Solo Leveling by Chugong is currently one of the largest franchises in South Korea. Interestingly, back in 2016, this franchise was relatively unknown. The explosive growth of webtoons and media in South Korea over the past few years has made fans of Solo Leveling eagerly anticipate its potential adaptation into an anime series.
Alongside the wave of adaptations for various Korean webtoons like Tower of God and The God of High School, Solo Leveling is also gaining attention. Moreover, this franchise has been slated for adaptation into various formats, including live-action and video games.
What makes Solo Leveling unique?
This series initially began as a web novel before being adapted into a webtoon published on KakaoPage. The webtoon has been running for over two seasons, with three arcs. The story revolves around Sung Jin-Woo, a weak hunter in South Korea’s guild system. One day, he stumbles upon a mysterious dungeon that opens up a world of supernatural powers, granting him abilities that surpass those of ordinary people.
Jin-Woo and his team venture into a deep dungeon and face life-threatening challenges. Afterward, Jin-Woo realizes that he has been reincarnated and possesses powers similar to those in video games. This allows him to view quests and challenges as mere statistics, enhancing his abilities compared to others. Jin-Woo continues to strive to become the strongest hunter while seeking the mysterious creatures hidden within the dungeons.
Solo Leveling as a lucrative brand
This potential is highlighted through a survey conducted at Anime Japan 2021, where Solo Leveling ranked second among the most anticipated comic adaptations to anime. The immense popularity has prompted investors in South Korea to consider various adaptation projects, not just anime but also live-action and video games based on the story.
Additionally, many fans compare the epic battles between monsters and humans to other franchises, including Monster Hunter and Attack on Titan. The narrative also offers details that could be adapted into an RPG game set in an isekai universe.
Currently, the webtoon is still gaining traction among readers. Its original novel has been translated and published in English. This development not only promotes the franchise but also paves the way for a potential manhwa print edition. Plans for anime, video game, and live-action adaptations are expected to be officially announced once the preparations are finalized. In the near future, it is likely to become one of the dominant franchises in the Asian region.
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