Solo Leveling follows Sung Jinwoo, a character who starts as a very weak Hunter but grows to become the strongest by continually improving his skills. While the original web novel and manhwa (Korean comic) were already popular, the anime adaptation propelled the series to even greater heights. Thanks to Aniplex and A-1 Pictures’ anime, Solo Leveling has transformed from a good story into a worldwide sensation.
Many fans have questioned why the South Korean web novel Solo Leveling was turned into an anime by a Japanese studio, considering the wealth of Japanese manga available for adaptation. In a recent interview with FirstPost on May 18, 2026, producer Atsushi Kaneko explained the reasons behind his and the studio’s decision to take on the project.
Atsushi Kaneko’s New Interview Reveals Solo Leveling Became An Anime Due To Sota Furuhashi
Crunchyroll recently hosted a large event at Comic Con in Mumbai, India, from May 9th to 10th, 2026. A major focus of the event was the upcoming Solo Leveling anime. Taito Ban, the Japanese voice actor for Sung Jinwoo, and Atsushi Kaneko, a producer at A-1 Pictures, both attended. Their presence allowed for the release of some important details about how the anime is being made.
On May 18, 2026, FirstPost published details from their interview with Atsushi Kaneko, the producer of the Solo Leveling anime. One interesting question was about how the anime adaptation originated. Kaneko explained that the idea actually started within Aniplex, with producer Sota Furuhashi being the one who initially proposed it.
Atsushi Kaneko explained that he approved the project based on a simple gut feeling – he believed it would be successful and spark something new. He didn’t have much information going in, but his confidence in the series proved to be well-placed.
Atsushi Kaneko mentioned that Sota Furuhashi from Aniplex was instrumental in starting the project. Furuhashi initially presented the idea to Kaneko, who was drawn to it because he believed it had the potential to become something truly special and impactful.
Kaneko’s Hardwork Succeeded In Putting Solo Leveling On Global Radars
I’m absolutely blown away by how popular Solo Leveling has become! It first hit our screens on January 7, 2024, with 12 episodes, and the second season followed quickly on January 4, 2025, bringing another 13 episodes. Seriously, it was an instant sensation – you can see it all over Crunchyroll! It quickly became one of the most-watched anime in both 2024 and 2025, and right now, it’s still Crunchyroll’s top-rated show, rapidly approaching 1 million views!
Honestly, even as someone who’s been following this series, its popularity still blows my mind! It’s amazing, but apparently, it took everyone by surprise – even the creators themselves! I recently read an interview with Atsushi Kaneko from FirstPost, and he admitted he had absolutely no idea it would become this huge. And this isn’t the first time he’s said that, which is just wild to think about!
“Honestly, no. I had no idea it was so big.” — Atsushi Kaneko
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The Future of Solo Leveling Season 3 And The Involvement Of Atsushi Kaneko Moving Forward
Although Solo Leveling is currently very popular, it still has room to grow. According to Atsushi Kaneko, the creator, it isn’t yet as widely watched in Japan as major anime series like One Piece, Naruto, or Dragon Ball. He shared this during an interview with ScreenRant at Anime Expo.
Atsushi Kaneko, a Japanese resident, explains that while ‘Solo Leveling’ is gaining popularity, it hasn’t reached the same level of mainstream recognition as anime giants like ‘Dragon Ball,’ ‘One Piece,’ or ‘Naruto’ in Japan. He believes a third season of the anime could be the key to achieving wider acceptance and breaking through to that next level of popularity.
While this series isn’t quite as popular as some of the biggest names yet, it has a lot of potential. Solo Leveling is rapidly gaining fans, and its popularity doesn’t seem to be slowing down. The upcoming animated project is expected to significantly boost its reach. Although a new animated project hasn’t been officially confirmed, fans are eagerly awaiting news about Season 3.
Although many fans are hoping for a third season of Solo Leveling, it looks like a movie is more probable. A leaked report from animation studio A-1 Pictures suggests a film could be released around 2027, which would be fantastic news after such a long wait. Given the success of the Demon Slayer movie, a new film could really elevate Solo Leveling’s popularity both in Japan and around the world.
All 25 episodes of the Solo Leveling anime series can be watched on Crunchyroll.
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2026-05-21 03:34