The anime world was taken by storm with the arrival of Solo Leveling. The story of Sung Jinwoo, the world’s weakest hunter who gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to “level up” limitlessly, was a perfect cocktail of thrilling action, a compelling underdog story, and stunning animation. Now that the season is over, many of us are left with a void, desperately searching for something to match that high.

If you’re missing the thrill of dungeon-crawling, overpowered protagonists, and pulse-pounding battles, you’re in the right place. We’ve curated a list of 10 fantastic anime that capture the essence of what made Solo Leveling so addictive. Get ready to dive into new worlds where the stakes are high and the action never stops.

1. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

• What it’s about: Satoru Mikami, a regular office worker, is tragically killed and finds himself reincarnated in a fantasy world… as a ridiculously weak slime. But don’t let his gooey form fool you. Armed with a unique “Predator” skill that allows him to absorb the abilities of anything he devours, he quickly becomes one of the most powerful beings in this new world.
• Why you’ll like it: Just like Sung Jinwoo, Rimuru Tempest (the slime) starts at the absolute bottom of the food chain and experiences an explosive growth in power. The show is packed with monster battles, skill acquisition, and the satisfying journey of an underdog becoming a revered leader.
• What makes it unique: Slime blends its action with a heavy dose of comedy and world-building. It’s less about dark, gritty dungeons and more about building a nation where all races can coexist peacefully.

2. The Rising of the Shield Hero

• What it’s about: Naofumi Iwatani is one of four heroes summoned to a fantasy world to save it from waves of monsters. Unfortunately, he is bestowed with the shield, considered the weakest weapon. To make matters worse, he’s betrayed, framed, and left with nothing but his rage.
• Why you’ll like it: This is the ultimate underdog story. Naofumi’s journey from a hated and weak hero to a pragmatic and powerful force is incredibly similar to Jinwoo’s. The RPG-like mechanics, with skill trees and stats, will feel very familiar to Solo Leveling fans.
• What makes it unique: The story delves deep into themes of betrayal, prejudice, and finding trust in a world that has turned its back on you. It’s an emotional and often dark journey.

3. Sword Art Online (SAO)

• What it’s about: In the near future, thousands of players get trapped in a new Virtual Reality MMORPG called “Sword Art Online.” The catch? If you die in the game, you die in real life. The only way out is to clear all 100 floors of the game’s floating castle.
• Why you’ll like it: SAO is one of the pioneers of the modern “game-world” anime genre. It features intense boss battles, leveling up, unique skills, and a lone-wolf protagonist, Kirito, who, like Jinwoo, prefers to fight alone and becomes legendary for his power.
• What makes it unique: SAO explores the psychological impact of being trapped in a digital world and weaves a compelling romance into its action-packed plot.

4. Overlord

• What it’s about: When his favorite DMMORPG is about to shut down, a powerful player named Momonga decides to stay logged in until the very end. But instead of being kicked out, he’s transported to a new reality as his all-powerful lich avatar, Ainz Ooal Gown. All the NPCs in his guild have suddenly developed personalities, and he must now navigate this new world as a supreme being.
• Why you’ll like it: If you loved the “overpowered” aspect of Solo Leveling, you’ll love Overlord. Ainz is a max-level character from the start, and the story is a fascinating power fantasy about how he uses his immense strength and strategic mind to conquer this new world.
• What makes it unique: Overlord tells its story from the perspective of the “villain.” It’s a dark fantasy that explores themes of power, morality, and what it means to be human when you’re no longer one.

5. Tower of God

• What it’s about: Based on a popular manhwa (just like Solo Leveling), this anime follows a boy named Bam who has spent his life trapped beneath a mysterious tower. When his only friend, Rachel, enters the tower to chase her dreams, Bam follows her, ready to face any challenge to find her again.
• Why you’ll like it: The tower is a series of deadly tests and floors, each with its own rules and powerful enemies, much like the dungeons in Solo Leveling. Bam starts as a naive and seemingly weak boy but possesses a hidden, immense power that makes him a special “Irregular.”
• What makes it unique: Tower of God has an incredibly rich and mysterious world with a vast cast of unique characters and complex power systems. The focus is as much on strategy and alliances as it is on raw power.

6. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest

• What it’s about: A high school class is transported to a fantasy world to act as heroes. While his classmates get powerful combat abilities, Hajime Nagumo gets the useless “Synergist” skill. During a dungeon raid, he’s betrayed and falls into a deep abyss. To survive, he must eat monsters and embrace a new, ruthless personality.
• Why you’ll like it: This is another story of a weak protagonist being pushed to the brink and emerging as an anti-hero with overwhelming power. Hajime’s transformation and his subsequent journey through dangerous dungeons will strongly resonate with fans of Jinwoo’s character arc.
• What makes it unique: Arifureta has a grittier and more cynical tone. It’s a revenge story that also develops into a harem fantasy, blending dark action with some surprisingly comedic and romantic moments.

7. Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (DanMachi)

• What it’s about: In a world where gods live among mortals, adventurers join “Familia” to explore a massive, monster-filled labyrinth known as the “Dungeon.” Bell Cranel is a rookie adventurer and the sole member of the Hestia Familia. He dreams of becoming a great hero.
• Why you’ll like it: DanMachi is built around the concept of leveling up. Adventurers gain experience, update their stats, and learn new skills. Bell Cranel has a unique skill that allows him to grow much faster than anyone else, mirroring Jinwoo’s rapid ascent.
• What makes it unique: DanMachi is more lighthearted and has strong comedic and romantic elements. It focuses heavily on the theme of family and the bonds between adventurers and their chosen gods.

8. Goblin Slayer

• What it’s about: In a world of adventurers who take on grand quests, one man has dedicated his entire existence to a single, thankless task: the extermination of all goblins. He is known only as the Goblin Slayer.
• Why you’ll like it: If you enjoyed the dark fantasy and strategic combat of Solo Leveling’s dungeons, Goblin Slayer delivers that in spades. The series is known for its brutal, realistic, and tactical approach to monster slaying.
• What makes it unique: Goblin Slayer is a much darker and more mature series. It doesn’t focus on leveling up but on preparation, strategy, and the psychological toll of being an adventurer. It’s a grim and grounded take on the fantasy genre.

9. Shangri-La Frontier

• What it’s about: Rakuro Hizutome is a pro at “trash games”—games that are glitchy and poorly made. Looking for a new challenge, he decides to play the god-tier VRMMORPG, “Shangri-La Frontier.” With his unique skills honed by beating broken games, he quickly becomes a powerful and unpredictable player.
• Why you’ll like it: This anime is a pure celebration of gaming culture. It features incredible monster designs, complex game mechanics, and epic boss fights. The protagonist, Sunraku, is highly skilled and his journey to conquer the game’s toughest challenges is incredibly entertaining.
• What makes it unique: Shangri-La Frontier is much more lighthearted and comedic than Solo Leveling. The stakes are lower (it’s just a game), which allows for more fun and creative exploration of the world and its systems.

10. Jujutsu Kaisen

• What it’s about: Yuji Itadori, a high school student with immense physical strength, gets involved with the world of “Curses”—monstrous beings born from negative human emotions. After swallowing a cursed object to protect his friends, he becomes the vessel for a powerful Curse named Sukuna.
• Why you’ll like it: While it doesn’t have a game-like system, Jujutsu Kaisen delivers on stunningly animated, high-octane action and a world where humanity is constantly fighting against monstrous threats. The power scaling and incredible fight choreography will definitely appeal to Solo Leveling fans.
• What makes it unique: Jujutsu Kaisen has a unique and intricate “Cursed Energy” power system and focuses heavily on the bonds between its characters. The dynamic between Yuji and the powerful curse living inside him is a central and compelling part of the story.