The Best Japanese Manga To Read If You Love Solo Leveling

Summary

• Solo Leveling’s second season is highly anticipated.
• Sung Jinwoo’s story in a world with power hunters.
• Fans of Solo Leveling may enjoy similar manga.

Solo Leveling is ramping up for another fantastic showing, with the release of its anime’s second season quickly approaching. The highly celebrated manwha has also just released an animated film that has received positive reviews from fans. The story of Sung Jinwoo follows a once below-average weakling in a world where power hunters exist to combat monsters from other dimensions.

In an effort to make a living, Jinwoo risks his life day in and day out inside dangerous dungeons to make ends meet. Things all change when he inadvertently dies and receives a second chance at life by becoming a player and acquiring the ability to level up. For fans who have caught up and finished the manwha, there are similar series to read that have the same themes and setting as Solo Leveling. Here are some of the best Japanese manga to read if you love Solo Leveling.

8

Wistoria: Wand And Sword

Large Fantasy World With Dangerous Dungeons

• Volumes: 11
• Creator: Fujino Omori
• Ongoing: Yes

In a world that was once ravaged by mystical creatures that wreaked havoc wherever they went, Mages are the first line of defense against them. With five powerful mages sealing the creatures inside a dungeon, they now train their replacements with every generation. Will and Elfaria promise each other to attend Magic Academy, climb the tower the creatures reside in, and watch over the land together. Unfortunately, Will has no magical ability, forcing him to suffer in his classes. However, Will possesses immense physical capabilities, which allow him to slot the dungeon beneath the school and take on any mage with only a sword. Fans of the action and strength of the main character of Solo Leveling will enjoy Wistoria: Wand And Sword.

7

Black Summoner

Summoner Class Characters On A Mission To Level Up

• Volumes: 20
• Creator: Doufu Mayoi
• Ongoing: Yes

Kelvin is gifted reincarnation after his death by a powerful goddess who sends him to a magical fantasy world. He is granted the ability to increase his abilities in exchange for sacrificing his memories.

Obtaining rare skills and the Summoner class, Kelvin also chooses to forfeit his memories in exchange for the goddess being his guide. Having faith that his love for the goddess will reunite them in spirit, Kelvin must now seek to level up in order to become strong enough to summon the goddess Melfina on his own. Black Summoner and Solo Leveling share similar themes, and fans may enjoy a different take on the overpowered main character.

6

The Eminence In Shadow

Dark Main Characters Who Are The Strongest

• Volumes: 14
• Creator: Seata U
• Ongoing: Yes

Cid lost his life while patrolling the streets and fighting common thugs to test his physical abilities. After waking up in a different world where magic exists, he quickly takes on a new goal in his new life: To take over the world from the shadows and become the strongest being in the realm.

Wasting little time, Cid gains the skills and strength he needs to accomplish his task by the time he is a teenager. He also creates a secret organization of dedicated followers to aid him in his mission. As the most powerful being in the new world, no one can stand in his way thanks to his unparalleled combat skills and formidable magical power. Cid and Sung Jinwoo share the plight of being the most powerful beings in their respective worlds, placing them at the top. Fans of the troupe will enjoy both The Eminence In Shadow and Solo leveling.

5

The Rising Of The Shield Hero

Main Characters Who Obtain Unique Skills That Make Them Special

• Volumes: 26
• Creator: Aiya Kyu
• Ongoing: Yes

Naofumi is teleported to a magical fantasy world along with three other young men chosen to be the Kingdom’s heroes. The other were each gifted a weapon, with Naofumi instead receiving a shield. With hope and optimism in his heart, Naofumi’s dreams were quickly shattered when he became aware of the stigma of the Shield Hero after he was framed for a malicious crime, banished from the Kingdom, and branded a villain.

Naofumi turns his back on being a hero and goes his own way. However, on his journey and by acquiring people he can trust, Naofumi’s kindhearted nature slowly slips through the cracks of his jaded personality. Both main characters from Solo Leveling and The Rising of The Shield Hero have unique skills that set them apart from common fighters. Fans will enjoy both series’ pacing and storytelling.

4

Magi: The Labyrinth Of Magic

A World Of Magic Users Who Compete With Each Other

• Volumes: 37
• Creator: Shinobu Ohtaka
• Ongoing: No

In a world ruled by magic, the powerful individuals who control it are called magicians, and the most powerful versions of these individuals are called Magi. They are tasked with choosing strong proteges who have the potential to become great Kings.

Magi train the would-be kings and take them into dungeons to obtain great power. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic follows Alladin’s journey to becoming the greatest king of all at the very start. Along the way, they encounter unimaginable dangers and must fight to survive at every turn. Both Solo Leveling and Magi have incredible art and excellent character development, as both main characters evolve and increase in strength.

3

That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

Overpowered Main Characters Who Must Save The World

• Volumes: 27
• Creator: Fuse
• Ongoing: Yes

Rimuru was an average salaryman with an easygoing life until he was killed by a mugger while protecting his friends. Slowly passing on, he was chosen to receive reincarnation into a magical fantasy world. Coincidentally, Rimuru was reborn in the form of a blue slime. While life started out difficult, eventually, Rimuru got the hang of his new body and found himself befriending an ancient dragon.

The dragon bestowed the name Rimuru on him, and with it, he gained new power. Now Rimuru continues to evolve and grow in strength, and he decides to create his own Kingdom welcoming to all peace-loving races. But with power comes problems, as he makes himself and his new friends the targets of greedy individuals in the shadows.

2

Overlord

Necromancer Class Characters Who Take The World By Storm

• Volumes: 19
• Creator: Kugane Maruyama
• Ongoing: No

Overlord follows a player who wakes up in a fantasy world as a character in his favorite video game, Ainz Ooal Gown. Uncertain of his circumstances, he leans into his new setting and quickly gets the hang of his new powers and responsibilities.

Ainz begins to explore his new world and promptly decides to make it a new home for himself and the allies who were brought with him from the great tomb of Nazarick. As an undead necromancer, he is met with opposition at every turn, but using his unrivaled might and intellect, he is able to overpower, outmaneuver, and manipulate entire kingdoms. Both Ainz and Sung Jinwoo are looked at as unstoppable forces, with both being necromancer-type casters. Fans will enjoy what both stories have to offer.

1

Danmachi

Main Characters Who Level Up And Become Stronger

• Volumes: 15
• Creator: Fujino Omori
• Ongoing: No

Danmachi, or Is It Wrong To Pick Up Girls in A Dungeon, is a fantastic series that follows the adventurer’s journey of Belle Cranel. In this world, most adventurers belong to the Familiar, which is run by gods and goddesses. Belle belongs to one of the weakest families and is a low-ranking adventurer who can’t even clear a low-level dungeon by himself.

However, Belle’s life changes rapidly after he begins to grow and level up. Fending off monsters, deities, and even fellow adventures, Belle slowly makes himself known throughout his entire hometown and beyond. Solo Leveling and Danmachi follow adventurers who must clear dungeons to gain power, making them both great reads.