The wait for Solo Leveling season 3 has become an exercise in patience for fans who were swept up in the high-octane action, stylish animation, and underdog-turned-overlord arc of Jinwoo Sung. With no concrete release date in sight, many are left scouring anime catalogs for something that delivers the same adrenaline rush, dark themes, or powerful character development. Luckily, Crunchyroll has no shortage of masterful anime that scratch similar itches while standing tall in their own right.

Whether fans are craving more deadly games, betrayals, monstrous transformations, or power-scaling fantasy worlds, there are many 10/10 anime that are must-watches for Solo Leveling lovers. From psychological duels and war-torn dystopias to demon-hunting epics and magic-infused coming-of-age stories, each series offers a potent mix of storytelling and spectacle to fill the Solo Leveling-shaped hole in fans' queues.

10 Death Parade

Anime Series by Madhouse; Based on the Original Concept by Yuzuru Tachikawa

If what fans loved most about Solo Leveling was its eerie atmosphere, moral ambiguity, and high-stakes decision-making, then Death Parade should be their first stop. This psychological thriller takes viewers to a purgatorial bar run by an arbiter named Decim, who judges souls through sinister "games." Like Jinwoo's dungeon trials, each episode places characters in harrowing situations that reveal their deepest truths. The show's unique setting and themes of judgment, redemption, and despair make it a cerebral ride that brings out a lot of self-reflection.

What sets Death Parade apart is its emotional depth. While Solo Leveling focuses on outward transformation and battle power, Death Parade dives inward, using its episodic format to explore what makes people human. It is haunting yet poignant, showing how trauma, regret, and love shape a person’s fate. Visually striking and emotionally gripping, it is perfect for fans who do not mind trading sword fights for soul-searching.

9 Tower of God

Anime Series by Telecom Animation Film; Based on the Webtoon by SIU

Tower of God and Solo Leveling both stem from Korean webtoons, and the DNA shows, because they both have labyrinthine towers, mysterious powers, and protagonists thrown into overwhelming worlds. In Tower of God, Bam enters a massive, mysterious structure to find his closest friend, Rachel, only to face a gauntlet of brutal tests and power games. Like Jinwoo, Bam begins as an unassuming figure but gradually unravels a hidden potential that sets him apart.

If fans are drawn to mystery-laden fantasy and underdog ascension stories, this is a rewarding choice.

The world-building in Tower of God is dense and rich, full of layered factions, supernatural lore, and shifting alliances. Every floor of the tower functions like a new level in a dungeon, with escalating threats and moral compromises. The show's art style and pacing might differ from Solo Leveling, but its constant power progression and betrayal-driven plotlines provide the same addictive momentum. If fans are drawn to mystery-laden fantasy and underdog ascension stories, this is a rewarding choice.

8 Chainsaw Man

Anime Series by MAPPA; Based on the Manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto

If Solo Leveling had fans hooked with its visceral action and transformation arcs, then Chainsaw Man will thrill viewers with its chaotic energy and unhinged characters. The story follows Denji, a debt-ridden young man who becomes a devil hunter after fusing with his adorable pet devil, Pochita. What follows is a blood-soaked rampage through a world where devil contracts, government agendas, and existential despair collide in unpredictable ways.

Like Jinwoo, Denji starts at rock bottom, but instead of becoming cold and calculating, he retains a bizarre mix of innocence and cynicism. Chainsaw Man stands out for its dark humor, emotionally resonant characters, and relentless narrative twists. The battles are brutal and messy, far removed from the clean power-ups of traditional shōnen, making it a fresh take on the monster-hunting genre. It is fast-paced, emotionally raw, and utterly unlike anything else, which is perfect for viewers seeking edge and chaos.

7 Sword Art Online

Anime Series by A-1 Pictures; Based on the Light Novels by Reki Kawahara

For fans of the digital fantasy and immersive dungeon-crawling elements in Solo Leveling, Sword Art Online is a natural fit. The premise is deceptively simple, with players trapped inside a full-dive MMORPG where death in the game means death in real life. Kirito, the protagonist, rises from a solo player to a legendary warrior as he traverses deadly floors and uncovers sinister secrets behind the game’s creation.

Though Sword Art Online has a more romantic and sometimes sentimental tone than Solo Leveling, the themes of isolation, self-reliance, and progression are strikingly similar. Kirito’s journey from outcast to top-tier fighter mirrors Jinwoo’s own path, and both series explore how digital realities can reflect personal trauma and ambition. With slick animation, varied arcs, and high-stakes battles, Sword Art Online scratches that same itch for leveling up in fantastical worlds.

6 Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Anime Series by Sunrise; Original Story by Ichirō Ōkouchi and Gorō Taniguchi

Power corrupts, but what if the person gaining power is already bent on rebellion? Code Geass explores this question through Lelouch, an exiled prince who acquires a supernatural ability called Geass, which allows him to command anyone to obey his orders. Like Jinwoo, Lelouch hides behind a mask, both figurative and literal, as he wages a secret war against the empire that wronged him.

