10 Shows & Movies Similar to Solo Leveling (2024)

Description: Shares with 'Solo Leveling' the theme of climbing a hierarchy (a tower vs. dungeon levels) to gain power and uncover secrets. Both protagonists start as seemingly ordinary individuals who discover hidden potential within a competitive, dangerous system.

Fact: Based on a popular Korean webtoon, making it culturally similar to 'Solo Leveling's Korean origins. Features a mysterious, powerful mentor figure like Jinwoo's System. The anime adaptation was produced by the same studio that did 'Jujutsu Kaisen' (MAPPA).

Description: Like 'Solo Leveling', features a protagonist who gains extraordinary power (from consuming a cursed object vs. the System) and must navigate a dangerous supernatural world. Both have dark urban fantasy settings with intricate power systems.

Fact: Animation is produced by MAPPA, known for high-quality action sequences. The manga has sold over 80 million copies as of 202Features one of anime's most popular modern characters in Gojo Satoru.

Description: Like 'Solo Leveling', follows a protagonist's complete transformation from weak to powerful through reincarnation. Both deal with second chances at life and feature detailed fantasy worlds with magic systems.

Fact: Often credited with popularizing the modern isekai genre. Features some of the most detailed fantasy world-building in anime. The protagonist's growth from infancy to adulthood is unusually thorough for the genre.

Description: Shares 'Solo Leveling's dark humor and fantasy action elements. Both feature protagonists who must navigate dangerous worlds while dealing with unconventional power systems (body possession vs. the System).

Fact: Based on a manga that began serialization in

Description: Shares the 'Solo Leveling' theme of characters developing unique power systems (Nen vs. the System) and undergoing rigorous training to become stronger. Both feature dangerous tests/challenges that push characters to their limits.

Fact: Created by Yoshihiro Togashi, who also created Yu Yu Hakusho. The Chimera Ant arc is considered one of the greatest shonen arcs ever. Features one of anime's most complex power systems in Nen.

Description: Like 'Solo Leveling', features a protagonist who becomes overpowered in a game-like world. Both explore the psychological impact of gaining immense power and the moral dilemmas that come with it, though 'Overlord' leans more into villain protagonist territory.

Fact: Unique in having the main character as the 'final boss' of the story world. The light novel series has over 15 million copies in circulation. Features one of anime's most iconic skeleton characters, Ainz Ooal Gown.

Description: Similar to 'Solo Leveling' in its underdog protagonist who starts with seemingly no magic/power but works relentlessly to become strong. Both feature magical combat systems and protagonists who defy expectations.

Fact: Holds the Guinness World Record for most episodes of a shonen anime adapted from a manga in one year (51). Protagonist Asta's voice actor had to take breaks due to vocal strain from the intense yelling. The manga has sold over 18 million copies worldwide.

Description: Similar progression fantasy elements where the protagonist grows from weak to overwhelmingly powerful. Both feature RPG mechanics, kingdom building, and protagonists who gain unique abilities that set them apart from others in their world.

Fact: The slime protagonist Rimuru can absorb abilities from monsters he consumes. One of the most successful isekai anime, with over 30 million copies of its source material sold. Features extensive world-building with multiple fantasy races and nations.

Description: Shares 'Solo Leveling's themes of fighting supernatural threats and personal growth through combat. Both feature protagonists who transform from ordinary to extraordinary through intense training and life-or-death battles.

Fact: The Mugen Train arc became the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. Features some of the most stunning animation in modern anime. The manga concluded in 2020 with over 150 million copies in circulation.

Description: Similar to 'Solo Leveling' in its underdog protagonist who starts weak but grows incredibly powerful through trials and challenges. Both series feature RPG-like leveling systems, dungeon crawling, and a protagonist who must navigate a world that initially distrusts or underestimates them.

Fact: The protagonist, Naofumi, is one of the few heroes in anime who primarily uses a shield as his weapon. The series explores themes of betrayal and redemption, similar to the darker tones in 'Solo Leveling'. It's based on a light novel series that has sold over