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Progression fantasy is a subgenre offantasy fiction characterized by a central focus on the protagonist's intentional and quantifiable increase in power, skill, or magical ability. Unlike traditional fantasy, where character growth is often internal or abstract, progression fantasy typically features explicit "leveling up" mechanics, rigorous training arcs, or magic systems that operate with scientific or game-like consistency.[1]
The genre overlaps significantly withLitRPG (Literary Role-Playing Game) and the Chinesexianxia (immortal hero) genre, often serving as an umbrella term for stories that utilize the "zero-to-hero" power scaling tropes found inshōnen manga andMMORPGs.[2]
The defining trait of progression fantasy is that the accumulation of power is a primary driving force of the narrative, rather than a subplot. Common tropes include:
The term "progression fantasy" was coined in 2019 by fantasy authorsAndrew Rowe (author ofArcane Ascension) andWill Wight (author ofCradle) to solve a marketing problem. While their books shared similarities with LitRPG and anime tropes, they lacked the literal video game interfaces of LitRPG or the cultural specificity ofxianxia.[1] Since its naming, the genre has seen explosive growth in the self-publishing sector, particularly on platforms likeKindle Unlimited,Royal Road, andAudible.
By the mid-2020s, the genre had achieved significant commercial success, moving from niche web serials to mainstream publishing deals.Will Wight'sCradle series became a bellwether for the genre's economic potential, with multiple crowdfunding campaigns raising millions of dollars for special editions and adaptations.[4]
In 2025,Publishers Weekly reported that Aethon Books and Vault Comics had formed a partnership specifically to adapt "LitRPG and progression fantasy" titles into graphic novels for retail distribution, citing the genre's "blockbuster" potential and "millions of collective sales."[3]
Works frequently cited as examples or precursors of the genre include:
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