Is Solo Leveling a Korean or Japanese Creation?

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Recently, Solo Leveling has risen as one of the top action-fantasy animes, captivating numerous viewers, yet sparking curiosity among newcomers regarding its origins. Given that the narrative takes place in a Korean context and the anime is produced in Japan, the perplexity is reasonable.

Dive deep into this captivating exploration of the enigmatic origins of Solo Leveling, unraveling the intricate web that led to its various incarnations. As a fervent devotee, I can’t wait to unearth the secrets hidden within!

Although the anime version of Solo Leveling is produced in Japan by A-1 Pictures, it’s essential to note that this popular series originated as a South Korean web novel penned by Chugong back in 2016. Initially serialized on KakaoPage and later published by D&C Media, the story was born and bred in Korea.

Later on, it was transformed into a vivid webcomic (a digital comic format from Korea known as manhwa), which was beautifully illustrated by the late Jang Sung-rak, also known as Dubu. An anime series, helmed by Shunsuke Nakashige, premiered in early 2024, with a second season airing in 2025.

Although it’s a Japanese production, Solo Leveling maintains its Korean roots in terms of character names, city settings, and cultural references, which are all based on South Korea. For broadcasts in Japan, there’s an adapted version with Japanese place names and character names instead, mainly because of historical sensitivities between the two nations.

Since then, the series has grown to encompass a sequel known as “Solo Leveling: Ragnarok,” available both as a web novel and webtoon. Additionally, an RPG game called “Solo Leveling: Arise” by Netmarble has been created, and a Korean drama adaptation is currently being developed.

Ultimately, even though the Solo Leveling anime hails from Japan, its roots are undeniably Korean – encompassing both plotline and structure. As such, the original comic is classified as a manhwa, not a manga, and can be read in its native language on KakaoPage. For those who prefer English, it’s accessible on Tapas and Tappytoon.

Keep an eye on TopMob for more updates from the Solo Leveling series.

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2025-04-16 17:40