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The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025: Fan-favorite action spectacle ‘Solo Leveling' topples fronturunner ‘Frieren' in massive populist upset
In a polarising turn of events, Solo Leveling has emerged as the undisputed champion of the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, walking away with a staggering seven trophies, including the coveted Anime of the Year. The community discourse has been lined with an undercurrent of discontent, as fans and critics alike questioned whether the action juggernaut had truly bested what many hail as one of the most poignant anime of the decade. For the legions of fans for the South Korean manhwa-turned-anime, it was vindication. For many others, especially devotees of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, it felt like betrayal. Held at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa in Tokyo, the ninth edition of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards drew an unprecedented 51 million votes from more than 200 countries. With celebrities like Kacey Musgraves, Gaten Matarazzo, Rina Sawayama, and J Balvin presenting awards, the event had the trappings of international spectacle. Yet, in the aftermath of the ceremony, the spotlight remains fixed on a single question: did Solo Leveling truly deserve to sweep the night? Solo Leveling wins Anime of the Year at the 2025 #AnimeAwards! 🏆 — The Anime Awards (@TheAnimeAwards) May 25, 2025 Adapted from Chugong's beloved webtoon, Solo Leveling follows Sung Jinwoo, a once-weak hunter who rises through brutal dungeons to become humanity's ultimate weapon. A-1 Pictures left no pixel unpolished, delivering adrenaline-fueled visuals, music from Attack on Titan veteran, Hiroyuki Sawano, and a relentless narrative tempo that captured the imagination of millions. The anime took home awards for Best Action, Best Score, Best Ending Sequence, Best Main Character, Best New Series, and multiple voice performance honors alongside Anime of the Year. The upset over Frieren's melancholic meditation on time, loss, and legacy, was met with outcry from segments of the anime community. Directed by Keiichiro Saito and animated by Madhouse, Frieren was praised for its emotional depth and gentle storytelling, following an immortal elf mage reckoning with the mortality of her long-gone comrades. The contrast between the two shows could not have been starker. Solo Leveling offered a speedy spectacle, while Frieren gradually unfolded like a contemplative novel. Frieren didn't walk away entirely empty-handed though — it won Best Drama, Best Background Art, Best Supporting Character (Fern), and Best Director for Saito. Yet the absence of the top honour has loomed large. The show has consistently topped fan-rating charts since early 2024, including MyAnimeList and Anime News Network, and many assumed it was the obvious frontrunner. Straddling the demands of blockbuster appeal and the yearning for introspective artistry, the Solo Leveling–Frieren face-off offers up a microcosm to the state of the anime community today. The situation speaks to a deeper tension in the anime world between artistry and populism. Crunchyroll's open voting format, which prioritises fan engagement over critical evaluation, has long been a subject of debate. And this year's outcome may have sharpened that divide. The controversy also sparked renewed scrutiny of other categories. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hashira Training Arc won both Best Continuing Series and Best Animation — arguably deserved in the latter, but hotly contested in the former, especially given competition from long-running titans like One Pieceand Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. Many have argued that the eight-episode arc lacked the narrative weight and scale of its predecessors, let alone its rivals. Elsewhere, Attack on Titan was honored with the inaugural Global Impact Award, a fitting tribute to the decade-long saga that has reshaped the cultural reach of anime in the past decade. The final chapter, The Last Attack, aired in late 2024, closing a monumental journey that began in 2013. Director Yuichiro Hayashi accepted the award on behalf of MAPPA. The night also saw spirited performances from musical acts like Creepy Nuts, who won Best Anime Song for Otonoke from Dandadan, and LiSA, who revisited fan-favorite hits like Gurenge from Demon Slayer. Here is the full list of winners from the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025: Anime of the Year – Solo Leveling Film of the Year – Look Back Best Original Anime – Ninja Kamui Best Continuing Series – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hashira Training Arc Best New Series – Solo Leveling Best Opening Sequence – 'Otonoke' by Creepy Nuts – Dandadan Best Ending Sequence – 'request' by krage – Solo Leveling Best Action – Solo Leveling Best Comedy – MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES – The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc Best Drama – Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Best Isekai Anime – Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3 Best Romance – Blue Box Best Slice of Life – Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! Best Animation – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hashira Training Arc Best Background Art – Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Best Character Design – Dandadan Best Director – Keiichiro Saito – Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Best Main Character – Sung Jin-woo – Solo Leveling Best Supporting Character – Fern – Frieren: Beyond Journey's End 'Must Protect At All Costs' Character – Anya Forger – SPY × FAMILY Season 2 Best Anime Song – 'Otonoke' by Creepy Nuts – Dandadan Best Score – Hiroyuki Sawano – Solo Leveling Best Japanese Voice Artist Performance – Aoi Yuki (Maomao) – The Apothecary Diaries Best English Voice Artist Performance – Aleks Le (Sung Jin-woo) – Solo Leveling Global Impact Award – Attack on Titan
Korea Herald
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Solo Leveling' sweeps annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards
Korean web novel adaptation is first Korean IP to claim top honor The Korean web novel-based anime "Solo Leveling" swept this year's Crunchyroll Anime Awards, taking home nine awards including the top prize. This marks the first time a Korean intellectual property has claimed the highest honor at the global streaming platform's annual event. The series dominated Sunday's ceremony in Tokyo, winning anime of the year along with best new series, best action anime, best main character, and best score. It also picked up awards for best ending sequence and multiple voice acting categories across different languages. Produced by Japan's A-1 Pictures with support from Korea's Kakao and D&C Media, the anime draws from Chugong's 2016 Korean web novel "Only I Level Up." The 12-episode series follows Sung Jin-woo, a low-ranked monster hunter who discovers a mysterious system that lets him grow stronger with each battle. The original web novel debuted on Korean publishing platform KakaoPage in July 2016 and was later adapted into a popular web comic illustrated by Jang Sung-rak (known as Dubu), who passed away in 2022. The web comic concluded in December 2021 after two seasons, amassing more than 650 million reads in Japan alone. The English edition, published by Yen Press and available across major digital platforms, has also built a substantial following in North America. The anime is available on Crunchyroll globally, with Netflix also streaming it in select Asian markets including Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. Korean viewers can watch it via local platforms Watcha, Tving and Wavve in addition to Netflix.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Solo Leveling crowned Anime of the Year – Here's everything you need to know
Solo Leveling, the blockbuster anime adaptation of Chugong's beloved webtoon, has officially been named Anime of the Year by Crunchyroll . Produced by A-1 Pictures and packed with adrenaline-fueled animation and a gripping underdog story, Solo Leveling has not only lived up to the hype—it's shattered expectations. A Webtoon Turned Global Phenomenon Solo Leveling premiered in January 2024, with Season 1 airing through March, followed by a second season in early 2025. The anime was simulcast worldwide on Crunchyroll, reaching over 15 million international subscribers. Its popularity skyrocketed: by March 2025, Solo Leveling had accumulated over 614,300 user reviews on Crunchyroll—surpassing One Piece, which took 12 years to reach 600,500 reviews. This meteoric rise is a testament to its mass appeal. With stunning visuals from A-1 Pictures, a soaring soundtrack by Hiroyuki Sawano, and a thrilling story about a powerless hunter gaining god-like strength, the anime quickly became a fan favorite. It's also a major milestone for Korean webtoon IPs, proving they can lead mainstream anime success stories. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Plot Recap: From Weakest Hunter to Unstoppable Force As described on Crunchyroll: 'They say whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but that's not the case for the world's weakest hunter Sung Jinwoo. After being brutally slaughtered by monsters in a high-ranking dungeon, Jinwoo came back with the System, a program only he could see, that's leveling him up in every way. Now, he's inspired to discover the secrets behind his powers and the dungeon that spawned them.' Each season contains 13 episodes and follows Jinwoo's transformation from zero to hero, fighting terrifying beasts and uncovering dark secrets hidden within the world of hunters. Live Events What's Next: How Many Seasons Will Solo Leveling Have? With two powerful