This article contains spoilers from Solo Leveling.
Solo Leveling is one of the most popular anime series at the moment, and much of that is down to the incredible reception it got after the release of its first season. Solo Leveling Season 1 laid the path for this series to hit new heights and Season 2 solidified it as an absolute sensation. It can be said that Solo Leveling is one of the biggest anime right now, and that it'll only continue to get bigger as more anime seasons follow, whenever they do. That said, Solo Leveling is popular in a period where other fantastic series are almost neck and neck with it, and some are even better. As most fans know already, Solo Leveling Season 3 isn't coming anytime soon.
It's Time To Admit Solo Leveling Has Been Beaten By This 2025 Anime
Solo Leveling season 2 is big, but this new 2025 anime is on a whole different level.
In fact, there hasn't even been a Solo Leveling Season 3 announcement yet. This is the perfect time for other series to capitalize and make sure that they pull ahead of the Solo Leveling franchise for good. The biggest rival of Solo Leveling for 2025, The Apothecary Diaries, will be looking to do just that, as its third season has now officially been announced, split into two parts, with the first one airing late 2026. At the same time, The Apothecary Diaries is also going to get a brand new movie written by the author herself, and based on all that, it is clear that this franchise is set to surpass Solo Leveling.
The Apothecary Diaries Is Gearing Up For A Big 2026
The Apothecary Diaries Is A Big Rival Of Solo Leveling
- The Apothecary Diaries beat Solo Leveling on MAL in 2025
- TAD Season 3 And Movie Is Confirmed
The Apothecary Diaries has always been incredibly popular in Japan and the West both. However, in Japan, it's easily considered to be one of the best, and arguably the best new light novel work for quite some time. The Apothecary Diaries anime has won many awards in Japan, having been voted 2025’s best anime as well. That's not to say that it isn't popular globally.
Every time I grow stronger, I feel like I lose a part of myself. — Sung Jinwoo in Solo Leveling
Fans all over the world love The Apothecary Diaries, but more action-based series with less substance, like Solo Leveling, often overshadow it. Still, The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 was the best-rated anime of 2025 on MAL, and that's something very interesting to consider.
In 2026, The Apothecary Diaries will leave Solo Leveling in the dust as it'll take a big step towards establishing dominance when it comes to new anime series. The Apothecary Diaries is getting its third season next year, as has officially been confirmed now. The third season will be split into two parts, with the first one being released in October 2026, and the second one hitting in April 2027. This alone gives it the edge over Solo Leveling, as its third season is nowhere to be seen, and fans don't even know if it'll happen anytime soon.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 And Movie Release Date Officially Confirmed
The Apothecary Diaries has huge projects ahead, including a third season and a movie.
If I should die, I want to die of poison. — Maomao in The Apothecary Diaries
But, to top it all off, The Apothecary Diaries is also getting a movie in 2026, which is set to be released in December 2026 in Japan. This movie will be fully canon and will be written by Natsu Hyuga herself. The fact that The Apothecary Diaries is getting a movie before series like Frieren and Solo Leveling just goes to show which series is loved the most in Japan.
Solo Leveling Season 3 Is Yet To Be Announced
Fans Are Growing Anxious With Each Passing Day
As far as Solo Leveling goes, fans are growing quite restless due to a lack of information on the third season of the series. Getting a release date would be one thing, but there hasn't even been a confirmation of the fact that Solo Leveling will continue from here on out. This is deeply concerning to many fans, and the fact that other series are getting their big adaptations much faster only adds to it. Fans can only hope Solo Leveling Season 3 gets confirmed soon, and that it drops in 2026, even if it's towards the end.
Solo Leveling has two seasons out right now, one with 12 episodes and the other with 13, for a combined episode count of 25 available to watch currently. 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.
- 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
