Solo Leveling Anime Shatters One Piece’s Gear 5 Episode Record

In the wake of the Solo Leveling anime’s debut in early January 2024, noteworthy statistics have emerged, suggesting that the series has surpassed the episode premiere record set by One Piece’s Gear 5 episode. Although the information lacks official confirmation, multiple unofficial sources, including those affiliated with Crunchyroll, appear to support this claim.

While the Solo Leveling anime’s triumph over the iconic Gear 5 Luffy episode may come as a surprise, the manhwa’s global popularity provides context for this achievement. Having concluded over two years ago, Solo Leveling remains one of the most successful and recognized manhwas to date. The alleged record-breaking premiere attests to its widespread appeal, drawing in long-time fans, newcomers intrigued by promotional material, and even those who were previously unfamiliar with the series.

The international success of Solo Leveling, comparable to Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, has significantly contributed to its reported milestone. While Oda’s masterpiece has cultivated its massive fanbase over 25-plus years, Solo Leveling, created by Chugong and illustrated by Jang Sung-rak (Dubu), managed to amass a similarly vast following in a much shorter timeframe. This parallel in popularity between the two series offers context to the reported accomplishment.

It is essential to note that the Solo Leveling anime is an adaptation of the original manhwa, which commenced in March 2018 and concluded in December 2021. The manhwa’s availability on platforms like KakaoPage (South Korea), Piccoma (Japan), Tapas, Pocket Comics, Webnovel, and Tappytoon contributed to its widespread readership. On the other hand, One Piece, in manga form, started its journey in July 1997 in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump, with an anime adaptation premiering in October 1999 by Toei Animation. The enduring success of One Piece has also led to the creation of films and video games within the franchise.

While the reported statistics lack official validation at this time, the widespread coverage from unofficial sources suggests that Solo Leveling’s anime premiere has made a significant impact on the industry, possibly setting a new standard for episode premieres. Official confirmation of these records is eagerly awaited in the coming weeks and months.