DexertoSolo Leveling Season 2 ended in March, but just because Sung Jinwoo’s adventures are over doesn’t mean the fun has to stop.
In fact, the wait for Solo Leveling Season 3 (when it eventually gets announced) is the perfect time to catch up on some of the best anime that you might have missed while you were distracted by Sung’s attempts to become the strongest hunter ever.
With that in mind, we’ve prepared a list of the 20 best anime like Solo Leveling, including some of the best Shonen ever made, an isekai or two, and a few hidden gems we want more people to watch.
A warning, though: These anime are pretty bloody incredible, so maybe don’t start watching them unless you’re ready to spend hours of your life in the dungeon of entertainment.
20. Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There!
Crunchyroll- Genre: Fantasy, isekai
- US release date: July 4, 2015
- Japanese cast: Junichi Suwabe, Nao Tōyama, Hisako Kanemoto
- English cast: David Wald, Brittney Karbowski, Juliet Simmons
- How long is it? 1 season (24 episodes)
- Where to watch: Hulu
An underrated isekai, Gate is set in a world where a mysterious portal links the real world with a fantasy one. As a literal army of men and monsters pours through the rip in time and space, our hero, Youji Itami, an off-duty member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), battles to save as many lives as he can.
Three months after the initial attack, he is tasked with leading a special recon mission beyond the gate, in an effort to establish amicable relations with the reigning empire. Like Solo Leveling, this series blends the mundane and fantastical to great effect, and both shows have some pretty spectacular action.
19. The Eminence in Shadow
IMDB- Genre: Fantasy, isekai, comedy
- US release date: December 26, 2022
- Japanese cast: Seiichiro Yamashita, Asami Seto, Inori Minase
- English cast: Adam Gibbs, Christina Kelly, Annie Wild
- How long is it? 2 seasons (32 episodes)
- Where to watch: HiDive, Netflix
Eminence in Shadow follows Minoru Kagenou, a normal boy who has always dreamed of being a devious mastermind. When he’s killed in an unfortunate accident, however, he’s unexpectedly reborn in a fantasy world where magic is common.
Now known as Cid, the second child of the noble Kagenou family, Minoru finally has everything he always wanted, and he establishes a clandestine organization known as the Shadow Garden in the hopes of spreading his influence. Unsurprisingly, though, Cid soon finds the reality of running a secret society isn’t as glamorous as he imagined, and to make matters worse, there’s another group, the Cult of Diablos, who want to bring him down.
18. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Crunchyroll- Genre: Fantasy, isekai, coming-of-age
- US release date: February 14, 2021 – present
- Japanese cast: Yumi Uchiyama, Tomokazu Sugita, Konomi Kohara
- English cast: Madeleine Morris, Ben Phillips, Michelle Rojas
- How long is it? 2 seasons (49 episodes)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu
Mushoku Tensei follows an unnamed and unloved 34-year-old man who dies in a tragic accident and reawakens in another world (Editor: why does this keep happening to people?). Now known as Rudeus Greyrat, this unknown man finally has the loving family he always wanted.
Even better, it turns out he has incredible magical talent and works to hone his powers under the tutelage of a mage named Roxy Migurdia while also learning swordsmanship from his father, Paul. Despite how strange this new world is, Rudeus decides to embrace this new beginning and shake off the shackles of his traumatic past. Yet when a magical catastrophe destroys his new nation, Rudeus is forced to fight to keep his new friends and family safe.
17. The God of High School
Crunchyroll- Genre: Action, fantasy, martial arts
- US release date: July 6, 2020
- Japanese cast: Tatsumaru Tachibana, Kentarō Kumagai, Ayaka Ohashi
- English cast: Robbie Daymond, Sean Chiplock, Veronica Taylor
- How long is it? 1 season (13 episodes)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Martial artist Jin Mori enters the God of High School tournament, a competition designed to find the greatest fighter among Korean High School students in the hopes of winning the grand prize: a single wish for anything the winner desires.
However, what starts as a friendly competition quickly becomes something far more serious as the fighters borrow the powers of gods, monsters, and demons to become stronger and stronger. Can Jin claim his prize? Who began the God of High School tournament, and for what reason? Well, you’ll have to watch to find out.
16. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Crunchyroll- Genre: Fantasy
- US release date: October 13, 2023
- Japanese cast: Atsumi Tanezaki, Kana Ichinose, Chiaki Kobayashi, Yūichi Nakamura
- English cast: Mallorie Rodak, Jill Harris, Jordan Dash Cruz, Christopher Wehkamp
- How long is it? 1 season (28 episodes)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix
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
Crunchyroll- Genre: Fantasy, isekai
- US release date: February 13, 2019 – present
- Japanese cast: Kaito Ishikawa, Asami Seto, Rina Hidaka
- English cast: Billy Kametz (Season 1), Stephen Fu, Erica Mendez, Brianna Knickerbocker
- How long is it? 3 seasons (38 episodes)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
If you’re looking for a show full of action and adventure, but with a dark tone, the first anime we’d recommend 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 — yet Naofumi Iwatani’s adventure comes to a screeching halt when he’s betrayed by Princess Malty.