seasons already out, fans are eagerly awaiting Season 3. The buzz is so intense that daily leaks are surfacing—even without an official release date. Initially, Solo Leveling was expected to span six seasons to cover the entire storyline. However, recent reports suggest the anime may follow the model of Haikyuu!! and Demon Slayer, with around five seasons and a final movie to wrap up the saga. While this hasn't been confirmed, a cinematic conclusion could give fans the epic ending they deserve. Solo Leveling Season 3 Sneak Peek: What to Expect In Season 3, we'll see Sung Jinwoo recognized on an international level. New hunters and global guilds enter the story, and Jinwoo rejects an offer from the most powerful guild to form his own—the Ahjin Guild. With bigger battles, higher stakes, and world-building on a whole new scale, Solo Leveling's third season is poised to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From webtoons to anime hits: Solo Leveling leads Korean comic adaptation trend
Credits: Crunchyroll In recent years, a new wave has emerged in anime: hit Korean webtoons are being turned into animated series. These digital comics, which have exploded in popularity globally, are finding fresh life on screen. As one report notes, webtoons have become 'a global cultural and economic phenomenon, similar to K-dramas and K-pop', capturing young audiences with unique storytelling and art styles. Leading the charge is Solo Leveling, a fan-favorite webtoon whose anime adaptation was produced by A-1 Pictures. Premiering in January 2024, Solo Leveling's first season was a worldwide simulcast, and a second season followed in early 2025. Other major titles quickly followed: Tower of God , Noblesse , and The God of High School were all adapted into anime by top Japanese studios (Telecom Animation Film, Production I.G., MAPPA, etc.) in partnership with Crunchyroll and Naver's Webtoon platform. This marks a significant shift in anime sources – Korean creators and studios are now sharing the stage with traditional Japanese manga. Solo Leveling: The trailblazer Credits: Crunchyroll Solo Leveling's anime set the tone. Based on Chugong's webtoon, it aired in Japan January–March 2024 (with Season 2 in Jan–March 2025). Crunchyroll secured global streaming rights, bringing the show to its 15+ million international subscribers. Fan response was immediate: by March 2025 Solo Leveling had 614,300 user reviews on Crunchyroll – surpassing even One Piece , which had 600,500 reviews accumulated over 12 years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 40대 이상이고 PC가 있으세요? 그럼 이 게임을 정말 좋아하실 거예요! Sea of Conquest 플레이하기 Undo In other words, a one-year-old series overtook a long-running classic in fan ratings, demonstrating the intense enthusiasm for this adaptation. Its high production values (music by Hiroyuki Sawano, dynamic animation by A-1 Pictures) and a story about an underdog 'hunter' getting superpowers resonated worldwide. This success has proved that Korean webtoon IP can launch blockbuster anime – and it has drawn even more eyes to the genre. Other webtoon anime hits Credits: Crunchyroll Following Solo Leveling, several other Korean comics made the jump to anime. Tower of God (by SIU) debuted in April 2020 as a co-production between Webtoon and Telecom Animation Film. The anime streamed simultaneously in Korea, Japan, and worldwide (Crunchyroll carried it under its 'Originals' label). The source material was already a juggernaut – the Tower of God webtoon has over 4.5 billion views globally – and the anime earned praise for its faithful storytelling and rich world-building. A second season ran in 2024 due to popular demand. Noblesse was next: adapted by Production I.G., its 12-episode anime aired Oct–Dec 2020 on Crunchyroll. And The God of High School , animated by MAPPA, ran July–Sept 2020. Each show brought its own fanbase (often mobilized on Crunchyroll and social media) and helped introduce anime viewers to these Korean comics. In fact, Crunchyroll's own announcements highlighted these partnerships: all three series were explicitly listed as Webtoon co-productions. Together, these adaptations showed that Korean stories – from fantasy to modern-day action – can shine on screen just as much as manga originals. Studios and streaming power players These anime are backed by industry heavyweights. Solo Leveling came from A-1 Pictures (known for Sword Art Online, etc.); Tower of God Season 1 by Telecom Animation Film; Season 2 by The Answer Studio; Noblesse by Production I.G.; and The God of High School by MAPPA. All were partnered with Line Webtoon/Naver and often branded as 'Crunchyroll Originals'. On the distribution side, Crunchyroll has been especially pivotal. As of 2024 it had over 15 million paying subscribers worldwide and carried roughly 1,800 anime titles – vastly more than Netflix's anime catalog. This massive platform puts new series like Solo Leveling front-and-center to