7 Must-Watch Anime Similar to Solo Leveling

Crunchyroll's premiere of Solo Leveling took fans by surprise with its amazing animation and engaging story. While the anime's storyline is unique, it shares similarities with several other shows.

The 2024 anime lineup has kicked off, and Solo Leveling is currently the standout show. Following the conclusion of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, fans were eager for a new series, and A-1 Pictures' Solo Leveling fits the bill perfectly.

Experience the journey of an underdog who seizes the opportunity to transform his life and emerge as the most formidable hunter in history. The series is packed with exhilarating moments that we are eager to witness in the upcoming anime adaptation.

In the meantime, as you anticipate the release of the first season of Solo Leveling, here are some other must-watch anime series for you to consider.

1. Jujutsu Kaisen

Both Jujutsu Kaisen and Solo Leveling share a dark theme that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Just like JJK, Solo Leveling also delivers breathtaking fight scenes. While Jujutsu Kaisen features sorcerers battling curses, Solo Leveling showcases intense battles between hunters and monsters.

2. Tower of God

Jujutsu Kaisen focuses on the students of Jujutsu High and their mentors, with the main character Yuji Itadori consuming a cursed finger and becoming the host of the king of curses, Sukuna. The story then follows his journey as he teams up with those tasked with battling all malevolent curses.

Tower of God is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition from fans. The story follows Bam, who has spent his life trapped in a tower but decides to enter it in search of his girlfriend, Rachael. As he progresses through the levels of the tower, Bam grows stronger and encounters new allies and enemies. Similar to Solo Leveling, this anime series showcases the journey of a once underdog protagonist.

3. Overlord

Overlord, much like other anime on this roster, revolves around the MMORPG video game genre. The series' central character, Ainz, is suddenly transported into a game world where all the NPCs have become sentient. Using his knowledge of the game, Ainz navigates this new reality to establish dominance and ensure his survival.

So, you could say that Ainz is a lot like Sung Jin-Woo from Solo Leveling, who also uses an RPG element to level up and become the strongest.

4. Demon Slayer

Demon Slayer is a popular animanga series recognized for its intense battle scenes, drawing parallels to Solo Leveling. Fans who have read the manga have insight into future episodes, while anime-only fans await the unveiling of Solo Leveling's true nature, reminiscent of the brilliance of Demon Slayer.

The storyline follows Tanjiro Kamado, a compassionate coal miner's son whose family is murdered by demons. Despite his gentle nature, he takes up the sword to battle the demons that threaten his world.

5. Chainsaw Man

Chainsaw Man and Solo Leveling showcase the transformation of initially weak main protagonists into the most formidable beings in their own worlds. Denji, the protagonist of Chainsaw Man, gains devilish powers from his pet Pochita, while Sung Jin-Woo from Solo Leveling attains God-like abilities from a powerful entity encountered during his dungeon exploration mission.

6. Death Note

Chainsaw Man takes place in a world where devils are a reality. The main character, Denji, is initially portrayed as an undernourished young boy who resides with his pet, Pochita, the chainsaw devil. However, everything changes when Denji is betrayed and killed, leading to Pochita merging with him and transforming Denji into the formidable Chainsaw Man.

In Death Note, the protagonist Light Yagami lacks physical strength but makes up for it with his incredible intelligence. His transformation from a nobody to a powerful figure with god-like abilities is truly gripping. After obtaining the Death Note from a Shinigami, Light manipulates its powers to carry out his sinister plan of world domination.

Likewise, Sung Jin-Woo from Solo Leveling initially lacks physical prowess but gains extraordinary powers from "The System." He uses these newfound abilities to become an unstoppable protagonist whom we all admire.

7. Sword Art Online

The focus of Sword Art Online is on virtual reality worlds created by various companies. The anime allows you to immerse yourself in distinct gaming universes, such as a world that heavily incorporates RPG elements. Solo Leveling also presents a protagonist who must complete various tasks to improve his skills.

8. Goblin Slayer

To amass potent resources such as highly-powered daggers, Sung Jin-Woo must overcome multiple monsters. In this regard, both Solo Leveling and Sword Art Online revolve around a similar theme, drawing inspiration from Role Playing Games.

The story of Goblin Slayer centers on a main character driven by the singular goal of eradicating goblins. He is joined by a group of fellow adventurers who share the same mission, frequently venturing into dungeons to battle hordes of goblins.

Likewise, in Solo Leveling, hunters continually enter dangerous dungeons to hunt monsters. Additionally, both series incorporate a ranking system for the adventurers or hunters. If you enjoy Solo Leveling, you should definitely consider giving Goblin Slayer a chance.

Check out our Solo Leveling coverage below and our other anime content here:

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled about the upcoming anime adaptation of Solo Leveling. The article provides an exciting list of similar anime series that I can't wait to explore. Jujutsu Kaisen, with its dark theme and breathtaking fight scenes, is definitely at the top of my watchlist. I'm also intrigued by Tower of God, which follows the journey of an underdog protagonist, similar to Solo Leveling.

The concept of a once weak main protagonist transforming into the most formidable being, as seen in Chainsaw Man and Solo Leveling, resonates deeply with me. It's inspiring to witness the growth and empowerment of these characters as they overcome challenges and rise to greatness. Overall, I'm eagerly anticipating the release of Solo Leveling and can't wait to immerse myself in these captivating anime worlds.