The makers of Solo Leveling have officially announced a new anime movie titled Solo Leveling: Beyond the System during Anime Expo 2026. The announcement comes nearly 18 months after the conclusion of Solo Leveling Season 2, giving fans their first official update on the franchise's next major project.
The film is being co-produced by Aniplex, D&C Media, and Crunchyroll, with A-1 Pictures returning as the animation studio. The announcement follows the anime's massive success, which made Solo Leveling Crunchyroll's most-watched anime in 2024 before becoming the platform's most-viewed anime of all time.
Previously, the franchise released Solo Leveling: ReAwakening, a compilation movie featuring a recap of Season 1 along with the opening two episodes of Season 2. It served as a bridge between the two television seasons.
Originally, Solo Leveling began as the Korean web novel Only I Level Up, written by Chugong, and was first serialized on KakaoPage in 2016. It was adapted into a webtoon in 2018 by REDICE Studio, with artwork by Jang Sung-rak (DUBU). The script was initially adapted by Gi So-Ryeong, with h-goon taking over from 2019 until the series concluded in 2023. DUBU passed away in July 2022 due to chronic health issues.
When will Solo Leveling: Beyond the System release?
According to the official announcement, Solo Leveling: Beyond the System is scheduled to release later in 2026. While the makers have not revealed an exact release date, more details about the theatrical launch, runtime and global release schedule are expected in the coming months.
Solo Leveling: Beyond the System plot
The upcoming movie is expected to continue Sung Jinwoo's journey from where Solo Leveling Season 2 ended.
The story is set in a world where mysterious gates connecting Earth to monster-filled dimensions began appearing a decade earlier. These gates unleashed dangerous magical beasts, while some humans awakened supernatural abilities and became hunters tasked with protecting humanity.
At the centre of the story is Sung Jinwoo, an E-Rank hunter considered the weakest among his peers. While trying to support his family and save his mother, who has been in a coma due to the mysterious Eternal Sleep Disease, Jinwoo survives the deadly Cartenon Temple double dungeon. There, he is chosen by a mysterious System that grants him the unique ability to level up—something no other hunter possesses.
As he grows stronger, Jinwoo gains the powers of the Shadow Monarch and embarks on a mission to obtain the Elixir of Life, the only cure that can save his mother.
Season 2 concluded with Jinwoo embracing his newfound powers while keeping them hidden from the world. At the same time, the return of a hunter who had been missing for nearly a decade hinted at an impending catastrophe. The new movie is expected to continue the story from this point.
Will there be a Solo Leveling Season 3?
The future of Solo Leveling Season 3 remains unclear.
Earlier, Crunchyroll CEO Rahul Purini had indicated that a third season was in development. However, the announcement of Solo Leveling: Beyond the System has raised fresh questions about the franchise's roadmap.
So far, neither Crunchyroll nor Aniplex has confirmed what will follow the movie. The studios have also not clarified whether the film is a standalone project ahead of Season 3 or whether it replaces the next television season altogether. Until an official announcement is made, fans will have to wait to learn what the future holds for Sung Jinwoo's story.
