Solo Leveling Season 3 Isn't Coming, But There's A Big Reason For Its Delay

Solo Leveling fans loved everything that Season 2 of the series had to offer earlier this year. The animation was just as incredible, if not better, than the first season, and the battles were all intense and mindblowing. Since the conclusion of the second season, fans have been looking forward to just one thing, and that is Solo Leveling Season 3. Sadly, however, Solo Leveling fans have only been hit with disappointment since the conclusion of season 2. Solo Leveling Season 3 is yet to be announced, even though there was a huge event for Aniplex recently. Fans’ patience is running low, but there are big reasons that might be causing the huge delays for Solo Leveling Season 3. These reasons include the lack of its popularity in Japan, as well as the adequate production time it needs to deliver quality as good as Season 1 and Season 2.

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Solo Leveling Season 3 Is Facing Some Issues

• Solo Leveling’s Popularity In Japan Isn't Great
• Solo Leveling Season 3 Needs Time To Deliver High Quality

Solo Leveling Season 3 is highly anticipated, but there have been no confirmations concerning it so far. There have been a few comments from directors here and there, but nothing major aside from that. This has turned out to be cause of concern for many fans as far a the future of the series goes.

Of course, the delay when it comes to an official confirmation of Solo Leveling Season 3 isn’t without reason. Firstly, many fans might be under the impression that Solo Leveling is not only a global sensation, but also a hit in Japan. This isn’t exactly the case. Solo Leveling wasn’t a flop in Japan, but it was nothing out of the ordinary, and it didn’t get the hype that it did overseas. Solo Leveling just doesn’t seem to be connecting with Japanese fans, and this is a huge deal, as the anime and manga market is mostly made up of Japanese consumers. The overseas market is often a second thought, in comparison.

“While thrilled with the response, I personally don't feel like the series is known by everyone at this point. Solo Leveling isn't as universally recognized in Japan yet. As a Japanese person living in Japan, the anime is not at the level of Dragon Ball, One Piece, or Naruto. But if season three happens, that’s when I want to truly break that boundary.” - Atsushi Kaneko

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Aside from its Japanese popularity, however, it must also be kept in mind that Solo Leveling is a high-quality anime with great animation, and to keep the quality up to the standards, time is needed. The director, Atsushi Kaneko, has previously stated that Season 1 and Season 2 had 220,000 frames of animation. This is a staggering number, and very time-consuming. Achieving all of this in one year doesn’t seem very reasonable for animators. A rushed work would be far worse than a late Season 3. As such, the primary reason for delay, as far as Solo Leveling Season 3 goes, is the time that is needed to produce a good season.

“I think more than anyone, I am anxiously awaiting a Season 3! But in truth, between Season 1 and Season 2, 220,000 frames of animation were created. So, if it were up to me, I’d say let’s wait until the next Olympics (2028) to see what’s going to happen with a Season 3. But I think that’s more up to Kaneko and A-1 Pictures.”

— Atsushi Kaneko

When Could Solo Leveling Season 3 Come Out?

• 2026 Seems Less Plausible By The Day
• 2027 Or 2028 Seems More Realistic

While there is no official word on when to expect Solo Leveling Season 3, fans were hoping for a 2026 release. This doesn’t seem plausible at this moment, and if it does happen, it could lead to a bad final product. A more realistic time frame would be somewhere around 2027 or 2028. This would give the studio more time to work on Solo Leveling, and the director himself would like a 2028 release.

Solo Leveling has two seasons out right now, one with 12 episodes, and the other with 13, for a combined episode count of 25 episodes available to watch right now. The series can be streamed on Crunchyroll for fans to enjoy while awaiting any more news concerning the third season. For fans who can’t wait for season 3 to come out, checking out the Manhwa might be a great option.