Solo Leveling director Shunsuke Nakashige revealed the hit anime adaptation faced severe financial struggles before becoming a global success. The series, adapted from a famous Korean work, premiered in January 2024 and quickly grew in popularity among anime fans.
The story follows protagonist Sung Jinwoo and has built a massive following on the Crunchyroll streaming platform. Over one million viewers have rated the series on Crunchyroll, where it maintains a score of 4.9 out of 5 stars.
Financial Crisis During Production
Despite the current popularity of the show, Nakashige said the production studio went through very difficult moments due to serious financial problems. At the time, licensed merchandise tied to the franchise was not generating significant profits, placing the project in a critical situation.
Rather than giving up, the production team decided to press forward and committed to maintaining high animation quality at all times. That decision allowed the studio to overcome its financial hardship and secure the show's current success.
Future Release Plans and Streaming Details
The franchise presents a new prequel redefining the protagonist's origin. Additionally, reports indicate Solo Leveling will return in 2027 with a feature film that could potentially surpass Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle.
Viewers can watch Solo Leveling on Crunchyroll. The platform offers a seven-day free trial, after which the Fan subscription plan costs 5.99 euros per month.
