Key Takeaways
- Underdog journeys resonate with audiences across cultures, from ancient myths to modern anime.
- Solo Leveling and Blue Lock explore themes of ambition, identity, and redemption through thrilling tales.
- Like Solo Leveling, Naruto and My Hero Academia showcase characters overcoming odds to achieve greatness.
Stories of underdogs are abundant in popular culture, and their origins can be traced back to ancient folklore and myths. Characters from disadvantageous backgrounds who battle against all odds for their ambitious goals strike a chord with people and often end up leaving a lasting impression.
A-1 Pictures’ Solo Leveling is one such story that follows the exciting journey of a young adult named Sung Jinwoo who jumps on the opportunity to turn his fate around and rewrite his destiny. The anime explores recurring themes of ambition, redemption, identity, and purpose to weave an intriguing tale. Solo Leveling, with its action-packed fight sequences, gives viewers an adrenaline rush that they can also experience in the anime listed below.
Updated September 14, 2024, by Mirza Aaqib Beg: Solo Leveling continues to be a fan favorite several weeks after its debut season concluded. The action-packed series has made millions of fans worldwide, and its appeal continues to grow. The revised list includes a few more shonen anime that could potentially captivate those who enjoyed Solo Leveling.
1 Jujutsu Kaisen
Story of a Cursed High Schooler
High schooler Yuuji Itadori’s ordinary life takes a dramatic turn following an encounter with a cursed item that pushes him into a strange world of supernatural curses and sorcery. As he faces deadly threats and struggles to make sense of his newfound abilities, Yuuji must navigate the mysteries of the dark realm while protecting those close to him. Like Sung Jin-Woo, Itadori finds himself up against malevolent forces as he carries the immense burden of his eccentric powers and the unique responsibilities that they bestow upon him.
The protagonists of Solo Leveling and Jujutsu Kaisen undergo somewhat identical personal development after rising from humble backgrounds. Therefore, those who enjoy anime with action, drama, and intense character growth, should consider adding Jujutsu Kaisen to their watchlist.
2 One Piece
The Exciting Tale of an Ambitious Pirate’s Quest for Greatness
Eiichiro Oda’s magnum opus, One Piece, captures the exciting journey of Monkey D. Luffy to find the eponymous treasure and become the King of the Pirates. His venturous spirit and unwavering determination shape his epic quest for glory, freedom, dreams, and friendship. Although One Piece is primarily adventure-focused, its complex worldbuilding and unique power system will appeal to Solo Leveling fans.
Furthermore, both anime share thematic parallels such as ambition, personal growth, friendship, challenging authority, and defying the status quo. Like Solo Leveling, One Piece features countless epic fight scenes that have left an indelible mark on the anime world.
3 One Punch Man
Arguably the Best Action Anime of All Time
Saitama always dreamt of becoming a hero from a young age, so in pursuit of his lifelong ambition, he trained for three years. He became so powerful in the process that he seemed almost invincible to any villain. Soon the thrill of battle became monotonous and unexciting to Saitama. But his life took a dramatic turn as he met the 19-year-old cyborg Genos, who recognized his talent and convinced him to join the Hero Association with him.
One Punch Man follows Saitama as he chases the lost excitement of fighting his adversaries while making friends and enemies along the way. As you may have already noticed, Saitama’s dramatic personal transformation and the accompanying inner conflict are quite comparable to the experiences of Sung Jin-Woo. One Punch Man may have a relatively lighthearted premise but Solo Leveling fans will enjoy the action-packed fight sequences, which rival those in their favourite show.
4 Kaiju No. 8
Exciting Series That Follows an Underdog
Naoya Matsumoto’s Kaiju No. 8 recounts the story of 32-year-old Kafka Hibino whose childhood dream of joining the Defense force and fighting kaijuus along with his friend Mina Ashiro has been dead for years. Now, he works as a cleaner and does not feel ambitious enough to chase his dreams. But Kafka’s acquaintance with Reno Ichikawa reminds him of his past self as his lost drive to be part of the Defense force is ignited once again.
Related
Kaiju No. 8: First Division, Explained
The Anti-Kaiju Defense Force’s First Division, led by captain Gen Narumi, is the corporation’s strongest and most capable division in Kaiju No. 8.
In a surprising turn of events, he somehow gains the power to turn into a humanoid kaijuu at will, after being attacked by one of the beasts. With the desire to serve the Defense force reignited in his heart, Kafka sets out to chase the dream of fighting next to his childhood friend.
Kafka is not much different from Solo Leveling’s Sung Jin-Woo, as both characters undergo a dramatic personal growth arc following a strange incident that somehow grants them powers beyond their wildest imagination. With their newfound abilities, the two characters ascend the rank of their respective worlds and chase their dreams.
