Solo Leveling, written by Chugong and illustrated by Dubu, is a ground-breaking release that put Korean manhwas on the map with its popularity. It not only cemented its name among the highest-rated manhwas of all time but caused a ripple effect. The widespread success and popularity of the series led to the birth of manhwa following the same aspects as Solo Leveling, like a main character that can level up, dungeons and dragons, cool weapons, and more. Solo Leveling did not introduce the leveling-up trope, but its popularity has been boosted to the point where several authors have come up with their own versions. So, if you want to add manhwa (or manga) like Solo Leveling to your reading list, scroll down and get started.
Spoilers Warning: As this list includes amanhwa similar to Solo Leveling, common aspects between the two have been highlighted below and may include potential spoilers. So, we recommend you to finish the Solo Leveling manhwa in order to avoid ruining the experience.
15. The Player Who Can’t Level Up (2021 – )
- MAL Rating: 7.23
- Genre: Action, Adventure, and Fantasy
- Authors: GaVinGe and Park, Jeongjae
We are starting with The Player Who Can’t Level Up in reverse order. Like Sung Jinwoo, Kim Kigyu is invited by a system to become a player who can continue leveling up. But he hasn’t cracked the code and crossed the level 1 park for a long time.
Over time, he discovers a way to level up his stats. Now, Kigyu ventures into unexplored gates and unlocks new skills to level up. With a clear goal in his mind, he will prove his newfound strength to the world. You can already spot many similarities between this manhwa and Solo Leveling. So, you can pick this one to have a delightful leveling-up experience.
14. The Return of the Disaster-Class Hero (2021 – )
- MAL Rating: 7.49
- Genre: Action and Fantasy
- Authors: Sanji Jiksong and Lee, Beomgeun
The Return of the Disaster-Class Hero is another revenge tale. This story is also set in a world where monstrous creatures called Calamities ravage our earth. Twelve warriors called Saints are chosen by the Gods to erase them from existence.
Now, the manhwa follows the life story of the unchosen yet greatest warrior, Geon Lee, who gets left to death by his comrades. He is reincarnated 20 years later and becomes a formidable character. He has only one mission in his mind which is to get his revenge against the saints who betrayed him in his previous life.
This manhwa’s artwork has been done by Redice, the studio behind Solo Leveling. So, get ready for a thrilling revenge-driven story with excellent fights that will keep you engrossed.
13. Tomb Raider King (2019 – 2023)
- MAL Rating: 7.38
- Genre: Action, Adventure, and Fantasy
- Authors: Sanji Jiksong and 3B2S
Is it just me or does the main character of Tomb Raider King look similar to Jinwoo? This manhwa has a plotline similar to Solo Leveling but comes with a twist. Instead of magical gates, God’s tombs with precious relics have begun to appear all over the world. The hero, Joo-Heon Seo, is the raider of these tombs who will go to any extreme length to collect the relics and conquer these tombs.
As you can see the author took the common dungeon trope and added his own spin with a different take on MC. If you love Solo Leveling then this is also going to be an entertaining read for you as it has an enjoyable story and interesting characters to follow. Moreover, Tomb Raider King Manhwa ended in 2023 with around 412 chapters.
12. The Archmage Returns After 4000 Years (2020 – )
- MAL Rating: 7.49
- Genre: Action, Adventure, and Fantasy
- Authors: Nakhasan, Kim, and Deok-yong
The greatest archmage of all time, Lucas Trowman, gets cursed by a demigod to an eternity of madness. However, Lucas is reborn as the weakest mage student, Frei Blake, after 4000 years. The greatest archmage has to restart from level 1 but can he get his revenge against the demigod who put him in this situation?
Redice Studio who brought us Solo Leveling, Omniscient Reader, and more amazing manhwa is also the studio behind The Archmage Returns After 4000 Years. So, you already know it is going to have an excellent art style. It also has equally interesting characters and world-building to get you hooked from the start.
11. A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special (2018 – )
- MAL Rating: 7.53
- Genre: Action, Fantasy
- Authors: Yu, So-nan, and Uk-Jakga
This manhwa is based on a popular novel of the same name and has received anime adaptations as well. Desir Herman gets a second chance to save his friends and the world after he witnesses the end of everything by a powerful adversary.
Now that the hero gets to restart his life with all the knowledge is a big advantage. He starts to climb up his way to becoming an OP magician. This manhwa shares similar aspects like dungeons, magics, and even the [SPOILER] factor that took place in Solo Leveling’s finale. The protagonist Desir is also a well-liked character in the fandom, just like Sung Jinwoo.
