The record-breaking anime Solo Leveling has solidified its place as a global phenomenon, with its second season dominating Crunchyroll’s charts in the first quarter of 2025. Following the Season 2 finale on March 30, 2025, fans have been anxiously awaiting news about a third season. While no official confirmation has been announced, Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini recently expressed optimism about Solo Leveling Season 3, offering hope to fans in a new interview. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest developments, Purini’s comments, and what they mean for the future of Sung Jinwoo’s journey.
Crunchyroll CEO’s Support for Solo Leveling Season 3
On May 1, 2025, Rahul Purini, President of Crunchyroll, addressed the possibility of Solo Leveling Season 3, stating, “We hope so,” when asked about a third season. This statement marks a significant show of support from Crunchyroll’s leadership, especially given the series’ unprecedented success on the platform, where it has amassed over 700,000 user reviews, surpassing anime giants like One Piece and Demon Slayer.
We Hope So
Rahul Purini (CEO Crunchyroll)
Purini attributed Solo Leveling’s popularity to its roots as a beloved Korean manhwa by Chugong, the high-quality animation by A-1 Pictures, and its gaming-inspired narrative. He noted that the series resonates deeply with anime fans who are also gamers, saying, “The most important thing is the theme of the story, it has a lot of themes from gaming. If you are an RPG player, or play first-person-shooting games, you understand it. When people see those themes in a narrative story format like this, it is new and it is different, and it is a language they speak and that makes it much more compelling.” This unique blend of RPG mechanics and storytelling has made Solo Leveling a standout, and Purini’s comments suggest Crunchyroll is keen to capitalize on its appeal.
However, Purini also acknowledged challenges in moving forward, citing the high demand for the series’ creators, who are juggling multiple projects. “The [series] creators want to work on a lot of shows. Anime is really popular, so there’s a lot of demand, and so we have to find the right time to get started on the next season,” he explained. This aligns with earlier reports that director Shunsuke Nakashige is currently occupied with other projects, potentially delaying production.
Fan Support and Producer Statements
The push for Solo Leveling Season 3 has also been emphasized by the series’ producers. In a Reddit AMA on May 1, 2025, Aniplex producer Sota Furuhashi and A-1 Pictures animation producer Atsushi Kaneko called on fans to rally for the series’ continuation, likening their support to Dragon Ball’s “Genki-dama” (Spirit Bomb). They stated,
“If we’re going to make a Season 3, it’s going to take all the support and energy from the fans. We learned that from Akira Toriyama himself!”
Sota Furuhashi and Atsushi Kaneko
Previously, Kaneko had expressed uncertainty about the series’ future, noting in a Crunchyroll featurette that Solo Leveling would “come to an end, for now” with Episode 25, leaving fans concerned. His more recent, hopeful comments, combined with Purini’s backing, suggest growing momentum for a third season, contingent on fan support and production scheduling.
Potential Release Timeline of Season 3
While Solo Leveling Season 3 has not been officially greenlit, speculation about its release timeline is rife. Seasons 1 and 2 aired just a year apart (January 2024 and January 2025), as they were produced as a single 25-episode batch split into two cours. However, without a similar pre-planned production, Season 3 is likely to face a longer gap. Kaneko revealed that each episode takes 10 to 12 months to produce, with localization adding further time.
Analysts, such as Forbes, have estimated a potential release in September 2026, based on the average production gaps of similar series like Demon Slayer (approximately 20 months). However, if production begins promptly and follows the same schedule as previous seasons, a January 2026 premiere is possible, potentially preceded by a compilation film, as seen with Season 2’s Solo Leveling: ReAwakening. A late 2026 or early 2027 release remains more likely if delays persist due to the director’s availability or other commitments.
What to Expect from SL Season 3
With the Solo Leveling manhwa completed at 179 chapters and Season 2 covering up to Chapter 110, over 90 chapters remain for adaptation, offering enough material for at least two more seasons. Season 3 is expected to dive into the next major arc, likely the Red Gate Arc or beyond, where Sung Jinwoo, now a Shadow Monarch, faces even greater threats and uncovers deeper secrets about the System and his powers. Fans can anticipate more intense battles, new shadow soldiers, and Jinwoo’s continued evolution into one of the world’s most formidable hunters.
A-1 Pictures’ animation, directed by Shunsuke Nakashige, has been lauded for its stunning visuals, particularly in Season 2’s Jeju Island Arc. If Nakashige is unavailable, a new director could be brought on, though fans hope for continuity in the series’ high production quality. There’s also speculation about a potential theatrical film to conclude the series, following trends set by Demon Slayer and other major anime.
Where to Watch Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling Seasons 1 and 2 are available on Crunchyroll in subtitled and dubbed formats, with the platform streaming in regions including North America, Europe, and India. The series’ massive popularity, evidenced by its record-breaking 685,500+ ratings on Crunchyroll, has fueled fan campaigns for Season 3 across X and Reddit. Posts from DEADLINE on May 1, 2025, amplified Purini’s comments, sparking excitement and calls for continued support. Fans have expressed both optimism and frustration, with some, like @AniRave, urging the community to “make noise” to ensure Season 3’s production.
Crunchyroll’s Broader Strategy
Purini’s support for Solo Leveling Season 3 reflects Crunchyroll’s broader strategy to leverage gaming-inspired anime, as seen with their upcoming Ghost of Tsushima series, set for 2027. The success of Solo Leveling, which Purini credits to fan-driven production decisions, has encouraged Crunchyroll to experiment with similar IPs. This approach, coupled with their investment in Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle trilogy, positions Crunchyroll as a key player in anime’s global expansion.
Looking Ahead
While Solo Leveling Season 3 awaits official confirmation, Rahul Purini’s hopeful comments, backed by producer calls for fan support, signal a bright future for Sung Jinwoo’s saga. Fans are encouraged to keep engaging on platforms like X and Reddit to bolster the case for Season 3.
Stay tuned for more news on Solo Leveling Season 3, and let’s keep the “Genki-dama” energy high to bring Jinwoo back to the screen
