Warning: Massive spoilers for solo leveling ahead!
Sung Jinwoo and his treacherous journey into the apocalyptic world of Solo leveling has left readers in a void, now that the manhwa has ended (even if the anime adaptation has only just begun). From a revolutionary incident to rid the world of monsters, Solo leveling is a shining example of how to effectively use tropes common to the fantasy/adventure genre in manhwa.
Thankfully, many others in the medium possess the qualities that make it a fan favorite: weak to strong protagonist, hunters, leveling system, dungeons or gates, guilds, gods or higher beings, and to raise the stakes, The impending doom of civilization.
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Savior of Divine Blood (2024)
Based on the original novel by Eto Shunshi and illustrated by Silou
Redeemer of divine blood Takes place in a world very similar to Solo leveling Where gates full of hellish creatures begin to spawn while a menacing timer in the sky threatens humanity. Like the hunters in Solo leveling, Redeemer of divine blood Sees the rise of players who are meant to fight the hellish creatures and the protagonist of the story is one of their players named Subaru.
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ExceptSubaru is not at all like the other players. In this world, the strength and rank of players is determined by the color of the door they pass through when they are chosen, but never before has anyone seen a rainbow-colored door like Subaru.
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The Player Who Can’t Increase (2022)
Based on the original novel by GaVinGe, adapted by Parrot Kim, and illustrated by Tae_A
The player who can’t level up’His story is set in a world where a mysterious tower appeared and brought with it gates full of monsters. Only those with superhuman powers, dubbed players, can fight the monsters, with the strongest among them being the players with unique abilities.
Kim Kigyu, the protagonist of the story, finds that he has been chosen as a player and that he also has a mysterious unique ability. However, much like the title implies, Kigyu finds that he cannot level up and is left with no choice but to act as a guide to the lower levels of the tower. That is until one day he discovers what his unique ability can do, which changes everything and allows his adventures to really take off. From the concept of gates full of magical monsters to game-like mechanics, The player who can not level up is quite reminiscent of Solo leveling.
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Zombie X Slasher (2023)
Written by NARACK & Illustrated by Hong Yun Ki
In this apocalyptic manhwa, the tangible consequences of a zombie outbreak cause, among other things, a housing crisis with massive inflation. Guess that theme isn’t enough to hit home. in this case, Zombie x slasher Starring a protagonist, Kim Cheolsoo, who wants to buy a home of his own, and thanks to a Busan city initiative, He can amass a fortune in exchange for a mountain of zombie corpses. Nearly eight thousand zombies later, Cheolsu emerges with a glimpse of freedom, only for the real story to begin.
He resists zombification through sheer force of will in the face of being subdued by the authorities, a testament to his tremendous willpower and an interesting series hook.
Cheolsu’s stint as a one-man zombie cleanup mercenary leaves him with some new enemies, though, as he quickly learns, he’s afflicted with the same condition. He resists zombification through sheer force of will in the face of being subdued by the authorities, a testament to his enormous willpower and an interesting series hook. In his darkest hour, he is recruited by other “slashers,” a zombie-themed fighting force Similar to the hunters in other apocalyptic manhwa viz Solo levelingIn a violent, edgy, glorious action-horror romp.
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Slay the Dragon (2022)
Based on the original novel by Baeksu Noble, adapted by J-Sun and illustrated by Miss Jisu
Kill the dragon is set in a world where humanity is plunged into a war against dragons that have invaded the planet. The psykers are the only ones who can fight the snakes and after countless sacrifices and endless bloodshed, the war seemed to be coming to an end until a soothsayer prophesied that the snakes would return in exactly fifteen years.
Thus, an organization called the Ark was formed, tasked with training psykers in anticipation of the dragons’ return. Kill the dragonThe story takes place three years before the dragons are expected to return and take off when Han Lee, an orphan with psychic abilities, is sent to Ark to receive training as a psychic. Besides its post-apocalyptic setting, Kill the dragon Also features exceptional art and is also produced by Redice Studio just like Solo leveling.
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A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special (2018)
Based on the original novel by Usonan and adapted by Wookjakga
As the name implies, A returner’s magic should be special is centered around a mage named Desir Herrman who gets the chance to return to the past and become stronger. The story takes place in a world ravaged by a decade-long war. The mysterious shadow worlds have destroyed humanity and Desir is one of the last remaining mages with great talent despite being a commoner without proper training.
