The announcement of an anime adaptation for Solo Leveling was met with little skepticism, given the manhwa’s immense popularity and dedicated following. True to expectations, the series has achieved extraordinary success, with key elements that contributed to its impact on the industry.
Solo Leveling played a crucial role in shaping a new wave of manhwa centered around “leveling up” mechanics and game-like storytelling. These elements have since become hallmarks of an entire subgenre, leading to a surge in similar series that embrace the same themes.
Solo Leveling reshaped the manhwa industry with its game-like storytelling (Photo: Solo Leveling/Lucasfilm Ltd)The Influence of Solo Leveling on Manhwa Trends
Jang Hye-Kyung, International Print Publishing Manager at D&C Media, highlights the unexpected impact Solo Leveling had on the industry, even influencing the usage of certain words in titles. She explains that after the success of Solo Leveling, the word “solo” gained traction as a buzzword, leading to an influx of manhwa incorporating it into their titles.
While Solo Leveling did not originate these tropes, it perfected their execution, solidifying its reputation as a defining work in the genre. By refining these elements and making them more engaging, Solo Leveling set the standard for future works.
The documentary suggests that although other manhwa have since adopted similar story structures, few have managed to match the execution and storytelling depth that made Solo Leveling a global sensation.
Solo Leveling Inspired an Entire Sub-Genre of Manhwa
Created by Chugong and Illustrated by Jang Sung-Rak, It Stands as the Most Successful Manhwa to Date. Discussions about manhwa featuring dungeon settings, overpowered protagonists, and game-like progression often bring Solo Leveling to the forefront.
As highlighted in the documentary, even in its web novel form, the story showed immense promise, which only grew stronger with its webtoon adaptation. The title has become so influential that its tropes—and even the word “solo” itself—are now closely associated with the series.
The Korean title of Solo Leveling translates to I Alone Level Up, which further reinforces its branding. Following its release, several manhwa adopted similar wording in their titles, such as Solo Glitch Player, I Log in Alone, The Lone Spellcaster, The Lone Necromancer, Leveling Up Alone, and Solo Eating to Overpowered.
These series often share familiar elements with Solo Leveling, such as post-apocalyptic settings, monster-hunting, and protagonists who start weak but progressively grow stronger. However, few have managed to replicate the same level of storytelling finesse that made Solo Leveling stand out.
The Only Manhwa that Could Rival Solo Leveling Still Awaits an Anime Adaptation
Omniscient Reader Deserves Its Place in the Spotlight. Among the many apocalyptic-themed manhwa, Omniscient Reader by singNsong is one of the few that can stand alongside Solo Leveling in terms of quality and fan appeal.
Illustrated by Redice Studio, the same studio behind Solo Leveling, Omniscient Reader boasts stunning artwork and a gripping storyline that could easily match or even surpass its predecessor in an anime adaptation.
Although the series shares several elements with Solo Leveling, it introduces unique twists that give it a distinct identity. The balance between familiarity and innovation allows Omniscient Reader to feel both reminiscent of Solo Leveling and refreshingly original.
If any manhwa in this genre deserves an anime adaptation, this one is a prime candidate. Solo Leveling remains one of the few manhwa to achieve widespread international recognition, bringing many new readers into the manhwa scene.
Its profound effect on the industry and its audience is undeniable, making it a cultural phenomenon that has left an enduring legacy.