Anime fans around the world have witnessed the massive rise in the popularity ofSolo Leveling,a series that has stormed Crunchyroll’s rankings to claim its place as the fourth most-rated anime on the platform. With an astonishing 363,000 ratings,Solo Levelinghas surpassedChainsaw Man, a title that once seemed untouchable in the streaming giant’s history. The surge in attention has fans buzzing about whetherSolo Levelingcould go further and challenge the likes ofOne Piece, Demon Slayer, andJujutsu Kaisen.
The achievement not only cementsSolo Levelingas one of the world’s most-watched anime, but it also sparks the debate of whether this newcomer can sustain its momentum and challenge the reigning titans of Crunchyroll. As anime has become more popular in pop culture, I’ve often wondered howSolo Levelingachieved this record-breaking success, what it would take to toppleOne Piece,and whether such a monumental goal is even possible.

How Solo Leveling Climbed the Crunchyroll Ladder
From Webtoon to Worldwide Sensation, Solo Leveling Is Leveling Up
Solo Levelinghas an undeniable draw to it, thanks to its engaging story and amazing animation of a beloved web novel. The series follows Sung Jin-Woo, a weak hunter turned godlike hero, in a journey that taps into viewers' love for underdog tales and power fantasies. The appeal of the series was amplified by the pre-existing fanbase, including myself, who were eagerly anticipating the anime’s release, thanks to the original webtoon’s popularity.
Here’s How Solo Leveling Transformed Jinwoo Into Anime’s Very Own Batman
Solo Leveling’s Jinwoo is anime’s Batman because of their similarity in character arcs and moral problems.
Crunchyroll’s global reach has also been instrumental in boostingSolo Leveling’sratings. Simultaneous streaming in multiple languages and high-quality subtitles have made the series accessible to viewers worldwide. The platform’s aggressive marketing campaign, including partnerships with influencers and a strategic release schedule, made sure it was seen by as many people as possible.

Solo Levelingalso benefited from the buzz surrounding its source material. Fans like me, who read the webtoon, were very vocal on social media, creating even more anticipation and hype that translated into record-breaking ratings upon release. The community-driven excitement was a key factor inSolo Leveling’sexplosive success.
What Would It Take to Topple One Piece
Solo Leveling is on a Path to the Top, But Can It Beat Luffy?
Despite this impressive achievement, overtakingOne Pieceis a challenge of epic proportions. With over two decades of storytelling,One Pieceis a cultural phenomenon boasting 1,000+ episodesand an unshakable fanbase. Crunchyroll’s ratings reflect this, as the series continues to garner new fans while keeping its long-time viewers.
ForSolo Levelingto approachOne Piece’snumbers, it would need sustained popularity over multiple seasons. While its current momentum is impressive, maintaining viewers will be important. A rushed storyline or disappointing adaptation could derail the series' ascent, as fans are quick to criticize inconsistencies.Solo Levelingwill also need to stand out to succeed. While its animation quality and story arc have been praised, it faces fierce competition in an industry that constantly churns out high-caliber content. Unique collaborations, merchandise, andspin-offs like the sequel mangaSolo Leveling: Ragnarokcould play a huge role in keeping the franchise relevant.

Crunchyroll’s metrics also depend heavily on regional engagement. WhileOne Piecedominates in regions like Japan,Solo Levelingcould get ahead of the anime giant by expanding its reach into untapped markets like Southeast Asia and South America to boost its ratings further.
Can Solo Leveling Withstand the Test of Time?
Is Solo Leveling Built to Last?
The biggest hurdle forSolo Levelingwill be its ability to sustain popularity over the long haul. UnlikeOne Piece, which has the luxury of an expansive universe and ever-evolving narratives,Solo Leveling’ssource material has a finite ending. This limitation could lead to a natural decline in ratings once the story finishes.
To combat this,the creators may explore moreSolo Levelingsequels, prequels, or spin-offs that expand the series' lore. Such content could keep fans engaged and attract new viewers who are curious about the world of hunters and dungeons. But these side stories will need to be created while keeping the source material in mind, to not tarnish the original’s reputation.
Another factor is competition. The anime industry’s rapid growth means that new contenders are always on the horizon.Upcoming series likeKaiju No. 8and ongoing giantslikeDemon Slayercould take the attention away fromSolo Leveling.Remaining in the spotlight will require consistent quality and clever marketing.
Ultimately,Solo Leveling’sability to toppleOne Piecewill depend on whether or not it can keep up with its initial burst of popularity and establish itself as a long-lasting fan-favorite anime. It is a very big goal, but I believe that if any series has the potential to achieve it,Solo Levelingmight just be the one.
Solo Leveling
Cast
Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-woo, the world’s weakest hunter, who gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious program after surviving a brutal monster attack. As he navigates his newfound abilities, Jinwoo embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of his powers and the dungeon that altered his fate.