Solo Leveling Is the Most Important Anime of the Last 10 Years: Here’s Why

Solo Leveling Is the Most Important Anime of the Last 10 Years: Here’s Why By  Casandra Ronning Published 55 minutes ago Casandra Ronning is a staff writer for Screen Rant's anime section. Since mid-2024, she has dedicated herself to expanding her knowledge and experience in the entertainment industry. She is most proud of conducting an exclusive interview with popular voice actor Stephanie Nadolny.   Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

The last decade has seen anime evolve from a niche interest into a dominant force in pop culture. Many new titles have attracted broad audiences and have broken ground in turning anime into a global phenomenon, including the hit series Solo Leveling, with its 2024 debut quickly commanding attention and becoming one of the most talked-about modern anime titles.

The series’ popularity attracted both longtime anime fans and newcomers, standing out as a massive turning point for both anime and manhwa. Solo Leveling has achieved something that few other series do and its impact stretches far beyond popularizing interest in the growing medium, cementing its place as a historic anime.

Solo Leveling Gives Crunchyroll a Massive Boost

Custom Image by Ana Nieves

Crunchyroll is currently the only streaming service with rights to Solo Leveling in North America, giving the platform a major boost in a market that has grown increasingly competitive. While the series’ domestic reception was solid but not groundbreaking, its international popularity has been nothing short of meteoric, with many turning to Crunchyroll to experience the popular series.

With other platforms such as Netflix doubling down on expanding its anime catalog and Disney beginning to make significant investments in anime, there has been no better time to secure a dominating title. Crunchyroll’s access to Solo Leveling grants it an edge, attracting both longtime anime fans and casual viewers who are interested in what the buzz has been about.

Solo Leveling’s success in North America has won the series Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year Award and stands out as the most-rated and most-viewed anime on the platform. This edge strengthens the platform’s library while also granting it the boost it needs against a growing sea of competitors.

Solo Leveling Made Manhwa Anime Mainstream

The success of Solo Leveling’s anime has further implications, particularly for manhwa adaptations. Previous titles like Tower of God and The God of High School have found success; however, much of that success came from established fan bases that followed the original material before eagerly awaiting its anime adaptation. Otherwise, both series struggled to reach viewers outside their existing audience.

Solo Leveling, on the other hand, drew in the massive audiences that followed the original web novel and manhwa while also attracting new viewers, including casual watchers. With its stunning animation and fast-paced action, the series stands out as accessible and thrilling, able to quickly draw viewers into Jinwoo’s world.

Its massive success broke down barriers and helped popularize manhwa, further solidifying the series’ place in anime history. Most impressively, the crowds Solo Leveling drew in have turned the title into a gateway, with many viewers sharing it was their first anime, possibly drawing in more newcomers to the medium than Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle.

While Infinity Castle remains a historic anime feat, it caters to fans who have already watched the series, whereas Solo Leveling offers a fresh entry point, making it more accessible. With its breakout success, it wouldn’t be shocking to learn that the series has become a dominating entry point for countless anime fans around the world.

1216 9.4/10

Solo Leveling

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-14 Animation Action Fantasy Release Date 2024 - 2025-00-00 Network Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV Directors Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki Writers Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii 8 Images Jinwoo smiling in Solo Leveling Season 1The National Level Hunter Antoine Martinez in Solo Leveling ARISE Thomas Andre OriginJin-woo from the Solo Leveling anime looking worried and scared. Panel of Cha Hae In spin-off webtoon, Hunter Origin Pure Sword Princess Cha Hae In Story released by Solo Leveling: Arise gameAntares from Solo leveling The National Level Hunter Christopher Reed in Solo Leveling ARISE Thomas Andre OriginThe National Level Hunters Siddharth Bachchan, Thomas Andre and Liu Zhigang looking at Kamish in Solo Leveling ARISE Thomas Andre OriginClose

Cast

See All

• Taito Ban Sung Jin-woo
• Genta Nakamura Yoo Jin-ho

Genres Animation, Action, Fantasy Creator(s) Chugong Powered by Expand Collapse

• Anime
• Solo Leveling

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