The global sensation Solo Leveling continues to dominate streaming charts and win over new fans, but according to its animation producer Atsushi Kaneko, the journey is far from complete. Speaking during an interview at Anime Expo, Kaneko shared his hopes for the future of the franchise and his dream of seeing Solo Leveling reach the heights of Japan’s most iconic anime.
Despite the show's overwhelming global popularity, Kaneko admitted that Solo Leveling has yet to reach a household name status in its home country. Referencing major titles like Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece, Kaneko noted that while the series has gained massive traction worldwide, it still lacks the universal recognition within Japan that those legendary titles enjoy. That is precisely what he hopes to change, especially if a third season is greenlit.
In his own words, Kaneko described Season 3 as the moment he wants the series to truly break through that ceiling. He even drew a comparison to Dragon Ball’s Spirit Bomb, where Goku gathered energy from people around the world. Echoing that metaphor, Kaneko said that if Season 3 happens, it will require the collective support of fans across the globe. He revealed that this was something he learned from Akira Toriyama himself, during conversations with the late creator of Dragon Ball.
Kaneko and fellow producer Sota Furuhashi reinforced this sentiment during a Reddit AMA, where they directly asked fans to send their energy, likening it once again to Goku’s iconic Spirit Bomb. This passionate appeal has struck a chord with the fandom, especially as Solo Leveling continues to shatter records, recently being confirmed as Crunchyroll’s most-streamed anime of all time.
The future of Solo Leveling appears promising beyond just anime episodes. The franchise is expanding in all directions. A live-action adaptation has been acquired by Netflix with a cast reveal already in motion. Solo Leveling on Ice was announced as another unique extension of the IP. The gaming side of the brand is booming too. Netmarble’s Solo Leveling: Arise has brought in hundreds of millions and is expanding further with a new console release titled Arise Overdrive. A new game named Solo Leveling: Karma is also in development, with rights shared between Netmarble and the anime production team.
On the publishing front, the webtoon remains a powerhouse, with a final print edition releasing this December. The story is still landing spots on bestseller lists for graphic novels in the United States. Even the Solo Leveling universe is growing through spin-offs and character-based webtoons, such as the Cha Hae-In backstory and an upcoming Sung Jinah Hunter webtoon.
While fans eagerly await confirmation of a third season, the message from the creators is clear. The passion from the audience can make it happen. If the spirit of the community is strong enough, Solo Leveling might just take its place alongside the legendary anime that inspired it.
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