Top 10 Anime You Need to Watch After Solo Leveling

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The meteoric popularity of Solo Leveling has everyone in the world hooked, its edge-of-your-seat combination of a frail hero turning into something of unparalleled power within a system-like environment appealing to audiences. The gorgeous animation, combined with the captivating story of Jinwoo, has indeed got us hooked for sure.

If you have already finished reading Solo Leveling and are in the mood for more underdog tales, power systems, and epic battles, you’re in luck. The land of anime and manhwa is full of series with the same thrills and compelling storylines.

Here are 10 anime and manhwa guaranteed to be a hit among Solo Leveling fans, in the order of reverse recommendation to make the wait worthwhile:

10. Tower of God (Anime/Manhwa)

Summary

Within the gigantic and mysterious Tower, we find the story of Twenty-Fifth Baam, a young man who has lived his entire life in the Tower. When his only friend, Rachel, enters the Tower in hopes of seeing the stars at the top, Baam follows, determined to catch up to her. The Tower has challenges, powerful guardians, and intricate political plotting. In order to ascend, individuals must conquer increasingly difficult challenges, create alliances, and fight for their lives. Baam, an “Irregular” who entered the Tower on his own volition, possesses unique abilities and talents and attracts friends and foes as he ascends the Tower to the very top. When he arrives, he learns the Tower’s secrets and his own destiny.

• Year of Release (Manhwa): 2010
• Year of Anime Release: 2020

Tower of God takes Solo Leveling’s setup of a hero seeking to become stronger by conquering obstacles in a given system. The Tower itself is a giant dungeon, and every floor brings new obstacles and the possibility of improvement. Baam’s growth, similar to Jinwoo’s, is one of continued development and gaining new abilities. The series also explores deep world-building and a huge supporting cast of characters with their own goals and histories, adding depth to the narrative. Although the power system is less game-based than Solo Leveling’s, the feeling of progression and the excitement of watching the hero climb is undeniable.

9. The God of High School

Summary

Seoul high school student Jin Mori is recruited to compete in “The God of High School,” a martial arts tournament run by a shadowy corporation. Anything in the world whatsoever can be awarded to the victor. Mori fights his way through the preliminary rounds, competing against talented martial artists from all over Korea, to find that the tournament is far more than a martial arts tournament. Deception, supernatural abilities called “Borrowed Power,” and ancient secrets are revealed. Mori and his friends Yoo Mira and Han Daewi are caught up in a battle that can change the destiny of the world.

• Year of Publication (Manhwa): 2011
• Year of Release (Anime): 2020

The God of High School replicates the over-the-top action and character progression Solo Leveling enthusiasts enjoy. Jin Mori’s journey is one of releasing his limitless potential, learning new forms of combat, and ultimately battling god-like monsters. The show features impressive fight choreography and rising stakes that keep the audience captivated. Although it kicks off with a tournament storyline, it soon expands into a more epic narrative, incorporating elements of mythology and powerful beings. This shift creates a grand sense of scale and progression, similar to Jinwoo’s journey as he navigates higher planes and battles formidable monarchs.

8. Noblesse (Anime/Manhwa)

Summary

Cadis Etrama Di Raizel, or Rai, awakens from an 820-year slumber in a coffin in South Korea. With no knowledge of the world today, he seeks out his loyal servant, Frankenstein, who is now the headmaster of a high school. Rai enrolls as a student and attempts to live a normal life while coping with his noble status and attacks from secret organizations seeking to exploit his great power. As a vampire of pure blood and great power among vampires (also referred to as Nobles), Rai must cope with enemies and defend the people he cares about, learning little by little the secrets of his past and the complicated history of the Noble world.

• Year of Publication (Manhwa): 2007
• Year of Release (Anime): 2016 (ONA), 2020 (TV Series)

Noblesse provides another take on power fantasy but retains the same essential draw as Solo Leveling. Rai is initially an overwhelmingly dominant individual who slowly unfurls his power and faces progressively more threatening foes. His struggle to want a simple existence and his duty as a Noble are compelling character dynamics. The show contains fierce fighting, the discovery of ancient abilities, and a protagonist who is already powerful but must overcome challenges that test him to his maximum. The camaraderie and loyalty among Rai and his friends also serve as a solid emotional foundation.

7. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Anime)

Synopsis

 A 34-year old NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) is met with a fatal end in a car accident, and wakes up as a baby in a new fantasy world. With the memories of his past life intact, Rudeus Greyrat seeks to make the most of this new life and do best not to make the same mistakes he made in his old life. He quickly proves to be a child prodigy with a unique talent for magic and embarks on a journey of adaptation, story, and growth that’s all quite unique. The series follows Rudeus as he progresses as a mage, develops relationships, and embarks on adventures in a world of magic, fantasy, and past enemies. 

Year of Release (Anime): 2021

While Mushoku Tensei does not have a system-like progression, it does have a great capacity to depict the gradual and realistic growth of a protagonist’s strength. Rudeus begins from scratch in this new world and through natural talent and effort, becomes a very powerful mage. The series is centered on his personal development, his hardships, and the repercussions of his actions, giving a more character-driven power fantasy. The intricate world-building and the study of magic as a basic force of this world will be enjoyed by those who liked the complexity of the system in Solo Leveling.

6. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Anime/Manga)

Summary

A 37-year-old businessman, Satoru Mikami, is stabbed to death. He experiences refreshing reincarnation as an unconvincing slime in a fantastical realm. He does have the added bonus of two unique abilities. The first we learn of is called “Predator,” where he can consume whatever he desires and gain powers from it. The second ability we learn of is “Great Sage,” with these abilities giving him considerable wisdom and knowledge as well as sharp analysis skills. As Rimuru Tempest, also known as slime, he embarks on attempting to create a nation where all races can live together in peace, all while accumulating great power and learning how to navigate political and personal conflicts with much greater beings.

• Year of Release (Manga): 2015
• Year of Release (Anime): 2018

Reincarnated as a Slime also has Solo Leveling’s storyline of the weak-looking hero becoming incredibly powerful. Rimuru develops through his unique powers, where he can absorb and adapt, and Jinwoo builds his abilities through the system. The series does not just show Rimuru becoming powerful but also leading and building his monster kingdom, with more world-building and character interactions involved. The mix of action, comedy, and strategy makes it a very entertaining series.

5. Overlord (Light Novel/Anime/Manga)

Summary

It is the year 2126 and the popular virtual reality game Yggdrasil is terminated. But for Momonga, a high-ranking mage and guild master of the dark guild Ainz Ooal Gown, it’s not possible to log out. He discovers he is stuck within the game’s world, his NPC servants becoming sentient. As Ainz Ooal Gown, skeleton overlord, he resolves to conquer this new world, seeking to learn its secrets and to discover other players stuck with him. His unbridled strength and devotion of his powerful servants result in dazzling feats of prowess and morally questionable behavior.

• Release Date (Light Novel): 2012
• Year of Publication (Manga): 2014
• Year of Release (Anime): 2015

Overlord offers a different spin on the power fantasy genre. The main character begins as already extremely powerful, and the story is about how he adapts to a new world with his overwhelming power and the frequently-unintended effects of his actions. Both series have main characters who are powers to be contended with, able to overwhelm their opponents. The strategic aspects of Ainz managing his guild and taking over lands will also be enjoyed by viewers who enjoyed the growth and strategic decisions in Solo Leveling’s system.

4. A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special (Anime/Manhwa)

Summary

Desir Herrman is one of the last remaining survivors of a catastrophic “Shadow World” that has destroyed humanity. When he is on the verge of his inevitable demise, he is sent back 13 years into the past, to when he was a struggling student at a high-profile magic academy. Armed with the information of the future and the destructive power of the Shadow Worlds, Desir is going to change the past and prevent the coming apocalypse. He recontacts his old friends and begins training them, using his knowledge of the future to bypass challenges and gear up for the inevitable resurgence of the Shadow Worlds.

