-style levels, skills and abilities
- Dangerous dungeons filled with monsters
- Dark fantasy worlds
- Fast and cinematic action
- Hidden powers and transformations
- An intelligent, calm or intimidating protagonist
- Battles that clearly show the hero’s growth
No other anime copies every part of Solo Leveling, but several series offer a similarly exciting mix of progression, fantasy and overpowering strength.
Here are the best anime to add to your watchlist after finishing Sung Jinwoo’s journey.
1. Shangri-La Frontier
Shangri-La Frontier is one of the best choices for viewers who enjoyed the gaming mechanics and boss battles in Solo Leveling.
The story follows Rakuro Hizutome, a gamer who specialises in completing badly designed games. He decides to enter Shangri-La Frontier, a highly advanced virtual-reality game filled with powerful monsters, hidden quests and difficult enemies.
Unlike Sung Jinwoo, Rakuro is not physically trapped inside the game. However, the battles still feel dangerous because they depend on skill, timing, preparation and strategy.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- RPG-style world
- Boss battles
- Skills and equipment
- Hidden quests
- Powerful monsters
- Constant character progression
- Fast and creative action
Main Difference
Shangri-La Frontier has a lighter and more humorous mood. It focuses more on gaming adventure than dark survival.
Best For
Viewers who loved the system screens, dungeon bosses and strategic combat in Solo Leveling.
Image Suggestion
A masked warrior facing a giant fantasy monster inside a glowing virtual world.
2. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest
Arifureta offers one of the closest weak-to-overpowered transformations in fantasy anime.
Hajime Nagumo is transported to another world with his classmates. While the others receive impressive abilities, Hajime is given a seemingly ordinary skill. After being betrayed and dropped into a deadly dungeon, he is forced to survive alone.
His suffering changes both his body and personality. He develops powerful weapons, gains dangerous abilities and returns as a much colder and stronger fighter.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- Weak protagonist becomes overpowered
- Brutal dungeon survival
- Betrayal and isolation
- Monsters and magical abilities
- Visible transformation
- Darker personality development
- Powerful weapons
Main Difference
Arifureta includes more romance, comedy and traditional isekai elements.
Best For
Fans who enjoyed Sung Jinwoo’s early dungeon struggles and dramatic physical transformation.
3. The Rising of the Shield Hero
Naofumi Iwatani is summoned to another world as one of four legendary heroes. While the others receive powerful offensive weapons, Naofumi is forced to fight using only a shield.
After being betrayed and publicly humiliated, he loses his trust in others. He begins rebuilding his strength, forming a small team and unlocking increasingly powerful shield abilities.
His journey is filled with anger, survival, reputation-building and gradual progression.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- Underdog protagonist
- Game-like status system
- Skill upgrades
- Betrayal
- Monster battles
- Increasing power
- A hero who becomes emotionally distant
Main Difference
Naofumi depends more heavily on companions because his shield limits his direct offensive power.
Best For
Viewers who enjoy watching a rejected hero prove everyone wrong.
4. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
After dying in the modern world, an ordinary man is reincarnated as a slime named Rimuru Tempest.
Although a slime appears weak, Rimuru possesses an ability that allows him to absorb creatures, analyse their powers and use their skills. He gradually evolves into one of the strongest beings in the fantasy world.
The story expands beyond fighting as Rimuru builds a nation, creates alliances and protects a growing community of monsters.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- Skill acquisition
- Power absorption
- Rapid evolution
- Monster armies
- Overpowered protagonist
- Fantasy world-building
- Large-scale battles
Main Difference
The series is more optimistic and focuses heavily on diplomacy, friendship and civilisation-building.
Best For
Fans who enjoyed Sung Jinwoo collecting abilities and commanding powerful followers.
5. Overlord
Overlord follows a gamer who remains inside a virtual world after its servers are supposed to shut down. He becomes Ainz Ooal Gown, an undead ruler with enormous magical power and an army of loyal servants.
Unlike most fantasy protagonists, Ainz begins the story as one of the world’s strongest beings. The tension comes from watching him explore the world, expand his influence and deal with enemies who often have no idea how powerful he truly is.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- Overpowered dark protagonist
- Loyal supernatural army
- Game-inspired world
- Powerful magic
- Intimidating presence
- Kingdom-level conflicts
- Dark fantasy atmosphere
Main Difference
Ainz behaves more like a ruler or possible villain than a traditional hero.
