After its highly anticipated second season wrapped up in March, Solo Leveling fans have been hungry for more. Unfortunately, A-1 Pictures has failed to officially announce Season 3 at the time of this writing, and while rumors surrounding the future of the series continue to swirl, audiences are (understandably) seeking something to fill the void in the meantime. Ongoing action series like Gachiakuta have kept audiences entertained, and the major heavy-hitter Jujutsu Kaisen will return with new episodes starting January 9, 2026. Still, some discerning Solo Leveling enthusiasts may still be on the hunt for the perfect substitute until the third season finally has a release date.
Solo Leveling: All Abilities Of Sung Jinwoo's System, Explained
The System and its abilities did wonders for Sung Jin-Woo in Solo Leveling.
There are plenty of series that boast similar aspects to Solo Leveling, and while they can't boast about winning the Anime of the Year award, fans will likely find something to enjoy in each. Whether they harness the same dark and emotional atmosphere or simply utilize similar themes of underdogs coming out on top or supernatural warfare against raging beasts, these anime shouldn't be overlooked.
All anime series on this list are available to watch on Crunchyroll unless otherwise noted.
Jobless Reincarnation
Unemployed, overweight, and largely uninterested in leaving his home, Rudeus Greyrat is hit by a truck and, in typical isekai fashion, transported to another world. Finding himself in the body of a baby and overjoyed at the chance to start his life over, he becomes even more excited as he realizes that this new world is filled with magic and swordplay. While he may have been a loser in the past, he carves out a new path, becoming a powerful mage and finding a wife (well, multiple), slowly leveling up to become the best possible version of himself.
In some people's eyes, the isekai genre may have overstayed its welcome, but Jobless Reincarnation does enough to keep things fresh. Its protagonist also draws some parallels with Sung Jinwoo, though Rudeus is a tad more pathetic at the start, and is a womanizer to boot, though he tries his best to always play the gentleman. Relationships play a bigger role here than in Solo Leveling, and there may be less action overall, but what there is proves delightful.
The Unwanted Undead Adventurer
On the darker side of things, The Unwanted Undead Adventurer follows the tragic tale of Rentt Faina, a lowly Bronze-class adventurer who is eaten by a dragon after stumbling into its lair. That isn't the end, though, as Rentt soon awakens as an undead skeleton who must embark on an epic quest to rejoin humanity. Learning to function as a heap of bones isn't easy, but thankfully, he isn't entirely alone on his mission.
Rentt is a largely likable protagonist, and his slow evolution into a more powerful adventurer while also keeping true to his morals is what makes the series feel so similar to Solo Leveling. The dark fantasy series is a quick watch at only 12 episodes, but it may help to fill the vacuum that Season 2 of Sung Jinwoo's story left behind. A second season was announced in December 2024, though no release date has been announced just yet.
I'm Standing on a Million Lives
Suddenly transported to an alternate world seemingly set inside a game, Yusuke and his classmates, Iu and Kusue, must seek victory in order to survive. However, Yusuke is anything but heroic, wielding a hatred of humanity as a whole and choosing to bury his emotions and live as a psychopath. Forced to do good to survive, he and his unlikely friends must navigate the strange world's rules and deal with truly dire consequences each time they fail.
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The characters in I'm Standing on a Million Lives truly start from zero, with no combat experience and no idea what the game world wants from them. In the real world, Kusue is in poor health, but in this other reality, she's tasked with being a warrior. Violence plays a big part, and the series is darker than many others on this list, sometimes playing into shock value in a way that doesn't feel too cheap. It also, thankfully, has two seasons to binge.
Gods' Game We Play
Even gods get bored sometimes, and in this sci-fi fantasy series, they decide to challenge humanity to a few games for a bit of well-earned entertainment. Select humans, dubbed 'Apostles,' are given powers called 'Arises,' and each time they win a game, this power becomes more useful. However, three losses and the power is gone for good. Fay is the biggest rookie Apostle there is, but he's gunning for the ultimate victory, and a former god is more than happy to help him along the way.
As far as fantasy anime series go, Gods' Games We Play has a novel premise and a group of protagonists that don't disappoint, with Fay's earnest behavior making him easy to root for and former god Leshea bringing a contagious energy that makes binging this 13-episode series a breeze. It may lack the more serious vibe of Solo Leveling, but it boasts the same competitive spirit.
