Best Leveling Systems In Isekai Anime

When Isekai characters are taken from their world to a magical world, they are given powers. These powers are usually at the highest level but in cases where it is not, characters have to do certain things to level up and become more powerful. Leveling up is not an uncommon event in Isekai anime, and this concept is very pivotal to the plot progression and character development of the protagonist.

This concept of leveling up is borrowed from video games. The character has to complete tasks, kill monsters, eat monsters, or do certain activities to grow their abilities. Whether through combat, strategy, or magical means, watching characters climb the ranks and expand their abilities offers viewers a satisfying progression that mirrors the growth of the character's influence and power in the story.

Updated January 26, 2025, by Oluwatokiloba Folami: Leveling systems are a common concept in Isekai anime. They give a certain structure to attaining power, leveling up, creating order, and providing explanations for character progression. Funny enough, some characters are exceptions to their world’s leveling system, breaking the rules and going above the limit. Regardless, these leveling systems are still an exceptional concept to apply. A well-crafted leveling system can add depth to the story and even tie to the world’s lore. Be it by defeating monsters or completing physical tasks, they act as a narrative driver and a proper method for fans to analyze their favorite character’s progression.

1 KonoSuba

Skill-Point-Based Magic System In A Fantasy World

After a comical death, Kazuma Satou finds himself in a fantasy with the goddess Aqua to defeat the Demon King. However, with his most favorable stat being luck, he has to make allies while going on missions dangerous enough to earn points and money, but safe enough to stay alive.

In Konosuba, characters must defeat monsters to earn points. Those points are then used to gain skills and magic spells. The stronger the monsters they defeat, the more points they earn to add more abilities to their arsenal or upgrade already-acquired ones, giving the characters the freedom to choose the skills they want based on their talent and affinity. They also use an item called Adventurer’s Card to monitor and upgrade their skills.

2 Cautious Hero

A System That Requires Specific Tasks

One would think that being transported to a fantasy world as an overpowered character would make Seiya Ryuuguuin overconfident, but it is quite the opposite. He always uses his strongest abilities to defeat his opponents. He would even refuse to fight if he believed his victory was not 100% assured, going to train for as long as needed to level up.

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His training often encompasses specific activities such as push-ups and squats for strength, engaging in activities that directly influence a particular stat to upgrade. He even acquires skills by battling with people who use them, as seen when he learned the Eternal Sword skill by training with Adenela for three days. He would then show his opponents no mercy, completely dominating them and avoiding any chance of a comeback.

3 So I’m A Spider, So What?

The W System With Video-Game Mechanics

The W System is a unique leveling system that governs skill acquisition and character progression and maintains world stability. At one time, this fantasy world was in complete shambles when the mysterious Administrator, D, decided to restore it in a roundabout fashion despite being able to do it at once. He created the W system, using the cycle of life and death to delay the world’s destruction.

This system allows characters to increase levels, gain skills, utilize magic, and acquire titles. Skills are the actual determinants of power. They can be earned by buying them with skill points or by gaining proficiency without the system’s assistance. While unknown in the case of humans, monsters are capable of evolving after acquiring a certain amount of experience, selecting an evolution path in the process.

4 That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

Leveling Up Through Absorption Of Monsters

In That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, fans see Rimuru level up particularly due to his predatory skill and the great sage who acts as his advisor. Rimuru would have leveled up as fast as he did in this world without these two abilities he got when he reincarnated. The predator skill allows Rimuru to devour creatures and objects, absorbing their abilities, and the great sage acts as an internal database, helping Rimuru analyze and integrate the abilities he gains from using his predator skill.

Rimuru does not necessarily have to fight monsters to level up but he acquires skills by devouring and absorbing the abilities of other monsters around him. Rimuru’s leveling up is also tied to the community and society he builds, reflecting a more narrative-driven progression. As he helps his town and allies grow, he also gains new titles and powers reflective of his status and achievements.

5 Log Horizon

Traditional Role-Playing Game Leveling System

Trapped in a game after an update, numerous Japanese players must survive in the world of the Elder Tale game. Shiroe, an avid player of this game, is up for the challenge as he quickly adjusts to his new life and tries to navigate the complexities of living in a game world. Just like most games, these individuals cannot die as they quickly respawn and keep living.

In games, characters need to level up, as this increases their chance of survival and improves their standard of living in the game world. Leveling up in the world of Log Horizon takes the traditional Role Playing Game (RPG) route, which includes partaking in combat, quests, and other activities. Doing these things helps Shiroe and the other players trapped in the game level up and max out on their skill level.

6 The Rising Of The Shield Hero

Focused On Defense, Strategy, And Support

In The Rising of the Shield Hero, Naofumi is summoned to the world of Melmorac to take up the position of the shield hero, one of the four cardinal heroes. His job alongside the other is to protect the city of Melmorac from evil forces, but Naofumi’s role seems to be inferior compared to the others.

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As the shield hero, Naofumi can only play a defense and support role, and his leveling system revolves around his shield’s evolution through absorbing materials and unlocking new abilities. This leveling system is different from others because it does not focus on offensive power. Naofumi is not just trying to overpower enemies but instead, outsmart them, protect his allies, and use his defensive skills creatively. One important thing to note about the leveling system in this world is that it has a curse series, which allows Naofumi to perform devastating attacks, but at the cost of his physical and mental health.

7 No Game, No Life

Leveling Up Through High-Stakes Games

Sora and Shiro are genius siblings who have managed to dominate the online gaming world. These siblings are notoriously known for never losing a game and are always up for the most dangerous challenges. However, they quickly get bored, as nothing is challenging anymore. Luckily, their life takes an interesting turn when they receive a challenge from Tet, the god of Disboard. Tet is skilled in games, but Sora and Shiro humbled him by defeating him in a chess game. Soon after defeating him, they are mysteriously transported to Disboard.

Life in Disboard is different fro m their previous life and more challenging. They realize that their gaming knowledge gives them an advantage and instead of leveling up through combat like typical isekai anime, these two level up by placing high stakes on games. Using their intellect, strategy, and teamwork, they prove to be unbeatable in their games and they quickly acquire power and influence as they end up being the king and queen of Elkia.

8 Sword Art Online

XP Accumulation

Getting trapped in a game is not anybody’s wish, but Kirito does not have a problem with being trapped in Sword Art Online, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). However, Kizito soon realizes that being in this game might be more than what he can handle, so he teams up with other talented players like Asuna to make life easier and overcome obstacles.

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Players in this world, including Kizito, level up by earning experience points, also known as XP. To earn XP, Kizito and other players must defeat monsters, complete quests, and achieve objectives set in the game. XP also helps these players increase their stats like health, strength, agility, and defense. Another thing to note about Sword Art Online’s leveling system is the permadeath feature. This means that if a player's health drops to zero, they die in the real world, as the NerveGear fries their brain. This makes every battle incredibly high-stakes, requiring players to be cautious and strategic in fighting, leveling up, and managing resources.

9 Arifureta: From Commonplace To The World's Strongest

Leveling Up Through Monster Consumption

Betrayal brings out the worst in most people, and the betrayal Hajime suffered turned him into a different person. Hajime is left to die in a dangerous abyss, and to survive, he uses his transmutation skills to create tools for his survival. These tools were not enough, and in his desperate state, he consumed the meat of the monsters he killed, which mutated his body, granting him new abilities and an incredible amount of power.

This act introduces fans to the leveling system of Arifureta: From Commonplace to the World's Strongest. The system revolves around survival, consuming monsters, and creative use of skills. These mutations Hajime gets from eating the meat of monsters are permanent, making him progressively more powerful with each enemy he consumes.

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