Solo Leveling’s Sung Jinwoo is one of the strongest summoners in anime of all time. His Shadow Extraction skill gave him loyal and elite shadows who are always ready to fight on his behalf. Other summoners in Solo Leveling can only dream of using such a powerful ability, as their mana and magic output are nowhere near the level of power Sung Jinwoo has at his disposal.

However, Sung Jinwoo’s summoning career is on break, as Solo Leveling Season 3 remains unconfirmed. Fortunately, the 2026 winter anime season introduces Allen, a new summoner in the upcoming isekai and fantasy anime called HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing. It’s time to welcome Allen and watch how he takes advantage of his summoner class in another world!

Solo Leveling: 21 Strongest Characters In The Manhwa, Ranked

From the Absolute Being to Sung Jin-Woo, the Shadow Monarch, Solo Leveling has remarkably powerful characters.

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By Emedo Destiny

HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World Has a Summoner Protagonist Like Solo Leveling’s Jinwoo

A Winter Isekai Anime With an OP Summoner Protagonist

solo leveling jinwoo and hell mode anime allen

HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer anime features a summoner as its main character.
Jinwoo summons shadows, while Allen summons magic beasts.

One of the reasons why Solo Leveling is so popular among other modern power fantasy anime is the existence of a summoner like Sung Jinwoo. Specifically, Jinwoo is of the necromancer class, but he is technically a summoner who summons shadows on the battlefield mostly for combat purposes. His summoned shadows are far superior to other S-rank hunters in the series, and they only vanish if he drains or depletes his mana.

Unfortunately, as much as fans would love to watch Sung Jinwoo summon his new shadows in Solo Leveling Season 3, neither the production committee nor the series creator has confirmed the adaptation. For now, anime fans will have to settle for a new show to watch in the 2026 winter season to fill the void that Solo Leveling and Sung Jinwoo have left.

Arise.—Sung Jinwoo

Introducing HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World, otherwise known as Hell Mode: Yarikomizuki no Gamer, an isekai and fantasy anime that features a summoner as its main character. While Jinwoo summons shadows, Allen, formerly known as Kenichi Yamada in his past life, summons magical beasts to assist him in everything he does!

HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World and Solo Leveling Contain Video Game Elements

HELL MODE Is Allen’s True Gamer Test

hell mode hardcore gamer anime allen summoner

As fans know, Solo Leveling thrives on its simple but straightforward power system, designed like a video game. The system guides Sung Jinwoo’s growth for most of the series, preparing his body to inherit the Shadow Monarch’s powers. The Architect of the System deliberately designed the System with video game mechanics for Jinwoo’s convenience.

Meanwhile, HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World features MMORPG at its core, with Allen being an avid gamer. He was once a 35-year-old salaryman who spent his time completing MMORPGs until he decided to challenge the “Hell Mode” difficulty of a never-ending game. Just like any ordinary isekai and fantasy anime with video-game elements, HELL MODE is full of game-like mechanics that will guide Allen on his long and difficult journey.

Still, between Solo Leveling and HELL MODE, the former remains a top contender in the genre. Time and again, Solo Leveling proved just how incredible the series was, from the coolest main character to the intense fights with high-quality animation.

HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World Episode 1 Release Date

Where to Watch HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World

While most of the shows in the 2026 winter anime season are heading to Crunchyroll, HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World episode 1 is coming to HIDIVE on January 9, 2026, at 11:35 a.m. EST/8:35 a.m. PT. As usual, the anime will be released with the original Japanese dub and English subtitles.

For other international regions, fans can watch HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World episode 1 on Animation Digital Network and ANIPLUS. On that note, while there’s no news regarding Solo Leveling Season 3, anime fans can enjoy HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World this winter season!

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