Best Anime Series Like ‘Solo Leveling’

Traditional fantasy stories about being transported to another world are losing their appeal – dungeon crawlers are where the excitement is now! And no series has captivated anime fans quite like Solo Leveling. With stunning animation, incredible action, and a truly solitary hero, Solo Leveling has quickly become a favorite. This urban fantasy anime follows Sung Jin-woo, a weak hunter who explores dangerous dungeons appearing around the world. After almost dying, he gains a unique ability: he gets stronger with every battle, eventually becoming a powerful protector.

The popularity of Solo Leveling is huge, and it’s because it offers a fresh take on the classic dungeon crawl story. These underground labyrinths, filled with treasure or monsters, have always fascinated fantasy lovers with their excitement and mystery. Luckily, there are many other great anime series that offer the same thrilling dungeon adventures, and we’ve picked out 12 that you absolutely need to watch.

‘Log Horizon’ (2013)

In the anime Log Horizon, a massive online game called Elder Tale suddenly traps 30,000 players inside when an update prevents them from logging out. Now stuck in a world that blends fantasy and reality, they must use their abilities and cope with hardships to survive. Shiroe, a clever player, steps up as a leader and works to build alliances, striving to improve life for everyone within the game’s virtual city.

Log Horizon offers a smart take on the classic dungeon-crawl adventure, focusing not just on fast-paced action, but also on the social, emotional, and practical problems players face when stuck inside a game. The story highlights the importance of working together and communicating effectively as Shiroe and other players explore dungeons, fight challenging battles, journey across vast lands, and learn to live in this new reality. The series is known for its detailed world-building and has received a lot of positive attention for it.

‘So I’m a Spider, So What?’ (2021)

Like many stories of its kind, So I’m a Spider, So What? starts with a classroom of students suddenly transported to a fantasy world. Most are reborn as powerful figures like royalty or warriors, but one unfortunate girl finds herself reincarnated as a very weak spider in a dangerous dungeon. She must use all her cunning and strength just to stay alive.

Similar to Solo Leveling, this anime features a character who grows stronger through challenges, and is determined to find a way back home – it’s both fun and captivating to watch. The dungeons are a real highlight, with unique settings like one located deep under the ocean, guarded by water dragons. The series is also praised for its bright, colorful animation, quick plot progression, and exciting fight scenes.

‘The Dungeon of Black Company’ (2021)

Kinji Ninomiya, the protagonist of The Dungeon of Black Company, is a young man who prioritizes wealth and comfort above all else. He strives for a lavish lifestyle without wanting to exert much effort. However, right as he’s about to enjoy his retirement, he’s suddenly transported to a fantasy world and forced to work as a slave miner, extracting a valuable resource called Demonite from dangerous dungeons for a dishonest company.

This game offers a unique take on the dungeon crawl genre. Instead of focusing on combat, it emphasizes clever planning and navigating tricky situations, both in dangerous dungeons and within a ruthless corporate environment. Characters are forced to risk their lives mining for resources, but often end up deeper in debt as a result. The game features compelling and fast-paced exploration, stylish graphics, and a generally dark, adventurous tone.

‘Goblin Slayer’ (2018)

Goblin Slayer, a quiet and battle-worn adventurer, is considered odd by those around him. He spends most of his time hunting and eliminating weak monsters – goblins. While goblins are generally dismissed as harmless, a dangerous encounter reveals their true threat when a group of new adventurers is attacked, leaving only a young priestess. She joins forces with Goblin Slayer and discovers how deadly goblins can be when they swarm together. Together, they team up with others to hunt down and destroy goblin lairs.

Goblin Slayer offers a realistic and strategic take on the typical fantasy adventure, portraying adventurers as skilled professionals rather than legendary heroes. If you enjoyed Solo Leveling, you’ll appreciate this series’ focus on determined characters who become stronger through tough, often brutal, fights and aren’t afraid to face danger. Despite being very popular with fans, it hasn’t received much critical attention, making it a hidden gem within the dark fantasy genre.

‘Magi: Adventure of Sinbad’ (2016)

This series tells the origin story of Sinbad, the future King of Sindria, starting with his humble beginnings as a fisherman. After a difficult childhood marked by loss, Sinbad embarks on a journey, facing dangerous dungeons filled with traps, monsters, and powerful enemies. He overcomes these challenges, eventually rising to a position of leadership.