Best For
Viewers who loved Sung Jinwoo’s shadow army and increasingly intimidating personality.
6. Sword Art Online
Thousands of players enter a virtual-reality game and discover that they cannot log out. Death inside the game also means death in the real world.
Kirito becomes one of the strongest players and fights through dangerous floors, dungeons and boss battles to escape.
The series combines action, romance, fantasy and gaming technology.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- RPG mechanics
- Dungeon exploration
- Boss fights
- Powerful solo fighter
- Equipment and skills
- Life-or-death battles
- Game-inspired world
Main Difference
The series places greater focus on romance and virtual-reality technology.
Best For
Fans who want game systems, swords, bosses and a highly skilled protagonist.
7. Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
Commonly called DanMachi, this anime follows Bell Cranel, a young adventurer exploring a massive underground dungeon beneath the city of Orario.
Bell begins as an inexperienced fighter but possesses a rare ability that allows him to grow unusually quickly. Every dangerous encounter pushes him closer to becoming the hero he dreams of being.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- Dungeon raids
- Character levels
- Skill development
- Monster battles
- Rare abilities
- Rapid power growth
- Adventurer rankings
Main Difference
DanMachi has more comedy, romance and team-based adventuring.
Best For
Viewers who enjoyed the hunter-ranking system and repeated dungeon exploration.
8. The Misfit of Demon King Academy
Anos Voldigoad, the legendary Demon King, reincarnates thousands of years after sacrificing himself to create peace.
When he enrols in a magical academy, the school’s tests cannot accurately measure his power. He is labelled a misfit even though he is far stronger than almost everyone around him.
Anos defeats enemies effortlessly and often demonstrates abilities that appear completely impossible.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- Extremely overpowered protagonist
- Calm confidence
- Spectacular magic battles
- Hidden identity
- Enemies underestimate the hero
- Strong supernatural followers
- Effortless victories
Main Difference
Anos is overpowered from the beginning, so the series offers less gradual progression.
Best For
Fans who mainly want to watch an unstoppable hero dominate every fight.
9. The Unwanted Undead Adventurer
Rentt Faina is an ordinary adventurer who has spent years struggling at a low rank.
During a dungeon exploration, he encounters a powerful dragon and is killed. Instead of disappearing, he awakens as an undead skeleton.
Rentt discovers that monsters can evolve by defeating other creatures. He begins fighting through the dungeon while gradually transforming into stronger undead forms.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- Low-ranked adventurer
- Dungeon setting
- Monster evolution
- Hidden transformation
- Gradual power growth
- Secret abilities
- Survival-focused fantasy
Main Difference
The story is slower and more atmospheric, with less explosive action.
Best For
Viewers who enjoy careful progression and mysterious dungeon worlds.
10. Kaiju No. 8
Kafka Hibino once dreamed of joining Japan’s Defence Force and fighting giant monsters known as kaiju. After repeatedly failing the entrance test, he ends up working on a cleanup crew.
His life changes when a strange creature enters his body and gives him the ability to transform into an immensely powerful humanoid kaiju.
Kafka must hide his identity while using his strength to protect others.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- Secret transformation
- Monster battles
- Powerful hidden identity
- Military-style ranking system
- Hero begins behind his peers
- Large-scale action
- Dangerous supernatural threats
Main Difference
The story has a modern military and science-fiction setting rather than an RPG fantasy world.
Best For
Fans who loved Sung Jinwoo hiding his growing power from organisations and other hunters.
11. Tower of God
A boy named Bam enters a mysterious tower to follow the person most important to him. Each level contains dangerous tests, powerful competitors and hidden rules.
Those who reach the top are promised whatever they desire.
Bam initially appears innocent and inexperienced, but his unusual potential gradually attracts the attention of allies, rivals and powerful organisations.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- Korean source material
- Mysterious power system
- Ranking and progression
- Dangerous tests
- Betrayal
- Hidden potential
- Powerful organisations
Main Difference
Tower of God focuses more on mystery, relationships and complex world-building than constant combat.
Best For
Viewers who want another Korean fantasy story with hidden abilities and ambitious progression.