• Year of Release (Manhwa): 2018
• Year of Release (Anime): 2023

A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special has the usual mix of a special-knowledge protagonist with a drive towards growing stronger in order to repel threats in the future. Desir’s adventures in the Shadow World provide him with some degree of insight and strategic thinking that sets him apart. The series follows him as he tries to train his friends and prevent the disasters he has witnessed in the past, showing an engaging story that attempts to use past experience to alter the future. The blending of academy life, strategic thinking, and hard-hitting combat against powerful magical creatures will find appeal with fans of Solo Leveling’s blending of progression and action.

3. Vinland Saga (Anime/Manga)

Summary

 It’s a story set in 11th-century Europe in the Viking Age. It’s about young Thorfinn whose father, a great warrior, is murdered by the sly mercenary Askeladd. Seething with vengeance, Thorfinn spends his life hunting down Askeladd, biding his time until he can duel him. But he gets caught up in the politics and violence of the times, witnessing the horrors of war and slavery. Not a traditional power fantasy, Thorfinn’s is a tale of great personal growth and gradual learning of great fighting skills as he battles his way through a cruel and unforgiving world.

• Year of Publication (Manga): 2005
• Year of Release (Anime): 2019

Though Vinland Saga lacks supernatural elements and a hierarchical power system, it boasts Solo Leveling’s central appeal of a character experiencing tremendous development and withstanding severe trials. Thorfinn’s evolution from a vengeful child bent on revenge to a hardened soldier is an uplifting story of self-discovery and the attainment of extraordinary strength and resilience. Vinland Saga shines in its grounded presentation of historical events and character development, providing a more grounded but equally potent story of adversity and creating one’s own destiny.

2. Berserk (Anime/Manga)

Summary

A lone warrior called Guts, the “Black Swordsman,” wields a massive sword and bears a mysterious brand that summons demonic beasts. He traverses a grim, and brutal medieval fantasy world in an effort to get revenge on Griffith, his former friend and captain of the Band of the Hawk, who sacrificed his entire troop to become one of the God Hand, which are many powerful demonic beings. Guts’ journey is a never ending struggle against human and supernatural adversaries while pursuing victory drenched in blood, battling for survival, questioning loyalty, and contemplating his place in a world full of hopelessness.

1. Hunter x Hunter (2011) (Anime/Manga)

Summary

The story takes place in a world where Hunters are people that are qualified to hunt for treasure, monsters, and even humans. It follows the journey of Gon Freecss, a young boy, who learns that his father, who he thought was dead, is one of the greatest legends ever in the world of Hunters. He embarks on a public journey to search for his dad and becomes a Hunter himself. He befriends other potential Hunters, like Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio while navigating the various hardships of the Hunter Exams, on the way to exciting adventures in risky and unreal locations, and fighting some bad guys, chasing their various hearts’ desires all in a vast and complex world.

• Year of Release (Manga): 1998
• Year of Release (Anime – 2011 Series): 2011

For fans of Solo Leveling, I recommend Hunter x Hunter (specifically the extremely popular 2011 adaptation). It doesn’t exactly have a “leveling” system, but has the concept of Nen, which is a very powerful ability for manipulating aura and allows individuals to develop original abilities and skills through training and comprehension. It presents the same sense of progression and development of personalized power. Gon’s growth, like Jinwoo’s, is gradual, and he faces stronger enemies and develops his use of Nen throughout the story. The series features rich world-building, an extensive and diverse cast of noteworthy characters, and an ideal mix of action, adventure, and emotional weight. It has a good power system that makes combat imaginative and strategic, making for an immersive (and self-rewarding) watch for fans who value progression and power scaling in the characters’ journeys.

These 10 manhwa and anime offer a diverse range of worlds and narratives, but every one of them has something that made Solo Leveling so engrossing: underdogs striving for power, action-packed episodes, and heroes who battle past incredible challenges to triumph.