5 Tower of God
An Action-Packed Anime Focused on a Boy’s Journey to the Tower’s Peak
Tower of God (also known as Kami no Tou) like Solo Leveling introduces viewers to a complex hierarchical world with a unique power system and extraordinary worldbuilding. The protagonists in both shows face an uphill battle against odds stacked heavily against them, but driven by the strength of their character and unwavering determination, they overcome every obstacle. Interestingly, Tower of God and Solo Leveling are manhwa-inspired anime that appeal primarily to the somewhat identical demographic of anime fans.
Tower of God follows Twenty-Fifth Bam whose earliest memories are from a dark cave where he had lived a lonely life until a girl named Rachel found him and the two became close friends. Before she parted ways with him to climb the tower, she taught Bam about the outside world and countless other things. Distraught by their unexpected separation, he decides to follow in her footsteps which marks the beginning of his epic journey into the tower that dramatically shifts its foundations forever.
6 Blue Lock
The Sports Anime That Countless Twists And Turns
Yoichi Isagi’s dream of playing the nationals comes crashing down as he makes a split-second error of judgment during high school soccer tournament finals. As he struggles to come to terms with the harsh reality and returns home disappointed, he is greeted by the Japan Football Union’s invitation for a controversial project named Blue Lock.
The experiment is designed to bring the top three hundred U-18 strikers under the same roof to put them through a series of tests to find a new star for the national team. With ruthless competitors desperate for success waiting for him at every turn, Yoichi takes up the challenge to chase the top position regardless of the cost.
Blue Lock follows an ambitious and talented teenager who is pushed among some of the most prodigious strikers in the country and is tasked to make a name for himself or perish. Like Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling, Isagi feels like an underdog at every step but showcases a remarkable determination whenever his back is against the wall. Although Blue Lock is primarily focused on sports, the shonen series still packs great entertainment value with countless twists and turns.
7 Attack On Titan
An Action-Packed Shonen Series
When gigantic humanoid monsters named Titans attack Humans and push them on the verge of extinction, they are left with no option but to go to desperate lengths to ensure their survival. They construct humongous concentric walls to live a peaceful life, with the hope that their existence does not come under threat again. But when a colossal Titan breaks through the seemingly impregnable wall, all hell breaks loose. It marks the beginning of a dark era as the human-titan conflict reaches another dangerous climax.
Like countless other people living behind the walls, Eren Yeager suffers an incomprehensible loss that changes him forever. Overcome by a desire for revenge, he vows to eliminate Titans from the face of the Earth not knowing the dark reality behind them. Attack On Titan is an unpredictable shonen series packed with dramatic fight sequences that fans of Solo Leveling will definitely find entertaining.
8 Black Clover
A Captivating Series With Tons Of Exciting Fight Scenes
Black Clover follows Asta and Yuno, two childhood friends determined to become the strongest mage in the kingdom and earn the title of Wizard King. But it turns out that Yuno is gifted when it comes to wielding magic while Asta does not possess any magical talent at all. Regardless of the setbacks, Asta continues to train with his friend religiously until one day, things take an unexpected turn.
Yuno, who has received a Grimoire, is attacked by Lebuty and while trying to save him, Asta is mysteriously bestowed with Black Clover, a five-lead clover that he uses to defeat their enemy. Thrilled to finally wield magic, Asta and Yuno embrace the challenges the world throws at them.
9 My Hero Academia
Story Of A Quirkless Boy Who Thrives Despite Being Born Powerless
In My Hero Academia, Izuku Midoriya was born in a world where 80 percent of humanity is naturally gifted with innate powers known as Quirks. Unfortunately, he belongs to the unlucky minority that is completely powerless. Despite this cruel twist of fate, Midoriya chases his seemingly impossible goal of becoming a hero and ends up getting noticed by his idol, All Might. In a surprising turn of events, the Symbol of Peace is inspired by Izuku’s bravery and chooses him as his successor, after which he also shares his Quirk with Izuku.
The obsessive and Quirk-less young boy’s tryst with destiny sets him on a path of greatness that has far-reaching consequences. Interestingly, Izuku, like Sung Jinwoo, is considered hopeless by his peers at one point in his life and undergoes a remarkable transformation to radically change his fortunes.
10 The Rising Of The Shield Hero
An Exciting Isekai That Follows An Underdog
Aneko Yusagi’s The Rising of the Shield Hero recounts a story of redemption, purpose, and heroism. After four ordinary individuals from the modern world are transported to a fantasy world, they learn that they have been summoned to become the Cardinal Heroes, who are expected to defend the kingdom of Melromarc. Naofumi Iwatani is one of them and is selected as the Shield Hero.
Unfortunately, Naofumi is mocked and ridiculed by his peers and civilians alike for having weak offensive abilities and ends up getting entangled in a controversy that leads to his social boycott. His life takes a radical turn following this series of misfortunes as he sets out to redeem himself.
11 Hunter x Hunter
An Action-Packed Series That Captivates Viewers
Hunter x Hunter is arguably one of the best shonen anime ever made. The exciting series packs an entertaining combination of a well-thought-out premise and brilliant world-building that perfectly infuses action-packed fight sequences just like Solo Leveling. Interestingly, both anime revolve primarily around hunters and the misadventures that put them through moral and ethical dilemmas which in turn test their resolve.