12. The Eminence in Shadow
Cid Kagenou dreams of becoming a secret mastermind who controls events from behind the scenes.
After reincarnating in a magical world, he creates a fictional organisation called Shadow Garden. However, the evil conspiracy he invents for fun turns out to be real.
Cid becomes an unbelievably powerful fighter known as Shadow while pretending to be an ordinary background character.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- Overpowered shadow-themed hero
- Secret identity
- Dark clothing and dramatic entrances
- Powerful followers
- Stylish battles
- Hidden organisation
- Intimidating presence
Main Difference
The series is partly a comedy that frequently makes fun of fantasy and overpowered-hero clichés.
Best For
Fans who loved Sung Jinwoo’s shadow abilities and quiet, intimidating style.
13. Black Summoner
Kelvin awakens in a fantasy world without memories of his previous life. In exchange for powerful abilities, he has given up those memories and begins his new life as a summoner.
Kelvin quickly reveals himself to be obsessed with fighting powerful opponents. He gathers strong companions, upgrades his abilities and searches for increasingly difficult battles.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- RPG-style skills
- Summoning abilities
- Level progression
- Adventurer rankings
- Powerful companions
- Dungeon battles
- Battle-focused protagonist
Main Difference
The tone is lighter, and Kelvin actively seeks dangerous fights because he enjoys them.
Best For
Viewers who want levelling mechanics, summoned allies and frequent fantasy battles.
14. Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy
Makoto Misumi is transported to another world to become a hero. However, the world’s goddess rejects him and sends him to its remote edge.
Far from human society, Makoto discovers that his magical power is far greater than expected. He builds relationships with dragons, monsters and other powerful beings while creating his own community.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- Rejected protagonist
- Hidden overwhelming power
- Monster followers
- Fantasy world-building
- Powerful magical abilities
- Hero creates his own faction
- Enemies underestimate him
Main Difference
The series includes more comedy and focuses strongly on building a community.
Best For
Fans who enjoyed Sung Jinwoo becoming powerful outside the control of official organisations.
15. Berserk of Gluttony
Fate Graphite lives in a world where people are judged by their skills. His Gluttony ability appears useless and leaves him constantly hungry.
After killing an enemy, Fate discovers that Gluttony can absorb statistics and abilities from those he defeats. The skill allows him to grow stronger, but it also creates a dangerous hunger for more power.
Why It Feels Like Solo Leveling
- Weak hero becomes powerful
- Stat absorption
- Hidden skill
- Dark fantasy atmosphere
- Secret identity
- Sword battles
- Dangerous evolution
Main Difference
The series focuses more heavily on the destructive cost of the hero’s power.
Best For
Viewers who want a darker progression fantasy built around absorbing strength.
Best Anime Like Solo Leveling by Category
Best for Weak-to-Overpowered Progression
- Arifureta
- The Rising of the Shield Hero
- The Unwanted Undead Adventurer
- Berserk of Gluttony
- DanMachi
Best for RPG Systems and Levels
- Shangri-La Frontier
- Sword Art Online
- DanMachi
- Black Summoner
- The Rising of the Shield Hero
Best for Overpowered Protagonists
- Overlord
- The Misfit of Demon King Academy
- The Eminence in Shadow
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
- Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy
Best for Dungeon Battles
- Arifureta
- DanMachi
- Shangri-La Frontier
- The Unwanted Undead Adventurer
- Sword Art Online
Best for Dark Fantasy
- Overlord
- Berserk of Gluttony
- Arifureta
- The Rising of the Shield Hero
- The Eminence in Shadow
Best for Secret Powers
- Kaiju No. 8
- The Eminence in Shadow
- Berserk of Gluttony
- The Unwanted Undead Adventurer
- Tower of God
Which Anime Should You Watch First?
Your best choice depends on which part of Solo Leveling you enjoyed most.
Watch Arifureta If You Loved the Transformation
Hajime’s change from a weak and frightened student into a cold, powerful warrior offers one of the closest emotional journeys.
Watch Shangri-La Frontier If You Loved the Game System
The series delivers skills, equipment, boss battles, hidden quests and strategic combat.
Watch Overlord If You Loved the Shadow Army
Ainz commands powerful supernatural servants and carries the same intimidating ruler energy.
