Korean Anime “Solo Leveling” Makes History with 9 Wins at 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards
Korean animation Solo Leveling has etched its name in history by sweeping nine awards including Anime of the Year at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, becoming the first Korean-produced anime to earn the top honor at one of the industry’s most prestigious ceremonies.
Based on the hit web novel by Chugong, Solo Leveling captivated global audiences with its high-octane action and gripping storyline, ultimately dominating this year’s awards held in Tokyo. Out of its 13 nominations, the series took home nine trophies, including Best New Series, Best Action, and three regional awards for Best Voice Artist Performance in English, Brazilian Portuguese, and Castilian Spanish.
The win puts Solo Leveling ahead of fan-favorite Japanese series like One Piece, Attack on Titan: The Final Season, and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hashira Training Arc.
Director Shunsuke Nakashige expressed his gratitude: “The entire production team poured their hearts into this project, and it was thanks to the support and empathy of fans that we were able to receive these honors.”
Kakao Entertainment, which manages the Solo Leveling franchise, hailed the achievement as a milestone for Korean animation. “It is deeply meaningful to create a historic moment by winning the highest honor at Crunchyroll for the first time in Korean animation history,” said Park Jeong-seo, head of Kakao’s story content division.
Originally launched as a web novel in 2016, Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-woo, the weakest hunter in a monster-infested world, who gains the unique power to infinitely level up. His transformation into the strongest hunter on Earth has resonated with millions worldwide.
The series’ webtoon adaptation, released in 2018, has surpassed 14.3 billion views globally, contributing to the worldwide boom in Korean webtoons. Its anime version debuted in 2024, followed by a second season in early 2025.
The franchise continues to expand across multiple formats. A live-action drama is in development, and a spin-off novel, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, featuring Jin-woo’s son Su-ho, has also found success.
Hosted annually by Crunchyroll, the world’s largest anime streaming platform with over 17 million subscribers, the Anime Awards recognizes global excellence in animation. Winners are selected through both expert panels and worldwide fan voting.
Solo Leveling’s historic triumph signals a new era for Korean creative content in the global animation industry.