10. Second Life Ranker (2019 – )
- MAL Rating: 7.57
- Genre: Action, Fantasy
- Authors: Sadoyeon and Nongnong
Up next, we have Second Life Ranker, which is more of an emotional tale involving brothers but still shares a lot of similarities with Solo Leveling. In this story, the protagonist Yeonwoo comes to learn about his brother’s death, however, there is an enigma left by him. So, he starts to uncover more about his brother’s life and inherits the language he left behind.
Next, he sets out on a retaliation mission to the Tower of the Sun God (where his brother died) and plans to avenge his brother by defeating the enemies. So, as you can already tell, this story is fueled by the revenge factor, unlike Solo Leveling. However, it also has a zero-to-hero trope, cool weapons, and monsters awaiting.
This manhwa also features some insane action scenes with a dope art style that you should consider.
9. The Skeleton Soldier Failed to Defend the Dungeon (2018 – )
- MAL Rating: 7.58
- Genre: Action, Adventure, and Fantasy
- Authors: Sosori and Ant Studio
As the title suggests, this manhwa’s story is about a skeleton who failed to protect Lady Succubus and their dungeon during a raid. Fortunately, he gets reincarnated into the world 20 years earlier than the current timeline. This gifts him the chance to rewrite their destiny, and he makes a vow to become more powerful than he was ever before.
Just like Jinwoo from Solo Leveling, the skeleton hero is a protector of his loved ones. It has a neat story and compelling characters to keep the readers hooked throughout. Here you can also witness the gamification of leveling up experience and you won’t be able to put this manhwa down.
8. I’m the Max-Level Newbie (2021 – )
- MAL Rating: 7.60
- Genre: Action, Fantasy
- Authors: Maslow and Swing Bat
We all know about video games becoming a reality in anime, and I’m the Max-Level Newbie follows the same trope but adds its own spin to it with real-life factors.
Here’s how the plot goes – Kang Jinhyeok is a streamer who has finished the “Tower of Trials” game and struggles to earn as his career took a hit. However, on a fateful day, the same game starts to turn into a reality in his world, where all players are required to clear the given tasks or humanity will be wiped off the planet.
In this story, our die-hard gamer hero begins to shine as he has immense knowledge about the game (sure reminds me of Sword Art Online) and is already done with the game. This manhwa also features a system involving players and clearing floors similar to Solo Leveling. The hero goes on to become an amazing character like Jinwoo. So, if you are a hardcore gamer and love reading manhwa then why not go for this one?
7. My Blasted Reincarnated Life (2022 – )
- MAL Rating: 7.67
- Genre: Action, Fantasy
- Authors: Park, Jeongyeol, and Mongma
As the title indicates, My Blasted Reincarnated Life is an isekai manhwa about the life of a warrior. A warrior after getting defeated in the hands of demon kings gets reincarnated as Eugene Lionheart who possesses the blood of the Great Vermouth. Basically, a second chance to complete unfinished business from his previous life.
Since he is gifted with a superhuman body and unreal battle skills, he can challenge anyone who appears difficult at first in his real life. Unlike SL, the hero here sets out on a revenge path for his death in the previous life. But, it involves great battle scenes with exciting weapons and magic! This manhwa is also known to have great art, which you will appreciate as a Solo Leveling fan.
6. Overgeared (2020 – )
- MAL Rating: 7.76
- Genre: Action, Fantasy
- Author: Park, Saenal and, Team Argo
Overgeared is a manhwa featuring an MC who plays a popular VR game. This plotline indeed makes this a Ready Player One-esque manhwa with exquisite art. The story is about Shin Youngwoo who is the lowest-ranking player in the Satisfy VR game. However, one day he stumbles upon a powerful item that grants him the ability to become a skilled blacksmith capable of forging special weapons and gears in the game.
With a nearly cheat code-like item in the game, he starts climbing up the ranks. However, this starts to glitch the game, and he now has to solve problems he isn’t ready for yet. This manhwa involves a VR game design, and as you can guess, the protagonist gets his hands on powerful weapons similar to Sung Jinwoo. A typical underdog story with some cool art and a refreshing storyline that is worth your time!
