After its highly anticipated second season ended in March, Solo leveling fans were hungry for more. Unfortunately, A-1 Pictures has failed to officially announce a Season 3 at the time of writing, and while rumors continue to swirl about the future of the series, viewers are (understandably) looking for something to fill the void in the meantime. The ongoing action series as Gachiakuta entertained the audience and main heavy hitter Jujutsu Kaisen will return with new episodes from January 9, 2026. Still some challenging Solo leveling enthusiasts can still look for the perfect replacement until the third season finally has a release date.
Solo Leveling: All Sung Jinwoo System Abilities Explained
The system and its abilities worked wonders for Sung Jin-Woo in solo leveling.
There are plenty of series that boast similar aspects Solo levelingand even if they can't boast of winning Anime of the Year, fans are likely to find something to like in each one. Whether they use the same dark and emotional atmosphere or simply use similar themes of underdogs coming out on top or supernatural warfare against raging beasts, this anime should not be overlooked.
All anime series on this list are available to watch on Crunchyroll unless otherwise noted.
Reincarnation without work
Unemployed, overweight and largely uninterested in leaving his home, Rudeus Greyrat is hit by a truck and transported to another world in typical isekai fashion. When he finds himself in the body of a child and is overjoyed at the chance to start his life over, he becomes even more excited when he realizes that this new world is full of magic and swordsmanship. Even though he may have been defeated in the past, he sets out on 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 Reincarnation without work does enough to keep things fresh. His protagonist also draws some parallels to Sung Jinwoo, although Rudeus is a bit more pathetic in the beginning and is also a womanizer, even though he tries his best to always play the gentleman. Relationships play greater role here than in Solo levelingand there may be less action overall, but what there is turns out to be amazing.
Unwanted undead adventurer
On the darker side of things, Unwanted undead adventurer follows the tragic story of Rentto Faina, a lowly bronze-class adventurer who is eaten by a dragon after stumbling into his lair. That's not 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 pile of bones isn't easy, but luckily he's not alone in his mission.
Rentt is a largely likable protagonist, and his slow evolution into a stronger adventurer while staying true to his morals is what makes the series so relatable. Solo leveling. The dark fantasy series is quick at only 12 episodes, but it can help fill the vacuum left by season 2 of Sung Jinwoo's story. A second season was announced in December 2024, although no release date has yet been announced.
I stand on a million lives
Yusuke and his classmates, Iu and Kusue, are suddenly transported to an alternate world seemingly set in a game, they must strive for victory in order to survive. However, Yusuke is anything but heroic, ruling with hatred for humanity as a whole and choosing to bury his emotions and live as a psychopath. Forced to do good in order to survive, he and his unlikely friends must navigate the rules of a strange world and deal with truly dire consequences every time they fail.
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Characters in I stand on a million lives truly starting from scratch, 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 alternate reality, he is tasked with being a warrior. Violence plays a big role, and the series is darker than many others on this list, sometimes playing for shock value in a way that doesn't feel too cheap. Fortunately, he also has two binge eating seasons.
The game of the gods we play
Even the gods get bored sometimes, and in this sci-fi fantasy series, they decide to challenge humanity to a few games for some well-deserved fun. The chosen people, nicknamed “Apostles”, are given abilities called “Arises”, and each time they win the game, this power becomes more useful. However, three losses and the power is gone for good. Fay is the biggest rookie there is, but he's on a quest for ultimate victory, and a former god is happy to help him along the way.
When it comes to fantasy anime series, Gods' Games We Play has a fresh premise and a cast of protagonists that won't disappoint, Fay's serious demeanor makes him easy to root for, and ex-god Leshea brings an infectious energy that makes this 13-episode series a breeze to play. It may lack a more serious atmosphere Solo levelingbut they boast the same competitive spirit.