Just as the battle seems over, Desir and his comrades are unexpectedly caught off guard and Desir finds himself 13 years in the past armed with the knowledge of what is to come. So he uses the second chance to become even stronger and enrolls in Jahkion Academy to study magic, hoping to save himself and his friends this time. While the premise is slightly different from solo leveling, Desir’s journey to become stronger is one that fans of Sung Jinwoo’s character arc will surely enjoy.
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Far Ski (2014)
Written by Inwan Youn & Illustrated by Sunhee Kim
Belonging to the Super String Universe, Far Ski’s connection to Solo leveling is more only on the apocalyptic hook; However, as part of a larger continuum, Far ski Conceptually draws new manhwa with a similar franchise appeal. The history of Far ski is the epitome of “Grimdark”, where a mysterious catastrophe has caused Gangnam to be blanketed in darkness, where the survivors must ration only light while they explore. It doesn’t take long for huge horror elements to set in.
The tension surrounding Far ski Including what else might be lurking in the dark And the strange figures that come out to extinguish the light, and the mysterious Project Sky. While Far ski Is not even the same genre as Solo levelingIt provides an end-of-the-world premise and an ominous place in the Super String Universe that will spark reader conversations even years after its 2022 conclusion. Much like Solo leveling Leaving room for its current sequel, Far ski Opens readers to a wider universe of manhwa as part of the largest comic medium for a new, sustainable readership.
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Leviathan (2018)
Written by Lee Gyuntak & Illustrated by Noh Miyoung
Sporting some of the best monster design in any manhwa, Leviathan The only real issue is its utter lack of legitimate availability after it was cut from the Toomics library. Leviathans Hooked like an apocalyptic manhwa where sea levels have consumed the worldForcing its human inhabitants to live a seafaring life on boats as they escape and survive. The most dangerous aspect, however, is what lurks beneath the surface, with deadly and sophisticated sea monsters lying in wait.
Leviathan is one of the best long-running manhwa of the last decade, with an art style not often found in other webtoons. It ended its acclaimed run with a length similar to Solo leveling while remaining entirely his own. As the dual protagonists, Botha and Kana, fight to survive, Readers will marvel at the beautiful visuals, stunning paneling and satisfying, pulse-pounding thrills.
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The World After the Fall (2022)
Written by singNsong and illustrated by Undead Gamja
From the same author as Omniscient reader’s opinion, The world after the fall Also features a plot that grows just as complex and vibrant world-building that fans of Solo leveling Will be able to evaluate. The manhwa is set in a post-apocalyptic setting where, instead of gates like Solo LevelingTowers began to appear on the ground. The magical beasts within are ready to destroy humanity and only a select few dubbed Tower Walkers can fight them.
To make things interesting, The Tower Walkers each possess a stone that allows them to go back in time to when the Towers appeared and start over with the knowledge they now have. Only one among them, the protagonist of the story, Jaehwan, wants to retreat and continue to climb the tower, fighting for the current time. Evidently, Jaehwan is very much a loner just like Sung Jinwoo, which is all the more reason to give this series a go.
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Dungeon Odyssey (2022)
Based on the Glump novels and illustrated by Son Minwoo
Along with the original Records of Dungeon Journey novels, Dungeon Odyssey Follows the adventures of Kim Jinwoo, as an immediate and easy association with Solo leveling. But beyond skin-deep naming similarities, the series both share elements of a protagonist steeped in unknown power, with Kim Jinwoo’s origins as a dungeon baby, raised “on the milk of the monster” having awakened after an expedition. Combining elements of tower defense and strategy RPGsJinwoo suddenly becomes the owner of a snake-themed labyrinth in Dungeon Odyssey.
The apocalyptic elements tie in Dungeon Odyssey are immediately felt. In contrast, instead of gates that opened worldwide, a war preceded the events of history between the underground dwellers and the above-ground people. The series boasts excellent monster design, clever RPG mechanics and a lovable protagonist with fascinating minions. Dungeon Odyssey is a power fantasy that forgoes the edgier aspects of Solo leveling while remaining endlessly smart.
