Solo Leveling returns with a new side story with the title Solo Leveling “Alone” released in South Korea on January 21. The first chapter of the new series contained a dedication in honor of the late Jang Sung-rak a.k.a Dubu. The CEO of REDICE and the original artist for the series. Fans of the manhwa mourned his untimely passing on July 23, 2022, after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage from a chronic illness.
“The artwork is offered to my dear leader, teacher, and the pioneer of drawing, to the respected Jang Sung-rak who’s no longer in this world,” the illustration’s caption states. The manhwa’s art will be illustrated in Dubu’s honor by a group of artists that worked under him before his passing. It is still unknown at this moment whether there will be more than one unique story or what its plot will be.
Kakao Page’s official YouTube channel also teased the return of the series. The teaser confirms that Sung Jinwoo will continue to be the main protagonist of the series.
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WATCH THE TEASER FOR THE SOLO LEVELING SPECIAL SIDE STORY HERE:
New chapters of Solo Leveling “Alone” will be accessible on the Kakao Webtoon Page, Kakao Webpage, and TappyToon on January 27 at 8:00 a.m. ET
Crunchyroll announced on July 4, 2022, that they will be steaming the anime adaptation of Solo Leveling as it airs. The series which is set for 2023 will be directed by Shunsuke Nakashige at A-1 Picture, with series composition by Noboru Kimura, and music by Hiroyuki Sawano. Other staff members and cast are yet to be released.
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The main storyline of the manhwa ran from March 4, 2018, to December 29, 2021, with 179 chapters. Dubu expressed his gratitude to his assistants, Chugong, and the readers at the end of the final chapter stating, “Life is an endless quest, where you must level up constantly: sometimes alone, sometimes with company. Therefore, I’d like to wish luck to all my readers on their remaining journey! Thank you for showing Solo Leveling much love. Until next time!”
WHAT IS SOLO LEVELING ABOUT?
The manhwa started as a web novel written by Chugong. Beginning on July 25, 2016, it was serialized on Kakao’s digital comic and fiction platform KakaoPage. On November 4, 2016, D&C Media published the entire series under their Papyrus imprint. A webtoon adaptation of the title was initially serialized in KakaoPage on March 4, 2018, with illustrations by Jang Sung-Rak (aka Dubu). Solo Leveling became a viral hit and is now one of the biggest manhwas recognized worldwide.
Yen Press licensed the novel and comic in English and describes it as:
BASED ON THE HIT FANTASY NOVEL, EXPERIENCE THE WEBCOMIC THAT’S CAPTURED THE ATTENTION OF MILLIONS IN ALL OF ITS FULL-COLOR GLORY!
Known as the the Weakest Hunter of All Mankind, E-rank hunter Jinwoo Sung’s contribution to raids amounts to trying not to get killed. Unfortunately, between his mother’s hospital bills, his sister’s tuition, and his own lack of job prospects, he has no choice but to continue to put his life on the line. So when an opportunity arises for a bigger payout, he takes it…only to come face-to-face with a being whose power outranks anything he’s ever seen! With the party leader missing an arm and the only healer a quivering mess, can Jinwoo somehow find them a way out?
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