Hunter x Hunter is the story of a young boy named Gon Freecss who sets out on a long voyage to find his father who abandoned him when he was a toddler. On his path, he makes lifelong friends and encounters intimidating foes, completely transforming himself in the process.
12 Bleach
The Tale Of A Teenager Who Becomes A Soul Reaper
Considered a shonen classic, Bleach is another exciting series well-known for its epic battles, dynamic characters, and elaborate world-building. The anime primarily focuses on an ordinary teenager named Ichigo Kurosaki, who, under stressful circumstances, is pushed to take the role of a Soul Reaper and ends up getting entangled in the dark world of supernatural threats. On his journey, Ichigo faces a host of philosophical and ethical dilemmas only to emerge on the other side as a celebrated hero who leads by example.
Bleach in its essence is an underdog story of an ordinary teenager entrusted with powers beyond his wildest imagination, just like Solo Leveling, in which Sung Jinwoo undergoes a dramatic shift in his personality. Both action-packed shows explore similar philosophical themes and have compassionate young adults as protagonists.
13 Mashle
Follows A Magicless Young Adult Born In A Magical World
Mash Burnedead has the misfortune of being born in a magical world without any powers and, as a result, has to live an isolated life with his adoptive father, Regro. Following an incident, he is forced to enroll in the famous Easton Magic Academy to compete for the title of the Divine Visionary.
Mashle is one of those rare shonen anime that perfectly amalgamates action and comedy. Although Solo Leveling is a more serious series in comparison, fans of that anime will still enjoy Mash’s hilarious misadventures, since he is also an underdog who fights against incredible odds to find his place among the most talented magicians.
14 Chainsaw Man
The Story Of An Impoverished Teenager Who Becomes A Devil-human
Chainsaw Man is a new-age dark fantasy anime that challenges the typical shonen archetype by focusing on a somewhat questionable main character whose motivations are almost always materialistic or perverted. Denji is born in an unforgiving world and is pushed to fend for himself from a young age following the death of his abusive father, who leaves a huge debt on his son’s head.
Like Sung Jinwoo, Denji finds himself riddled with financial hardships. Both characters are somewhat of a loser at one point and radically turn their lives around following a tragedy. Furthermore, Chainsaw Man, like Solo Leveling, explores the dark side of human nature and exposes its protagonist to a cruel world where survival demands active struggle.
15 KonoSuba: God’s Blessing On This Wonderful World!
Adventures Of A Shut-In NEET Who Is Reborn In A Fantasy World
Kazuma Satou is a social recluse whose ordinary life comes to an untimely halt when he dies a pathetic death. Surprisingly, he gets the chance to be reborn in a fantasy world and seizes it with both hands. It marks the beginning of his hilarious and enlightening journey in an unknown world as he sets out to achieve the seemingly impossible dream of defeating the Demon King.
KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! is a fun isekai that appears to have nothing in common with Solo Leveling. Interestingly, both shows primarily follow characters who are tasked to explore dungeons and fight the beasts within. Furthermore, their protagonists are a bit of an underdog when they first start their journey.
16 Goblin Slayer
Monster-Hunting Series That Centers Around Dangerous Dungeons
The Goblin Slayer is a silver-ranked adventurer who primarily deals with matters related to goblins for the Adventurer’s Guild. Driven by the consuming desire to eradicate the monsters, he takes any means necessary to get the job done, going as far as putting his life on the line if the circumstances require it.
Interestingly, his assignments require him to frequently visit dungeons to fight goblins, just like Sung Jinwoo who, with his hunter companions, is often tasked to take on similar missions.
17 Naruto
An Underdog Who Becomes A Hokage
As one of the “Big Three” anime, Naruto almost perfectly captures the shonen spirit with its emotionally charged premise and ruthless exploration of recurring themes like self-discovery and friendship. The show follows the titular protagonist as he chases his ambitious goal while dealing with the far-reaching consequences of his parents’ decisions and the social isolation that it causes.
Although Naruto is gifted in some sense, he is also ridiculed and looked down upon by his peers, just like Sung Jinwoo. While the odds are heavily stacked against him in his journey to become a Hokage, Naruto fights against all odds, which is somewhat reminiscent of the resilience shown by the protagonist of Solo Leveling, as he becomes determined to become stronger.
18 Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon?
Adventures Of A Naive Man Who Wants To Become The Best
Solo Leveling fans who are looking for another action-packed series where characters embark on dangerous adventures in dungeons will probably love Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
Interestingly, the latter follows a young man Bell Cranel, whose dream of becoming the greatest adventurer suddenly becomes realistic as he meets Hestia, the lonely goddess.
Like Sung Jinwoo, he faces an uphill struggle to achieve his dream at first, but his fortune takes a dramatic turn, eventually allowing him to make his mark in an unforgiving world.
