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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Solo Leveling

Solo Leveling is a South Korean fantasy series that began as a web novel and was later adapted into a manhwa and anime.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Solo Leveling is a South Korean fantasy series that began as a web novel and was later adapted into a manhwa and anime. It follows Sung Jin-woo, a weak hunter who gains the ability to level up through a mysterious system after surviving a deadly dungeon incident. The series is set in a world where hunters fight monsters emerging through Gates.

Premise

Solo Leveling is set in a world where human hunters with supernatural abilities battle monsters that emerge through Gates. Sung Jin-woo survives a near-fatal dungeon incident and is selected by The System, which allows him to grow stronger in a way other hunters cannot.

Adaptations

The story originated as a South Korean web novel and was later adapted into a manhwa/webtoon and an anime television series. The anime’s first season aired from January 7 to March 31, 2024.

Power system

The series uses a rank-based hunter system, while Jin-woo’s unique power is a game-like leveling mechanic. The System grants him quests, experience, stats, and upgrades, unlike ordinary hunters whose abilities are fixed after awakening.

Key facts

  • The story centers on Sung Jin-woo, initially the weakest hunter, who becomes uniquely able to grow stronger over time.
  • Hunters in the series fight monsters and dungeon threats that appear through Gates.
  • Jin-woo’s ability is tied to a mysterious program called The System, which lets him gain levels, stats, quests, and rewards.
  • The original story began as a web novel before being adapted into a manhwa and later an anime.
  • The anime season 1 aired in 2024.
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Canadian context

Solo Leveling has a broad international audience, including Canadian anime and manhwa readers, through its English-language releases and anime streaming availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is Solo Leveling about?
It follows Sung Jin-woo, a weak hunter in a world of monster-filled Gates, who gains a unique ability to level up and becomes much stronger over time.
Who is the main character in Solo Leveling?
The main character is Sung Jin-woo.
Is Solo Leveling a manhwa?
Yes. It began as a South Korean web novel and was adapted into a manhwa/webtoon; it was later adapted into an anime.
How many chapters of Solo Leveling are there?
The main manhwa is generally cited as having 179 chapters, excluding epilogue or side-story material.
Will Solo Leveling have a season 2?
Yes. The anime has already continued beyond season 1, and a second season was planned and later released after the first season.
What is the power system in Solo Leveling?
Most hunters have fixed ranks, but Jin-woo has The System, a game-like mechanic that gives him quests, experience, stats, and level-ups.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solo_Leveling
    Supports: Premise, main character, The System, and basic story setup.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solo_Leveling_season_1
    Supports: Anime adaptation, season 1 airing, and series premise.
  3. Ashley's Cabinet of Curiosities — https://www.ashleyscabinetofcuriosities.com/post/solo-leveling-complete-review
    Supports: Web novel/manhwa adaptation and game-like leveling system.
  4. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solo_Leveling
    Supports: Story description and adaptation details.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21209876/
    Supports: Anime series premise and main character.