The highly anticipated anime adaptation of the popular web novel and webtoon Solo Leveling has finally revealed its release window, along with an exciting trailer and key visual for the series. The official accounts of the upcoming Solo Leveling anime announced on March 21, 2023, that the series will debut next winter. The first trailer showcases the protagonist, Sung Jin-woo (renamed Mizushino Shun in the anime), experiencing the traumatic events that kickstart the story. The accompanying key visual depicts Shun lying injured on a stone altar. The anime is being produced by studio A-1 Pictures and features director Shunsuke Nakashige, head writer Noboru Kimura, character designer Tomoko Sudo, and music by Hiroyuki Sawano.
Solo Leveling Anime Announced
Solo Leveling originated as a web novel written by Chugong and was serialized by South Korean internet company Kakao on its digital comic and fiction platform KakaoPage starting in July 2016. A webtoon adaptation, written by Chugong and illustrated by Jang Sung-Rak (known as Dubu), was launched in 2018. Unfortunately, Dubu passed away in 2022. Solo Leveling follows the story of Sung Jin-woo, the weakest among the “hunters” – humans with supernatural abilities who hunt monsters. During a disastrous raid in a dungeon, Jin-woo is chosen by a mysterious program called the System to be its solo player. Similar to other isekai series like That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime, the System grants Jin-woo unique abilities, enabling him to increase his power limitlessly, making him the strongest hunter in the world.
While Solo Leveling may seem like a typical isekai on the surface, it stands out due to several elements that contributed to its incredible success. Dubu’s phenomenal artwork attracted a large readership. Additionally, Jin-woo’s power of “necromancy” allows him to turn anyone or anything he kills into a loyal minion called a “shadow,” allowing him to assemble his own party and entourage from defeated enemies. Furthermore, Jin-woo embodies the early standard of cold and emotionless main characters that later became popular. Finally, Solo Leveling isn’t strictly considered an isekai because the protagonist doesn’t get transported to another world but rather obtains and utilizes his special powers in his original fantasy-based world.
Both the Solo Leveling novels and comics are licensed in English by Yen Press. The anime will be streamed on Crunchyroll, and with its already large following, it is expected to become the biggest hit of the Winter 2023 anime season.
