Solo Leveling
It is Korean, not Japanese – and the story has already finished.
Techbox, Thessaloniki
First, something rarely said: it is Korean
It sits alongside Japanese anime, but it is not Japanese – and the difference is practical.
The story began as a Korean web novel and became a manhwa – the Korean word for comics, as opposed to Japanese manga.
And that changes the book in your hands:
For someone who has never read comics before, manhwa is a far easier start – no need to get used to reading backwards, and the colour helps.
Where the anime stands
The anime has two seasons, twenty-five episodes in total. The second finished in March 2025.
It won best animation and best action anime at the 2026 awards, and the score is by the composer behind Attack on Titan.
In June 2026 a third season was officially confirmed to be in production – but with an expected window of 2027 to 2028. In other words: nothing new arrives on screen for some time yet.
A new game is scheduled for the second half of 2026 – within the coming months. It is the only new thing arriving this year.
A film and a live-action adaptation have also moved forward – neither has a date, so do not expect them soon.
The story has already finished
The manhwa was completed in 2021. It does not continue, and no new characters will be added.
For a collector that matters: the character list is final, and a collection here can genuinely be completed.
And it means the manhwa is far ahead of the anime – twenty-five episodes do not cover a completed story. The whole ending is already in print.
In practice: for someone who has watched the two seasons and is waiting, the manhwa is the ideal gift – and they will finish it well before the third season arrives.
Careful with Ragnarok – it is a different story
You will come across Solo Leveling: Ragnarok. It is not the same story.
It is a sequel that follows Jin-woo's son – a different protagonist, set after everything the anime has shown.
If the gift is for someone who only knows the anime, they want the original story – not the sequel. Starting at the wrong point spoils the first one.
What to choose
- The manhwa: the strongest gift here – in colour, easy to read, and far ahead of the anime.
- Figures: Jin-woo by a distance – his design is among the most recognisable in recent anime.
- Funko POP & miniatures: the protagonist and the main cast.
- Apparel: with the series' dark aesthetic – understated designs.
- Posters & art prints: this is where it stands out – the manhwa's colour work is striking on a wall.
- Keyrings & accessories: affordable gifts.
The safest choice: something with Jin-woo – or the first volume of the manhwa, if they only watch the anime and are waiting for the third season.
Age: it is an action fantasy with monsters and combat. Aimed at teenagers and up – without going to the extremes of horror.
Same audience: Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man and Attack on Titan.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it manga or manhwa?
- Manhwa – it is Korean, not Japanese. The practical difference: manhwa is in colour and read left to right, like an ordinary book, while Japanese manga is black and white and read backwards. That makes Solo Leveling one of the easiest starting points for someone who has never read comics.
- When is the third season out?
- It was officially confirmed in June 2026 to be in production, with an expected window of 2027 to 2028. The second season finished in March 2025, so the gap is a long one.
- What should I buy for someone who is waiting?
- The manhwa. The story was completed in 2021, so it continues far beyond where the anime stopped – and they will finish it well before the third season arrives.
- What is Solo Leveling: Ragnarok?
- It is a different story: a sequel following Jin-woo's son. If the gift is for someone who only knows the anime, they want the original story, not the sequel.
- Is anything new arriving within the year?
- Yes – a new game, scheduled for the second half of 2026. It is the only new thing arriving this year. A film and a live-action adaptation have also moved forward, but neither has a date – as with the third season, expected in 2027 or 2028.