Wistoria: Wand and Sword
In Wistoria: Wand and Sword, following the near-destruction of the world hundreds of years ago, five mages conjured a powerful barrier to salvage what was left. Now, the Rigarden Magical Academy exists to train promising magicians to become Magia Vander, those able to maintain the barrier and keep the land safe. Will Serfort is eager to earn this prestigious title, but there's one problem: he has absolutely zero magical abilities, despite doing well on written tests and having a more-than-decent sword arm. As he works towards this seemingly impossible dream, he learns that it may not be so hopeless after all.
A powerful underdog tale packed with action, an enchanting world, and a slew of uniquely powerful characters, Wistoria also sees particular parallels to Solo Leveling in its dungeon-crawling segments. It's also a perfect time to catch up, as a second season is scheduled to premiere in April 2026.
Darwin's Game
Picking up a new mobile game is fun. Picking up a new mobile game that turns out to be life-or-death and forces the player to kill people, not so much. High schooler Kaname Sudo accepts an invitation from his buddy for an app called Darwin's Game, in which the gacha system gifts the player with special abilities, and survival is anything but a guarantee. Filled with twists and turns, Darwin's Game feels a lot like Squid Game, and carries the same dark energy as Solo Leveling.
Unfortunately, the anime version of Darwin's Game has a less-than-stellar reputation. While its animation and action sequences have earned praise, many feel that its pacing is odd and that the manga series is a better way to experience the story. However, at only 11 episodes, it's a quick watch and one that may sate Solo Leveling fans for a day or two.
Berserk of Gluttony
Fate Graphite has a skill, but at first glance, it's not a useful one. Gluttony makes him constantly hungry, but how will that come in handy on the battlefield? As it turns out, he can use this to absorb other skills, and he takes the chance to do so, getting back at those who thought less of him and becoming stronger and stronger along the way. It isn't easy to resist powerful urges, though, and Fate needs to be careful if he doesn't want to become just another murderer.
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Berserk of Gluttony is certainly on the darker side, boasting an overpowered protagonist, plenty of action, and a unique concept in the realm of power fantasy titles. It's also only 12 episodes, making it the perfect thing to binge on a lazy weekend.
The Eminence in Shadow
Cid Kagenou is hit by a truck and wakes up in another world as the teenage son of a noble family. This doesn't change his personality: Cid is an antisocial antihero whose general outlook on life has been entirely shaped by works of fiction. He has no interest in being a hero, and instead seeks only power, pulling the strings of a magical organization behind the scenes and fighting against numerous conflicts that pop up as many seek to take control.
Genre-wise, the dark fantasy series has some overall similarities in aesthetic to Solo Leveling, though it does throw in some comedy from time to time. The Eminence in Shadow plays into standard isekai cliches, but its characters are where it shines, and the protagonist's search for power is sure to leave at least a few viewers eager for more.
The Eminence in Shadow is currently available to stream on Hulu.
Code Geass
The world has been divided into three superpowers: the Chinese Federation, Europa United, and the Holy Britannian Empire. After being used as a pawn by his father to wage war against the country of Japan, now-exiled prince Lelouch vi Britannia promises to strike back against his own kin, becoming a masked vigilante to further his goals. He also wields the "Power of Kings," allowing him to command anyone to do whatever he wants—even die for him, if need be.
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While it lacks specific plot beats found in Solo Leveling, its protagonist's growing power and art style share some similarities to the currently popular series. Code Geass was a phenomenon upon its release in 2006, but has since largely faded from the spotlight. This is about to change, however, as a new series titled Code Geass: Hoshi Oi no Aspar is on the way.
Reincarnated as a Sword
In yet another isekai adventure, a man suddenly finds himself reincarnated in another world, unable to remember his name. As a sentient sword, he is utterly dependent on whoever wields him in battle, and this turns out to be Fran, a young catgirl slave who uses the weapon to gain her freedom. After defeating an enemy, the sword—dubbed 'Teacher' by Fran—gains its abilities, allowing the displaced stranger to become stronger alongside his odd companion.
While isekai series are a dime a dozen in 2025, the animation and characters in Reincarnated as a Sword make it one of the more memorable. Its RPG elements and fantasy world give it some similarities to Solo Leveling, though its absurdity may be one drawback.
Reincarnated as a Sword is currently available to stream on Hulu.
Solo Leveling
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2024 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV
- Directors
- Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki
- Writers
- Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii
Cast
-
Taito BanSung Jin-woo -
Genta NakamuraYoo Jin-ho
A-1 Pictures' Solo Leveling is an anime based on Chugong's popular web novel. Set in an unforgiving fantasy world where hunters explore dungeons filled with monsters, the vulnerable Sung Jinwoo gains a significant power boost after he is picked to be a solo player by the System.
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.28 (Season 1); 8.86 (Season 2)
- Where To Watch
- Crunchyroll