Magi: Adventure of Sinbad is a thrilling series that feels like a classic adventure story. It follows Sinbad’s journey to unite a broken world while battling his own inner struggles. If you enjoyed Solo Leveling, you’ll love this show, especially its complex dungeons and the high-stakes challenges within them. A powerful force called Djinn Equip governs these dungeons and their monsters, making for a formidable opponent.

‘Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions’ (2016)

A group of teenagers finds themselves in a strange fantasy world with no memories of who they once were. They start as inexperienced adventurers, forced to fight for survival. Led by the compassionate Haruhiro, they band together as a team, but even simple challenges – like fighting weak goblins in basic dungeons – often result in defeat. Unlike typical fantasy stories focused on heroism, Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions emphasizes the emotional toll of their struggles and the small, hard-won victories they achieve.

This anime provides a nice contrast to Solo Leveling, emphasizing steady progress through effort rather than overwhelming power. However, when it comes to captivating storytelling and stunning animation, it’s just as engrossing as Solo Leveling. You don’t need stories to be similar to enjoy them, and this series is definitely worth watching.

‘Shangri-La Frontier’ (2022)

Rakurou Hizutome is a high school student and a dedicated gamer who loves a good challenge, even if it means playing flawed games. His friends convinced him to try Shangri-La Frontier, a hugely popular virtual reality game known for being both glitchy and incredibly intricate. Now, playing as ‘Sunraku’ and equipped with just boxers, a bird mask, and a few weapons, he’s diving into the game’s mysterious dungeons and facing off against powerful monsters.

Shangri-La Frontier is a modern take on the familiar adventure genre and will likely appeal to fans of Solo Leveling. It features a compelling story and exciting action, moving at a fast pace with a protagonist eager to discover new things. While similar to Solo Leveling, Shangri-La Frontier offers a more lighthearted and fun experience.

‘Delicious in Dungeon’ (2024)

When a dungeon expedition goes horribly wrong, Laios Touden and the remaining members of his team find themselves back at the beginning. They have one goal: to brave the dangerous labyrinth, avoid Laios’s magic-wielding sister, and stay alive by turning strange monsters into delicious meals. Their constant hunger and unusual abilities allow this unlikely group to overcome the challenges they face.

Trigger animated and Yoshihiro Miyajima directed Delicious in Dungeon, which became available on Netflix in 2024 and proved to be quite popular. The show stands out thanks to its exciting battles and wonderfully crafted dungeons, but it also adds a unique twist – food! This blend of adventure and cooking creates a really enjoyable experience. Every level of the dungeon brings new challenges, and the characters are always searching for their next great meal, making each encounter either a fight for survival or a feast.

‘Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?’ (2015)

Known as DanMachi by fans, this anime centers around Bell Cranel, a cheerful young man striving to become a legendary adventurer. After meeting the small goddess Hestia, Bell begins exploring the Dungeon, a massive underground labyrinth filled with monsters and treasure.

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? is set in the city of Orario, where adventurers explore dangerous catacombs beneath the streets. The show starts with simple challenges that become increasingly difficult as the story progresses. Visually, it combines classic fantasy elements with a bright, vibrant style, and the main character, Bell, shares a similar inspiring journey to Sung Jin-woo. With its compelling storylines and fantastic music, this anime is considered a true classic.

‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime’ (2018)

If you enjoyed Solo Leveling, you’ll likely love That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. This anime tells the story of Satoru Mikami, an average office worker who dies and is reborn in a fantasy world… as a slime! Though slimes are usually weak creatures, Satoru is special. He can absorb the skills of anything he consumes, allowing him to become incredibly powerful and defeat dangerous monsters.

This anime is special because of its incredibly likable main character, who goes on a journey of self-discovery and development. It blends exciting dungeon adventures with a richly detailed world, and delivers the fast-paced action that fans of Solo Leveling will love. The stunning animation, thrilling fights, and heartfelt story create a truly immersive experience, and it’s not afraid to tug at your heartstrings.

2026-03-28 21:38