After finishing the action-filled story of Solo Leveling season 2, it’s totally normal to feel a bit empty once it ends. If you’re searching for another anime that brings the same excitement, cool settings, strong characters, and great battles, here are six picks that fans are really enjoying.
1. Sword Art Online
| Release Year | Episodes | Studio |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 96 | A-1 Pictures |
A well-known title in the isekai genre, Sword Art Online (SAO) is a great follow-up. Like Solo Leveling, SAO focuses on a game-like system, but here, it’s a full virtual reality where dying in the game means dying in real life.
Kirito, the main character, has to climb 100 floors in a deadly dungeon to survive. He also meets Asuna, another skilled player, and their bond becomes a key part of the story. Just like Jin-Woo, Kirito gets better with each fight and becomes a top-tier warrior.
2. Shangri-La Frontier
| Release Year | Episodes | Studio |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 50 | C2C |
If you like smart strategy and big virtual worlds, check out Shangri-La Frontier. Rakuro Hizutome (aka Sunraku) is a gamer who plays badly made games for fun.
When he enters a popular and well-built VRMMO, his odd skills actually help him stand out. As he takes on tough bosses and discovers hidden parts of the game, his story feels like Jin-Woo’s starting from nothing and growing stronger.
3. The Rising of the Shield Hero
| Release Year | Episodes (S1) | Studio |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 50 | Kinema Citrus |
If you enjoy stories about comebacks and growth, The Rising of the Shield Hero is a strong pick. Naofumi gets pulled into a fantasy world but ends up betrayed and blamed for something he didn’t do. Everyone turns on him, and he has to move forward with only a shield.
Along the way, he faces big threats called Waves and gains a team of trusted allies. The leveling system and upgrades are very similar to Solo Leveling’s dungeon system. Season 4 is expected in July 2025.
Also Read: Japan: Anime Fans Rank Best Anime In The History
4. Gate
| Release Years | Episodes | Studio |
|---|---|---|
| 2015–2016 | 24 | A-1 Pictures |
In Gate, a portal opens in Tokyo and an army from a fantasy world comes through. The Japanese military responds and then heads through the portal to learn more about this new place. The main guy, Itami, is an officer and a big anime fan who ends up in charge of the team.
There are dragons, magic, and even some politics. If you liked the portal concept from Solo Leveling but want something involving armies and tactics, this anime is worth checking out.
5. Overlord
| Release Year | Episodes | Studio |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 52 | Madhouse |
Overlord is for those who enjoy stories where the lead is already extremely strong. When the servers of an old MMO shut down, the main character Momonga stays logged in and suddenly finds himself stuck in the game world.
Now called Ainz Ooal Gown, he leads powerful allies and builds his own empire. He’s clever, plans ahead, and has tons of strength—similar to Jin-Woo at his best. If you enjoy strong characters and darker themes, this one’s a solid pick.
6. The God of High School
| Release Year | Episodes | Studio |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 13 | MAPPA |
If you’re into fast fights with special powers, check out The God of High School. Jin Mori joins a martial arts tournament where the prize is any wish. But things change fast with gods, secret powers, and hidden truths.
Jin, like Jin-Woo, goes through major growth and becomes much stronger. The fight scenes look great and have a lot of energy. Plus, this anime is also based on a webtoon, just like Solo Leveling.
Each of these anime brings something Solo Leveling fans will enjoy—whether it’s getting stronger, facing challenges, or starting from nothing and rising to the top. No matter which one you pick, there’s a fun watch waiting.
