Solo Leveling's Impact in Japan's Winter 2024 Anime Ratings

Solo Leveling, originating from the widely celebrated South Korean manhwa, has sparked immense interest worldwide with its anime adaptation. However, while the series has enjoyed widespread acclaim globally, its reception in Japan paints a contrasting picture.

Despite its massive international following, Solo Leveling faced challenges in Japan's Winter 2024 anime ratings. It notably missed the top 20 highest-rated anime on Ranking.net, a renowned platform known for its critical user base. This trend isn't exclusive to Solo Leveling, as even Eiichiro Oda's One Piece encountered average ratings on this platform.

The spotlight instead shone on The Dangers in My Heart season 2, securing the top spot in both Ranking.net and MyAnimeList's ratings for the season. Following closely were other titles like Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I’m Not the Demon Lord, Mashle: Magic and Muscle, and Dungeon Meshi, claiming significant positions.

Solo Leveling landed at 35th place, positioned above Synduality: Noir season 2 but trailing behind the Witch and The Beast anime series. A critical review on the site highlighted concerns about the protagonist's personality, leading some viewers to abandon the series by episode 7.

In terms of Blu-ray sales, Solo Leveling reported below-average figures in Japan, adding to the overall disappointment among local audiences. Despite these setbacks, Solo Leveling has maintained a strong international following, resonating deeply with fans globally and earning an impressive rating of 8.34/10 on MyAnimeList.

Crunchyroll's CEO Rahul Purini acknowledged Solo Leveling's global appeal in an interview, noting that the series may not have been tailored specifically for Japanese audiences. This aligns with Crunchyroll's strategy of investing in content that resonates strongly with viewers worldwide.

A deeper dive into MyAnimeList statistics underscores Solo Leveling's popularity, with a minimal 1% drop rate and a membership exceeding 583,392. Over 75% of members rated the series 8/10 or higher, with a notable 21.5% awarding it a perfect score of 10/10. The series has also received acclaim on IMDB, boasting an impressive rating of 8.4 out of 10, solidifying its status as a global phenomenon.