As a fan of RPGs and anime, I’m always on the lookout for a good new series that seamlessly combines my love of both of those things; thankfully, there’s a surprising amount of anime that fits neatly in that subgenre. Granted, not every series is actually good. There’s something to be said for diving into something trashy from time to time, but if you want to start with a great RPG anime, there are five I recommend that you check out in 2026. And here they are!
Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling was first released back in 2024, but I didn’t start watching it until Season 2 wrapped up last year. I’d heard nothing but good things about the series, starting with IGN’s 8 out of 10 review of Season 1, and my only hang-up was that it’s only available to stream on Crunchyroll. After biting that bullet, I quickly binged both seasons within a week.
What really makes the story unique and interesting is the world building. The series takes place in a modern society centered around the idea of magical portals (Gates) filled with monsters and individuals (Hunters) with the inherent power to conquer the dungeons inside. Each Hunter is locked at a specific threshold of power, but the main character, Sung Jin-woo, encounters a unique scenario that allows him to essentially level up.
Solo Leveling has RPG elements at its heart while also breaking down barriers between video game mechanics and real life; it’s a really fun watch.
Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online was a revelation for me when I first watched it and kick-started my love for this type of story. It was right around the time that VR was starting to become a thing, and this series helped me imagine what the future of gaming could hold; I loved every minute of it. For reference, the first season premiered back in 2012, which is about seven years before the first Quest VR headset.
The premise of SAO is that in a near-future society, technology has advanced to the point of fully immersive VR. Kirito, who is given the chance to be a beta tester for the new tech, finds himself in a sci-fi fantasy nightmare when he and 10,000 others get trapped in the game. If they die in the game, they die in real life, and the only way to escape is to beat all 100 floors of a floating castle. It’s an epic story with high stakes inside and outside of the game’s reality.
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