Shunned by his friends and the people he swore to protect, Naofumi trains to take his revenge and earn his redemption. Unsurprisingly, this makes for a pretty compelling show, and Solo Leveling fans, in particular, will love the taciturn (but cool) main character hellbent on growing stronger.
14. Jujutsu Kaisen
- Genre: Action, dark fantasy, supernatural
- US release date: November 20, 2020 – present
- Japanese cast: Junya Enoki, Yūichi Nakamura, Yuma Uchida, Asami Seto
- English cast: Adam McArthur, Kaiji Tang, Robbie Daymond, Anne Yatco
- How long is it? 2 seasons (47 episodes) plus 1 movie
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix
After Yuji Itadori accidentally swallows a finger talisman, he becomes the host of the evil ancient sorcerer Ryomen Sukuna. Desperate to end the threat of Sukuna once and for all, Yuji trains to master Jujutsu sorcery and tries to hunt down the remaining finger talismans.
Like Solo Leveling, JJK deals with some pretty heavy themes, and both shows revolve around gnarly supernatural forces and entities. Yet arguably, the most significant similarity is that both anime have really well-defined power systems and follow weak main characters who gain immense power through training and a little bit of luck.
13. Tower of God
Crunchyroll- Genre: Fantasy, adventure, action
- US release date: May 13, 2020
- Japanese cast: Taichi Ichikawa, Saori Hayami, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Kenta Miyake
- English cast: Johnny Yong Bosch, Valerie Rose Lohman, Chris Hackney, Matthew David Rudd
- How long is it? 2 seasons (39 episodes)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
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
Koyoharu Gotouge/ufotable- Genre: Action, dark fantasy, supernatural
- US release date: October 12, 2019 – present
- Japanese cast: Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kitō, Hiro Shimono, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
- English cast: Zach Aguilar, Abby Trott, Aleks Le, Bryce Papenbrook
- How long is it? 4 seasons (63 episodes) plus 3 movies
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix
After demons slaughter his family, Tanjiro Kamado joins the Demon Slayer Corps in the hopes of exorcising the monsters that possessed his younger sister, Nezuko. Yet little does Tanjiro know that the demon king Muzan Kibutsuji has big plans for the young slayer.
Now, like a lot of the anime we’ve put on this list, there are a lot of superficial similarities between Solo Leveling and Demon Slayer. They’re both fantasy shows, they’ve both got overpowered main characters, and there’s plenty of amazing action.
So why did I choose it? Well, I think both shows have top-notch animation, and it’s a testament to the skill of A-1 Pictures (who work on Solo Leveling) that they can compete with an esteemed studio like Ufotable, who are responsible for Demon Slayer.
11. Chainsaw Man
Tatsuki Fujimoto/MAPPA- Genre: Action, dark fantasy, horror
- Release date: October 25, 2022 – present
- Japanese cast: Kikunosuke Toya, Tomori Kusunoki, Shogo Sakata, Fairouz Ai
- English cast: Ryan Colt Levy, Suzie Yeung, Reagan Murdock, Sarah Wiedenheft
- How long is it? 1 season (12 episodes)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Chainsaw Man follows Denji, a teenager who shares his body with Pochita, aka the Chainsaw Devil. This unusual arrangement grants Denji the ability to transform into a Chainsaw Man, and he utilizes these deadly powers to combat other Devils when they threaten the people of Japan.
So, what will fans of Solo Leveling like about Chainsaw Man? Well, both series share a penchant for gruesome violence, and those who enjoy seeing Sung slice and dice his way through dungeons full of monsters will definitely get a kick out of seeing Denji dismember devils and demons.
10. Death Note
Netflix- Genre: Psychological thriller, supernatural
- US release date: October 20, 2007
- Japanese cast: Mamoru Miyano, Shidou Nakamura, Kappei Yamaguchi, Noriko Hidaka
- English cast: Brad Swaile, Brian Drummond, Alessandro Juliani, Cathay Weseluck
- How long is it? 1 season (37 episodes)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix
Death Note follows Light Yagami, an incredibly smart but otherwise normal young man. When he innocently picks up a discarded notebook, however, he gains the powers of the Shinigami, the death gods, and decides to use his newfound control over life and death to punish criminals.
What makes Death Note such an interesting series is that Light is not a good guy, but you can see how his intentions were good (in a utilitarian sort of way) at first. It’s just that absolute power corrupts absolutely, and by the end of the show, you’ll be crying out for someone to write Light’s name in that cursed book.
9. Goblin Slayer
LIDEN FILMS- Genre: Dark fantasy, action, adventure
- US release date: October 25, 2018
- Japanese cast: Yūichirō Umehara, Yui Ogura, Nao Tōyama
- English cast: Brad Hawkins, Hayden Daviau, Mallorie Rodak
- How long is it? 2 seasons (24 episodes) plus 1 movie
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
After an inexperienced priestess nearly gets killed by goblins, she’s saved by The Goblin Slayer – a man who seeks to eradicate every stinking goblin he can get his armored hands on.
