Best anime like Solo Leveling that are a must-watch

The fantasy genre has some of the best anime like Solo Leveling that you can be binging right now. A-1 Picture’s anime adaptation of the Korean Manhwa has undoubtedly been a sensation. The series has taken over the community by storm, and the first season was all an anime fan could talk about for a while.

With the amount of popularity it was able to garner in such a short time, it’s not surprising why many have been looking up some other series that are just like it.

So if you have been curious, then you will find the list below to be particularly helpful. Here are some of the best anime, like Solo Leveling, that you should not miss out on.

7 best anime like Solo Leveling that you should not be sleeping on

7) Overlord 

Overlord

Overlord’s Ainz Ooal Gown is considered to be one of the most overpowered Isekai protagonists of all time. The MC had spent years leveling his character in the MMO called Yggdrasil just to get Isekai-ed into it and be forever stuck as the character that he has made.

Both Overlord and Solo Leveling have a game-type setting where leveling up plays a key role. However, the former is much more political in its approach to the story. Action scenes take a back seat but when they do happen they are pretty well choreographed. 

Another point of similarity is how both Ainz and Jinwoo’s personality changes over time. They both start out as very warm characters but they eventually get much colder and calculating.

Ainz settles on world domination and he goes to extreme lengths to see that his desires are met. However, he is fair in his dealings and always looks for ways to protect his own comrades.

6) Shangri-La Frontier

Shangri-La Frontier

Shangri-La Frontier follows the story of a high schooler called Rakurou Hizutome who loves playing video games that are not optimized. He calls these trash games and the reason why he enjoys beating them is because they are janky and riddled with bugs, which significantly increase their difficulty.

Shangri-La Frontier and Solo Leveling feature MCs who possess the level-up feature. However, the main difference is that Rakurou grows strong as a playable character in VRMMO while Jinwoo is putting his own life on the line.

Nevertheless, both the MCs are striving to get more powerful, and both anime features some incredible combat scenes. However, Shangri-La Frontier is a bit less bloody than Solo Leveling.

The protagonists also have a rare power which gives them access to special abilities. This skill sets them apart from those around eventually helping them become the most powerful characters in the series.

5) Tower of God 

Bam's first trial in Tower of God

One of the more striking similarities that Tower of God has with Solo Leveling is the MC. The main characters of both these series are unique peculiarities of the world that they inhabit.

Where Jinwoo got a second life and a Leveling skill, Bam is an Irregular who was able to open the gates through sheer will. Bam was not summoned by the tower. He is an oddity amongst the summoned Regulars as he is not properly equipped to reach the top.

However, much like Jinwoo, Bam does not give up. He faces impossible odds to become more powerful as the narrative progresses.

The Tower of God narrative revolves around The Tower of God itself. The structure summons combatants called Regulars, who are granted everything they wish for as long as they strive to reach their very top.

Bam ends up in the Tower following Rachel, whom he loves. He eventually strives to do whatever he can to attain more power and protect the one he loves.

4) The Rising of the Shield Hero

Raphtalia, Filo, and the Shield Hero

Naofumi’s transformative journey in The Rising of the Shield Hero quite closely parallels that of Jinwoo. Both of these protagonists start out as very weak characters. Even after a series of betrayals, they are able to overcome all odds.

Naofumi, in particular, goes from being a naive MC to one who is always scheming to protect his own. He has a devilish side to him that often surfaces. His ruthless and pragmatic approach to situations makes him an incredibly memorable Isekai protagonist.

The Rising of the Shield Hero is unsurprisingly one of the best anime like Solo Leveling that you will come across. The series also has game-like elements with base stats and level advancement systems.

However, The Rising of the Shield Hero departs a fair bit from Solo Leveling regarding certain things. In the sense that for Jinwoo, growing powerful is a more solitary experience, for Nofumi, it’s more about the journey that he has with his party.

3) Arfureta: From Common Place to World’s Strongest

Arifureta

Arfureta, much like Solo Leveling, is another example of how sheer will and determination can overcome impossible odds. The story of this particular Isekai follows the MC Nagumo, who starts out as the weakest character in the Hero’s Party.

Nagumo possesses the “Synergist” skill, which is not considered particularly great in the new world. He also had very weak stats which got him further ostracized amongst the weaker members.

Nagumo’s rise to becoming one of the most overpowered anime MCs begins with his presumed death. This occurs when the Orcus Labyrinth collapses around him and his party during an expedition. Nagumo soon finds himself at the very bottom of the dungeon, where he has to eat the flesh of other monsters to survive.

However, eating the flesh of other monsters starts giving him their powers and skills. This is all thanks to his Synergist skill.

Nagumo’s overwhelming desire to survive the dungeon and claw his way back fuels him. There were instances where he almost died or was on the brink of losing his mind. But the MC persevered and eventually became more powerful than the hero himself.

2) Demon Slayer

Demon Slayer is one of the best anime like Solo Leveling

Demon Slayer does not have Solo Leveling’s game-like system. However, what the two series do have in common is a righteous and determined protagonist who always wants to do the right thing.

Ufotable does an exceptional job choreographing some of the fight scenes in the series. The animation quality is top-notch, and Demon Slayer has grown to be one of the most popular anime of all time.

The series protagonist, Tanjiro, embodies hard work and perseverance. While he starts out weak, through intense training and dedication, Tanjiro can grow stronger.

The show has some of the best character developments in the fantasy genre. The incredible action scenes are coupled with intense, emotionally charged moments, which helps with pacing.

Tanjiro’s greatest strength is how he never gives up. His dedication to killing demons helps him achieve new heights with every arc.

1) Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon?

Is it wrong to pick up girls in a dungeon

Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? follows the story of Bell Cranel. He is a young adventurer who finally starts having his dreams realized once he meets Hestia. The narrative takes place in the city of Orario, where Gods and humans have learned to coexist.

Humans here act as the Familia members of their respective gods. Bell was Hestia’s one and only Familia for a very long time before his achievements started attracting more members to the fold.

As Hestia has saved Bell’s life by helping him become an adventurer, the MC always tries to do everything he can for her. He is diligent and hardworking like Jinwoo, and Bell always likes to keep the needs and safety of others before his own.

Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? Is one of the best anime like Solo Leveling that you can binge right now.

Abhishek Mallick
Abhishek Mallick
Abhishek Mallick is a Senior Columnist at Backdash. He has a Master's degree in English Literature. In his spare time, he is a fighting game enthusiast, who is also addicted to Shin Megami Tensei, Monster Hunter, and League of Legends. He also enjoys reading and sifting through educational documentaries.

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