10 Best Anime To Watch If You Still Miss Solo Leveling

There's no doubt that Solo Leveling is one of the most popular anime series in recent years. Even though it's been over a year since its second season ended, many fans are still looking for another series to fill the void left by Sung Jinwoo. Fortunately, there are many series with similar concepts that can delight fans.

Although Solo Leveling's premise of becoming stronger is quite simple, this doesn't mean it isn't effective. If you're looking for a plot with an ultra-powerful protagonist who takes down everything in his path, these anime rock the same formula and are quite enjoyable.

Berserk of Gluttony

• Release year: 2023
• Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll

Berserk of Gluttony is an anime featuring an underdog protagonist, considered useless in a world where special abilities rule everything, from livelihood to social status. The anime revolves around Fate Graphite, who suffers hardships and is trampled on daily, as his ability, "Gluttony," is deemed useless. Fortunately, it turns out to be incredibly powerful.

The similarities between Berserk of Gluttony and Solo Leveling are that both protagonists can increase their stats, gain numerous skills, and have to conceal their powers. However, fans will also find parallels between the anime and isekai series like That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime and Reincarnated as a Sword. This makes Berserk of Gluttony not an explosive series but a light watch that promises to entertain.

Unwanted Undead Adventurer

• Release year: 2024
• Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll, Prime Video

The Unwanted Undead Adventurer is an underrated dark fantasy anime that, like Solo Leveling, features a protagonist who dies and can "evolve" in a world where power is predetermined from birth. Like Sung Jinwoo, Rentt Faina is an ordinary adventurer who isn't the strongest or blessed with any special skills. He dies in a dungeon and becomes a skeleton, able to increase his power by killing monsters.

While Unwanted Undead Adventurer isn't as flashy or fast-paced as Solo Leveling, and Rent doesn't become overpowered quickly, the anime explores a unique conflict as the protagonist seeks to become a species more human-like in order to reintegrate into society. Furthermore, it's perfect for those who enjoy watching the gradual growth of characters, with Rent using the knowledge he gained as an adventurer to become stronger.

The King’s Avatar

• Release year: 2017
• Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll

For those looking to see another overpowered character pushing ahead through sheer skill, The King's Avatar is the ideal donghua. The series features MMORPG elements like Solo Leveling, as well as a betrayed protagonist who must rise from the bottom. However, The King's Avatar doesn't bring fantasy to the real world, as monsters only appear behind a screen.

The series follows Ye Xiu, an elite player and captain of a well-known e-sports team who is forced to retire. It not only shows the perks of competitive gaming and how to start over, but also the dynamics of an MMO server and impressive battles as Ye Xiu attracts players looking to challenge him, continues to improve, and forms a team for his comeback. With three seasons and another one in development, The King's Avatar offers viewers plenty of episodes to binge-watch.

Tower of God

• Release year: 2020
• Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll

Besides paving the way for Solo Leveling as one of the first anime manhwa adaptations, similarities can be found between Tower of God and Jinwoo's story. In both series, the protagonists start out quite weak, revealing themselves as an anomaly of the current system, awakening new powers and reaching unimaginable levels.

In Tower of God, Twenty-Fifth Bam faces all kinds of dangers as he attempts to climb the tower to uncover the truth about his identity and protect his loved ones, venturing into a world teeming with strange creatures, shadowy organizations, and power struggles between factions. Although Tower of God Season 2 had poor reception, the anime is packed with mysteries, one of the best world-building in fiction, and mind-blowing twists that will leave viewers craving more.

Overlord

• Release year: 2014
• Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Prime Video

Although Solo Leveling isn't an isekai like Overlord, it possesses a similar appeal due to its RPG elements, as both series feature visual interfaces, guilds, fantastical creatures, and characters becoming almost invincible. Likewise, just like Jinwoo, Ainz Ooal Gown isn't a conventional hero (though he leans more towards the villain side).

Furthermore, although he doesn't start out weak, fans of Solo Leveling will find it familiar that Ainz can also control vast armies of the undead to create a one-man army like Jinwoo. But Overlord's biggest trait, which sets it apart from other isekai anime, is how it develops its characters and how intelligence and strategy are even more important than brute force in combat.

Sword Art Online

• Release year: 2012
• Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu

One of the biggest series in the Isekai genre, Sword Art Online is as popular as it is criticized. But that doesn't make it less enjoyable for fans of bombastic animation and all-powerful characters. While some story arcs are better than others, Sword Art Online has moments of greatness, developing a virtual world that viewers want to follow to the end with the plus of its brutal battle choreography and soundtrack.

With nearly 100 episodes spread across several seasons and film adaptations, Sword Art Online may not be as groundbreaking as it was when it first aired, but it's an essential series for fans of action and fantasy anime. Also, like with Jinwoo, it's quite enjoyable to watch Kirito defeat everyone who stands in his way.

Spare Me, Great Lord!

• Release year: 2021
• Streaming Platform: Tencent Video

Another donghua that will undoubtedly resonate with Solo Leveling fans is Spare Me, Great Lord. Although it's a Chinese series that explores cultivation concepts, Spare Me, Great Lord is reminiscent of Solo Leveling not only because both protagonists awaken a leveling system after what seems like certain death, but also because they share similar dynamics with their little sisters.

In Spare Me, Great Lord, Lu Shu begins to gain power by earning points through his interactions with others, all while trying to balance his school life with keeping his ability a secret. While it focuses less on battles than Solo Leveling and features much more humor, Spare Me, Great Lord is an enjoyable series with one of the most visually spectacular opening sequences in recent years.

The Eminence in Shadow

• Release year: 2022
• Streaming Platform: Hulu, HIDIVE

With intense action and battles bordering on the absurd, The Eminence in Shadow is a well-executed parody of the isekai genre. Although completely opposite in personality and ambition, Cid in The Eminence in Shadow is another example of a protagonist who, like Jinwoo, possesses immense power and isn't afraid to use it.

The Eminence in Shadow is a fun and unapologetic power fantasy that follows the delusions of a rather edgy protagonist turning into reality. Cid Kagenou has dedicated himself to perfecting his abilities, driven by his thirst to become a powerful figure who controls everything from the shadows. Luckily for fans, Cid isn't afraid of "aura farming" and rivals Jinwoo as one of the strongest characters in anime history.

World Trigger

• Release year: 2014
• Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll, Netflix

World Trigger is one of Shōnen Jump's hidden gems, offering something different for fans of Solo Leveling. Like in Solo Leveling, everything in World Trigger changed after the appearance of gates connecting to a different realm, leading to the formation of an elite warrior organization dedicated to fighting the monsters that emerge from them.

While they may sound too similar, the approaches of both series couldn't be more different, with World Trigger being an anime that particularly shines with team battles, giving each member a significant role. Boasting some of the best development in shōnen anime, World Trigger is an animated marvel that gets better with each season, and viewers should give it a chance before its reboot.

Shangri-La Frontier

• Release year: 2023
• Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll, Prime Video

Arguably the best anime video game series of the last decade, Shangri-La Frontier delivers plenty of action for Solo Leveling fans looking for fast-paced battles. Set in a virtual game world, in Shangri-La Frontier, Sunraku's adventure revolves around challenging increasingly powerful monsters.

Featuring a half-naked, bird-headed protagonist who constantly fights with barely enough life left to withstand the attacks, Shangri-La Frontier presents stunning battles with spectacular combat combinations that will undoubtedly impress viewers.