Best Manhwa Like Solo Leveling

Solo Leveling, serialized by Webtoon in 2018, is a major factor that increased the popularity of the manhwa/webcomic industry because it presented an interesting, irresistible storyline filled with incredible fights and immensely powerful characters. The story developed from one with a weak, powerless protagonist to a tale featuring a main character with immeasurable powers.

The popularity of the series has led many manhwa readers to wonder if there are other stories with similar narratives. Luckily, there are. These manhwa share similarities with Solo Leveling in terms of an overpowered protagonist, intense fighting scenes, and/or profound magical abilities. So, if you are looking for manhwa like Solo Leveling, here’s a list starting from stories with the least similarities to others with the exact same narratives, all of which are enjoyable reads.

Updated May 17, 2025, by Mark Sammut: Solo Leveling’s anime adaptation finished its second season early in 2025, and it was absolutely fantastic. Now, a sequel could happen sooner or later, but there is no guarantee at the moment. Consequently, people craving something similar might want to check out some manhwa similar to Solo Leveling. Two more recommendations have been added: Solo Max-Level Newbie and SSS-Class Revival Hunter.

26

Solo Max-Level Newbie (Or I’m the Max-Level Newbie)

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.1 / 5

• Author: Maslow, Swing Bat
• Release Years: Ongoing
• Genre: Action, Fantasy

With a title that is reminiscent of Solo Leveling, Solo Max-Level Newbie is one of the more obvious alternatives out there, and it is a mostly amusing read that delivers similar thrills. Now, this manhwa does not have a particularly great story and is stuffed with prototypical overpowered main character tropes, to the point that Jinhyuk Kang could make or break the series for a lot of people. While not awful by any means, Jinhyuk is pretty much a conventional OP protagonist who barely changes throughout the story and mostly exists to stomp everyone around him. Still, that can be entertaining, so it is not a criticism.

The premise shares a few direct similarities with Solo Leveling. After Jinhyuk becomes the first player to complete a trash game, its Tower of Trials appears in the real world, and humanity has to clear all its floors or face annihilation. Due to being the only one to finish the game and also having the ability to level up, Jinhyuk is pretty much the only one with any chance to do anything. That said, Alice is an awesome character who steals the spotlight whenever she makes an appearance.

25

Leveling Up With The Gods

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.3 / 5

• Author: Heuk Ain, Ohyeon
• Release Years: Ongoing
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Set in a world ruled and dominated by the activities of the mysterious Tower, Leveling With The Gods presents the daunting tale of the central character, Kim Yuwon, the prodigious warrior and the lone survivor of the battle between the Inner and Outer Gods that ultimately led to humanity’s destruction.

Defeated and alone, Kim Yuwon is presented with another opportunity to correct his mistakes as he returns to the past, to the point where he began as a warrior of the Tower. Renewed with vigor and determination, Yuwon must conquer the Tower once more; however, it remains to be seen if he can prevent humanity’s seemingly inevitable fate of destruction.

24

The Player Who Can’t Level Up

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.0 / 5

• Author: GavinGe, Park Jeongjae
• Release Years: Ongoing
• Genre: Action, Adventure

The Player That Can’t Level Up takes place in a world bombarded by the supernatural and fantastical. Society is forever altered by the appearance of the mysterious Tower of Babel. With its appearance, humans become able to manifest supernatural powers to climb and try to conquer the Tower. One of such humans is the central character, Kim Gigyu. Delighted at finally receiving his invitation to become a player and unlocking a unique ability, Gigyu thinks his life of struggles is over as he can finally provide for his sick mother and little sister.

However, he seemingly becomes worse off as he cannot increase his level, even after several attempts. After five years of serving as the Tower’s tour guide, Gigyu discovers an ability to link with ‘Egos’ and raise his level. Armed with his new ability, Kim Gigyu sets his sights once more on climbing the Tower by getting stronger.

23

Swordmaster’s Youngest Son

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.2 / 5

• Author: Hwangje Penguin, Lee Jewon
• Release Years: Ongoing
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Swordmaster’s Youngest Son explores a tale and combination of swordsmanship, magic, and the usual supernatural monsters that seem to always trail after the former and the latter. Centered around the central character and youngest son of the Runcandel Household, Jin Runcandel is destined to head the Runcandel Household, known as the Clan of Swords and the strongest swordmaster clan.

