Hellooo, my friends! I hope you are fine and healthy. Also, I hope you are looking for something fun to read in this period, so here, I am to offer you a new list of recommendations that will be very appreciated if you are fans of the popular manhwa, Solo Leveling (and even if you are not, continue reading, the post will be interesting, I promise)! In fact, I will suggest some manga that have similar vibes, elements, plot, and common points with it. We will start with a brief summary of the plot of Solo Leveling and then we will continue with the post and the recommended manga!
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Table of Content
JAPANESE COMICS SIMILAR TO SOLO LEVELING
Solo Leveling Plot
The human world is connected to a mysterious world full of deadly monsters through a portal called the Gate. Hunters are people with special powers who fight to oppose them and protect humans. The main character, Sung Jinwoo, however, is a level E (the lowest level) since he doesn’t have any special ability. Despite this, he tries his best to be helpful, accomplishing his missions, while paying for his mother’s medical expenses. After a sudden and unexpected event, Jinwoo acquires incredible powers! Can he now become a level S hunter with his new abilities?
Table of Contents
21. Chainsaw Man
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12/20 |
7/10 |
8/10 |
7/10 |
34/50 |
Even if there aren’t so many similarities or common points, the two works both have top tier action elements and so much hype!
The story is set in a world where human fear manifests into Devils. Denji is an orphan who becomes friends with the Chainsaw Devil, Pochita, and together they hunt devils to gain money. But one day, when Denji dies, he makes a pact with Pochita, so that the boy becomes a human-devil hybrid strong enough to fight against powerful devils. He is also hired by the Public Safety Bureau, an experimental department that uses non-hostile devils to fight against other devils.
20. Record of Ragnarok
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12/20 |
7/10 |
8/10 |
7/10 |
34/50 |
Why did I include this manga on the list? Well, because, like Solo Leveling, it has a lot of hype, incredible action scenes and amazing art that will capture your attention!
Once every thousand years, gods reunite to decide what will be the future of mankind. When they vote to destroy the human race, a battle between immortal gods and mortal warriors begins. However, the demigod, Brunhilde, asks the gods to reconsider this decision and to give humans a chance by letting them fight one-on-one against the gods in the Valhalla arena. The divine council accepts, confident that they will win without problems, but Brunhilde starts to assemble the best heroes.
19. Tokyo Ghoul
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14/20 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
35/50 |
What could a manga like Tokyo Ghoul possibly have in common with Solo Leveling? Both MCs, besides becoming stronger with time, will develop a dark side inside of them after some events. This should count as a common element, right?
In the shadows of Tokyo, deadly creatures called Ghouls kill humans and eat them. The police are after them, but it’s hard to track them since Ghouls use a human appearance to hide themself and find easy targets. Kaneki is an average university student who, after a disastrous first date with a beautiful girl who was actually a Ghoul in disguise, becomes a half-Ghoul himself. After this terrible event his life will change in a drastic way and he will find himself between two worlds and in the middle of a war for survival.
18. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17/20 |
6/10 |
6/10 |
6/10 |
35/50 |
Weak character becomes stronger in a game-setted world. Well, it’s pretty similar, right?
An ordinary high school class suddenly finds itself in a fantasy world and every student is a hero who has to save the world. All of them have a different skill, but Nagumo Hajime is the only one who has a weak ability. He has always been a mediocre student and now in this new world he is a mere crafter with low stats. One day, he goes to explore a dungeon but he falls into an abyss. How will he survive?
17. Kingdom
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14/20 |
7/10 |
8/10 |
7/10 |
36/50 |
Let’s ignore the differences and focus on the common elements. These are: MCs start from nothing, but then they become stronger; top notch action; political factors.
The story is set in China, during the warring states period. The country is divided into seven kingdoms, but the real purpose of the war is to unify China. The main character of the story is Shin, an orphan who trains everyday in combat together with his childhood friend. He dreams of becoming a great general, and when one day he joins the army and starts his military career, he finally gets the chance to achieve this goal.
16. Darwin’s Game
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16/20 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
6/10 |
36/50 |
A weak and shy boy becomes a badass in a world that has a game-like setting. Pretty much like Jinwoo and his world.
A normal high school student named Sudou Kaname is invited to try out Darwin’s Game, a new mobile app game. However, he finds out that this mysterious game is not what he expected, but even if he wants to quit and exit from this dangerous and deadly situation, he can’t.
15. The Berserker Rises to Greatness
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17/20 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
6/10 |
37/50 |
Yeah, you’ll definitely like this manga if you have loved Solo Leveling. They have so much in common. Seeing is believing!
