Summary
- Stunning animation propelled Solo Leveling to the top of Crunchyroll, setting a new standard for action anime.
- Fans applaud A-1 Pictures for delivering on intense action and engaging battles.
- While some criticize its simplicity, Solo Leveling's unapologetic focus on action is one of its greatest strengths.
As fans of Solo Leveling prepare for the long wait for season 3, some are feeling appreciative of how the adaptation has gone so far. Recent adaptations of manhwa and webtoon-style anime don’t have the greatest track record, and it is easy to imagine a world where Solo Leveling didn’t get the treatment that elevated it from the rest of the crowd.
In the wake of Season 2 ending, fans have been sounding off about their favorite aspects of the artistry on display. These include things like soundtrack, animation, and action that made them feel a special connection to the show and even inspired them in their real lives. The data seems to back up these fan pronouncements, as the show continues to break watch and engagement records across multiple streaming platforms.
'We Have to Find the Right Time': Crunchyroll President Finally Gives an Update on Solo Leveling Season 3
While it seems that fans will need to wait a bit longer for Solo Leveling Season 3, Crunchyroll president may have dropped great news.
An Incredible Adaptation
Fans Thank A-1 Pictures for Raising the Bar
Solo Leveling managed to win over fans in various ways, but one of its greatest strengths was how well it animated the action on screen.
“Despite whatever some say, Solo Leveling has really set a new standard for the action anime, something we've never seen before, just incredible, big thanks to A1.” -Reddit User AdInternational2526 discussing some of their favorite moments in Solo Leveling.
Its combination of intense action and hype fight scenes led Solo Leveling to become the most-watched anime on Crunchyroll in 2024. There were multiple instances during the Season 2 airing where an episode drop would crash the servers for streaming websites. Also, multiple episodes reached over 100,000 likes in a matter of hours. In response to the thread declaring Solo Leveling a new standard for action anime to emulate, many fans of the show agreed.
“Absolutely agree Solo Leveling has raised the bar for action anime in a big way. The animation, pacing, and sheer intensity of the battles are on another level. Huge shoutout to A-1 Pictures for bringing it to life with such flair. It's a game-changer for the genre.” -Reddit User cur53dH4ki praising A-1 for their adaptation.
Some responses pointed out that there were better highs in other recent successful shows like Demon Slayer, but the consistency in quality offered in the Solo Leveling still makes it worthy of being considered a new standard for action anime.
Solo Leveling Season 3 Will Change Jin-Woo's Relationship with Cha Hae-In
Sung Jin-Woo's relationship with Cha Hae-In is expected to change in the third season based on the events of the webtoon.
Unapologetic Action
One of the Main Draws of the Show
Another common thread shared among fans who enjoyed the show is that they were grateful that Solo Leveling takes its premise and characters seriously, willing to give fans what they want while staying true to its promises.
“I love how Solo Leveling doesn’t pretend to be something it ain’t, it’s just pure action and fun.” -Reddit User Background-Bad141 complimenting the series’ action scenes.
Indeed, the show is often criticized for being too committed to its simple story premise and for having one-note characters and plot. However, this simplicity is also one of its main draws. It hones in on what it wants to do and executes it well while staying focused on delivering great action set pieces. Those who disagreed that Solo Leveling qualifies as a new standard for action anime felt like recency bias was clouding fans' perceptions of the series and causing them to exaggerate the level of artistry that the show has actually reached.
“I really feel like y’all are exaggerating. Sure it looked nice but,a lot of the choreography was just nonsense anime flashiness. Nothing too special about it. Not sure how that sets a new standard.” -Reddit User Euphoric_Schedule_53 responding to the idea that the show has set a new standard.
Still, the anime has exploded in popularity, drawing tons of new viewers and inspiring watchers with its alluring premise and top-notch execution.
“Anime and MC so good made me go to the gym and lock in in life.” -Reddit User ChainsawEnthusiast praising the show’s strengths.
Despite some criticisms of the show, the numbers pan out to make a great case that the industry will be looking at Solo Leveling as a new standard to emulate. A recent report by White Box Entertainment’s Anime By the Numbers found that the show was 45.5 times more popular than the median anime in March 2025, something they admit has been previously unseen in their data. For comparison, the second-place anime in their engagement ranking, The Apothecary Diaries, was only 14.5 times more popular than the median average anime of the season. With fans settling in for a long potential wait for the next season of Solo Leveling, the show’s success may inspire others to follow in its footsteps, enriching the anime landscape while its fans wait for its eventual return.
Solo Leveling can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Amazon.
- Release Date
- 2024 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV
- Directors
- Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki
- Writers
- Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii
Cast
-
Taito BanSung Jin-woo -
Genta NakamuraYoo Jin-ho
A-1 Pictures' Solo Leveling is an anime based on Chugong's popular web novel. Set in an unforgiving fantasy world where hunters explore dungeons filled with monsters, the vulnerable Sung Jinwoo gains a significant power boost after he is picked to be a solo player by the System.
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Based On
- Manhwa
- Creator
- Chugong
- Number of Episodes
- 25
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.28 (Season 1); 8.86 (Season 2)
- Creator(s)
- Chugong
- Where To Watch
- Crunchyroll
