What Happened to Solo Leveling (franchise)?
The Solo Leveling franchise originated as a South Korean web novel in 2016, quickly gaining immense popularity that led to a highly successful webtoon adaptation. Its global reach exploded with the critically acclaimed anime series, which aired its first season in 2024 and a second in 2025, alongside multiple video game adaptations and a confirmed live-action drama. As of early 2026, the franchise continues to expand with new game releases, the return of its sequel webtoon, and strong indications of a future anime film.
Quick Answer
The Solo Leveling franchise has evolved from a popular web novel into a global entertainment phenomenon, with its anime adaptation achieving record-breaking success in 2024 and 2025. As of April 2026, fans are anticipating the release of new video games like 'Solo Leveling: Karma' in the second half of the year, the return of the 'Solo Leveling: Ragnarok' webtoon from hiatus, and a potential anime movie. A live-action drama is also in development, starring Byeon Woo-seok.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Solo Leveling Web Novel First Serialized
Chugong's 'Solo Leveling' web novel began its initial serialization on the Munpia platform.
Web Novel Serialization on KakaoPage Begins
The 'Solo Leveling' web novel officially began serialization on Kakao's digital comic and fiction platform, KakaoPage.
Webtoon Adaptation Launched
A webtoon adaptation, illustrated by Jang Sung-rak (Dubu) of Redice Studio, premiered on KakaoPage, significantly boosting the franchise's popularity.
Original Webtoon Concludes
The highly popular webtoon adaptation of 'Solo Leveling' concluded its serialization with its final chapter.
Solo Leveling: Ragnarok Web Novel Begins
A sequel web novel, 'Solo Leveling: Ragnarok,' written by Daul and focusing on Sung Jinwoo's son, began serialization.
Anime Season 1 Premieres
The anime television series adaptation, produced by A-1 Pictures, began airing, bringing the story to a global animated audience.
Solo Leveling: Arise Game Released
Netmarble released 'Solo Leveling: Arise,' an action RPG based on the franchise, for mobile and PC platforms.
Anime Season 2: Arise from the Shadow Airs
The second season of the anime, subtitled 'Arise from the Shadow,' premiered, continuing Sung Jinwoo's story.
Anime Becomes Most Rated on Crunchyroll
The 'Solo Leveling' anime achieved a significant milestone, becoming the most highly rated series on Crunchyroll with over 806,000 user ratings.
Solo Leveling: Ragnarok Web Novel Concludes
The sequel web novel, 'Solo Leveling: Ragnarok,' concluded its serialization.
Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive (PC) Released
Netmarble released 'Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive' for PC via Steam and Microsoft Store.
ANIMEC Joint Venture Formed
Kadokawa and Aniplex, key companies behind the anime, announced the formation of ANIMEC, a joint venture focused on large-scale anime film distribution, hinting at a potential Solo Leveling movie.
Manhwa Volume 24 Tops Japanese Sales
Solo Leveling manhwa Volume 24 climbed to the top of Japan's manga sales charts, demonstrating the franchise's growing influence in the region.
Solo Leveling: Ragnarok Webtoon English Print Release
Ize Press is scheduled to publish the official English print release of the 'Solo Leveling: Ragnarok' webtoon.
Solo Leveling: Karma Game Release
Netmarble is set to release 'Solo Leveling: Karma,' a new game focusing on 'The Monarchs War Arc,' for PC and mobile.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Solo Leveling phenomenon began with Chugong's web novel, which was first serialized on Munpia in February 2014 and later on KakaoPage starting July 25, 2016. This web novel, detailing the journey of the weakest hunter Sung Jinwoo to become the strongest, quickly garnered a dedicated following. Its success paved the way for a webtoon adaptation, illustrated by Jang Sung-rak (Dubu) of Redice Studio, which began serialization on KakaoPage on March 4, 2018, and concluded in December 2021 after 179 chapters.
The franchise's global explosion was largely fueled by the anime television series adaptation produced by A-1 Pictures. The first season aired from January to March 2024, followed by a second season, subtitled 'Arise from the Shadow,' which aired from January to March 2025. The anime achieved unprecedented success, becoming the most highly rated show on Crunchyroll with over 806,000 user ratings and a 4.9-star average by June 2025, surpassing even established titles like One Piece. It also won 'Anime of the Year' at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
Beyond the anime, the Solo Leveling universe has expanded into several video games. 'Solo Leveling: Arise,' an action RPG by Netmarble, was released in May 2024. A more advanced title, 'Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive,' launched for PC in November 2025, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions slated for 2026. Looking further ahead, Netmarble has confirmed 'Solo Leveling: Karma,' a new game focusing on 'The Monarchs War Arc,' for release in the second half of 2026.
The narrative continuation of the original story comes through 'Solo Leveling: Ragnarok,' a sequel web novel written by Daul, which began in April 2023 and concluded in July 2025. A webtoon adaptation of 'Ragnarok' launched in July 2024 but entered an indefinite hiatus in January 2026 due to its lead artist's mandatory military service. However, Redice Studio has confirmed a new artist will take over, with its return anticipated in mid-to-late 2026, and an English print release is scheduled for June 2026.
As of April 2026, while a third anime season has not been officially confirmed, there are strong indications of a potential Solo Leveling anime movie. The formation of ANIMEC, a joint venture between Kadokawa and Aniplex (companies involved in the anime's production), in March 2026, specifically for large-scale anime film distribution, suggests a cinematic future for the series. Additionally, a live-action Korean drama adaptation is in development, with actor Byeon Woo-seok confirmed to star.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Solo Leveling (franchise) made different choices?