Kelvin wakes up in a fantasy world without his memories, but with powerful skills. He begins a new life, mastering his abilities and becoming stronger and stronger. He also starts gaining more and more subordinates. Fighting one enemy after the other, Kelvin becomes an overpowered adventurer whose new goal is to summon his own Angel Follower. In fact, he thinks that before his memory loss, he has fallen in love with her.
14. So I’m a Spider, So What?
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16/20 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
37/50 |
In both manga, the main characters struggle to gain more strength and level up. They get such great character development during the story!
Some ordinary high school students die because of an explosion and are reborn in a magical parallel world, where there is an ongoing battle against the Demon King. However, one of the students, who was a hikikomori in the previous life, doesn’t have a human appearance, but she is a weak spider now! Plus, she is trapped in a dangerous dungeon full of deadly creatures. Will she survive in this hostile world?
13. One Punch Man
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15/20 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
9/10 |
38/50 |
Even if the context is totally different, there are a lot of common elements between the two, such as an overpowered main character, exciting battles and monsters to fight!
After a strict training schedule that he followed for 3 years, Saitama has become so ridiculously strong that he can defeat everyone with just one punch. That’s why he decides to be a hero. However, with time, Saitama gets bored because all his opponents are way weaker than him. Also, Genos, a cyborg, wants to become Saitama’s apprentice. With him, the man will follow the path to become a true hero, hoping to find an opponent who is strong enough to be a worthy enemy.
12. Sword Art Online
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17/20 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
38/50 |
Even though there is the romance subplot in SAO, both works are focused on a main character who fights to survive and become stronger with experience!
Sword Art Online is a RPG game in which people can play with a virtual reality system and easily control their character. However, on the day of its awaited debut, logged-in players are horrified to find out that they can’t log out and disconnect from the game. The only way to exit it is to reach the last level and pass it. The main character, Kirito, is focused on this goal and fights to become stronger in order to win. In the game, he will also meet Asuna, a beautiful and strong girl who will become his partner.
11. Re: Monster
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15/20 |
7/10 |
8/10 |
8/10 |
38/50 |
The formula is always the same: a normal guy dies (or nearly dies) and starts a new life with incredible abilities. From the bottom, he manages to reach the top.
After an early and unfortunate death, Tomokui Kanata is reincarnated in a magical world as a goblin, one of the weakest races ever, maintaining his previous life’s memories. His new name is Goburou (Rou for his friends) and soon he finds out that he can gain strength if he eats other creatures. So, he starts his new life in this fantasy world, while surrounding himself with new subordinates and fighting against powerful enemies.
10. Berserk of Gluttony: The One That Exceeds the Concept of Levels
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17/20 |
6/10 |
7/10 |
8/10 |
38/50 |
Both works have a lot in common, trust me. The game based setting is one example among many others!
There are two types of people in this fantasy world: those who have special magical abilities and those who don’t. The first category is highly regarded by society as they defeat monsters and gain strength, while the second one is completely useless. Fate, the protagonist of the story, has always had an worthless ability that makes him always hungry. However, this ability turns out to be something totally different from what he and people expected…
9. Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17/20 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
8/10 |
39/50 |
In both manga, the main character develops his strength with time. Also, the setting is a fantasy world! Ring any bells?
In the city of Time, the mysterious dungeon attracts adventurers who are in search of fame and wealthyness. However, monsters and traps are everywhere in the structure and the more you enter, the more you risk. Before going in, adventurers can create parties, groups of people led by gods and goddesses. The main character, Bell Cranel, is the only member of the party of the goddess Hestia. His only purpose is to impress a beautiful warrior called Aiz Wallenstein, whom he has a crush on.
8. That Time I Got Reincarnated As a Slime
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15/20 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
40/50 |
Supernatural abilities and a useless main character who suddenly acquires an incredible power that is the strongest in the world! Sounds pretty familiar, right?
The series follows the life of Satoru Mikami, a typical Japanese salaryman who is struggling with his stressful daily life. However, one day the man sacrifices himself to prevent a robber from stabbing a colleague. After his death, a strange voice gets in touch with him, transporting Satoru to another world. After reincarnating as a slime and making a pact with a mighty dragon, Satoru will cease to exist. This world will now know the protagonist as Rimuru Tempest.
7. Naruto
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14/20 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
40/50 |
An outcast protagonist (Naruto and Jinwoo) becomes stronger and it is revealed that he is the chosen one for some kind of purpose. Also, lots of exciting action scenes are waiting for you!
