History of Solo Leveling in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 4, 2026

Solo Leveling is a South Korean fantasy web novel by Chugong, serialized on KakaoPage from July 2016. Later published by D&C Media, it's also available in English through Yen Press. The story revolves around a world where hunters possess magical abilities and fight monsters to protect humanity.

July 25, 2016: Solo Leveling Serialized on KakaoPage

On July 25, 2016, Solo Leveling began serialization on Kakao's digital comic and fiction platform, KakaoPage.

November 4, 2016: Solo Leveling Published by D&C Media

On November 4, 2016, Solo Leveling was published by D&C Media under their Papyrus label.

2016: Garnered Readers in KakaoPage

Since 2016, the Solo Leveling novel has garnered 2.4 million readers in KakaoPage.

March 4, 2018: Webtoon Adaptation Serialized

On March 4, 2018, the webtoon adaptation of Solo Leveling was first serialized in KakaoPage.

December 21, 2018: English Release by Webnovel

On December 21, 2018, the novel was licensed in English by Webnovel under the title Only I Level Up.

June 24, 2019: English Release by Webnovel Concluded

On June 24, 2019, the English release of Solo Leveling by Webnovel concluded.

September 26, 2019: First Collected Volume Released

On September 26, 2019, the first collected volume of the Solo Leveling webtoon was released by D&C Media.

March 19, 2020: Webtoon First Season Concluded

On March 19, 2020, the first season of the Solo Leveling webtoon adaptation concluded.

June 4, 2020: Webtoon Published on Tappytoon

Since June 4, 2020, the Solo Leveling webtoon has been published digitally in English by Tappytoon.

August 1, 2020: Webtoon Second Season Began

On August 1, 2020, the second season of the Solo Leveling webtoon began.

August 2020: Webtoon Second Season Released

In August 2020, the second season of the Solo Leveling webtoon was released.

February 16, 2021: Second Edition Published by Yen Press

On February 16, 2021, the second edition of the Solo Leveling novel was published in English by Yen Press.

March 2, 2021: Collected Volumes Published by Yen Press

Since March 2, 2021, the collected volumes of the Solo Leveling webtoon have been licensed and published in North America by Yen Press.

December 2021: Webtoon Second Season Concluded

In December 2021, the second season of the Solo Leveling webtoon concluded.

December 29, 2021: Webtoon Second Season Concluded

On December 29, 2021, the second season of the Solo Leveling webtoon concluded with its 179th chapter.

July 23, 2022: Death of Jang Sung-rak (Dubu)

On July 23, 2022, Jang Sung-rak (aka Dubu), the CEO of Redice Studio and illustrator of the Solo Leveling webtoon, died after suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage.

2022: Anime Series Announced

In 2022, an anime television series adaptation of Solo Leveling was announced at Anime Expo 2022. It is produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Shunsuke Nakashige.

April 10, 2023: Solo Leveling: Ragnarok Web Novel Release

On April 10, 2023, Kakao released the sequel titled Solo Leveling: Ragnarok through KakaoPage.

April 2023: Sequel Announced

In April 2023, Kakao announced a sequel titled Solo Leveling: Ragnarok.

May 2023: Side Story Published

Between January and May 2023, a side story to Solo Leveling was published, with Chugong returning as writer and featuring a new art team following the death of Dubu.

July 18, 2023: Second Edition Published by Yen Press Concluded

On July 18, 2023, the second edition of the Solo Leveling novel was published in English by Yen Press Concluded.

December 2023: First Episodes Screened

In December 2023, the first episodes of the Solo Leveling anime were screened in Tokyo, Seoul, Los Angeles, India, and Europe.

March 2024: Anime Television Series Aired (Season 1)

From January to March 2024, the first season of the Solo Leveling anime television series adaptation, produced by A-1 Pictures, aired.

March 27, 2024: Original Soundtrack Released

On March 27, 2024, the original soundtrack for Solo Leveling was released in Japan by Aniplex and in the United States by Milan Records.

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March 31, 2024: Anime Season 1 Finale Aired

On March 31, 2024, the first season of the Solo Leveling anime television series adaptation aired its finale on Tokyo MX and other networks.

July 2024: Solo Leveling: Ragnarok Premiered

In July 2024, the spin-off webtoon Solo Leveling: Ragnarok premiered.

July 31, 2024: Webtoon Adaptation Premiered

On July 31, 2024, the Solo Leveling: Ragnarok webtoon adaptation premiered, being developed by Redice Studio.

October 4, 2024: Soundtrack Released on Vinyl

On October 4, 2024, Milan Records released the Solo Leveling soundtrack on vinyl records in the United States.

December 6, 2024: Compilation Film Screened in US and Canada

On December 6, 2024, Crunchyroll screened the Solo Leveling: ReAwakening compilation film in the United States and Canada.

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December 12, 2024: Compilation Film Screened in Japan

From November 29 to December 12, 2024, a compilation film of the first season, titled Solo Leveling: ReAwakening, was screened along with the first two episodes of the second season in Japan.

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March 2025: Anime Television Series Aired (Season 2)

From January to March 2025, the second season of the Solo Leveling anime television series, subtitled Arise from the Shadow, aired.

March 30, 2025: Second Season Aired

On March 30, 2025, the second season of the Solo Leveling anime, titled Solo Leveling: Arise from the Shadow, aired.

July 2025: Live-Action Television Series Announced

In July 2025, Netflix was announced to be producing a live-action television series based on the Solo Leveling manhwa, with Byeon Woo-seok starring as Sung Jin-woo.