Solo Leveling is undoubtedly one of the hottest animes of 2025. As I write this article, the Solo Leveling season 2 episode 13 has just been released on Crunchyroll, and it has already garnered over 163K likes. In this exclusive article from AnimeQuack, let’s explore the top 5 animes that are similar to Solo Leveling in 2025.
Solo Leveling Plot Explained :
First, let’s discuss the Solo Leveling plot as presented in the anime. It is set in a world where mysterious gates link Earth to treacherous dungeons filled with monsters, and Hunters—humans with unique abilities—fight these creatures for survival. Sung Jin-Woo, a low-ranked E class hunter, struggles to survive on low-tier raids.
One day, he and his party enter a double dungeon featuring a concealed high-level area where most of his teammates perish, but Jin-Woo miraculously survives by completing a strange ‘System‘ quest that grants him extraordinary powers and the ability to level up infinitely.
- Hart, Christopher (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 144 Pages - 07/07/2015 (Publication Date) - Drawing with Christopher Hart (Publisher)
- Shinjuku Press (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 128 Pages - 05/02/2022 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- Yoai, Yoai (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 144 Pages - 08/24/2021 (Publication Date) - Rock Point (Publisher)
As he clears more dungeons and becomes stronger, Jin-Woo learns about the System secrets, and just recently, in episode 13 of season 2, he single-handedly cleared the Jeju Island raid to save his teammates.
We have selected the animes listed below as being akin to Solo Leveling by analyzing their storytelling, animation, cinematography, and overall style. Below are the top 5 animes like Solo Leveling —
1. Tower of God :
Tower of God is another popular anime that revolves around a mysterious tower that offers extraordinary power and unimaginable wealth to those who reach its summit. Here, the main character, Bam, embarks on a quest to scale the tower in search of his close friend Rachel, who left him behind in pursuit of her dreams.
Throughout his journey, Bam encounters various challenges, forms friendships with other climbers, and uncovers dark secrets of the tower. It’s an excellent anime to watch and features a similar progression-based storytelling approach as Solo Leveling. If you’re seeking an anime similar to Solo Leveling, this is worth a look.
Rating :
- ‣ IMDb – 7.5/10
- ‣ MyAnimeList – 7.6/10
2. GATE :
In GATE, the narrative begins when a portal linking modern Tokyo to a fantasy realm populated by dragons, knights, and magic unexpectedly opens. The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) are assigned to explore this new world while safeguarding their homeland from potential dangers.
The story follows Youji Itami, a relaxed officer who leads his team through political conflicts, epic battles, and alliances with the beings of the fantasy world. This makes it another anime that is parallel to Solo Leveling.
Rating :
- ‣ IMDB – 7.5/10
- ‣ MyAnimeList – 7.7/10
3. The Rising Of The Shield Hero :
The Rising Of The Shield Hero follows the story of Naofumi Iwatani, an average young man who is suddenly transported to a parallel world and selected as one of its four legendary heroes. However, unlike the others, he receives the role of the Shield Hero, deemed the weakest and least desirable.
Throughout his adventure, Naofumi is betrayed and shunned, yet he overcomes numerous obstacles as he endeavors to safeguard the world and prove his worth. The Rising of the Shield Hero reflects Solo Leveling’s themes of underdogs achieving greatness.
Rating :
- ‣ IMDB – 7.8/10
- ‣ MyAnimeList – 7.6/10
- ‣ Rotten Tomatoes – 3/5
4. Wistoria: Wand and Sword :
Wistoria: Wand and Sword is another popular anime that chronicles the journey of Will, a young boy living in a society where magic determines one’s worth. Unfortunately, Will Serfort, the main character, is born without magical powers and often faces ridicule from others.
Nonetheless, he aspires to become a formidable swordsman and dedicates himself to mastering his skills. Wistoria: Wand and Sword is a motivating tale of resilience, determination, and breaking through limits, similar to Jinwoo’s transformation in Solo Leveling.
Rating :
- ‣ IMDB – 7.5/10
- ‣ MyAnimeList – 7.88/10
5. Sword Art Online :
Sword Art Online presents a unique scenario where players of a virtual reality MMORPG become trapped in the game, resulting in real-life death if they die in the game. Kirito, an adept gamer, must navigate through increasingly challenging levels to liberate himself and the other players.
Sword Art Online predominantly emphasizes survival, teamwork, and character growth, featuring plenty of epic battles and an immersive world akin to Solo Leveling.
Rating :
- ‣ IMDB – 7.5/10
- ‣ MyAnimeList – 7.2/10
Bonus Anime 1 – Kaiju No.8 :
Kaiju No.8 is another anime that shares similarities with Solo Leveling. The plot revolves around a world where humanity battles monstrous creatures known as Kaiju, centering on Kafka Hibino, a 32-year-old whose aspiration is to join the Japan Defense Force (JDF) and fight Kaiju.
- Banno, Eri (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 384 Pages - 02/01/2020 (Publication Date) - Japan Times (Publisher)
- Used Book in Good Condition
- George Trombley (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 376 Pages - 08/22/2014 (Publication Date) - Learn From Zero (Publisher)
- ToWin, Explore (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 463 Pages - 10/18/2024 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
Kafka works for a cleanup crew, dealing with the aftermath of battles. His life transforms when he accidentally gets infected by a mysterious Kaiju, turning him into a hybrid of human and Kaiju, which grants Kafka extraordinary powers while retaining his human mind.
With these newfound abilities, Kafka is determined to use them to defend humanity, and the story depicts his journey as he battles alongside humans against the unpredictable Kaiju threats.
Rating :
- ‣ IMDB – 8.3/10
- ‣ MyAnimeList – 8.29/10
Bonus Anime 2 – Berserk of Gluttony :
Berserk of Gluttony presents a dark fantasy narrative about Fate Graphite, a young man cursed with a seemingly useless ability known as “Gluttony.” This power leaves him in a constant state of hunger and results in societal mistreatment. However, everything shifts when he unintentionally kills a thief, discovering the real potential of his ability: he can absorb the strengths and skills of those he defeats.
With this newfound power, Fate sets off on a journey to become stronger, delve into the mysteries of his ability, and seek vengeance against those who have wronged him. Throughout his adventure, he encounters friends, foes, and a deeper conspiracy tied to his abilities and the world. This series is also quite enjoyable.
Rating :
- ‣ MyAnimeList – 6.5/10
Conclusion :
Here is the compilation of the top 5 animes that are similar to Solo Leveling in 2025, along with two bonus recommendations. This list has been curated based solely on our research. We invite you to share your thoughts and your favorite anime titles in the comments section below.