Naruto Uzumaki is a twelve years old boy who lives in the Leaf Village and dreams of becoming the Hokage, the most important ninja of the village. His childhood hasn’t been easy at all, since he was an outcast avoided by all the villagers. The reason behind this behavior is that inside of him there is sealed the Nine-Tailed Fox, a spirit that almost destroyed the village in the past. Now, Naruto is a student of the ninja academy, and together with Sasuke, Sakura and the teacher, Kakashi, he trains to become stronger and reach his goal.
6. Magi: Labyrinth of Magic
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15/20 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
40/50 |
Magical creatures, supernatural power and main characters who are out of the ordinary are just a few elements that these amazing works have in common.
14 years ago, strange and massive buildings called dungeons appeared across the world. In these dungeons, there are incredible treasures and powerful djinns, creatures with special powers, and adventurers enter the buildings in order to gain their immense power. In this world, three young people accidentaly meet each other and begin their great adventure together: Alibaba, a young boy who is apparently arrogant and greedy, but hides an important secret; Aladdin, a cheerful child who has a tremendous power inside of him; and Morgiana, a slave who has managed to escape from captivity.
5. Log Horizon
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16/20 |
8/10 |
8/10 |
8/10 |
40/50 |
We are not talking about strength (not Shiroe’s forte) here, but we have dungeons, monsters to defeat and a game setting!
After a strange incident, 30.000 people get stuck in a RPG game called Elder Tale, from which they can’t log-out. Even if they die in the game, they come back and restart. In this situation, many players have lost the will to play and start getting adjusted to this new world and their new life. However, our protagonist, Shiroe, is a skilled strategist and is determined to find out the mysteries behind this game.
4. Berserk
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14/20 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
41/50 |
I’m sure you are wondering what Berserk has in common with Solo Leveling. Well, both of them have mysterious powerful beings, strong protagonists, excellent art and a mind-blowing plot!
In a Middle Ages alternative world, Guts is a formidable mercenary warrior who was raised in war and violence by his adoptive father, Gambino, learning from an early age to fight for survival. However, Gambino is a violent father: in a fit of rage he tries to kill Guts, who, in an attempt to defend himself, stabs his father to death. As he grows up, he fights ruthlessly on the battlefields and attracts the attention of the charismatic leader of the Band of the Hawks, Griffith, who defeats him in a duel and forces him to join his company of mercenaries.
3. My Hero Academia
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15/20 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
42/50 |
From powerless boys to strong main characters with an overpowered ability! Izuku and Jinwoo’s character developments are insane!
Midoriya Izuku is a quirkless young boy who lives in a world full of heroes with special abilities. The boy has always dreamed of becoming a hero who saves people with a smile, but this dream seems impossible for him. However, when he tries to save his childhood friend, Bakugo, from a villain who has captured him, Izuku meets All Might, the strongest hero who has ever existed, and receives a precious gift from him: his quirk, One for All. Now that the boy has his own power, he starts attending U.A. high school in order to fulfill his dream together with his classmates.
2. Overlord
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15/20 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
42/50 |
There are important differences between the two manga, but the game system is a setting both of them share!
An average salaryman named Momonga likes playing a famous RPG game. However, one day, the servers of the game shut down. Momonga wants to witness the final hours of his beloved game and logs in. But when the clock strikes midnight, he finds himself trapped inside the body of his avatar. He takes advantage of the situation and decides to take control of the new world, while trying to understand the truths behind the game.
1. Hunter x Hunter
| Similarity | Plot |
Character Writing |
Art | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17/20 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
6/10 |
43/50 |
We have monsters (big ants), the leveling up system (Heavens Arena), the game system (Greed Island) and a weak character who becomes stronger (Gon). A perfect match!
Gon is a lively and cheerful boy who lives together with his aunt. He was abandoned by his father, who is a famous and powerful hunter, but even so, he wants to meet him and understand his reasons. That’s why he is determined to take the exam to become a hunter and follow his steps. On the way, he will meet three boys who will become his treasured friends: Leorio, Kurapika and Killua. With them, he will face terrible trials and exciting adventures.
DID YOU LIKE SOLO LEVELING?
Congratulations, you have reached the end of the post! I know that it’s always a pity when a manga (manhwa in the case of Solo Leveling) you loved very much ends. It’s a strange feeling, the one you get when you finish reading something, but there is no sequel. However, it’s comforting knowing that there are a lot of manga that have the same elements and that can be very enjoyable. That’s why I hope you have found what you were looking for thanks to this list! Anyway, my job here is done, so I bid you farewell and see you next time!