I warn you now: Goblin Slayer is a dark series that deals with some really adult themes, including sexual assault and other adult topics. Yet, if you have the stomach for it you’ll be rewarded with a surprisingly deep deconstruction of the traditional hero narrative… and some gruesome fight scenes.
8. Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor
Crunchyroll- Genre: Fantasy, action, comedy
- US release date: April 25, 2017
- Japanese cast: Sōma Saitō, Akane Fujita, Yume Miyamoto
- English cast: Jessie James Grelle, Rachael Messer, Monica Rial
- How long is it? 1 season (12 episodes)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
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 a strange power hidden from others.
7. Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
Crunchyroll- Genre: Fantasy, action, comedy
- US release date: March 28, 2017
- Japanese cast: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Inori Minase
- English cast: Bryson Baugus, Luci Christian
- How long is it? 5 seasons (77 episodes total) + 1 movie
- Where to watch: HIDIVE, Crunchyroll (S3 only)
Just like in Solo Leveling, this anime is set in a world where people raid dungeons and defeat monsters to make a living. Both series begin with incredibly weak protagonists and then showcase their remarkable growth over time. As we follow the protagonists’ path to success, the stories only continue to get 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
Crunchyroll- Genre: Psychological drama, supernatural
- US release date: February 18, 2015
- Japanese cast: Tomoaki Maeno, Asami Seto, Rumi Okubo
- English cast: Alex Organ, Jamie Marchi, Jad Saxton
- How long is it? 1 season (12 episodes)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
If you love a good mystery, then you have to check out the atmospheric short anime Death Parade. Set in the afterlife, the show follows a purgatorial bartender who pits the recently deceased against each other to figure out the final destination of their souls. His business becomes complicated however when he develops an interest in our ability to feel, as well as an unseen God who works behind the scenes.
5. Dragon Ball Z
Crunchyroll- Genre: Action, adventure, martial arts
- US release date: September 13, 1996
- Japanese cast: Masako Nozawa, Toshio Furukawa, Ryō Horikawa,
- English cast: Sean Schemmel, Stephanie Nadolny, Christopher Sabat
- How long is it? 9 seasons (291 episodes)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
The granddaddy of Shonen anime, everyone knows and loves Dragon Ball, but if by some freak circumstance, you’ve never seen it, you need to check it out. Boasting some of the most impressive set pieces in anime history, genre-defining transformations, and a story that’s silly and serious in equal measure, there’s a lot to love in Akira Toriyama‘s seminal series.
Still, if you’re a Solo Leveling fan, the flashy battles are going to be the big selling point, and we recommend you check out Goku fighting Frieza on Namek or Gohan running through Perfect Cell in Dragon Ball Z as soon as you can.
4. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Crunchyroll- Genre: Fantasy, isekai
- US release date: October 22, 2018
- Japanese cast: Miho Okasaki, Takuma Terashima, Megumi Toyoguchi, Yumiri Hanamori
- English cast: Brittney Karbowski, Ernesto Jason Liebrecht, Mallorie Rodak, Dawn M. Bennett
- How long is it? 3 seasons (72 episodes) plus 1 movie
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
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 amorphous 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
Crunchyroll- Genre: Action, superhero
- US release date: July 16, 2016 – present
- Japanese cast: Makoto Furukawa, Kaito Ishikawa, Aoi Yūki
- English cast: Max Mittelman, Zach Aguilar, Marieve Herington
- How long is it? 2 seasons (37 episodes)
- Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll
If only all life’s problems could be solved with a single punch. We’d have a utopia! That’s the fantasy Saitama offers, as a superhero with an unstoppable punch that knocks out everyone and everything 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
Crunchyroll- Genre: Fantasy, isekai
- US release date: July 27, 2013
- Japanese cast: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Haruka Tomatsu, Ayana Taketatsu
- English cast: Bryce Papenbrook, Cherami Leigh, Cassandra Lee Morris
- How long is it? 4 seasons (98 episodes) plus 3 movies
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
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
Crunchyroll- Genre: Dark fantasy, isekai
- US release date: November 8, 2016
- Japanese cast: Satoshi Hino, Sumire Uesaka, Yumi Hara
- English cast: Chris Guerrero, Felecia Angelle, Elizabeth Maxwell
- How long is it? 4 seasons (52 episodes) + 1 movie
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Overlord follows Momonga, a veteran MMORPG player who, on the day his favorite game,
Yggdrasil, is supposed to be shut down, finds himself trapped in the game’s world in the body of a skeletal monster. Realizing he’s somehow been transported to a real fantasy world and that the NPCs have become sentient, Momonga tries to figure out what the hell has happened to him.
If you can’t see the similarities between Overlord and Solo Leveling, then I’m afraid you may need help. Both series deal with people essentially using their knowledge of RPGs to succeed in a fantasy world.
Looking to learn more about the future of your favorite anime? Well, check out our guides breaking down everything you need to know about Oshi no Ko Season 3 and One Punch Man Season 3. We’ve also got a list of the 50 best anime movies ever made as well. Why 50? Because we don’t mess around when it comes to listicles.
