Progression fantasy

Progression fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy 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 with LitRPG (Literary Role-Playing Game) and the Chinese xianxia (immortal hero) genre, often serving as an umbrella term for stories that utilize the "zero-to-hero" power scaling tropes found in shōnen manga and MMORPGs. ^[2]

Characteristics

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:

• Quantifiable Magic Systems: Magic or martial arts are often graded in discrete "stages," "ranks," or "levels" (e.g., Copper, Iron, Jade, Gold). ^[3]
• Academy/Training Settings: Significant portions of the story are dedicated to the protagonist studying, meditating, or physically training to advance to the next tier of power.
• Scientific Magic: A focus on "hard magic" where characters exploit the laws of physics or magic to optimize their abilities.

History and etymology

The term "progression fantasy" was coined in 2019 by fantasy authors Andrew Rowe (author of Arcane Ascension) and Will Wight (author of Cradle) 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 of xianxia. ^[1] Since its naming, the genre has seen explosive growth in the self-publishing sector, particularly on platforms like Kindle Unlimited, Royal Road, and Audible.

Commercial reception

By the mid-2020s, the genre had achieved significant commercial success, moving from niche web serials to mainstream publishing deals. Will Wight's Cradle 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]

Notable works

Works frequently cited as examples or precursors of the genre include:

• Cradle by Will Wight ^[4]
• Mother of Learning by Domagoj Kurmaic (Nobody103) ^[3]
• Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman ^[2]
• He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon ^[5]
• Ra by qntm
• The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
• Worm by John C. McCrae (Wildbow)

See also

• LitRPG
• Xianxia
• Isekai
• Magic system
• Web fiction

References

1. Rowe, Andrew (February 26, 2019). "Progression Fantasy – A New Subgenre Concept". Andrew Rowe. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
2. Kuchera, Ben (July 12, 2024). "Why the 'numbers go up' loop is taking over fantasy fiction". Polygon. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
3. "PW Close-Up: Vault and Aethon Make Partnership Official". Publishers Weekly. September 20, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
4. "Kickstarter Reveals Animation Crowdfunding Trends from 2024". Animation Magazine. March 7, 2025.
5. "Aethon & Vault Announce Full List of 2025 and 2026 Novels". Aethon Books. August 26, 2025.