The Impact of Solo Leveling on the Manhwa Industry: A Subculture of Leveling Up

Discover how Solo Leveling has influenced the manhwa industry by popularizing the concept of leveling up and the word ‘solo’. Many manhwa titles have incorporated variations of ‘solo’ in their names, but Omniscient Reader stands out as a potential successor.

The Impact of Solo Leveling on the Manhwa Industry

Solo Leveling’s Crunchyroll Documentary delves into the impact of the series on the manhwa industry, revealing an interesting fact. The documentary titled “The Leveling of Solo Leveling” observes how Solo Leveling has influenced the manhwa industry by creating a subculture centered around the concept of “leveling up” and the word “solo.”

( Credit to: Screenrant )

According to Jang Hye-Kyung, the International Print Publishing Manager of D&C Media, Solo Leveling’s success has led to the incorporation of the word “solo” in many manhwa titles. While Solo Leveling may not have been the first to use these tropes, it was the first to popularize them and execute them flawlessly, making them synonymous with the series.

( Credit to: Screenrant )

Solo Leveling is often associated with tropes such as dungeons, overpowered main characters, game-like mechanics, and necromancer characters. Even its Korean title, which can be translated as “I Alone Level Up,” has become inseparable from the series. As a result, many manhwa have adopted variations of the word “solo” in their titles, including Solo Glitch Player, I Log in Alone, The Lone Spellcaster, The Lone Necromancer, Leveling Up Alone, and Solo Eating to Overpowered. While these series share similarities with Solo Leveling, they may not have achieved the same level of success or storytelling prowess.

Omniscient Reader: A Potential Successor to Solo Leveling

However, there is one series that stands out as a potential successor to Solo Leveling – Omniscient Reader by singNsong. Illustrated by Redice Studio, Omniscient Reader offers stunning artwork and a captivating story that could rival Solo Leveling. While it incorporates similar elements, it also adds its own unique twist, providing a refreshing experience for readers. If any manhwa deserves an anime adaptation alongside Solo Leveling, it would be Omniscient Reader.

( Credit to: Screenrant )

The Lasting Impact of Solo Leveling on the Manhwa Industry

Overall, Solo Leveling has garnered an extensive global fanbase and introduced many readers to the world of Korean manhwa. Its impact on the industry and readers is undeniable, as it has created its own distinct subculture. The Crunchyroll documentary sheds light on Solo Leveling’s influence and the emergence of a subgenre focused on leveling up. Solo Leveling continues to be a groundbreaking series that has left a lasting impact on the manhwa industry.

( Credit to: Screenrant )