🏆 Anime of the Year 2025: Solo Leveling’s Meteoric Rise
In a year brimming with stellar anime releases, Solo Leveling carved its name in gold by clinching the Anime of the Year at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The series didn’t stop there—it also bagged accolades for Best New Series, Best Action, Best Score, and Best Main Character (Sung Jinwoo), among others . With its gripping narrative, breathtaking animation by A-1 Pictures, and a soundtrack that hits harder than Jinwoo’s punches, it’s no wonder the anime captivated audiences worldwide.
📖 Story Overview: From E-Rank to Shadow Monarch
Solo Leveling follows Sung Jinwoo, the world’s weakest E-Rank hunter, who stumbles upon a mysterious “System” after a near-death experience in a double dungeon. This System grants him the unique ability to level up, turning him into humanity’s last hope against the monstrous threats emerging from gates. The narrative masterfully blends action, strategy, and character development, making it a must-read for any shonen enthusiast.
📚 Solo Leveling Manhwa: Chapters & Arcs
The Solo Leveling manhwa adaptation, illustrated by the late Dubu (Jang Sung-rak), ran from March 4, 2018, to December 29, 2021, encompassing 179 chapters. The story is divided into 22 arcs, each escalating the stakes and deepening the lore.
Here’s a breakdown of the arcs:
| Arc Name | Chapters |
|---|---|
| D-Rank Dungeon Arc | 1–10 |
| Reawakening Arc | 11–12 |
| Instant Dungeon Arc | 13–17 |
| Dungeon & Lizards Arc | 18–24 |
| Dungeon & Prisoners Arc | 25–34 |
| Yoo Jinho Raid Party Arc | 35–37 |
| Job Change Arc | 38–45 |
| Red Gate Arc | 46–55 |
| Demon Castle Arc | 56–61 |
| Retesting Rank Arc | 61–64 |
| Hunters Guild Gate Arc | 65–75 |
| Return to Demon Castle Arc | 76–89 |
| Jeju Island Arc | 90–107 |
| Recruitment Arc | 108–110 |
| Ahjin Guild Arc | 111–122 |
| Double Dungeon Arc | 123–131 |
| Japan Crisis Arc | 132–139 |
| International Guild Conference Arc | 140–149 |
| Monarchs War Arc | 150–166 |
| Final Battle Arc | 167–177 |
| Epilogue | 178–179 |
| Academy Arc | 180–200 |
Note: The Academy Arc is exclusive to the manhwa and serves as a side story.
📘 Solo Leveling Light Novel: Chapters & Volumes
The original light novel, penned by Chugong, consists of 270 chapters compiled into 14 volumes. It delves deeper into character motivations, world-building, and intricate plot details.
Here’s a concise overview:
| Volume | Key Arcs Covered |
|---|---|
| 1 | D-Rank Dungeon, Reawakening |
| 2 | Instant Dungeon, Dungeon & Lizards |
| 3 | Dungeon & Prisoners, Yoo Jinho Raid Party |
| 4 | Job Change, Red Gate |
| 5 | Demon Castle, Retesting Rank |
| 6 | Hunters Guild Gate, Return to Demon Castle |
| 7 | Jeju Island, Recruitment |
| 8 | Ahjin Guild, Double Dungeon |
| 9 | Japan Crisis, International Guild Conference |
| 10 | Monarchs War |
| 11 | Final Battle |
| 12 | Epilogue |
| 13 | Side Stories |
| 14 | Academy Arc |
⚔️ Solo Leveling: Ragnarok – The Legacy Continues
Solo Leveling: Ragnarok is the sequel focusing on Sung Su-ho, the son of Jinwoo and Cha Hae-in. Set years after the original, Su-ho inherits his father’s powers but starts unaware of his destiny.
📗 Ragnarok Manhwa
The manhwa adaptation began serialization on July 31, 2024, and is ongoing. As of now, it has released 42 chapters, covering arcs like:
| Arc Name | Chapters |
|---|---|
| Hunter Awakening Arc | 1–7 |
| Gwanak Mount Field Arc | 8–13 |
| Seoul Station Field Arc | 14–20 |
| Beast Sanctuary Arc | 21–27 |
| Retesting Rank Arc | 28–34 |
| Pyramid Arc | 35–42 |
📙 Ragnarok Light Novel
Authored by Daul, the light novel has surpassed 318 chapters, with the author noting that these chapters serve as a prologue to the main story . The narrative is expansive, introducing new threats and delving into Su-ho’s journey as he steps into his father’s colossal shoes.
🧠 Final Thoughts
From its humble beginnings as a web novel to becoming a global anime sensation, Solo Leveling has redefined the action-fantasy genre. Whether you’re a manga purist, a light novel enthusiast, or an anime aficionado, there’s a version of Jinwoo’s epic tale waiting for you. And with Ragnarok unfolding, the legacy continues, promising more heart-pounding action and emotional depth.
Time to level up your reading list, folks!