It’s hard to overstate just how muchSolo Levelinghas resonated with North American fans. The webtoon topped digital comics charts on platforms like Tappytoon and Webnovel, and its English-language release sparked a surge in global readership. When the anime premiered, it quickly became one of the most-watched titles on Crunchyroll in the US, confirming its place asa breakout hit in the global anime scene.
But how dida Korean webtoonabout an underdog monster hunter make the leap from scrollable chapters to a blockbuster anime in Japan?The answer lies in a single cold call toSolo Leveling’s Japanese publisher, and one producer’s instinct that this was the story that could go global. In a new Japanese interview, Aniplex producer Sota Furuhashi explains how a gut feeling, and a lot of persistence, changed anime history.
Reading a Webtoon With Potential
Who You Gonna Call?
Sota Furuhashi recalls first readingSolo Levelingsometime around 2019 or 2020. At the time, webtoons were starting to catch on in Japan. “I thought they were a really interesting medium,” he says. “I was actively reading to see if anything stood out that might work as an anime.” When he discoveredSolo Leveling, something clicked.
Despiteworking at Aniplex, Furuhashi had never tried to adapt a webtoon before and wasn’t even sure how to begin.“I had no idea who to contact,” he admits.“So I just reached out to (Japanese web comic site) Piccoma, since that’s where it was being published.” That single message set the wheels in motion for what would become a massive international project.
Early Momentum and AnimeJapan Recognition
Positive Signs With a Bit of Pressure
In 2021,Solo Levelingranked second in AnimeJapan’s “Most-Wanted Anime Adaptation” poll. “By that point, we had already started moving on the project,” Furuhashi says. “I had taken it to A-1 Pictures in 2020.” Seeing it place so high in a fan poll reinforced his belief that the story could connect with anime audiences.
“There’s still so much story left to tell,”Solo Levelingproducer Furuhashi said. “This isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning.”
While the production team remained focused, the buzz around the AnimeJapan poll added a new kind of pressure. “As someone involved from the beginning,I wondered how deeply it would resonate with anime fans,” he explains. “Ranking in that poll was positive news. It showed us that the anticipation wasn’t just from webtoon readers.”
Structuring a Two Season Anime
The Unique Challenge of Adapting Webtoons
With Season 1 airing in early 2024 and Season 2 debuting in January 2025, the team had to carefully plan the adaptation’s pacing. Furuhashi says this wasn’t something he decided alone. “Series composer Noboru Kimura built the initial structure. Then we worked closely with director Shunsuke Nakashige to finalize the roadmap.”
Compared to novels or traditional manga,adapting a webtoon posed distinct challenges. “The chapter structure is totally different,” Furuhashi notes. “They’re designed to be read quickly on a phone, often during a commute. That pacing doesn’t naturally fit a 30-minute anime episode.” Major adjustments were needed to make it work.
Too Much of the Main Character
Reading and Watching All the Time
Another hurdle was the series’ narrow narrative perspective. “Almost everything focuses onthe protagonist, Jinwoo,” Furuhashi says. “In animation, you can’t hold that perspective the entire time. We had to figure out how to shift viewpoints while keeping the pacing and emotion of the story intact.”
Asked how he scouts new titles to adapt, Furuhashi says, “There’s no secret method. I just keep reading constantly.” He visits bookstores in person and scrolls through manga apps, watching for titles with rising popularity. “The fact that rankings are visible now is really helpful,” he adds. “You can see what’s catching on.”
Support From the Top at Sony
Crunchyroll Went All in on Solo Leveling
In May 2024, Sony Group featuredSolo Levelingprominently during its business strategy briefing. CEO Kenichiro Yoshida praised Aniplex and Crunchyroll for their role in promoting anime globally. For Furuhashi, it was clear confirmation that the show had become a centerpiece in Sony’s global strategy.
According to Furuhashi, Crunchyroll has been instrumental in promoting the anime overseas. “They really pushed it, even without us asking,” he says. “It’s rare to see them go that hard on a new title.The response and numbers from outside Japan were huge. We could feel that global anticipation.”
Why Audiences Connected Worldwide
Advice for the Next Generation
What madeSolo Levelingclick outside of Japan? “It’s not easy to explain in one word,” Furuhashi says. “Butthe story of a guy who works hard and climbs up from nothing is timeless. Plus, the art style is cool and stylish in a way that anyone can appreciate. That mix helped it catch on.”
With the narrative stakes rising and the fanbase continuing to grow, the next season ofSolo Levelingpromises even more spectacle and emotional payoff.
When asked what advice he would give to aspiring producers, Furuhashi offers a simple idea. “Chase what you love. If you’re into manga, read a lot. If you like film, watch as much as you can. Everything you absorb will eventually become part of your work.”
More to Come With Season 3 Already in Production
This Is Just the Beginning
WhenSolo Levelingreturned for Season Twoin January 2025, it surpassed expectations. “The team aimed to top what we did in Season 1,” Furuhashi said before the release. The action hit harder, the story deepened, and the visuals raised the bar. For many fans, it became a definitive moment for the series, welcoming new viewers while rewarding long-time devotees.
Following the success of Season 2,a third season ofSolo Levelinghas already been confirmed. While details remain under wraps, sources close to the production say that development is underway and aims to adapt one of the webtoon’s most climactic arcs yet. With the narrative stakes rising and the fanbase continuing to grow, the next chapter promises even more spectacle and emotional payoff.
With a Netflix live action adaptation in development and merchandise expanding across global markets,Solo Levelinghas solidified its place as a true multimedia franchise.“There’s still so much story left to tell,” Furuhashi said. “This isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning.”
