New Solo Leveling Special Gets Crunchyroll Exclusive Release

Crunchyroll is releasing a new special about A-1 Pictures’ breakout hit Solo Leveling.

As detailed in a recent press release, a two-part documentary titled The Leveling of Solo Leveling will soon begin streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll. Co-produced by Allso, this series explores the growth of the Solo Leveling franchise, chronicling its evolution from a Korean web novel into a webtoon and, finally, to anime form. The viewer’s journey begins in Korea, where they visit D&C Media and Redice Studio to learn about the making of both the novel and the online manhwa. The filmmakers then travel to Japan to gain insights from A-1 Pictures and Aniplex staffers, including Solo Leveling anime director Shunsuke Nakashige. The series is scheduled to premiere on Crunchyroll starting March 4, 3:30 p.m. (PST).

Crunchyroll Played a Major Role in Solo Leveling’s Anime Production

Crunchyroll itself played a critical role in the production of the Solo Leveling anime series. According to Crunchyroll CEO Rahul Purini, his team got the wheels turning for an official anime adaptation after their fans brought the series to their attention. “Our team read the manhwa, liked the IP, and so we actually took it to one of our sister partners in Japan — Aniplex — and co-produced the show with them…that’s [just] one example of where we co-produced a show based on what we were hearing from our fans,” Purini explained. As of March 4, eight episodes of Solo Leveling have been released on Crunchyroll’s streaming platform.

To create The Leveling of Solo Leveling, Crunchyroll partnered with Allso, a Paris-based production company that’s part of an award-winning media conglomerate called So Press. Known for its innovative approach to digital filmmaking, Allso collaborates with major companies like UbiSoft and Red Bull to develop commercials, documentaries and narrative-focused brand content. The So Press conglomerate also encompasses magazines, a record company, a book publisher and a film production house called So In Love.

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“Can’t Believe They Did That!”: Solo Leveling ADR Director Teases Future Episodes of the Anime

Solo Leveling ADR Director Caitlin Glass and Jin-woo voice actor Aleks Le tease both excitement and mayhem in the upcoming anime episodes this season.

The Solo Leveling franchise began as a South Korean web novel written by Chu-gong. Originally serialized in 2016, the story is set in a world where certain humans, known as “hunters,” can utilize supernatural abilities. These humans use these special powers within “gates” — mysterious entryways that have cropped up all over Earth and all link back to a single dimension filled with dungeons. Upon entering, hunters find themselves in an RPG-style world where they can strengthen by leveling. Jinwoo Sung, who is known by many as “the weakest hunter of all time,” ends up mortally wounded after entering a certain high-rank dungeon. However, before he dies, a strange quest window opens before him. When he enters, Jinwoo finds himself healed — and in a perpetual state of leveling up. The novel was later adapted into a manhwa (or webtoon) by artist Jang Sung-rak.

The Leveling of Solo Leveling is scheduled to hit Crunchyroll today, March 4, at 3:30 p.m. (PST).

Solo Leveling

In a world of gifted hunters and monsters, a weak hunter Sung Jin-Woo gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious program, leading him to become one of the strongest hunters and conquering even the strongest dungeons.

Release Date

January 7, 2024

Cast

Aleks Le , Taito Ban

Main Genre

Action

Seasons

1

Studio

A-1 Pictures

Creator

Chugong

Writers

Noboru Kimura

Source: Press release