2025 was packed with some incredible anime series, but when it comes to the Crunchyroll Awards, fans know for a fact that it was Solo Leveling that dominated. Solo Leveling swept most of the awards, including the title of Anime of the Year, as well as the award for Best Main Character for Sung Jinwoo. 2026, however, might be a completely different story.
Solo Leveling Is Making A Comeback in November
Solo Leveling is returning, and very soon. As early as November.
While Solo Leveling might indeed make a return next year with a new movie based on the latest reports, the series is about to be outclassed by The Apothecary Diaries with its phenomenal main character, Maomao. Maomao had incredible moments of shine in The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 this year, and she will get even more moments of glory next year, with The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 and a new movie on the way.
Jinwoo Was Great In 2025, But Maomao Will Be 2026’s Best Main Character
Maomao Had A Lot Of Time To Shine This Year
- Maomao has a new anime season and movie on the way
- The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 beat Solo Leveling Season 2 in fan ratings
Fans know Sung Jinwoo to be the main character of the new hit series, Solo Leveling, and it's quite clear that he's quickly grown on fans. Although he started off very weak, in the span of a few episodes, he became tremendously powerful, and now, he is one of the strongest characters in his series. Jinwoo is definitely an eye-catching character. He’s always involved in big flashy battles, but what he has in cool attitude and fights, he lacks in character growth, which is why fans were shocked to see him win the accolade of the best main character of 2025.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 And Movie Release Date Officially Confirmed
The Apothecary Diaries has huge projects ahead, including a third season and a movie.
Regardless, things won't be the same in 2026 for Solo Leveling and Sung Jinwoo. Solo Leveling won’t be getting a new season around the same time as the Crunchyroll Awards, unlike what happened this year, making it far more fair for other series.
Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling is, undoubtedly, carried by the hype, while Maomao from the Apothecary Diaries captivates fans with her personality and wits, and incredible character writing. Maomao had many incredible moments during The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, which aired this year, and fans would love to see her take the crown in 2026.
The Apothecary Diaries Returns With A New Season And Movie In 2026
Solo Leveling Might Get A New Movie
2026 could be pretty big for both Solo Leveling and The Apothecary Diaries. The Apothecary Diaries has been a major hit both in Japan and overseas. Fans have been obsessed with Maomao and the mysteries surrounding the Imperial Family, as well as her adventures, and they're going to make a strong comeback in 2026. Maomao’s The Apothecary Diaries will return with a third season, but also a brand new movie written by the author.
Solo Leveling, meanwhile, doesn’t have a confirmed return date in 2026, but it does seem imminent at the moment. New reports from the production committee point to a new movie in late 2026, but it's in the pre-production phase, so it could be postponed to 2027. Fans will have to wait and see.
Solo Leveling has 25 episodes available to watch right now. The series can be streamed on Crunchyroll. Fans can get more Solo Leveling content via the Manhwa.
- Release Date
- 2023 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Nippon TV, RAB, TVI, YBC, JRT
- Directors
- Jun Owada, Akira Koremoto, Kentaro Fujita, Yukihiko Asaki, Erkin Kawabata, Shintaro Itoga, Tsuyoshi Nakano, Akira Shimizu, Yuushi Ibe, Kyohei Yamamoto, Masahiro Matsunaga, Tadao Okubo, Misu Yamaneko
Cast
-
Aoi YukiMaomao (voice) -
Takeo OtsukaJinshi (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- OLM, TOHO animation STUDIO
- Creator
- Natsu Hyūga
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
