Solo Leveling (나 혼자만 레벨업) is a Korean webtoon that grew from a 2016 web novel into one of the most influential manhwa franchises in the world, spawning a hit anime, a Netflix live-action adaptation, and a new companion art book landing in August 2026. This profile covers the story, the team behind it, and what's happening with the franchise right now.
What Solo Leveling Is About
The story is set in a world where mysterious Gates connect Earth to dimensions filled with monsters, and "Hunters," humans who've awakened special combat abilities, fight to keep humanity safe. Sung Jinwoo is introduced as the weakest Hunter alive, an E-rank fighter mocked for barely surviving each mission. After a near-fatal encounter in an overpowered dungeon wipes out his entire party, Jinwoo is chosen by a mysterious entity called the System, which grants him the unique ability to grow stronger with no apparent ceiling, something no other Hunter in the world can do. The series follows his transformation from the weakest Hunter alive into one of the most powerful beings in the world.
From Web Novel to Global Franchise
Solo Leveling started as a web novel written by Chugong, serialized on Kakao's KakaoPage platform beginning July 25, 2016, and later published in print by D&C Media. The webtoon adaptation followed in 2018, illustrated by Jang Sung-rak, who worked under the pen name DUBU at Redice Studio. The webtoon ran in two seasons — the first concluding in March 2020, the second running from August 2020 to December 2021 — for a total of 179 episodes. A sequel webtoon, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, based on a novel by Daul, launched in August 2024 and follows Jinwoo's son, Sung Suho, in the years after the original story.
| Format | Details |
|---|---|
| Web novel | By Chugong, serialized on KakaoPage starting July 25, 2016 |
| Webtoon | Illustrated by DUBU (Jang Sung-rak), serialized 2018–2021, 179 episodes total |
| Anime | Produced by A-1 Pictures, premiered on Crunchyroll in January 2024 |
| Live-action series | Netflix adaptation starring Byeon Woo-seok as Sung Jinwoo, slated for 2026 |
| Sequel webtoon | Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, launched August 2024 |
The Artist Behind the Look of Solo Leveling
Much of Solo Leveling's visual identity, from Sung Jinwoo's signature dagger stance to the dungeon and monster designs, came from illustrator DUBU (Jang Sung-rak), whose distinct art style is widely credited as central to the webtoon's breakout success and later became the visual blueprint the anime studio followed closely in adapting key scenes. DUBU passed away on July 23, 2022, a loss that was deeply felt across the webtoon and broader manhwa community given how closely his work was tied to the franchise's identity.
Recent News: The Art of Solo Leveling
D&C Media and Aladin Books announced a new companion art book, The Art of Solo Leveling, set to launch in the first week of August 2026. The collection compiles artwork spanning all 179 episodes of the original webtoon, including character, weapon, monster, and dungeon designs, and notably includes previously unpublished rough sketches by DUBU along with commentary from original novelist Chugong. The release lands just days ahead of the fourth anniversary of DUBU's passing, adding weight to a book many fans see as both a franchise retrospective and a tribute to the artist who defined its look.
FAQ
Who created Solo Leveling?
The original web novel was written by Chugong, and the webtoon adaptation was illustrated by DUBU (Jang Sung-rak) at Redice Studio.
Is Solo Leveling finished?
The original webtoon concluded in December 2021 after 179 episodes, though the story continues through the sequel webtoon Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, which follows Jinwoo's son.
Is there a Solo Leveling anime?
Yes. A-1 Pictures produced an anime adaptation that premiered on Crunchyroll in January 2024 and quickly became one of the most-watched new anime of its season.
Is there a live-action Solo Leveling?
A Netflix live-action adaptation is in the works, starring Byeon Woo-seok as Sung Jinwoo, with a release planned for 2026.