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Sweet Home (2018)
Written by Carnby Kim & Illustrated by Youngchan Hwang
With his Webton come out a year after Solo leveling The first chapter of the novel, both series have an impressive legacy as apocalyptic manhwa to which the public flocks. sweet home is a tense 140-chapter reading experience depicting a protagonist, Cha Hyun, who no longer wants to be alive after a terrible family tragedy. Desperate and alone, he suddenly finds himself part of a collective struggle to be alive When an epidemic breaks out around him, turning people into monsters, a condition that he can surprisingly resist.
sweet home Explore deeper philosophical topics like Solo leveling. However, it still has a thrilling, accessible apocalypse theme, rendered by a foreboding red hue to most of its scenes to evoke a persistent sense of dread. It is one of the best popular horror manhwa around, With its unique monsters standing in as examples of humans collapsed in their pits of corruption. If the manhwa wasn’t enticing enough, Netflix’s adaptation of the pandemic era has become a massive streaming success, with its final season set to air in July 2024.
10
Level Up with the Gods (2022)
Based on the novels by Black Ajin & illustrated by Ohyeon
With ancient evils threatening to destroy the world, Kim Yuwan, with the help of his comrades, decides to climb the tower once again with the hopes of becoming stronger to overpower his enemies. Yuwon’s knowledge helps him advance, along with his understanding of how the tower operatesincluding its floor managers. His lone-wolf personality is similar to Jinwoo, but he allows himself to carefully guide Zeus’ son.
Lovers of mythology will delight the gods of Olympus characters and their treacherous games spread over the tower, as well as the world of Moors, because the tower has different dimensions in its structure. As Sung Jinwoo, Kim Yuwan must resist a greater force after leveling up to secure a future for both himself and the tower.
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Omniscient Reader’s Opinion (2020)
Based on the novels by Sing-Shong, written by UMI, & illustrated by Sleepy-C
Kim Dokja escaped from his mundane life as an office worker by reading the web novel ‘Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse’ by TLS123. When the unimaginable happens, Dokja’s world becomes the setting of the novelAnd he is the only one who knows what will happen next. In order to save the world, he will use his knowledge and wit to change the course of history.
Except his Produced by Redice Studio, Omniscient reader’s opinion is also similar to Solo leveling In regard to its world building. Dokja is now part of a system that provides higher beings, such as constellations, demons and outer-gods. He also possesses the power to glimpse into the thoughts of others, which steadily increases as he completes plot points and bonds with the main character.
8
The Esper’s Game (2022)
Based on the novels by Niccolo, written by Two-Zero, & illustrated by Plan A
Seomun Yeop, one of the world’s seven heroes, is lost after saving the world. Now that the fate of the world is assured, the Espers no longer need their powers; Cue the virtual reality game Battle Field. This VR recreates dungeons of defeated monsters for a heated competition between esper teams. Yeop finally becomes interested in the games, until he discovers the evil force of the underground Borrowers at play behind the scenes.
The Esper’s Game is a unique action manhwa with fantasy elements that Alternate between the physical and virtual worlds. In a setting similar to Solo LevelingClubs are the norm rather than guilds, and dungeons remain the same; However, the superpowers differ, and things are more common.
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Return of the Disaster Class Hero (2022)
Based on the novels of San. G, written by HEATS, & illustrated by BGman
The Zodiacs chose 12 Saints to combat What mankind called “calamities”Or monsters that found their way to Earth. Geon Lee was an anomaly, another chosen one and the most powerful saint of them all. Betrayed by the Saints, Geon falls into the Demon Tower to a zone where calamities are known to cause unending. However, 20 years later, he finally finds himself free and on the hunt for revenge.
The setting is similar to Solo levelingIn which comes a greater understanding of the world and its politics, as well as The constant threat of monsters trying to take over the planet. The protagonist is also similar in that he is overpowered by constant training and has a definite goal he is working towards, the same as Jinwoo in his hopes of defeating the Double Dungeon.
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My S-Class Hunters (2022)
Based on the novels by Geunseo, written by Seri, & illustrated by Biwan
when A monster outbreak occurs and gates appearYoojin Han finds himself at the bottom of the food chain, an F-rank, while his younger brother Yoohyun Han is awakened as an S-rank. Eugene, used to taking care of his brother, tries various means to increase his rank; But ultimately his attempts end in the death of Yoohyun.
