Right after the official trailer and poster for the Tomb Raider King anime were released, online fans sparked a heated debate. Many argued that this series feels like a “copy-paste” version of the hit Solo Leveling.
This comparison isn’t random. From the visual style and pacing to the overall vibe, Tomb Raider King strongly recalls Sung Jin-woo’s journey. So why are internet users quick to judge it so harshly?
Tomb Raider King feels like a new Solo Leveling
The main reason fans call it a “knockoff” is the strikingly similar power setup. Solo Leveling popularized the modern Korean fantasy formula: a weak hero betrayed, gaining a supernatural system and rapidly growing stronger. Tomb Raider King follows this path exactly.
The protagonist Seo Joo-heon starts out betrayed and left for dead, just like Sung Jin-woo. Instead of dungeons and hunters, this world is invaded by tombs and supernatural relics. The twist here is time travel. Joo-heon is sent 15 years into the past with all his future knowledge.
Yet the core appeal remains the same: the story of someone who holds the future, wields unmatched power, and gradually crushes those who wronged him.
Shared origins explain visual similarities
Another key factor is the look. Tomb Raider King’s trailer immediately feels “very Solo Leveling” with sharp character designs, dramatic lighting, and glowing supernatural elements.
This isn’t a coincidence. Both series come from the same renowned creative source. The Tomb Raider King manhwa is illustrated by REDICE STUDIO, founded by the late artist DUBU, who created Solo Leveling’s iconic visuals. When creators share production processes, overlapping visual language is inevitable. But to most viewers, it simply looks like “Solo Leveling 2.0.”
The huge shadow cast by Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling didn’t just succeed, it dominated Crunchyroll’s charts and set a new standard for webtoon adaptations. With such a landmark, fans become extremely critical and protective.
When Tomb Raider King arrives with RPG elements, a rise-from-weakness story, and an anti-hero lead, it’s seen as riding Solo Leveling’s wave. Comments like “I’ve seen Solo Leveling, no need for this” or “Why does this look like a cheap copy?” quickly spread online.
Calling Tomb Raider King a “cheap copy” might be premature. The series has unique touches, from its relic-based power system to a protagonist who uses future knowledge and strategy. Whether these elements will win over audiences depends on the quality when the anime officially airs.