Wistoria: Wand and Sword
IN Wistoria: Wand and Swordafter the world was nearly destroyed hundreds of years ago, five mages conjured a powerful barrier to save what was left. The Rigarden Magic Academy now exists to train aspiring magicians to become Vander Magic, capable of holding the barrier and keeping the land safe. Will Serfort aspires to earn this prestigious title, but there's one problem: he has absolutely zero magical ability, despite doing well in written tests and having a more than decent arm with a sword. As he works towards this seemingly impossible dream, he discovers that it may not be so hopeless after all.
A strong underdog story full of action, a charming world and lots of uniquely strong characters, Wistoria also sees strange parallels to Solo leveling in his dungeon crawling segments. It's also the perfect time to catch up, with the second series set 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 players to kill people, not so much. High school student Kaname Sudo accepts an invitation from his friend to an app called Darwin's Game, in which a gacha system grants players special abilities and survival is anything but guaranteed. Full of twists and turns, Darwin's game feels a lot like Squid gameand carries the same dark energy as Solo leveling.
Unfortunately, the anime version 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 can be filling Solo leveling fans for a day or two.
Berserk Gluttony
Fate Graphite has a skill, but it's not useful at first glance. Gluttony makes him hungry all the time, but how will that come in handy on the battlefield? As it turns out, he can use this to absorb more skills and takes the opportunity to do so, returning to those who thought less of him, becoming stronger and stronger along the way. But it's not easy to resist powerful desires, and Fate must be careful if he doesn't want to become just another killer.
The most iconic Revenge anime
These highly entertaining stories capture human emotions in a unique way and show viewers how obsessed a person can be when they blindly seek revenge.
Berserk Gluttony is definitely 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 long, so it's the perfect thing to binge on a lazy weekend.
Eminence in the shade
Cid Kagenou is hit by a truck and wakes up in another world as the teenage son of a noble family. This does not change his personality: Cid is an anti-social anti-hero whose general outlook on life has been entirely shaped by fiction. He has no interest in being a hero and instead only seeks power, pulling the strings of the magical organization behind the scenes and fighting the many conflicts that arise as many try to take control.
Genre-wise, the dark fantasy series has some general similarities in aesthetics Solo levelingalthough he throws in some comedy from time to time. Eminence in the shade plays into the standard isekai clichés, but its characters are where it shines, and the protagonist's quest for power is sure to leave at least a few viewers wanting more.
The Eminence in Shadow is currently available to stream on Hulu.
Code Geass
The world was divided into three superpowers: the Chinese Federation, Europa United, and the Holy British Empire. After being used as a pawn by his father to wage war against Japan, the now exiled Prince Lelouch vi Britannia vows to strike against his own kin and become a masked vigilante to achieve his goals. He also wields the “Power of Kings”, which allows him to command anyone to do whatever he wants – even die for him if necessary.
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While it lacks the specific plot beats found in Solo levelingits protagonist's growing power and art style share some similarities with the currently popular series. Code Geass was a phenomenon upon its release in 2006, but has since largely faded from the limelight. However, that is about to change as the new series bears the title Code Geass: Hoshi Oi no Aspar is on the way.
Reincarnated as a sword
In another isekai adventure, a man suddenly finds himself reincarnated in another world and unable to remember his name. As a sentient sword, it is completely dependent on who wields it in battle, and it turns out to be Fran, a young cat slave who uses this weapon to gain her freedom. After defeating the enemy, the sword, which Fran calls 'Teacher', gains its powers and allows the displaced stranger to grow stronger alongside his strange companion.
While isekai series are a dime a dozen in 2025, the animation and characters in the Reincarnated as a sword making it one of the more memorable ones. Its RPG elements and fantasy world give it some similarities Solo levelingalthough its absurdity may be one drawback.
Reincarnated as a Sword is currently available to stream on Hulu.
Solo leveling
- Release date
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2024 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV
- directors
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Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki
- Writers
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Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii
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Genta Nakamura
Yoo Jin-ho