While it lacks the dungeon-crawling of Solo Leveling, Code Geass makes up for it with intricate political maneuvering, moral ambiguity, and grand-scale battles.

It is less about brute strength and more about strategy, deception, and sacrifice. Lelouch’s descent into darkness, balanced against his desire to create a better world, mirrors Jinwoo’s increasingly complicated morality as he gains power. If fans enjoy brains with their brawn and like heroes that are a little morally gray, Code Geass delivers in spades.

5 Jujutsu Kaisen

Anime Series by MAPPA; Based on the Manga by Gege Akutami

When it comes to modern supernatural action, few shows rival the polish and intensity of Jujutsu Kaisen. Like Solo Leveling, it has a main character, Yuji Itadori, who inherits incredible power and enters a deadly new world. After swallowing a cursed object, Yuji becomes the host for a malevolent curse named Sukuna and must navigate a new life as a jujutsu sorcerer. The dynamic is not unlike Jinwoo’s fusion with the shadow monarch.

What makes Jujutsu Kaisen stand out is its balance of high-octane fight scenes, sharp animation, and genuine emotional stakes. The curse-based combat system is as elaborate and compelling as Solo Leveling's shadow summoning, and the mentor-student dynamics echo those in Jinwoo’s arc. It is a story of mastering inner demons, both literally and figuratively, with unforgettable side characters, making it a must-watch for fans of dark fantasy and slick action.

4 Demon Slayer

Anime Series by ufotable; Based on the Manga by Koyoharu Gotouge

If breathtaking animation and heartfelt sibling bonds appeal to viewers, Demon Slayer will keep fans glued to their screen. It tells the story of Tanjiro, a kind-hearted boy who becomes a demon slayer after his family is massacred and his sister Nezuko is turned into a demon. Much like Jinwoo, Tanjiro is motivated by love and loss, pushing himself through deadly battles to protect those he cares about.

Visually, Demon Slayer is a marvel, with its signature blend of traditional art and digital flair that is on par with, and arguably exceeding, Solo Leveling's flashy aesthetic. But it is not just eye candy; the show excels in developing its villains and heroes alike, giving depth to every fight. Tanjiro’s slow but determined climb through the ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps parallels Jinwoo’s journey, making this a deeply emotional yet action-packed alternative.

3 Attack on Titan

Anime Series by Wit Studio and MAPPA; Based on the Manga by Hajime Isayama

No anime in recent years has delivered as much intensity, surprise, and philosophical weight as Attack on Titan. Set in a world overrun by giant man-eating titans, the story begins with Eren Yeager's quest for revenge but spirals into an epic about freedom, power, and the cost of survival. It shares with Solo Leveling a relentless pace, huge stakes, and an ever-evolving central character who becomes increasingly powerful and morally complex.

Attack on Titan’s ability to subvert expectations, build tension, and reframe the narrative with each new season is its biggest strength.

Like Jinwoo, Eren undergoes a dramatic transformation, both in ability and worldview. Attack on Titan’s ability to subvert expectations, build tension, and reframe the narrative with each new season is its biggest strength. Its themes of militarization, oppression, and identity add layers to the action, making it more than just a spectacle. If fans want their battles with a side of existential dread, this is a must-watch.

2 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Anime Series by Bones; Based on the Manga by Hiromu Arakawa

Few anime series blend world-building, action, and emotional storytelling as well as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The Elric brothers' quest to recover their bodies after a failed alchemical experiment takes them through a complex world of science, politics, and personal demons. Like Solo Leveling, this series explores the cost of ambition and the pain of loss, with protagonists who grow through suffering.

The pacing and emotional beats are tightly woven, offering moments of levity between harrowing twists. The show's magic system, based on alchemy and equivalent exchange, is one of the most coherent and satisfying in anime. If viewers are drawn to tight plotting, tragic backstories, and richly developed characters, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood delivers. It is a complete, rewarding experience that will leave fans as satisfied as any major shōnen arc.

1 Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Anime Series by Madhouse; Based on the Manga by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe

Unlike the non-stop action of Solo Leveling, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End takes a slower, more meditative approach to fantasy. The story follows Frieren, an elf mage reflecting on her centuries-long life after the death of her heroic companions. Though their epic quest is over, Frieren sets out on a journey to understand the people she once fought beside, and what it truly means to be human.

Despite its gentle pacing, Frieren carries emotional weight and philosophical resonance. Its themes of memory, grief, and purpose resonate deeply, offering a different but equally powerful narrative as Solo Leveling. The magical world feels lived-in and nuanced, and the introspective character study is a refreshing change of pace. If fans appreciated Jinwoo’s growth but want something more contemplative, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is a moving, beautifully told tale of legacy and healing.