This anime surpassed One Piece, Demon Slayer and Attack on Titan as the most watched in the history of Crunchyroll

With the second season just ending, Solo Leveling has marked a turning point in the history of anime streaming on Crunchyroll. Sony, Crunchyroll's parent company, has officially revealed that this adaptation of the popular South Korean webtoon by Chugong is now the most-watched anime of all time on the platform. It has even surpassed giants like Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, and One Piece. At a time when Crunchyroll is saturated with high-profile productions, the exponential rise of Solo Leveling has made it clear that the phenomenon is not a passing fad. Rather, it has become a new pillar in the global anime industry.

Sony confirms record in its corporate report

The news was released through the report “ Business Segment Presentation & Fireside Chat 2025 ”, published on June 13, 2025, by Sony. Within the section dedicated to its Japanese music and entertainment business, it is explicitly mentioned that Solo Leveling is, as of March 2025, the anime with the highest number of accumulated views in the history of Crunchyroll. This figure coincides with records previously reported by the same platform at the end of March. At that time, Solo Leveling had positioned itself as the highest-rated anime by users. Users gave it an impressive average score of 4.9 stars, based on more than 610,000 reviews. These numbers eclipse titles that for years led the service's internal metrics, such as Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia.

A success that goes beyond streaming

The impact of Solo Leveling goes beyond streaming on Crunchyroll. Its success has created a ripple effect that has benefited its print version. Sales of the original manhwa and its light novel have seen a significant upswing, especially following the premiere and conclusion of the second season in March 2025. Additionally, Solo Leveling has swept international events like the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. It took home the Anime of the Year award, as well as prizes for Best Direction, Best Original Score, and Best Animation. This cemented its status as a global phenomenon.

And what about the third season? Still no official confirmation.

Despite the franchise's resounding success on Crunchyroll, there's still no official announcement regarding a third season of the anime. However, everything indicates that it's only a matter of time. Mitchel Berger, Crunchyroll's director of distribution and theatrical releases, confirmed in a recent interview that Sung Jinwoo 's story will continue:

"We just wrapped the second season, which performed incredibly well. It's only natural to expect more content in the near future. We don't have dates yet, but fans can rest assured that their story will continue to be told."

Other sources close to the production have also expressed optimism regarding new seasons. While it's unlikely that Season 3 will arrive in 2026, there's speculation that a reasonable window could be between 2027 and 2028. This estimate is based on the high production level required to maintain the series' signature animation and writing quality.

Beyond Anime: Video Games and Multimedia Expansion

Alongside the anime, the franchise continues to expand. Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive, an action role-playing game, is scheduled for release this fall. It will later arrive exclusively for Xbox consoles in 2026. This title promises to offer an immersive experience based on Jinwoo 's progression as a hunter. It is considered one of the most anticipated releases within the anime gaming scene on Crunchyroll.

The story that captivated the world

Solo Leveling tells the story of Sung Jinwoo, an E-rank hunter considered the weakest in the world. However, after surviving a deadly dungeon raid, he is given a second chance thanks to a mysterious system that makes him the only being capable of "leveling up," just like in a video game. This premise, combined with its fast-paced development, striking illustrations, and a constantly evolving protagonist, has captivated millions of viewers around the world. Thus, it became a phenomenon within Crunchyroll. The first season, released in January 2024, had already set a trend. It became the most-watched anime of that year. The second season, broadcast between January and March 2025, raised the bar even further. It offered action-packed episodes, emotional moments, and a narrative that expands on the mysteries of the universe of hunters and monarchs.

Why has Solo Leveling resonated so strongly with audiences?

The success of Solo Leveling can be attributed to several factors. First, its "power fantasy" narrative structure is extremely appealing to young and adult audiences. These viewers enjoy following the journey of a protagonist who starts from the bottom and conquers the world through effort and power. This has cemented its presence on Crunchyroll. Secondly, the animation by A-1 Pictures has been praised for its fluidity and spectacularity. The battles are particularly noteworthy. Each confrontation between Jinwoo and supernatural enemies becomes a visual spectacle. This elevates the viewer experience and sets it apart from other titles in the genre. And finally, the emotional connection with the central character. Jinwoo isn't just strong: he's a character with clear motivations, marked by pain, loss, and the desire to protect those he loves. This depth has made him one of the most beloved protagonists in recent anime.