5. Nano Machine (2020 – )
- MAL Rating: 7.96
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
- Authors: Hanjung Wolya and Geumgang Bulgoe
Nano Machine is a manhwa that focuses on the fusion of nanotechnology and martial arts. So, get ready for a sci-fi x action adventure helmed by our hero, named Yeo-un. Yeo-un gets his hands on enigmatic nanotechnology from the future, and he decides to utilize this system and incorporate it with his marital art skills in his battle against his half-siblings.
As you can tell, the MC starts as the weakest and somehow gets his hands on a mysterious system that lets him level up to become overpowered in the end, the core similarity to Solo Leveling. It has some pretty good art, and the biggest highlight is the concept of the blend of nanotech and martial arts. So, if you are craving for some action manhwa, go for this one.
4. SSS-Class Revival Hunter (2020 – )
- MAL Rating: 8.04
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Authors: Bill K and Sinnoa
SSS-Class Revival Hunter is an ongoing manhwa that shares the most resemblance to Solo Leveling out of all the manhwas here. The story takes place in a world of hunters, where our MC Confucious Kim is a weak hunter and is envious of all the the top hunters. On a crucial day, he is bestowed with the gift of the unreal power to copy other hunters’ abilities, like Kakashi and Yuta. However, this skill comes at a hefty price – he has to die to activate it!
On the same day, his life is ended by the top hunter known as the Flame Emperor. And then, just like Solo Leveling, he gets a second chance at life but differently, as he copies the ability to travel back in time to avoid his death. Can Confucius ascend to the top with his newfound powers in the dungeon-esque Tower? This manhwa comes with a nice story and gorgeous art.
3. The Beginning After the End (2017 – )
- MAL Rating: Nil
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Author: TurtleMe
From now on, we are entering the best of the best, the highest-rated manhwas. We are starting with one of the most popular webtoon, The Beginning After the End, also known as TBATE.
TBATE is a reincarnation webtoon, where the MC King Grey gets reincarnated into another place as Arthur Leywin. This manhwa and SL share a majority of aspects from its MC to world-building, but the most common being the character design of the protagonist.
TBATE is still ongoing with a massive fanbase following to this day. Set in a fantasy world, witness the rise of the mage similar to our necromancer in Solo Leveling with dazzling art and an intriguing plot. You don’t want to miss out on this one as it is also one of the best webtoons of all time.
2. Tower of God (2010 – )
- MAL Rating: 8.37
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
- Author: SIU
Tower of God is one of the longest-running manhwas and has amassed millions of fans all over the world. TOG is about the life story of our hero, Twenty-Fifth Bam who enters the mysterious Tower without getting chosen in the first place. Remember the time when Sung Jinwoo enters a dungeon where he has to clear every floor and reach the top of the tower?
This story also primarily features a tower-like world filled with deadly monsters and cunning beings. Just like the enigmatic system in SL, in TOG, the Tower also holds many hidden secrets and the only way to uncover them is by completing the challenges that lie ahead. Can our hero rise to prominence in his daring journey to the Tower and become a powerful being at the end?
1. Omniscient Reader (2020 – )
- MAL Rating: 8.44
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Authors: Sing N song and Sleepy-C
We all have read and watched a share of games turning into reality. But how about the webtoon you have been reading turns into a nightmare of a reality in the world you live in? That is the story of the Omniscient Reader as the protagonist Kim Dokja who knows everything about the webtoon called Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse (TWSA) becomes the reality.
With an immense knowledge of this world, can Dokja continue to level up in this magical realm? The power system has no upper limit like Solo Leveling as the MC can level up without restrictions at all. With its unique story and incredible art, Omniscient Reader is the quintessence of a manhwa like Solo Leveling. Omniscient Reader is also getting an anime adaptation in 2025, so look forward to Dokja using his manhwa knowledge yourself.
So, that’s our list of manhwa or manga like Solo Leveling. Solo Leveling was a legendary milestone in manhwa history, and we are so happy to see its deserved anime adaptation in 2024. This will only further boost the popularity and more fans will get into reading manhwas.
That said, if you think we have missed out on any awesome manhwa similar to Solo Leveling, let us and our readers know in the comments below.
Yes! There are plenty of manhwa like Solo Leveling such as Omniscient Reader, Tower of God, Nano Machine, etc that you can find above on our list.
There is a sequel to Solo Leveling known as Solo Leveling: Ragnarok which will showcase the life story of Sung Suho, the son of Sung Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In.
Solo Leveling has officially ended with 179 chapters and an extra 21 epilogue chapters to wrap up the story.