Watch Kaiju No. 8 If You Loved the Secret Identity
Kafka must hide a dangerous transformation while working beside people trained to hunt creatures like him.
Watch The Misfit of Demon King Academy If You Want Pure Power
Anos is so powerful that most enemies never understand how badly outmatched they are.
Watch Tower of God If You Want Another Korean Fantasy
Its mysterious world, dangerous tests and hidden powers create a darker and more unpredictable adventure.
Why Anime Like Solo Leveling Are So Addictive
Progression fantasy gives viewers a clear sense of reward.
The protagonist begins with limited power, faces overwhelming danger and gradually develops the strength to defeat former threats. Every new skill, weapon or transformation becomes proof of progress.
These stories are satisfying because they deliver:
- Clear character growth
- Enemies who receive dramatic defeats
- New abilities to anticipate
- Increasingly difficult battles
- Visible status and rank changes
- Powerful transformation scenes
- Heroes who overcome humiliation or weakness
The viewer does not simply watch the protagonist win. The viewer understands how far the hero has travelled to earn that victory.
Final Thoughts
Finding the perfect anime like solo leveling depends on what you loved most about Sung Jinwoo’s story.
For game mechanics and boss battles, start with Shangri-La Frontier or Sword Art Online. For a dramatic weak-to-powerful transformation, watch Arifureta or The Rising of the Shield Hero. For an overwhelmingly powerful protagonist, choose Overlord, The Misfit of Demon King Academy or The Eminence in Shadow.
Viewers who want secret monster powers should try Kaiju No. 8, while fans of dungeon progression may enjoy DanMachi and The Unwanted Undead Adventurer.
None of these series is exactly the same as Solo Leveling. Each one recreates a different part of its appeal: power growth, dungeons, rankings, transformations, followers, boss battles or dark fantasy atmosphere.
Together, they offer enough action and progression to keep your watchlist full long after Sung Jinwoo’s latest battle ends.
FAQ About Anime Like Solo Leveling
What is the best anime like Solo Leveling?
Arifureta, Shangri-La Frontier, The Rising of the Shield Hero, Overlord and Kaiju No. 8 are among the closest recommendations.
Which anime has a weak protagonist who becomes overpowered?
Arifureta, The Rising of the Shield Hero, DanMachi, Berserk of Gluttony and The Unwanted Undead Adventurer all feature significant power progression.
Which anime is most similar to Solo Leveling’s game system?
Shangri-La Frontier, Sword Art Online, DanMachi and Black Summoner offer skills, levels, equipment or RPG-inspired progression.
Which anime has an overpowered main character like Sung Jinwoo?
Overlord, The Misfit of Demon King Academy, The Eminence in Shadow, Tsukimichi and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime feature extremely powerful protagonists.
Is Tower of God similar to Solo Leveling?
Yes. Both originated from Korean digital storytelling and include mysterious powers, rankings, dangerous tests and protagonists with hidden potential. Their storytelling styles are different, however.
Which anime has dungeon raids like Solo Leveling?
DanMachi, Arifureta, The Unwanted Undead Adventurer and Sword Art Online include major dungeon or floor-clearing elements.
Which anime has a shadow-powered protagonist?
The Eminence in Shadow is an excellent choice for viewers who want dark powers, secret identities and a powerful organisation operating from the shadows.
Is Kaiju No. 8 worth watching after Solo Leveling?
Yes. It offers a struggling protagonist who gains a dangerous secret power and fights monsters alongside an official military organisation.
Which anime like Solo Leveling has the best world-building?
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Overlord, Tower of God and The Rising of the Shield Hero offer extensive fantasy worlds and organisations.
Which recommendation should beginners watch first?
Shangri-La Frontier is accessible and action-packed. Kaiju No. 8 is another good starting point for viewers who prefer a modern setting and faster storytelling.
Are all anime like Solo Leveling isekai?
No. Several recommendations are isekai, but Kaiju No. 8, DanMachi, Tower of God and The Unwanted Undead Adventurer use different fantasy or science-fiction settings.
Which anime is best for dark fantasy fans?
Overlord, Arifureta, Berserk of Gluttony and The Rising of the Shield Hero offer darker settings, violence and morally complicated characters.
