Solo Leveling Season 2 has recently concluded, yet fans are left without any updates regarding the launch of a subsequent season. This delay is particularly surprising given that the gap between the release of Seasons 1 and 2 was only about a year. While there’s considerable enthusiasm for Solo Leveling Season 3, the primary concern shifts from uncertainty about renewal—which appears unlikely given the series’ immense popularity—to when the new season will officially debut. There’s abundant evidence suggesting that the Solo Leveling franchise continues to thrive, paving the way for future installments.
Following the dramatic climax of Season 2, viewers are eager to discover how the anime will unfold the subsequent story arcs. So far, the anime adaptation has covered the first seven volumes of the webtoon, effectively concluding the initial part of the narrative. This leaves significant adventures in the life of Jinwoo yet to be explored in forthcoming seasons, ensuring viewers remain captivated by the character’s evolving journey.
Potential for Four Seasons of Solo Leveling
A Wealth of Material Still to Adapt
The original manhwa of Solo Leveling concludes with 179 chapters—expanded to 200 when considering the epilogue. The first season of the anime covered 45 chapters within just 12 episodes, whereas Season 2 adapted up to chapter 110, thus nearing the end of the first major storyline. Given that approximately 90 chapters remain, at least four seasons seem necessary for a thorough adaptation of the remaining content.
Furthermore, thus far, the anime has only tackled 13 out of the 22 story arcs present in the manhwa. Notably, Season 2’s finale bypasses crucial scenes that introduce new characters and the Recruitment Arc (chapters 108 to 110). This arc not only showcases Jinwoo’s newly publicized powers but also sets the stage for Season 3’s forthcoming developments.
With the conclusion of Season 2 taking place at a pivotal moment in the series, Jinwoo stands at the threshold of personal transformation following his mother’s recovery. The narrative’s conflict is poised to shift from tackling the Gates to delving into the enigma of the system, as the Monarchs emerge as the primary adversaries.
Will Four Seasons Suffice for Solo Leveling?
Potentially Following a Successful Formula
During Season 2, the adaptation maintained a rapid pace, averaging about five chapters per episode, which outstrips the common practice of three chapters per episode. It is plausible that the remaining 90 chapters can be fitted into two additional seasons of 12 episodes each. However, a primary concern raised by viewers revolved around the hurried pacing and omission of content from the original that enriched Jinwoo’s interactions with supporting characters.
Moving into Season 3, the creators could enhance the pacing by ensuring a more faithful adaptation of the light novel elements, which delve deeper into characterization, including the Japan Crisis Arc that wasn’t thoroughly represented in the manhwa. Moreover, future seasons might take inspiration from popular series like Demon Slayer, which integrated original scenes to deepen character development, potentially adapting the climactic Final Battle Arc into a feature film format. This approach could assuage criticisms of a hastily concluded storyline.
Exploring Solo Leveling: Ragnarok Next?
Epilogue Links to Future Sequels
This situational context allows for exciting possibilities: much like how Naruto: Boruto The Movie set the stage for the next generation, Solo Leveling’s epilogue could serve as a launching point for adapting Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, a spin-off series that aligns with the successful trends observed in franchises like My Hero Academia and Fairy Tail.
Currently, the manhwa and light novel for Solo Leveling: Ragnarok are accessible on Tapas. Though the manhwa comprises fewer than 50 chapters, the light novel’s expansive narrative exceeds 300 chapters—surpassing its predecessor’s 270 chapters. This expansion introduces a richer storyline with formidable new enemies—which suggests that the Solo Leveling franchise is far from reaching its conclusion.
Solo Leveling’s Sequels Remain Unconfirmed Despite Popularity
Current Uncertainties from Production
Although Aniplex initially greenlit the anime adaptation through A-1 Pictures for 25 episodes slated for 2024, a report from The Bell suggested that production is projected to extend to a sixth season. However, this remains unclear as anime producer Atsushi Kaneko remarked that the series will be on hold for the time being, depending on audience support.
This ambiguity could be a calculated marketing tactic aimed at boosting Blu-ray and manhwa sales or hinting at possible changes in studio focus or temporary diversions to attend to other projects. Nonetheless, given its immense success, Solo Leveling serves as a benchmark work that is expected to elevate the webtoon industry on a global scale, leading to more anime adaptations in the near future. The ongoing record-breaking streaming numbers strongly suggest that the production team is unlikely to forsake the renewal of Solo Leveling while it enjoys peak popularity.
While fans may need to exercise patience for the upcoming season to ensure its quality, expectations are high for favorable updates on the franchise soon, as hinted by the author in a recent statement about the confirmation of Season 3. It’s clear that A-1 Pictures has successfully honored Solo Leveling’s source material and generated greater excitement than many contemporary anime series.
Source: The Bell