Solo Leveling crowned Anime of the Year – Here’s everything you need to know
ET Online May 25, 2025 10:00 PM
Synopsis

Solo Leveling bags the Anime of the Year award. The anime premiered in January 2024 and season 2 aired in early 2025. It became a global phenomenon with millions of subscribers. Sung Jinwoo's journey from the weakest hunter to an unstoppable force captivated audiences. Season 3 will showcase international recognition and new guilds.

Solo Leveling premiered in January 2024 (Pic credit - @sololeveling_en)
Solo Leveling, the blockbuster anime adaptation of Chugong’s beloved webtoon, has officially been named Anime of the Year by Crunchyroll. Produced by A-1 Pictures and packed with adrenaline-fueled animation and a gripping underdog story, Solo Leveling has not only lived up to the hype—it’s shattered expectations.

A Webtoon Turned Global Phenomenon

Solo Leveling premiered in January 2024, with Season 1 airing through March, followed by a second season in early 2025. The anime was simulcast worldwide on Crunchyroll, reaching over 15 million international subscribers. Its popularity skyrocketed: by March 2025, Solo Leveling had accumulated over 614,300 user reviews on Crunchyroll—surpassing One Piece, which took 12 years to reach 600,500 reviews.

This meteoric rise is a testament to its mass appeal. With stunning visuals from A-1 Pictures, a soaring soundtrack by Hiroyuki Sawano, and a thrilling story about a powerless hunter gaining god-like strength, the anime quickly became a fan favorite. It’s also a major milestone for Korean webtoon IPs, proving they can lead mainstream anime success stories.

Plot Recap: From Weakest Hunter to Unstoppable Force

As described on Crunchyroll: “They say whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but that’s not the case for the world’s weakest hunter Sung Jinwoo. After being brutally slaughtered by monsters in a high-ranking dungeon, Jinwoo came back with the System, a program only he could see, that’s leveling him up in every way. Now, he’s inspired to discover the secrets behind his powers and the dungeon that spawned them.”

Each season contains 13 episodes and follows Jinwoo’s transformation from zero to hero, fighting terrifying beasts and uncovering dark secrets hidden within the world of hunters.

What’s Next: How Many Seasons Will Solo Leveling Have?

With two powerful seasons already out, fans are eagerly awaiting Season 3. The buzz is so intense that daily leaks are surfacing—even without an official release date.

Initially, Solo Leveling was expected to span six seasons to cover the entire storyline. However, recent reports suggest the anime may follow the model of Haikyuu!! and Demon Slayer, with around five seasons and a final movie to wrap up the saga. While this hasn’t been confirmed, a cinematic conclusion could give fans the epic ending they deserve.


Solo Leveling Season 3 Sneak Peek: What to Expect

In Season 3, we’ll see Sung Jinwoo recognized on an international level. New hunters and global guilds enter the story, and Jinwoo rejects an offer from the most powerful guild to form his own—the Ahjin Guild.

With bigger battles, higher stakes, and world-building on a whole new scale, Solo Leveling’s third season is poised to deliver an unforgettable experience.

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