However, despite his best efforts, Jin can never meet the standards and is banished from the clan. However, he eventually contracts with the guardian deity of the Runcandel clan, Solderet. He is freed from the curse that hindered his abilities, but even that is enough as Jin meets a pitiful end at the hands of a mysterious killer. In the next moment, however, Jin awakens as a baby at a time before his life woes begin. Given a second chance, Jin vows to fulfill the destiny that awaits him.

22

Return To Player

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.0 / 5

• Author: Index, Sehon
• Release Years: Ongoing
• Genre: Action, Fantasy

Return To Player explores a tale of mythology combined with the reality of modern society. Humanity lived rather ordinarily until a decade ago when a group of gods turned humanity into players of a deadly and sadistic game of minster killing. One of these players is the protagonist, Sehan Kim, who has already seen how it all ends— the destruction of all of humanity except for himself. As humanity’s last remaining survivor, Sehan is given another chance to go back in time for a second playthrough.

This time, however, this joyous game of death of the gods will not go as planned as Sehan is determined to control the threads of fate in this second playthrough. Armed with the experience of the first playthrough, Sehan vows to beat the gods at their own game.

21

Descent Of The Demonic Master

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.0/5

• Author: Wolbaek
• Release Years: Ongoing
• Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

The Descent of The Demonic Master revolves around a typical teenager, Jinho Kang, whose life was turned upside-down when an accident robbed his family and left him unable to walk. This takes an even more bizarre turn when he reincarnates as the Demon master known as the Crimson Emperor. He returns to his previous life after being killed as the Crimson Emperor.

Returning to his old life before his accident and the loss of his family, but rather than return as a normal human, Jinho returns with all his martial prowess intact. However, he soon finds that monsters are an ever-present threat no matter the era.

20

Return of the Blossoming Blade

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.4/5

• Author: LICO, Biga
• Release Years: Ongoing
• Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Action

The martial arts manhwa focuses on the protagonist, Cheongmyeong, who starts as the Plum Blossom Sword Saint of the Mt. Hua Sect. The last memories of his life are of a bloody battle against the leader of the Demonic Cult, Cheonma, which almost led to the elimination of the Ten Great Sects of China.

After obtaining a narrow victory against the Demonic Cult, Cheongmyeong dies as a result of the wounds he suffers. However, he is given another chance at life as he awakens as a child beggar. He is stunned to see what his beloved sect has been reduced to in the present day and vows to do everything he can to restore the sect to its former glory.

19

Tomb Raider King

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.9/5

• Author: Sanji Jiksong, 3B2S
• Release Years: 2019-2023
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Human life takes a drastic turn when the mysterious God Tombs, begins to appear. Within these tombs are relics that grant their users extraordinary power. Tomb Raider King tells the tale of a man who became the world’s most feared tomb raider.

The series is centered on Jooheon Suh, a tomb raider betrayed and murdered by his employer after he discovers some powerful relics. Jooheon’s life is not done yet as he reawakens 15 years into the past, just around the period the God Tombs begin to appear. Retaining all knowledge and experience from his previous life, Jooheon, motivated by revenge, begins the journey to become the world’s most feared relic collector.

18

Solo Necromancy

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.9/5

• Author: Jijeomjang, Kim Dong-Jun
• Release Years: Ongoing
• Genre: Action, Fantasy

Solo Necromancy revolves around the central character, Seongwu, a former special forces soldier who returns to college after completing his National Service. His ordinary student life comes to a shocking halt when he and everyone else are suddenly faced with a mysterious prompt asking them to choose.

With no choice other than to choose, Seongwu chooses necromancy, and so he becomes a necromancer. With these new abilities and modern society on the verge of literal collapse, Seongwu decides to use his new skills to protect and save those around him.

17

The World After The Fall

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.1/5

• Author: sing N song, Undead Gamja
• Release Years: Ongoing
• Genre: Action, Fantasy

Mysterious Towers began to appear worldwide, and within these Towers are monsters spawned to destroy humanity. Summoned to these Towers are humans called Tower Walkers; presented with a choice in the face of defeat and certain death whether to run or to keep fighting.

The story’s protagonist, Jaehwan, chooses a fate perhaps worse than death, that is, to keep fighting for the original timeline. Stubbornness or bravery? Only his strength can tell which and whether he will reach the end of the Towers remain to be seen.