This article contains spoilers from Solo Leveling and Jujutsu Kaisen.
Solo Leveling was one of 2025’s best anime, and it kick-started an absolutely incredible year, filled with top-notch quality. Fans came to love countless adventures of Sung Jinwoo in 2025 with Solo Leveling Season 2, and if the series wasn't popular already, Solo Leveling Season 2 ensured that it became mainstream.
It’s Time To Admit That Sung Jinwoo Isn’t The Best Solo Leveling Protagonist
Jinwoo is popular, but Solo Leveling has a superior protagonist to him.
This year was absolutely phenomenal for the series, as not only did it become more widely recognized, but it also managed to win numerous exciting awards, including Crunchyroll's Anime of the Year. As fans know, Solo Leveling Season 3 hasn't been confirmed yet, which comes as a big surprise to some. While most expected the anime to return in 2026, that is unlikely to be the case. Fans will miss their dosage of high-octane Solo Leveling action in 2026, but that doesn't mean anime won't have its own action replacement next year. Solo Leveling's intense action may not be available for the fans to enjoy, but Jujutsu Kaisen is officially making its grand return with Season 3, and it promises an even bigger and more exciting run of action than Solo Leveling could ever deliver.
Solo Leveling's Action Will Be Replaced By Jujutsu Kaisen's Chaos In 2026
The Culling Game Arc Will Officially Begin
- Jujutsu Kaisen was the anime of the year before Solo Leveling
- JJK will go above and beyond Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling fans were certain that the show would eventually go on to return in 2026, but when Season 2 ended and there was no announcement, it became increasingly clear that there was a possibility of the series not returning next year. That's exactly what ended up happening as, even at the end of the year, there isn't even a confirmation for Solo Leveling Season 3, let alone a teaser or a release date.
I use the System, and the System uses me. — Sung Jinwoo
Based on how things are going at the moment, it can be said that Solo Leveling won't be coming back in 2026, and while that's sad, it also opens the doors for other anime for the fans to check most. Most anime fans who have watched Solo Leveling have probably already watched Jujutsu Kaisen as well, given that both series focus heavily on high-level battles, but those who haven't should absolutely be ready to check out Jujutsu Kaisen before Season 3 hits in January 2026.
Solo Leveling Season 3 Could Kill The Anime Forever
Solo Leveling season 3 has yet to even be confirmed. The long wait could kill the hype.
In terms of quality, scale, and just about everything else, Jujutsu Kaisen is and will always be far bigger than Solo Leveling. If fans enjoyed the battles in Solo Leveling, then Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 will be right up their alley, especially as they get more intense with the beginning of the Culling Game. The stakes in JJK are higher than they ever were in Solo Leveling, and the battles will be on a completely different level. 2026 won't have Solo Leveling, but Jujutsu Kaisen will more than make up for that with its most exciting season to date.
I will kill Itadori Yuji myself! — Yuta Okkotsu in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3
Solo Leveling Season 3 Still Has No Release Date
Solo Leveling Will Likely Return In 2027
As far as Solo Leveling Season 3 goes, it is unfortunate that there is no release date for the anime yet. Fans will likely not get any release date updates in 2026, but it is highly likely that 2026 will bring an update with it. To be clear, a 2026 release for Solo Leveling cannot be discarded completely. A late 2026 release window is still possible, but more than likely, Solo Leveling Season 3 will be out in 2027 instead.
- Release Date
- 2024 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV
- Directors
- Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki
- Writers
- Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii
Cast
-
Taito BanSung Jin-woo -
Genta NakamuraYoo Jin-ho
A-1 Pictures' Solo Leveling is an anime based on Chugong's popular web novel. Set in an unforgiving fantasy world where hunters explore dungeons filled with monsters, the vulnerable Sung Jinwoo gains a significant power boost after he is picked to be a solo player by the System.
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Creator
- Chugong
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Solo Leveling has two seasons out right now, one with 12 episodes, and the other with 13, for a combined episode count of 25 episodes available to watch right now. The series can be streamed on Crunchyroll for fans to enjoy while awaiting any more news concerning the third season. For fans who can’t wait for season 3 to come out, checking out the Manhwa might be a great option.