Given another chance, Yoojin decides to change his future by keeping a low profile. However, his new skill makes this an impossible feat, since He can see the maximum level-up grade potential of a Hunter. Like Jinwoo, Yoojin holds to his values, prioritizing his family, while also operating within an intricate political system consisting of multiple guilds. The setting also features gates and an outside influence throughout the system, which Yoojin tries his best to cooperate with as he surrounds himself with overpowered hunters.
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The Hero Returns (2022)
Based on the novels by B. Ain, written by Antstudio, & illustrated by Antstudio and Yungun
Sungin Kim has a hero complex that doesn’t disappear even when he regresses to before the emergence of dungeons as high school student Soohyun Kim. With his memories intact, Soohyun challenges the Tower of Trials in the hopes of becoming an overpowered hero once again to prevent the destruction of earth. To this end, he acquires things and grows closer to influential figures as he prevents disasters before they have a chance to strike.
While Jinwoo in Solo leveling Having a prescribed power, Soohyun acquires skills by trading points, which he earns through tower trials, along with leveling his base stats. The worlds are also similar in that they have Awakeners, who are like hunters, as well as guilds. Both feature the lone-wolf archetype protagonist who is eventually surrounded by people who share a synergistic relationship throughout their journey.
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SSS – Class Revival Hunter
Based on the novels by No-Ah Shin, written by Neida and illustrated by Bill K
One day, a tower appeared and gave people skills, effectively turning them into hunters. In Rock Bottom, protagonist Gong-Ja Kim is envious of the celebrated hunter known as the Flame Emperor. Through his greed, the Tower gives him an S-rank skill. however, In order to use this skill, he must die. Not only that, but each death sends him 24 hours back in time. Now at the beginning of the reign of the Tower, Gong-Ja prepares to change his fate and that of those around him.
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Guilds form, trials are set, and Gong-Ja strategizes the best ways to conquer the Tower based on his previous experience. While similar to Solo leveling In that the main character gains skills by overcoming death, it includes a system to acquire unique skills and a vast setting, where each level of the tower has a different dimension, offering readers unique storylines as the plot progresses.
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Second life ranker
Based on the novels by Sadoyeon and written and illustrated by Nongnong
Yeonwoo, known as Qin in the Tower of the Sun God, Target those who betray his brother. With the knowledge that his brother left behind, Yeonwoo contacted members his brother was associated with, forming bonds, gaining power and acquiring items. The tower’s ecosystem is made up of multiple species, from humanoid demon folk to the Gods, especially those in Greek mythology. As Yeonwoo climbs the tower, his dark attribute grows.
Like Jinwoo, Yeonwoo creates the epitaph “one who carries death,” which allows him to command the dead. He also prefers solitude and secrecy against his enemies, only allowing a select few into his inner circle. Not similar Solo levelingThe manhwa is revenge-based rather than about securing the fate of the world.
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The lone necromancer
Based on the novels by JJJ, written by Kim Kyoung-Yeol, & illustrated by Kim Dong-Jun
Seongwu’s life as a college student is turned upside down when a holographic screen asks him to “choose a role.” He gets the power of a necromancer, now able to control the dead. The world is on the verge of collapse while game-type simulations begin. To survive, Seongwu must learn to use his powers and navigate a world overrun with monsters.
In a state of emergency, factions are created, things are acquired and barriers are made. Seongwu’s power is similar to Jinwoo, in that his bloodkin and base stats increase with experience. , Seongwu too Has an account with death Just as Jinwoo does, both are expanding their authority over the domain of death.
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Lord Necromancer
Based on the Cheongsong novels, written by Blue-Jaengee and illustrated by JiBaekHo
Cha Jinhyuk was a formidable force in the Ninestar Guild, but unfortunately they betrayed him, resulting in his death. However, he will not go down without a fight. With his last resort of soul transfer, Jinhyuk wakes up in a new body a decade later. Although originally strong, Jinhyuk now possesses an even greater skill, which allows him to become A jack of all trades In the tower.
Cha Jinhyuk embarks on a quest for revenge, mastering his new skills as he uses his knowledge to climb the tower again. Not only that, but one distinguishing characteristic that connects the two manhwa is that Jinhyuk is a necromancer who also says “Arise” to summon soulsAnother key difference is that he can also use souls to raise his stats.