Beyond ‘Solo Leveling’: 8 Anime That Will Hook You With Their Power-Up Fantasy
If you’re craving that addictive power progression and thrilling dungeon crawling of “Solo Leveling,” but want to explore other anime universes, look no further. While “Solo Leveling” expertly blends RPG elements with a compelling urban fantasy setting, many other anime series capture similar vibes, offering unique twists on the familiar tropes. From time-travel shenanigans to virtual reality escapades, these eight anime deliver that same rush of leveling up and overcoming impossible odds.
Tomb Raider King
Based on the Korean web novel and manhwa by Sanji Jiksong, Tomb Raider King might be the closest spiritual successor to Solo Leveling on this list. Mysterious tombs appear worldwide, each containing powerful relics drawn from mythology and history. Ruthless corporations turn recovery into a lucrative industry, employing raiders like Seo Joo-Heon to brave the tombs. After his employer betrays him and leaves his team to die, Joo-Heon awakens 15 years in the past with his memories and expertise intact. He uses that advantage to claim the most valuable relics for himself and exact revenge on those who exploited him. Tomb Raider King trades Sung Jin-woo’s steady level progression for a time-travel power fantasy built around foreknowledge, elaborate traps, and supernatural artifacts. Its Korean source material, modern dungeon-raiding economy, and increasingly overpowered protagonist make the similarities impossible to miss.
Shangri-La Frontier
In Shangri-La Frontier, Rakuro Hizutome loves playing “trash games” – glitchy, mass-produced VR titles. After experiencing burnout, he tries the acclaimed full-dive VR game Shangri-La Frontier. Transported into the game world as Sunraku, he’s confident his skills will help him master this reality. Unfortunately, the path ahead is rife with dangerous obstacles, often leading to in-game nerfs that can manifest after a player character is cursed. While Shangri-La Frontier leverages stat-based progression like Solo Leveling, it’s much more lighthearted, exploring gamer culture and dramatic stakes.
Log Horizon
Based on the light novel series by Mamare Touno, Log Horizon centers on an MMORPG called Elder Tale. Unlike Sword Art Online, which uses VR mechanics, Log Horizon transports players to the game world after they log in. The protagonist, Shiroe, bands together with his friends Naotsugu and Akatsuki to combat challenges. While most players are aware of how the game world functions, it suddenly becomes a game of life and death. Log Horizon’s emphasis on teamwork and tactical prowess is a breath of fresh air for those who enjoy nuanced socio-political tiers in video games.
Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online makes great use of its virtual reality setting, with the MMORPG world set in the floating castle of Aincrad. When 10,000 players log into the game for the first time, they can’t log out until they beat all 100 floors. In-game deaths or forcible removal of VR gear leads to death in real life. Game tester Kirito teams up with Asuna to progress through the levels. Sword Art Online opens up to accommodate other simulated worlds. The narrative overlaps with Solo Leveling, both featuring overpowered heroes leveling up through experience points and RPG mechanics. Both series share the same animation studio, A-1 Pictures, making their aesthetic ties feel more cohesive.
The King’s Avatar
The King’s Avatar, a web novel turned Chinese donghua, is all about esports. Professional player Ye Xiu is deemed the best at a multiplayer game called Glory, holding an enviable account and captaining his team. He’s pressured into predatory marketing gimmicks, which he resists, leading to his resignation, loss of his account, and departure from competitive gaming. Working as a night-shift manager at an Internet Cafe, Ye Xiu must rebuild his reputation and regain his prestigious titles. Ye Xiu’s journey subverts traditional power progression, balancing skill with diplomacy.
Overlord
In Overlord, the virtual reality MMORPG Yggdrasil is shut down after 12 years. Guild leader Momonga stays logged in, hoping to spend time with his remaining players. After nobody shows up, he discovers the game hasn’t vanished and his guild headquarters has been transported to another world. Trapped as his avatar, Momonga must adopt ruthlessness to survive. The parallels between Sung Jin-woo and Momonga might not be overt, but they both master necromancy and are forced to adapt to survive.
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
Don’t be fooled by the questionable title, as Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? is an engaging dungeon-crawler that prioritizes interpersonal relationships and action. In this comedic fantasy anime, we follow rookie adventurer Bell Cranel, who undergoes an arc similar to Sung Jin-woo’s progression. The city of Orario houses underground labyrinths where adventurers map and clear monsters. After developing the skill “Liaris Freese,” he experiences a massive level-up that aids him in his quests. While there’s a goal of preventing monsters from escaping, Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? keeps things lighthearted, drawing from love and friendship.
The Rising of the Shield Hero
While its light novel source material is superior to its anime adaptation, The Rising of the Shield Hero shines due to narrative complexity. The protagonist, Naofumi Iwatani, is summoned to a parallel world alongside three other men to fight hordes of monsters. Unlike the others, his lack of video game experience leaves him with a disadvantage as the Shield Hero. Things get worse when he’s betrayed and taken advantage of, triggering a need to harden his heart and fulfill his role. The medieval fantasy setting brings intriguing dynamics, along with themes of compassion and redemption.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
While Solo Leveling is a genre-blend, it also incorporates isekai elements. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, a popular fantasy isekai, follows Rimuru Tempest, who reincarnates as a slime after being a middle-aged salaryman. Navigating this new identity, he gradually gains allies and strives for a world where humans and monsters can coexist peacefully. This is easier said than done, as the Cardinal World is full of antagonists who benefit from conflict. Rimuru is an underdog character with a twist, and the world around him is hinged on measured politicking instead of decisive battles.
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