Tomb Raider King Trailer Sparks Debate: Is It Solo Leveling's Doppelgänger Ahead of July 2026 Debut?

The first trailer for the Tomb Raider King anime adaptation has arrived, immediately sparking comparisons to the hit series Solo Leveling ahead of its July 2026 premiere. The immediate online reaction focuses heavily on the striking visual and thematic similarities between the two manhwa adaptations.

Fans quickly noted that the protagonist, Seo Joo-Heon, shares a near-identical design profile with Sung Jin-Woo: a lean build, sharp eyes, spiky black hair, and dark clothing. The initial footage makes differentiating the two heroes difficult based on aesthetics alone.

Beyond the look, the core power fantasy trajectory is shared. Both series feature underdog heroes who gain access to immense power through a system interface after suffering betrayal. Seo Joo-Heon utilizes time travel, going back 15 years with future knowledge to hunt powerful relics and seek retribution. While Solo Leveling uses dungeon leveling mechanics, Tomb Raider King focuses on raiding tombs for artifacts, but the underlying narrative engine is clearly familiar.

Online chatter, fueled by analysis of the fluid 3D-assisted action, has already labeled the show a 'clone.' However, the original Tomb Raider King webtoon by SANG actually began serialization in 2016, preceding some of the major Solo Leveling hype. With the Solo Leveling anime currently on hiatus, this adaptation is set to capture the audience looking for that specific power fantasy rush when it airs in July 2026.