Solo Levelingmay have recentlywon Anime of the Year at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awardsand shattered streaming records worldwide, but behind the scenes, even its creators were caught off guard by the scale of its global success. While the anime adaptation of the South Korean webcomic has become a growing cultural phenomenon abroad, especially in North America, its reception in Japan has been much more reserved.
Speaking on The Anime Effect Podcast,Solo Leveling’sproducer, Atsushi Kaneko, admitted thatthe disparity between domestic and international receptions was “very unexpected.”He noted that the series was received in Japan much like any other title, whereas overseas, the reception took a massive leap. As of March 2025,Solo Levelingbecame the most-watched anime on Crunchyroll.
Solo Leveling’s International Success Isn’t Reflective of Its Domestic Success
Atsushi Kaneko Spoke Out About the Surprising Disparity in Solo Leveling’s Reception
WhileSolo Levelinghasgained a substantial global audience and quickly climbed the ranksof Crunchyroll’s most-watched anime list, its domestic performance in Japan has been quite different. Blu-ray sales for Season 1 didn’t make the official rankings, suggesting that the response was less enthusiastic at home compared to its strong international reception. Due to its origins as a popular South Korean web novel and comic, along with the anime’s high production quality, many expected it to be equally popular everywhere. However, even the show’s creators were surprised by how big the gap turned out to be. Atsushi Kaneko shared:
“The way theSolo Levelinganime was received in Japan was no different from any other anime. So when we learned how the series exceptionally blew up in popularity for our global Solo Leveling fans, honestly speaking, this difference in reaction was very unexpected. It’s not exactly a temporary hype, but I do wonder who reacts more to the episodes first between the Japanese and global fans.”
This unexpected divide showsthe difference and growth of influence of international audiencesin shaping an anime’s success. While Japan remains an integral market,Solo Leveling’spopularity skyrocketed abroad, especially in the West. It’s a compelling example of how and where anime can resonate and with whom. The show’s fan-voted win forAnime of the Yearproves how dedicated its global audience is. For the production team, it was a surprising reminder that domestic reception doesn’t always reflect the international response.
Solo Leveling Shattered Records on the Global Stage
For Many, Solo Leveling Is Considered One of the Best Modern Anime Adaptations
Following Sung Jinwoo,Solo Levelingtells the story of the world’s weakest hunterwho gains the ability to quickly level up and unlock powerful skills. The series took the world by storm with its intense action, high-stakes battles, and compelling character growth. As a popular webcomic,Solo Levelingalready had a strong fan base, creating excitement for the anime and boosting its international popularity despite a crowded anime market. For many viewers worldwide, the series offered a fresh take on a popular genre, making it a must-watch for longtime fans and a gateway into anime for many newcomers.
This widespread popularity allowed the series to reach notable milestones, including becoming themost-watched anime ever on Crunchyroll by March 2025, surpassing even popular titles likeOne Piecein a shorter amount of time. Along withmultiple wins at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, the series demonstrates its success among viewers.Solo Leveling’saccomplishments are a reflection of how global audiences influence the anime industry.
