Was Solo Leveling Really Removed from Webtoon? Unraveling the Misconception

Solo Leveling, also known as “Only I Level Up,” has become a global phenomenon in the world of pop culture. It has captivated millions of fans with Sung Jin-woo’s transformative journey from the weakest hunter to the mighty Shadow Monarch. From its original webtoon to the explosive anime on Crunchyroll and Netflix, the series has dominated manhwa rankings. It has also spread its influence through games, merchandise, and a vibrant fan community. Yet, a common question pops up on forums like Reddit and Facebook: “Why was Solo Leveling removed from Webtoon?” If you’re puzzled by this rumor, this article will clarify the facts based on official information from sources like KakaoPage and Tappytoon. It will also explore the impressive trajectory of the franchise. We’ll dive into its release history, common misconceptions, and why this action-fantasy masterpiece continues to redefine the genre.

The Development History of Solo Leveling on Webtoon

To understand Solo Leveling’s status on Webtoon, we need to rewind to its origins. Solo Leveling began as a web novel written by author Chugong. It debuted on KakaoPage on July 25, 2016, and was officially published in book form on November 4, 2016, by D&C Media under the Papyrus label. The story quickly garnered millions of reads thanks to its gripping plot. Sung Jin-woo, an E-rank hunter dubbed the “weakest in the world,” mysteriously gains a “level up” system after a near-death incident in a dungeon. This kicks off an endless ascent to power. The web novel concluded in 2018 with approximately 243 main chapters plus side stories, but its popularity paved the way for a webtoon adaptation.

The Solo Leveling webtoon, illustrated by artist Jang Sung-rak (Dubu) from Redice Studio, officially launched on KakaoPage on March 4, 2018. With its dynamic art style, epic battles, and inventive dungeon details, the webtoon became a massive hit in Korea and spread globally. The first season spanned 110 chapters and wrapped up on March 19, 2020. It was followed by a short hiatus to prepare for the next part amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Season 2 started on August 1, 2020, and advanced the storyline with arcs like the Jeju Island Raid and the rise of powerful hunter nations. In total, the main webtoon comprises 179 chapters (around 200+ including extras and side stories) and fully concluded on December 29, 2021. This marked the end of the main journey.

The English webtoon is distributed officially on Tappytoon since 2020 (with partial availability on Webnovel) – note that the original is on KakaoPage, not Naver Webtoon. Yen Press licensed print editions in North America starting March 2, 2021. In Japan, the series launched on Piccoma and was honored as the “Best Webtoon of 2019” with over 1 million readers. Crucially, there’s no official announcement from KakaoPage or its partners about removing or deleting the content. The series simply ended as per its normal publication schedule after completing the story. This sets it apart from cancellations due to copyright disputes or quality issues. It proves Solo Leveling remains available on platforms for fans to revisit anytime.

The Origins of the “Removed from Webtoon” Misconception

So why has the rumor that “Solo Leveling was removed from Webtoon” spread so widely in international fan communities? A major factor stems from 2020 copyright issues. D&C Media requested the takedown of unofficial translations on various forums and aggregator sites to make way for official releases. Many fans accustomed to scanlations suddenly could not access the content, leading to assumptions that the original webtoon was deleted. In reality, this was just intellectual property protection, leaving the original on KakaoPage and global partners like Tappytoon unaffected.

Additionally, the hiatus between Season 1 and 2 in 2020, combined with the pandemic, made some believe the series was canceled. On Reddit, discussions about the “ending” of Solo Leveling often get confused with the main story’s conclusion. For the anime, after Season 2 ended around March 30, 2025, some articles speculated “Solo Leveling canceled after Season 2” due to production pressures at studio A-1 Pictures. This was mere conjecture, not an official confirmation – Season 3 is already in production and slated for 2026.

Another contributing element is cultural differences and localization. In Japan, the Solo Leveling adaptation was edited on Piccoma to sidestep political controversies, such as the Jeju Island arc. This resulted in a variant version that sometimes leaves international fans unable to find familiar content. On streaming platforms like Netflix, the anime topped charts in 2024-2025, but regional content rotations can create a sense of it “disappearing.” In short, these incidents arise from inaccurate information circulating on social media, not any actual removal of the series.

The Continued Journey and Pop Culture Impact of Solo Leveling

Though the original webtoon has concluded, Solo Leveling has not faded. It is exploding across multiple platforms and showcasing the franchise’s enduring vitality. The anime adaptation by A-1 Pictures premiered Season 1 in 2024, covering the first ~45 chapters at a steady pace and racking up millions of views on Crunchyroll and Netflix. Season 2, released from January to March 2025, focused on the Jeju arc and Jin-woo’s summoning powers. It featured changes from the manhwa like accelerated pacing, with around 10 chapters in the first two episodes, yet earned praise for its stunning animation. If you enjoyed the Jeju raid and want a closer look at power levels in that storyline, check out Solo Leveling Characters Who Can Defeat the Ant King where we analyze matchups around the Ant King fight.

The sequel, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok – centering on Jin-woo’s son, Sung Su-ho – has its web novel ongoing since 2023 with over 250 chapters as of 2025, and the manhwa adaptation launched in 2024 on KakaoPage, continuing regular updates without major hiatuses. In gaming, “Solo Leveling: Arise” from Netmarble launched globally on May 8, 2024, drawing millions with its RPG level-up mechanics mirroring the plot.

Solo Leveling’s cultural impact is evident in how it shaped the “hunter system” genre in manhwa, turning tropes like level-ups and dungeon raids into staples. Despite criticism for predictable plot twists, the series sold over 1.2 million print copies in Japan and won awards at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025, though it sparked debates among Korean fans over localization. The community has responded positively to official releases, from book purchases to cosplay at events. If you’re a die-hard fan looking to express your passion through everyday wear, check out our Solo Leveling graphic t-shirts collection at Inkrare. It features unique designs with Sung Jin-woo motifs, the Shadow Army, and dungeon elements, made from breathable cotton – perfect for the global otaku community to level up their style.

Where to Read Solo Leveling Now

To support the creators and avoid piracy, stick to official sources for the best experience:

• Original (Korean): Full series on KakaoPage app or web – 179+ chapters available with free episodes via wait or coins.
• English: Tappytoon for the complete webtoon with daily passes and free episodes. Yen Press for physical volumes.
• Anime: Stream on Crunchyroll or Netflix (sub/dub, region-dependent).
• Ragnarok Sequel: KakaoPage for Korean; English version upcoming on Tappytoon.
• Game: Download “Solo Leveling: Arise” on App Store or Google Play.

For visual proof it’s still there, search the apps – the series thumbnails and latest updates are prominently displayed.

Conclusion: Solo Leveling Remains an Unerasable Icon

In summary, Solo Leveling was not removed from Webtoon or any platform. It simply concluded its original webtoon run in 2021, following an impressive history from its 2016 web novel roots. The misconception largely comes from copyright cleanups, hiatus confusion, and viral rumors. However, the series is thriving with Season 3 anime in the works, Ragnarok ongoing, and diverse expansions like games and merch. As a pop culture enthusiast, you can keep the adventure going by diving into official reads and expressing your fandom. Solo Leveling reminds us that in the manhwa world, “leveling up” never stops. Its journey is far from over.