Solo Leveling is one of the most popular new anime series at the moment. While Solo Leveling isn’t truly an Isekai, it is often compared to shows from the genre. Strictly speaking, Sung Jinwoo isn’t transported into a different world so Solo Leveling can’t be an Isekai.
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However, the abundance of Isekai tropes can’t be ignored. Because of that, Solo Leveling is often compared to many other Isekai series, especially those that also share similar elements, like video game mechanics. Solo Leveling is definitely fun to watch, but it is lacking when it comes to depth and lore. Other Isekai series, on the other hand, actually have in abundance.
Lord of Mysteries
Lord of Mysteries is a new anime series that just debuted in 2025, and it’s easy to see why fans are obsessed with what they’ve seen so far. Based on a Chinese novel, Lord of Mysteries follows the story of Zhou Mingrui. After committing suicide, he wakes up as Klein Moretti in a world reminiscent of the Victorian era. Becoming a Beyonder, he sets out to uncover the many mysteries surrounding this world and his past life.
Lord of Mysteries has captivating writing, and so far, it is superior to anything seen in Solo Leveling. Fans can’t wait for the anime’s return with Season 2, which has already been confirmed.
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
If there’s one Isekai series that has taken the world by storm, it’s That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. This series is Japan’s most popular Isekai at the moment, and the story, just like Solo Leveling, features an overpowered main character.
The main character dies in the original world and wakes up as a slime in another one. That slime quickly starts getting stronger, eventually taking on the name of Rimuru Tempest. Rimuru Tempest has become one of the most popular OP main characters, even more than Sung Jinwoo.
Re:Zero — Starting Life In Another World
When it comes to iconic Isekai series, one absolutely can’t forget about Re:Zero, the quintessential Isekai anime. Re: Zero follows the story of the main character Subaru Natsuki. Waking up in a different world, he quickly comes to realize what kind of powers he possesses. Every time he dies, time turns back, giving him the chance of approaching situations differently, and surviving different trials.
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Re: Zero’s plot has definitely captivated many, and its lore is so deep that it’ll get many more anime seasons. Meanwhile, Solo Leveling is short and probably won’t exceed 4 anime seasons in total.
Shangri-La Frontier
Shangri-La Frontier is an Isekai series that fans have come to love over the years. Solo Leveling makes use of many video game elements through its System, but nothing in comparison to Shangri-La Frontier.
Shangri-La Frontier follows Rakuro Hizutome, who likes “old-style” games. These games have come to be referred to as trash games in his current world. Eventually, however, he buys Shangri-La Frontier, which is a full dive game. In there, he makes use of the trash game abilities he has learnt. Fans looking for a more video game-focused series would definitely prefer this over Solo Leveling.
The Rising Of The Shield Hero
The Rising of the Shield Hero has risen to become one of the most popular Isekai anime series in recent years, and it definitely reminds many of Solo Leveling.
The Rising of the Shield Hero tells the story of Naofumi Iwatani. After being transported into another world with three other men, he becomes the Shield Hero. This wasn’t something he was very excited about at first. After all, the other three men got actual weapons, while he was stuck with a shield. Eventually, however, he learns just how overpowered his powers can truly be. On his journey, he finds new allies, and a goal of protecting this newfound world. Just like Solo Leveling, this series has interesting video game-like mechanics that fans will come to love.
Sword Art Online
Some wouldn’t consider Sword Art Online a true Isekai. While the main characters weren’t taken into a completely different world, they were put into a virtual one. By all means, Sword Art Online is an Isekai, and it is the anime that really popularized the genre overseas.
Sword Art Online follows Kirito, who is stuck, alongside many others, in a virtual video game world known as SAO. Anyone who logs in is stuck. At first, at least, the main goal is to break out. The early seasons of Sword Art Online are definitely a must-watch, and some would say they’re even better than Solo Leveling.
