SEOUL, July 4, 2022 — Kakao Entertainment today announced that its blockbuster webtoon “Solo Leveling” (original web novel by Chugong, webtoon written by h-goon/art by DUBU [REDICE STUDIO], D&C WEBTOON Biz), which has attracted over 14.2 billion cumulative views worldwide, will be adapted into an animated film. A teaser image and promotional video of the animation were released online July 4, unveiling the news. The movie will be produced by Japan’s renowned animation studio A-1 Pictures and is scheduled for release in 2023. 

“Solo Leveling” was first published as a web novel in 2016, quickly gaining popularity among fans. The action fantasy novel follows the adventures of the main character Sung Jinwoo in a world constantly threatened by monsters and the forces of evil. In his battles against these forces, readers watch Sung – dubbed the weakest hunter of all mankind – transform into one of the strongest hunters in existence.

Adapted into a blockbuster webtoon by Kakao Entertainment in 2018, the story became a smash hit in countries worldwide, including Japan, Thailand, and the U.S. The series has been much loved not only for the gripping plot but also for the spectacular art that brings the action to life. “Solo Leveling” has also been released as NFTs and a game is currently being developed, showcasing the scalability of the original story. 

Fans of “Solo Leveling” have long awaited an animated adaptation, with roughly 220,000 fans petitioning for this on the petition website change.org. Tapped for the production is Japan’s A-1 Pictures, known for hit animation movies such as “Sword Art Online,” “The Seven Deadly Sins,” “Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, Erased,” and “Your Lie in April.”

“If someone told me that this web novel would become an animation when I was first started writing it six years ago, I wouldn’t have believed them,” said Chugong, who penned the web novel. “I feel so excited about this, and I can’t wait to see Sung Jinwoo and his friends come to life in the animation.”

“It seems like it was only yesterday when we first discussed the possibility of this adaptation. Words can’t express how moved I am that this is happening,” DUBU (REDICE STUDIO), the illustrator of the webtoon said. “I’d like to thank all the ‘Solo Leveling’ fans around the world for making this possible, and I hope this movie adds a new layer of joy to their experience.” 

The teaser image and promotional video for the animation are available on Aniplex and D&C WEBTOON Biz’s YouTube channels.