Solo Leveling has overtaken the anime world, surpassing legendary titles like One Piece and Demon Slayer in Crunchyroll’s most-rated anime rankings. The latest milestone comes after the release of Episode 11 in the show’s second season, proving just how much of a phenomenon it has become. With over 594,500 ratings, Solo Leveling now holds the top spot, leaving behind One Piece at around 594.4K and Demon Slayer at 587K.
The immense success of Solo Leveling isn’t surprising, considering its highly anticipated adaptation. Even before its official announcement, a petition for an anime adaptation gathered over 200,000 signatures in 2019. A-1 Pictures has delivered a stellar adaptation that quickly became Crunchyroll’s most-watched anime of the previous year. Now, with 23 episodes under its belt, it has cemented its place in anime history.
A Record-Breaking Feat
Solo Leveling achieving this milestone in just 23 episodes is remarkable. For perspective, One Piece has over 1,122 episodes on Crunchyroll, while Demon Slayer has 63, including its TV-adapted movie. The ratings reflect the entire series rather than individual episode likes or dislikes, further solidifying the overwhelming support from the anime community.
Solo Leveling’s rise can be seen in the rankings of Crunchyroll’s most-rated anime. Other popular titles include Jujutsu Kaisen (502.3K ratings), Chainsaw Man (379.4K), and Attack on Titan (353.8K). Meanwhile, newer anime like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (212.7K) and Kaiju No. 8 (214.2K) continue to gain traction. This achievement sets Solo Leveling apart as one of the most influential modern anime.
Solo Leveling’s success also highlights the growing influence of Korean webtoons in anime adaptations. Other notable adaptations include Noblesse (21K ratings), The God of High School (48K), and Tower of God (104K). Though these series have solid ratings, none have come close to the overwhelming numbers Solo Leveling has achieved. This breakthrough could pave the way for more webtoon-based anime in the future.
Originally a web novel titled Only I Level Up by Chugong, the story was first serialized on KakaoPage in 2016. It was later adapted into a webtoon in 2018 by REDICE Studio, with Jang Sung-rak, also known as DUBU, handling the artwork. The adaptation gained immense popularity, but tragically, DUBU passed away in 2022 due to health issues. Despite this, the series continued its success, with its anime adaptation keeping the legacy alive.
A-1 Pictures brought Solo Leveling to life with its anime adaptation. The first season aired from January to April 2024, consisting of 12 episodes. Key staff included director Shunsuke Nakashige, character designer Tomoko Sudo, music composer Hiroyuki Sawano, and Noboru Kimura as the series composer. The anime was voted Winter 2024’s most anticipated title and later won Best New Anime.
Following its remarkable success, Solo Leveling continues to dominate the anime scene. The second season is one of the most anticipated of the year, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. As webtoon-based anime gain traction, Solo Leveling sets a new standard for future adaptations, proving that Korean stories have a significant place in the anime industry.
