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06 Numbers and Powers

What to Read After Solo Leveling Manhwa & Novel

Card No. 06·15403 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Weeks to finish 20.0 weeks
Months to finish
4.6 months
Result
Chapters read
200 chapters
You entered
Chapters per week
10 chapters/week
You entered
You enter
Chapters read, Chapters per week
You get
Weeks to finish, Months to finish
Rounding
1 dp

If you have finished both the Solo Leveling manhwa and its source novel and want something with the same mix of system mechanics, dungeon raids, and a powerless protagonist who becomes overwhelmingly strong, start with Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (novel and manhwa) or The Beginning After the End (webcomic and novel). Both offer the progression fantasy and high-stakes world-building you are looking for, while giving you a different story and emotional core. Below are detailed recommendations, what makes each a good follow-up, and where to read them legally.

Formula

This calculator estimates how long it will take you to finish a new series based on how many chapters you plan to read per week. The formula is simple: Weeks = Total Chapters ÷ Chapters per Week. Months are approximated as weeks divided by 4.345 (the average number of weeks in a month).

Variables:

  • Total chapters – the number of chapters or episodes in the series you are considering.
  • Chapters per week – your average reading speed in chapters per week.
  • Weeks – the estimated time to complete the series.
  • Months – the estimated time in months (using 4.345 weeks per month).

Worked Example

Using the default values: you have 200 chapters left and you read 10 chapters per week.

  1. Weeks = 200 ÷ 10 = 20 weeks
  2. Months = 20 ÷ 4.345 ≈ 4.6 months

So, if you read 10 chapters a week, a 200-chapter series will take about 20 weeks (roughly 4.6 months). This can help you decide between a completed series and an ongoing one.

Why Solo Leveling Is So Hard to Follow

Solo Leveling (2016–2018 novel, 2018–2023 manhwa) became a global phenomenon because of its addictive “leveling up� system, the mysterious System that grants the protagonist Sung Jin-Woo quests, and the jaw-dropping art in the manhwa adaptation. The story follows an E-rank hunter who gains the ability to level up without limits after a near-death experience in a double dungeon. The manhwa is famous for its detailed action panels, and the novel adds more internal monologue and lore. Because the series is so tightly focused on one character’s power fantasy, many readers look for something with similar progression but a different twist.

Top Recommendations (Manhwa and Novel)

Here are the most commonly recommended series for Solo Leveling fans, with both manhwa and novel availability noted.

  • Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (ORV) – Novel completed, manhwa ongoing. The protagonist, Kim Dokja, is the only reader of a web novel that suddenly becomes reality. He uses his knowledge of the story to survive and change it. It has a similar “systemâ€� feel but focuses on plot twists and character relationships.
  • The Beginning After the End (TBATE) – Novel completed (main story), comic ongoing. A king reincarnates as a baby in a magic world. It has a more traditional fantasy setting but the same “become stronger to protectâ€� arc. The art is excellent, and the story deals with heavier themes.
  • Tower of God – Manhwa ongoing, no novel (original webtoon). If you liked the dungeon climbing and mysterious tower, this is a must-read. It has a massive world, complex power systems, and a protagonist who starts weak but has a hidden potential.
  • The Second Coming of Gluttony – Novel completed, manhwa on hiatus. A gambler gets a second chance in a fantasy world with a “level upâ€� system and a brutal war. It is darker and more mature than Solo Leveling, with a focus on strategy and growth.
  • Overgeared – Novel ongoing, manhwa ongoing. A poor gamer becomes a legendary blacksmith in a VR game. It has the same “systemâ€� and class progression, but the protagonist starts as a pathetic character who slowly becomes overpowered through hard work and luck.

What to Look For in a Follow-Up Series

Before you dive in, consider what you loved most about Solo Leveling. Different series excel in different areas:

  • Power progression – If you want the pure dopamine of seeing numbers go up, try Overgeared or The Second Coming of Gluttony.
  • World-building and mystery – Tower of God and Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint keep you guessing about the larger universe.
  • Emotional depth – The Beginning After the End has more character development and tragedy than Solo Leveling.
  • Art quality – The manhwa art in TBATE and ORV is comparable to Solo Leveling, while Tower of God has a more unique, sometimes rough art style.

Where to Read Them Legally

Most of these series are available on official platforms. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint and Tower of God are on Webtoon (free with wait periods). The Beginning After the End is on Tapas (free chapters with daily passes). Overgeared and The Second Coming of Gluttony are on KakaoPage or other licensed services, though availability varies by region. For the novels, check Amazon Kindle or official publisher sites like Yen Press (for TBATE) or Webnovel (for some Korean titles). Avoid unofficial scanlation sites, as they hurt the creators.

Common Problems When Switching Series

One issue readers face is that Solo Leveling is very fast-paced, while some of these recommendations have slower starts. Tower of God takes a while to reveal its main plot, and Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint can be confusing at first because it references a fictional web novel. Another problem is art style: Tower of God’s early art is rough, but it improves dramatically. If you are coming from the manhwa, you might find the novels less visual, but they often have more detail. Give each series at least 20 chapters before deciding.

Comparisons: Which One is Closest to Solo Leveling?

If you want the closest match in tone and structure, Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint is the best pick. It has a protagonist who is “weakâ€� but uses knowledge to become powerful, a mysterious system, and constant plot twists. However, it is more cerebral and less action-focused. The Beginning After the End is the closest in art style and action, but it is more about emotional growth than pure power fantasy. Tower of God is the most epic in scale, but it is not a “level upâ€� system; it uses a “shinsuâ€� (energy) system. Overgeared is the most similar in terms of game mechanics, but it has a lot of comedy and crafting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a sequel to Solo Leveling?

Yes, there is a spin-off/sequel manhwa called Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, which follows Sung Jin-Woo’s son. It started in 2024 and is ongoing. The original novel does not have a direct sequel, but the manhwa continuation is official.

Should I read the novel or the manhwa first?

For Solo Leveling itself, the manhwa is a faithful adaptation with better pacing and art, so start there. For the recommendations, it depends: ORV’s novel is complete and has more detail, but the manhwa is also excellent. TBATE’s novel is complete, while the comic is behind. If you want to avoid spoilers, read the comic first and then the novel.

Are there any manhwa with a similar “system� but a female protagonist?

Yes, try The Max Level Hero Has Returned! (male) or I’m the Only One with Genius DNA (female, but more sci-fi). A better female-led option is Lady Baby or The Way to Protect the Female Lead’s Older Brother, though these are romance-focused. For action with a female lead, Kill the Hero is not female-led, but Your Throne is a dark fantasy with a strong female protagonist and political intrigue.

How long is each recommended series?

As of 2025: ORV novel has 551 chapters (plus epilogues), manhwa is around 200 chapters. TBATE novel has around 400+ chapters, manhwa is around 190. Tower of God has over 600 chapters. Overgeared has over 2000 novel chapters. The Second Coming of Gluttony has around 400+ chapters. Use the calculator above to estimate reading time.

Are these series completed?

Only The Second Coming of Gluttony novel is fully complete (the manhwa is on hiatus). ORV novel is complete, but the manhwa is ongoing. TBATE novel is complete, but the comic is ongoing. Tower of God and Overgeared are still ongoing in both forms.

Related

Formula used
in t | Chapters read | chapters | 200 | 0 | 10000
in p | Chapters per week | chapters/week | 10 | 0 | 1000
out weeks | Weeks to finish | weeks | (t / p) + 0 * sqrt(p) | 1
out months | Months to finish | months | ((t / p) / 4.345) + 0 * sqrt(p) | 1

Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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