Tired of Waiting For Solo Leveling Season 3? Get Ready For These 2026 Anime Instead

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Fans of action and fantasy anime are really excited for a new season of Solo Leveling. The show’s powerful main character, Jinwoo Sung, combined with its amazing fight scenes and easy-to-follow story, has left viewers wanting more. Unfortunately, it might be a while before the next season arrives. Until then, fans can revisit the original web novel or comic, or explore other anime with similar themes.

Even though Solo Leveling is incredibly popular, it’s not the only anime of its kind, and many other shows in the action/fantasy genre are just as good. Whether you love Solo Leveling or just enjoy it, there are plenty of other great anime to discover. The Winter 2026 season already has exciting shows like Season 2 of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and the final part of Fire Force, with even more promising titles coming later in the year.

7. Dr. Stone Will Return and Send Senku’s Kingdom to the Moon

Spring 2026

Image via TMS Entertainment.

Anime that mixes education with entertainment isn’t super common, but shows like Cells at Work! and Dr. Stone are great examples. Cells at Work! is similar to Solo Leveling in that it features characters battling monsters – in this case, bacteria inside the human body are fought by immune cells. Dr. Stone has more of a classic shonen feel, emphasizing personal growth, the importance of friendship, and self-belief, though it doesn’t focus on action quite as much.

Senku Ishigami has faced amazing challenges to rebuild civilization using science, but his greatest test is yet to come. Even with Stanley Snider’s team defeated, Senku now needs to build a space program to reach Why-Man, who is on the moon. This is a more captivating and exciting goal than any fight in a series like Solo Leveling, because real science is much more complicated than any skills you’d find in a video game.

6. Dandadan’s Zany Adventure Isn’t Over Yet

Fall 2026

Image via Science SARU.

While Dandadan is definitely more lighthearted than Solo Leveling, and its main character, Okarun, isn’t quite the same type of hero as Jinwoo Sung, that might be a good thing. Fans of Solo Leveling could use a change of pace from the serious tone and intense battles. Jinwoo often comes across as overly stoic, and anime should be fun! Dandadan successfully combines exciting action with genuine humor, keeping the energetic spirit of shonen anime alive.

The story of Dandadan is reaching a turning point, with the romantic relationships becoming even more complicated. Just as Momo begins to admit her feelings for Okarun, a new girl appears and competes for his attention. Fans are eager to see how this new dynamic will play out. Meanwhile, viewers are also wondering if Jiji has finally learned to control his dangerous powers, or if he’ll continue to cause trouble.

5. Black Torch Finally Gets an Anime After Years of Waiting

Summer 2026

Image via Shonen Jump.

Many of this year’s best anime for fans of Solo Leveling are continuing series like Dandadan and Mashle: Magic and Muscles, but there are also some new titles worth checking out. Black Torch is one of them, though it’s not very well known. The manga originally came out years ago and is just now getting an anime adaptation. It’s a great pick for anime fans who have seen most of the popular shows and are looking for something a little different.

While Black Torch probably won’t reach the same level of popularity as Solo Leveling, it still has the potential to be a really exciting series. It might not become an instant hit, but fans who enjoy Bleach and Jujutsu Kaisen will likely find a lot to love. The manga’s characters, fight scenes, and overall style are clearly inspired by Bleach, and this could also appeal to those who enjoy Solo Leveling and Jujutsu Kaisen.

4. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime’s 4th Season Will Be Bigger and Better Than Ever

Spring 2026

Image via 8bit.

Several popular isekai anime, including Re:Zero and Saga of Tanya the Evil, are scheduled to return in 2026. For fans of Solo Leveling, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (often called Tensura) is likely to be a big hit. Like Solo Leveling, it features a powerful main character battling monsters, but with a unique twist. While Rimuru Tempest is incredibly strong, he always prioritizes the well-being of those around him.

Jinwoo has shown kindness and protectiveness towards his family, but Rimuru goes much further. Rimuru’s incredible powers aren’t just about personal strength; they’re used to create a welcoming nation for monsters, and to navigate complex political challenges. Unlike some powerful characters who simply exist to be strong, Rimuru inspires others through his actions.

3. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Has Arrived at Its Incredible Endgame Against Yhwach

Summer 2026

This year, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War is poised to be one of the most significant anime releases. While Bleach is traditionally considered one of the three biggest action anime series, its return to prominence happened relatively recently. After waiting until 2022 to make a comeback and impress viewers, it’s now time for the series to reach its conclusion. This final arc, consisting of four parts, features incredibly high stakes and the characters are pushing their powers to the absolute limit.

While Solo Leveling has captivated audiences with storylines like Jinwoo’s father’s reappearance and the recent Jeju Island conflict, Bleach is delivering an even more epic conclusion. Ichigo Kurosaki faces his ultimate battle against King Yhwach to save the universe, and in a surprising turn, Uryu Ishida sides with his enemies to uphold the importance of friendship. It remains to be seen if Bleach‘s heroes can overcome powerful adversaries like Jugram, Gerard, Askin, and Yhwach.

2. Mashle: Magic and Muscles Will Raise the Stakes to Shocking New Heights This Year

Fall 2026

I’ve been totally hooked on Mashle: Magic and Muscles, and if you’re a Solo Leveling fan like me, you’ll get a kick out of it! It’s a really funny anime, and it’s great to have something that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering an awesome 2D adventure. Mash Burnedead is unbelievably strong – a bit of an underdog hero, actually – and that reminded me a lot of Jinwoo, though they’re definitely their own characters. What really makes Mashle special is its story about proving that you don’t need magic to be valuable in a world where magical ability is everything. It’s a cool take on the whole wizarding world trope!

Mash is determined to succeed in his magical education – he’s striving for recognition, a degree, and to prove himself. Now, the story is really gaining momentum as he faces Innocent Zero, a powerful villain threatening the entire wizarding world. It’s up to Mash to defeat him and save a society that doesn’t appreciate him, and he’s preparing to do just that – after finishing another protein shake!

1. Delicious in Dungeon Made the Stakes More Personal at the End of Season 1

Fall 2026

Image via Trigger.

While Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is widely considered one of the best recent fantasy anime, Delicious in Dungeon is equally deserving of attention. If you enjoyed Campfire Cooking in Another World or Dungeons & Dragons, you’ll definitely want to check out Delicious in Dungeon.

This anime is captivating because of its exciting dungeon adventures, reminiscent of a D&D game, and its surprisingly funny cooking scenes. But beyond that, the story is really about the strong bond between siblings, as Laios tries to find his missing sister, Falin. It also delves into the fascinating details of a complete ecosystem. The dungeon isn’t just filled with monsters and traps; it’s a living world where every creature has a purpose, whether as a predator or prey.

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2026-01-21 03:06