10 Anime Like Solo Leveling: Best Shows with Overpowered Protagonists
Loved watching Jinwoo rise from zero to hero? If you need more dungeon crawling, leveling systems, and brutally overpowered protagonists, here are the top 10 anime you need to watch next.
The "Solo Leveling" Withdrawal is Real
So, you finished Solo Leveling. You watched Sung Jinwoo go from the "Weakest Hunter of All Time" to a literal god of death, and now you have a void in your heart. You crave that specific feeling: the dopamine hit of seeing a character get stronger, destroy their enemies, and leave everyone else in shock.
Don't worry, we’ve got you covered. We have curated the ultimate list of anime that share Solo Leveling's DNA—whether it's game-like mechanics, dungeon crawling, or a protagonist who simply refuses to lose.
Here are the 10 best anime to watch if you loved Solo Leveling.
1. Shangri-La Frontier
The Vibe: Hardcore Gamer Skills While Jinwoo fights for his life, Sunraku fights for the thrill. This anime is about a guy who loves "trash games" tackling a "god-tier game." It features epic boss battles, a unique leveling system, and incredible animation quality that rivals Solo Leveling.
Read the Source: The manga art is insanely detailed. Check it out on Amazon.
2. Overlord
The Vibe: The Villain Protagonist If you liked the "Necromancer/Shadow Army" aspect of Jinwoo's powers, you will love Ainz Ooal Gown. He is an elder lich trapped in a game world, commanding an army of monsters. It’s dark, political, and features a protagonist who is unmistakably the strongest being in the room.
Dive Deeper: The Light Novels provide much more world-building. Check Overlord on Amazon.
3. The Rising of the Shield Hero
The Vibe: Zero to Hero (with Revenge) Like Jinwoo, Naofumi starts at the bottom. He is ostracized, weak, and hated by society. His journey is fueled by a desire to survive and prove everyone wrong. The leveling mechanics and skill trees will feel very familiar to Solo Leveling fans.
4. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
The Vibe: Kingdom Building & Evolution Rimuru starts as a weak slime but uses a "Predator" skill to absorb enemies and gain their powers—sound familiar? It’s a bit lighter and funnier than Solo Leveling, but the power scaling is massive. By the end, he is essentially a demon lord.
5. Sword Art Online (Aincrad Arc)
The Vibe: The OG "Stuck in a Game" You can't talk about leveling up without mentioning SAO. Kirito is the original "Black Swordsman" who solos bosses. If you enjoy the health bars, menu screens, and life-or-death stakes of dungeon clearing, this is a classic for a reason.
6. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest
The Vibe: Edgy Power Fantasy This is practically Solo Leveling's spiritual cousin. Hajime is betrayed, falls into the depths of a dungeon, eats monster meat to survive, and emerges with white hair, guns, and a ruthless attitude. If you loved "Dark Jinwoo," you'll like Hajime.
7. Hell’s Paradise (Jigokuraku)
The Vibe: High Stakes & Elite Combat There are no levels here, just pure survival. A group of criminals is sent to a beautiful but deadly island to find the elixir of life. The action choreography is top-tier (MAPPA studio), and the protagonist, Gabimaru, has that same "cold but caring" energy.
8. Tower of God
The Vibe: Climbing to the Top Instead of a dungeon, it's a tower. Each floor presents a new test. The world-building is mysterious, and the protagonist, Baam, starts incredibly weak but holds a hidden, immense potential that scares the elites of the tower.
9. Kaiju No. 8
The Vibe: Monster Hunter with a Twist Kafka Hibino is an older protagonist who cleans up monster guts, but he gains the power to turn into a Kaiju himself. It mixes the modern military vibe of the Hunters Guild with explosive monster battles.
10. Bleach
The Vibe: The Aesthetic Inspiration The author of Solo Leveling was heavily inspired by Bleach. If you love the "drip," the glowing swords, the spiritual pressure, and the concept of fighting to protect family, Ichigo Kurosaki’s journey is the blueprint for the modern supernatural action genre.
Conclusion: What’s Your Next Adventure?
Whether you want the dark fantasy of Overlord or the high-octane action of Shangri-La Frontier, these shows will keep your adrenaline pumping while we wait for more Jinwoo content.
Did we miss your favorite? What anime gives you the same hype as Solo Leveling? Let us know!
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