global fans. (Netflix has been expanding its anime too, but its focus has often been on exclusive series; Crunchyroll remains the primary home for many of the webtoon adaptations.) In short, high-profile studios are bringing in the stories, and streaming giants are broadcasting them to viewers in India and around the globe. Driving factors behind the webtoon wave Several cultural and technological trends explain why webtoon adaptations are booming: Mobile, digital format: Webtoons are designed for smartphones, using vertical scrolling panels in full color. A market report notes the industry's 'explosive growth' thanks to this convenient format. With smartphones and social media, digital comics have become mainstream entertainment. Korean pop-culture boom: Webtoons ride the crest of the Korean Wave. Just as K-pop and K-dramas enthrall global youth, webtoons have 'rapidly gained international popularity' and are seen as a Korean soft-power export. This cultural cachet makes anime producers eager to adapt stories that might already have buzz among young audiences worldwide. Streaming demand: Services like Crunchyroll and Netflix are hungry for fresh anime content, and webtoon IP provides proven hits. Crunchyroll's subscriber growth (from 5M in 2021 to 15M in 2024) and its vast anime library make it an ideal launchpad. (Crunchyroll's 1,800 titles vs Netflix's ~240 highlights its dominance in anime distribution.) Built-in fanbases: Many webtoons already have huge followings. For example, Tower of God had billions of reads before it became an anime. Solo Leveling's fan enthusiasm was evident from the start – its anime earned 614,300 Crunchyroll reviews in one year, showing a ready audience. These built-in fan communities generate buzz and viewership immediately upon release. Together, these factors create a feedback loop: webtoons gain popularity online, studios spot their potential, and global streams deliver the anime to even wider audiences, who then dive back into the comics. READ MORE: Manhwa vs Manga: Why South Korea's Manhwa are winning digital race Implications for anime and comics Credits: Crunchyroll The webtoon-to-anime trend signals a new phase for both industries. Anime studios and streamers now tap a larger pool of international stories, while Korean comics gain richer production and monetization opportunities. This cross-border synergy blurs old lines: Japanese and Korean creators increasingly collaborate, and fans worldwide benefit from a more diverse anime lineup. As Crunchyroll and others invest in co-productions, more webtoon titles (and even non-Korean digital comics) may find their way to screen. Observers believe this will help anime reach new audiences and give the global comics market a boost. In conclusion, the success of Solo Leveling and its peers shows that anime is not just for manga anymore. Fueled by smartphones, streaming platforms, and the Korean cultural wave, webtoon adaptations are reshaping entertainment. For Indian and international fans alike, the result is exciting: a steady stream of fresh shows that combine the best of digital comics with animated spectacle. Industry analysts say the trend will likely continue, further entwining the futures of anime and webtoons in the expanding world of digital storytelling. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Business Upturn
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Is ‘Darling in the FranXX' returning for season 2? Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on May 13, 2025, 20:16 IST Darling in the FranXX captivated anime fans with its unique blend of mecha action, romance, and dystopian themes when it aired in 2018. Produced by Studio Trigger, A-1 Pictures, and CloverWorks, the series left viewers with a bittersweet ending, sparking endless discussions about a potential Darling in the FranXX Season 2. But is a second season actually in the works? Here's everything we know so far about the possibility of a Darling in the FranXX season 2. Is Darling in the FranXX Season 2 Confirmed? As of May 2025, there is no official confirmation from A-1 Pictures, CloverWorks, or Studio Trigger regarding Darling in the FranXX Season 2. The lack of updates has left fans in limbo, with discussions ongoing across platforms like X. In 2019, a post on X mentioned that a second season was 'in discussion,' but nothing was solidified. Since then, no credible sources have provided concrete evidence of production moving forward. What's Next for Darling in the FranXX Fans? For now, Darling in the FranXX Season 2 remains a dream rather than a reality. While the series' strong fanbase and past sales success keep hope alive, the lack of official updates suggests that a sequel is not imminent. Fans can revisit the original series on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll or Funimation, read the manga for a slightly different perspective. Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
