Craving more adventures that blur the line between gaming and reality? If Shangri-La Frontier pulled you into its thrilling virtual world, you’re in for a treat with these anime. Shangri-La Frontier brings fans into a thrilling game-like world full of challenges, epic quests, and unique characters who thrive in virtual reality. If you loved the blend of adventure, leveling up, and strategic gameplay, these anime recommendations will deliver similar excitement. From exploring vast fantasy worlds to using unconventional playstyles, each anime here captures the spirit of gaming in its own unique way. Get ready to dive into new worlds with these must-watch anime like Shangri-La Frontier!
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation follows the story of a middle-aged man who, after dying in a tragic accident, is reincarnated in a magical fantasy world as a baby named Rudeus Greyrat. Determined to live his new life to the fullest, he grows up with the skills and knowledge of his past life, honing his magical abilities and navigating the complex world around him. As he embarks on his journey, Rudeus faces various challenges, forms relationships, and strives to make the most of his second chance at life. This anime shares similarities with Shangri-La Frontier in its focus on immersive world-building, character growth, and the protagonist’s journey of leveling up through various challenges in a game-like environment.
Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online follows the story of Kirito, a skilled gamer who, along with thousands of others, is trapped in a virtual reality MMORPG called Sword Art Online. As the players quickly realize that they cannot log out, they must clear the game’s levels to escape. Kirito, along with new friends, faces intense battles and life-or-death situations, using his gaming skills to level up and grow stronger. The series explores themes of survival, teamwork, and personal growth. Much like Shangri-La Frontier, Sword Art Online features an immersive, game-like world where the protagonist must level up, face challenges, and navigate a digital universe filled with dangers and opportunities.
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear follows the story of Yuna, a teenage girl who is transported into a fantasy world while playing a VRMMO game. However, unlike other players, Yuna is given a bear costume as her powerful equipment, making her an overpowered and somewhat quirky hero. Despite her odd appearance, Yuna embarks on various adventures, helping people and facing monsters, all while exploring the new world. As she grows stronger and gains more experience, she begins to enjoy her new life. Much like Shangri-La Frontier, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear centers around a protagonist who becomes more powerful through game-like mechanics, exploring an immersive world and facing increasingly difficult challenges in a lighthearted, adventure-driven story.
Log Horizon
Log Horizon centers around a group of players who find themselves trapped in a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) called Elder Tale, after a new expansion pack is released. Unlike other trapped players, Shiroe, the main protagonist, uses his strategic mind to navigate the game’s complex world, forming alliances and working together to adapt to their new reality. As the players settle into this game-like world, they must learn how to survive, level up, and create a new society while facing challenges from both NPCs and other players. Like Shangri-La Frontier, Log Horizon revolves around characters who must immerse themselves in a game-like world, level up their skills, and overcome complex obstacles, with a strong emphasis on strategic thinking and world-building.
Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions
In Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions, a group of strangers suddenly finds themselves in a mysterious fantasy world with no memory of their past lives. With no choice but to survive, they form a party and begin their journey as adventurers, battling monsters and completing quests to earn a living. The group struggles with the harsh realities of their new world, where death is permanent, and the path to growth is difficult and filled with danger. As they face life-or-death situations, they learn to rely on each other, growing both in skill and emotionally. Much like Shangri-La Frontier, Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions explores a game-like world where characters must level up and adapt to survive, with a strong emphasis on the challenges and emotional growth that come with being in a virtual, high-stakes environment.
In the Land of Leadale
In the Land of Leadale follows the story of Keina, a young woman who, after an accident, ends up on life support and spends her time in a VRMMORPG called Leadale. When she unexpectedly passes away, she wakes up inside the game world as her character, Cayna. Now in a peaceful, fantasy setting 200 years after her last login, Cayna explores her new reality, reconnects with familiar NPCs, and uncovers how the world has changed. Much like Shangri-La Frontier, In the Land of Leadale centers on a protagonist who immerses herself in a game-like world, leveling up and navigating challenges in a digital fantasy setting, with a mix of lighthearted exploration and adventure.
