This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling series.
Solo Leveling is one of the biggest and most popular anime series of the last few years and it’s only getting bigger with each successive new release. Fans witnessed the release of Solo Leveling Season 2 earlier this year, and it is safe to say that it far surpassed the expectations of everyone. Solo Leveling Season 2 proved to be far better than the first one, and the intense action that it delivered ensured that the fans demanded even more content. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Solo Leveling Season 3 is one of the most anticipated anime releases at this point in time, but it seems the studio has had a change of plans in that regard.
Regardless, Solo Leveling will continue, and it seems that now, with all the popularity, it can finally go head-to-head against some of the biggest anime of all time, such as One Piece. While One Piece is absolutely massive and far above the likes of Solo Leveling, especially in Japan, the producers of the anime aim to reach a similar level of success with Solo Leveling’s next project. It is, undoubtedly, going to be difficult, but it is most certainly not going to be impossible. By all means, Solo Leveling will try to dethrone One Piece next year, and in the years to come.
Solo Leveling Aims For Big Success In 2026
solo leveling jin woo glowing eyes
Solo Leveling fans are eagerly waiting for the next big project from the franchise. So far, A-1 Pictures has not made any announcements regarding their plans for Solo Leveling, but the author himself confirmed recently that many discussions are taking place behind the scenes. At the same time, fans also know that leaks from the production committee seem to indicate that Solo Leveling isn’t aiming for a third season, but instead going for a theatrical release in 2026.
Every time I grow stronger, I feel like I lose a part of myself. — Sung Jinwoo, Solo Leveling
Of course, this change of strategy has its pros and cons, but more importantly, what fans need to keep in mind is that it practically confirms that Solo Leveling is lining up new content for all the watchers to enjoy in 2026.
At this point, Solo Leveling is so big that anything it releases gets compared to the best anime. As such, when Solo Leveling’s next project is out, it goes without saying that it’ll be compared to One Piece. Solo Leveling Season 3, or the movie, will most definitely be rivaling One Piece. Globally, Solo Leveling has already beaten One Piece in some instances, such as dethroning it on Crunchyroll by becoming the highest rated and the most reviewed anime. But in Japan, Solo Leveling is far smaller. That might change soon enough.
Atsushi Kaneko Confirms The Goal To Surpass One Piece
Previously, the staff working on Solo Leveling, specifically Atsushi Kaneko, confirmed that Solo Leveling, while huge, isn’t really a rival to One Piece, yet. The goal in the future is to reach similar levels of popularity, and perhaps even surpass that barrier. Here’s what he had to say:
As a Japanese person living in Japan, the anime is not at the level of Dragon Ball, One Piece, or Naruto. But if season three happens, that’s when I want to truly break that boundary. — Atsushi Kaneko, Solo Leveling Producer
Clearly, Solo Leveling is looking to dethrone One Piece as Japan’s biggest anime series. Of course, this isn’t easy to do, especially given that One Piece is getting its own big releases every year and the fact that it has a loyal fanbase of decades. Still, Solo Leveling will hope to rival it, especially if it gets a new movie.
I use the System, and the System uses me. — Sung Jinwoo, Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling Movie Could Help The Franchise Beat One Piece
Image from Solo Leveling Karma
Solo Leveling is potentially getting a new movie in 2026, and if the reports are true, then it has a great opportunity at hand to surpass One Piece. Solo Leveling’s movie will do massive numbers at Japan’s Box Office, as well as the Global Box Office.
One Piece hasn’t had success on the same level of Demon Slayer when it comes to anime movies. However, if Solo Leveling manages to produce stellar quality, and on top of that, if the movie is a canon continuation of the story instead of Season 3, fans will flock to cinemas to watch it, and this would ensure One Piece gets surpassed.
Solo Leveling has 25 episodes available to watch right now, split over two major seasons, the most recent of which wrapped up in 2025. The series can be streamed on Crunchyroll. There have been no major announcements about a third season so far. Fans can get more Solo Leveling content via the Manhwa.
