Anime devotees are no strangers to suspense, but the latest news on Solo Leveling could leave even the most patient fans grinding their teeth. After two blockbuster seasons and a tidal wave of hype, the wait for a third chapter may stretch further than anyone guessed—possibly until the 2028 Olympics roll around.
Publisher|Aniplex
Release Date|Season 1: Jan 6–Mar 30, 2024; Season 2: Jan 4–Mar 29, 2025 (Season 3 TBA)
Genres|Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Supernatural
Platforms|Crunchyroll
To catch up: Solo Leveling took the anime world by storm, boasting an 8.65 score on MyAnimeList and consistently ranking at the top of Crunchyroll’s most-watched lists through early 2025. Adapted from the hit South Korean web novel, the series follows Jinwoo Sung—a hunter who goes from zero to hero in a world riddled with treacherous dungeons and monsters.
Season 1 aired between January and March 2024, with Season 2 following in early 2025. The one-year gap only stoked the fandom’s fire, as Season 2 shot straight to the top of Crunchyroll’s charts during its run.
But anyone hoping for a repeat of that quick turnaround is in for a cold shower. In a recent industry Q&A, producer Sota Furuhashi made things plain: “You’ll probably have to wait for the next Olympics (2028) to see what happens with Season 3.” That means at least a three-year hiatus from the last episode.
What’s behind the delay? Furuhashi pointed to the massive workload—over 220,000 animation frames crafted across the first two seasons—and stressed the importance of letting the animators catch their breath. “I like to let the animators catch their breath,” he quipped.
Still, the ultimate fate of Solo Leveling isn’t set in stone. Atsushi Kaneko, animation producer at Studio A-1 Pictures, likened the decision to create more episodes to forming a “Genkidama” (Spirit Bomb)—a clear nod to Dragon Ball—emphasizing that global fan support will be the deciding factor for bringing the story back.
It’s a uniquely modern anime dilemma: the balance between fan fervor and production realities. While some shows crank out sequels on a yearly schedule, Solo Leveling’s team is doubling down on quality over speed. Will the crowd still be ready to “level up” in 2028? Only time—and a massive wave of fan “energy”—will tell.
TL;DR: Solo Leveling’s hype is still sky-high, but Season 3 may not arrive until at least 2028. The show’s future is in the hands of Studio A-1 Pictures and the global fanbase, so if you want to see more Jinwoo, keep the buzz alive!
Source: Aniplex via GamesPress