The King's Avatar
In The King’s Avatar, Ye Xiu is a renowned e-sports player and master of the popular online game Glory. After being forced out of his professional team, he finds himself working at an internet café and starts fresh in Glory with a new character, determined to make a comeback on his own terms. With his unmatched skill, deep knowledge of the game, and years of experience, Ye Xiu steadily rises through the ranks once more, proving his status as one of the best. Like Shangri-La Frontier, The King’s Avatar centers on a highly skilled protagonist navigating a game world, focused on overcoming challenges, leveling up, and using strategic gameplay to achieve greatness.
Jin Zhan Fashi
Jin Zhan Fashi (Close Combat Mage) tells the story of Gu Fei, a skilled martial artist and physical education teacher who begins playing an online game at the suggestion of his students. By mistake, he selects the mage class, a choice that typically doesn’t suit his close-combat fighting style. Refusing to abandon his expertise, Gu Fei adapts by becoming a powerful, close-combat mage, blending his martial arts skills with magic in a way that surprises his opponents. Much like Shangri-La Frontier, this series features a protagonist who forges a unique path by challenging the conventional playstyle, relying on skill, adaptability, and an innovative approach to achieve success in a game-like world.
BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense
In BOFURI: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, so I’ll Max Out My Defense, Kaede Honjou reluctantly enters the world of a virtual reality MMORPG at her friend’s request. Determined to avoid any pain or discomfort, Kaede decides to focus all her points on defense, turning her character into a nearly indestructible tank. As she explores the game, her unexpected strength leads to bizarre situations—she defeats powerful monsters with ease and gains incredible skills, all while unknowingly becoming a game-breaking player. Along the way, Kaede forms bonds with other players and unintentionally becomes a legend in the game. Much like Shangri-La Frontier, BOFURI follows a protagonist who takes an unconventional, fun approach to leveling up and overcoming challenges, embracing a unique strategy that sets her apart in a game-like world.
Demon Lord, Retry!
Demon Lord, Retry! follows Akira Oono, the creator of the MMORPG Infinity Game, who suddenly finds himself transported into the game world after it shuts down. He becomes his own character, the powerful Demon Lord Hakuto Kunai. As he tries to understand what happened, he meets a girl named Aku, who is being chased by a demon king. After easily defeating the demon, Aku explains they are in the Kingdom of Holy Light, a place that wasn’t in the original game. Kunai realizes someone must have tried to summon a real demon lord but accidentally brought him instead. As the two travel together, they are chased by people who want to defeat the “demon lord,” causing trouble wherever they go. Like Shangri-La Frontier, Demon Lord, Retry! features a protagonist who is transported into a game-like world and uses his knowledge and strength to deal with challenges and cause chaos in unexpected ways.
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (DanMachi) follows Bell Cranel, a young adventurer in the city of Orario, where gods and humans coexist. Bell, the only member of the Hestia Familia, is determined to become a legendary explorer. His life changes when he is saved by Ais Wallenstein, a powerful swordswoman, sparking a desire to grow stronger. With each challenge he faces in the dungeon, Bell unlocks his hidden potential, gaining strength and forming valuable relationships. Like Shangri-La Frontier, DanMachi features a protagonist leveling up in a game-like world, overcoming obstacles, and growing through unique experiences.
Skeleton Knight in Another World
Skeleton Knight in Another World follows a man who, after falling asleep while playing an online game, wakes up as his in-game character, Arc, a powerful skeleton knight. Trying to keep his identity hidden, he heads to the town of Luvierte to become an adventurer. With his overpowered abilities, Arc takes on quests, battles monsters, and helps those in need. However, his actions soon lead him into a larger conflict that could change the fate of the entire realm. Like Shangri-La Frontier, Skeleton Knight in Another World features a protagonist using game knowledge and skills to navigate a challenging, evolving world.
If you’re ready to dive into more worlds like Shangri-La Frontier, these anime have you covered with epic quests and thrilling battles. Found a new favorite, or think I missed a gem? Drop a comment and let’s chat about it!