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.
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.
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.
Hunter x Hunter
An Action-Packed Series That Captivates Viewers
Hunter x Hunter is arguably one of the best shounen 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.
Bleach
The Tale Of A Teenager Who Becomes A Soul Reaper
Considered a shounen 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.
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 shounen 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.
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 shounen 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.
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 siezes 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.
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.
Naruto
An Underdog Who Becomes A Hokage
As one of the "Big Three" anime, Naruto almost perfectly captures the shounen 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.
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.
