8 New & Upcoming Anime Like Solo Leveling With OP MC & Epic Leveling Systems (2025 Update)

The global phenomenon of Solo Leveling has cemented the "Weak-to-OP" power fantasy as the most sought-after genre in anime today. Fans are not just looking for action; they crave the satisfying progression of a main character (MC) who starts at rock bottom and systematically levels up, acquires unique skills, and dominates a world filled with dungeons, monsters, and a mysterious "System." As of the current date, December 14, 2025, the demand for this specific combination—a compelling leveling system, dark fantasy elements, and an overwhelmingly overpowered protagonist—is higher than ever, pushing new and upcoming titles to the forefront.

If you have finished watching Sung Jin-Woo’s journey and are hungry for more series where the main character becomes an unstoppable force, you are in luck. The 2024 and 2025 anime seasons are delivering a fresh wave of titles that perfectly capture the exhilarating essence of Solo Leveling, focusing on massive power spikes, unique skill acquisition, and the ultimate power fantasy.

The New Wave: Fresh 2024 & Upcoming Anime with the Solo Leveling Vibe

While classics like Sword Art Online and Overlord are often cited, the newest releases offer a more direct parallel to the modern, streamlined power fantasy of Solo Leveling. These anime, released in 2024 or scheduled for 2025, are essential viewing for fans of the genre.

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1. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (Upcoming - The Next Big Manhwa Adaptation)

Why it’s like Solo Leveling: This is arguably the most anticipated series for Solo Leveling fans. Like Sung Jin-Woo, the protagonist, Kim Dokja, is an ordinary person thrust into a world suddenly transformed by a "System" and monster-filled scenarios. Dokja's unique power comes from his knowledge of the world's future, as he is the only person who read the entirety of a web novel that foretold these events. This meta-knowledge allows him to strategically make choices, acquire unique skills, and rapidly ascend the power structure, creating a power fantasy driven by intelligence and foresight rather than raw strength alone. The manwha is known for its dark tone, high-stakes battles, and massive scale, all of which are hallmarks of the Solo Leveling experience.

• Protagonist: Kim Dokja
• OP Element: Exclusive knowledge of the future story and its mechanics.
• Genre: Action, Fantasy, Survival, System Apocalypse.

2. The New Gate (2024 Release - The VRMMO God-Tier MC)

Why it’s like Solo Leveling: The New Gate delivers the classic OP MC experience right from the start. The protagonist, Shin, is a legendary veteran player who defeats the final boss of a death-game VRMMORPG. Instead of logging out, he is transported 500 years into the future of the game world, where his max-level character and overpowered, unique skills are now real and unmatched. This is pure power fantasy, focusing less on the struggle and more on the satisfying feeling of an already-powerful character navigating a new world with a massive advantage. Fans of Jin-Woo's overwhelming strength will find a lot to love in Shin's casual dominance.

• Protagonist: Shin
• OP Element: Max-level character stats and unique, powerful skills from a former death-game.
• Genre: Isekai, Fantasy, Action, VRMMORPG.

3. Re:Monster (2024 Release - The Evolution & Skill-Gaining System)

Why it’s like Solo Leveling: Re:Monster features a protagonist, Tomokui Kanata, who is reincarnated as a weak goblin named Goburou after an unfortunate death. His unique ability is "Absorption," which allows him to gain the skills and abilities of anything he eats. This mechanic is a direct parallel to the continuous, systematic power-up and skill acquisition that defines Solo Leveling. Watching Goburou (who later evolves into stronger forms like Hobgoblin and Ogre) rapidly gain power and climb the ranks of the monster hierarchy, thanks to his unique skill, provides the same satisfying progression as watching Sung Jin-Woo level up and acquire new Shadow Soldiers.

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• Protagonist: Goburou (later Rou)
• OP Element: Exponential growth and skill acquisition through consumption (Absorption).
• Genre: Isekai, Fantasy, Action, Monster Evolution.

The Core Power Fantasy: Established Anime with OP MCs and Leveling

Beyond the newest releases, several established anime series have already mastered the art of the overpowered protagonist and the systematic power-up, making them essential viewing for any Solo Leveling fan.

4. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest

Why it’s like Solo Leveling: The ultimate underdog story, second only to Sung Jin-Woo’s. Hajime Nagumo is betrayed and tossed into the deepest part of a dungeon, starting his journey with the absolute lowest stats. His survival is purely based on a desperate, brutal transformation that forces him to acquire unique, powerful skills and an unforgiving mindset. Much like Jin-Woo, Hajime's power-up is isolating, bloody, and results in a protagonist who is ruthlessly efficient and overwhelmingly powerful, focused only on his own goals. The series is heavy on dungeon crawling and systematic skill acquisition.

• Protagonist: Hajime Nagumo
• OP Element: Rapid, brutal evolution of skills and a unique class (Synergist) to become a one-man army.
• Genre: Isekai, Action, Dark Fantasy, Dungeon Crawl.

5. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Tensei Slime)

Why it’s like Solo Leveling: This series is the gold standard for the OP MC who builds an empire. Rimuru Tempest, reincarnated as a slime, possesses the unique skill "Great Sage" (a System-like inner voice) and "Predator," which allows him to consume monsters and acquire their skills. This mechanic is fundamentally similar to Jin-Woo’s Shadow Extraction and the System's quest log. Rimuru's power scales exponentially, and the series is a satisfying blend of world-building and overwhelming power, where the MC is constantly evolving and becoming a deity-like figure.

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• Protagonist: Rimuru Tempest
• OP Element: Unique skills "Great Sage" and "Predator" enable infinite skill acquisition and exponential growth.
• Genre: Isekai, Fantasy, World-Building, Power Fantasy.

6. Overlord

Why it’s like Solo Leveling: If you want an MC who is already at the peak of power, Overlord is your best bet. Ainz Ooal Gown (formerly Momonga) is transported to a new world in the body of his max-level, undead avatar from a defunct DMMORPG. He is a literal god in this new world, with devastating magic and an army of loyal, powerful NPCs (Shadows/Minions). While it lacks the "leveling up" struggle of Solo Leveling, it perfectly captures the feeling of watching an MC with unimaginable power systematically conquer and strategize against a weaker world, much like Jin-Woo's later exploits.

• Protagonist: Ainz Ooal Gown (Momonga)
• OP Element: Max-level character, God-tier magic, and command over an army of powerful NPCs.
• Genre: Dark Fantasy, Isekai, DMMORPG, Strategy.

7. DanMachi (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?)

Why it’s like Solo Leveling: *DanMachi* is the most direct parallel to the "Dungeon Crawler" and "Leveling System" of *Solo Leveling*. The city of Orario is built around a massive dungeon, and adventurers join "Familia" to gain status updates and power-ups from their patron deities. The protagonist, Bell Cranel, is the weakest member of his Familia, but his unique skill, "Liaris Freese," allows him to gain experience and power at an astonishing rate—a true "System" hack. This series perfectly captures the grind, the danger of the dungeons, and the satisfying feeling of watching a character’s status screen constantly improve.

• Protagonist: Bell Cranel
• OP Element: Unique skill (Liaris Freese) grants rapid experience gain and exponential growth.
• Genre: Fantasy, Action, Dungeon Crawl, Leveling System.

8. Shangri-La Frontier

Why it’s like Solo Leveling: While less focused on the dark fantasy aspect, Shangri-La Frontier is the ultimate VRMMORPG power fantasy with a unique twist. The MC, Rakuro Hizutome (Sunraku), is a "trash game" enthusiast who decides to play a massive, mainstream VRMMORPG called *Shangri-La Frontier*. His unique skill comes from his experience and dedication to difficult, broken games, giving him an unconventional edge and a unique set of challenges. It captures the essence of grinding, skill-mastery, and facing overwhelming odds, making it a perfect fit for fans who love the systematic progression and intense boss battles of Solo Leveling.

• Protagonist: Rakuro Hizutome (Sunraku)
• OP Element: Extreme gaming skill and unique knowledge from playing "trash games."
• Genre: VRMMORPG, Action, Comedy, Fantasy.

The Anatomy of the OP MC Power Fantasy

The success of Solo Leveling and its kin lies in a specific formula that these recommended anime successfully replicate. Understanding these elements can help you find your next obsession:

The System Mechanic

The "System" is the core of the power fantasy. In Solo Leveling, it’s the mysterious entity that gives Sung Jin-Woo his quests and status screens. In the best alternatives, this is replaced by a unique skill or game-like interface, such as Rimuru's "Great Sage" in Tensei Slime, Bell's "Liaris Freese" in DanMachi, or the skill tree in Arifureta. This mechanic provides the audience with a clear, quantifiable measure of the MC’s rapid growth.

The Underdog Transformation

The most satisfying power fantasies begin with a weak protagonist. Whether it’s the "World's Weakest Hunter" Sung Jin-Woo, the betrayed and crippled Hajime Nagumo, or the lowest-level adventurer Bell Cranel, the starting point is crucial. The transformation from zero to hero, often accompanied by a traumatic event or near-death experience, is what hooks the viewer and makes the subsequent overpowered status so rewarding.

Shadow Armies and Minions

A major draw of Solo Leveling is Jin-Woo’s ability to "Shadow Extract" and command an army of undead soldiers. This trope is mirrored in other series. Ainz Ooal Gown commands the powerful NPCs of the Great Tomb of Nazarick in Overlord, and Rimuru Tempest gathers and evolves a massive, loyal nation of monster followers in Tensei Slime. The ability to command an overwhelming, loyal force is a key component of the ultimate power fantasy.

By focusing on these three elements—a clear leveling system, a dramatic underdog transformation, and the eventual command of a powerful force—these new and established anime provide the perfect fix for anyone waiting for the next season of Solo Leveling.