Latest news with #Chugong
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards: 'Solo Leveling' dominates, 'Attack on Titan' makes history — Complete winners list
The 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, held at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa in Tokyo, was a star-studded ceremony that attracted a record-breaking 51 million votes from fans around the world. Organized by Crunchyroll, the annual event celebrated achievements across 28 categories, honoring both emerging talent and industry veterans. Solo Leveling was crowned Anime of the Year, capping off a landmark night in which the Korean-originated series swept nine awards — including Best Action Anime, Best New Series, and Best Score. The wins marked a pivotal moment for Korean animation, underscoring its rising influence on the global anime stage. Here's a look at the complete winners list: 'Solo Leveling' wins big Solo Leveling wins Anime of the Year at the 2025 #AnimeAwards! 🏆 Boasting a perfect 100% score on the Tomatometer and a 93% audience rating, Solo Leveling turned its critical and commercial success into a dominant awards run — triumphing over industry heavyweights like One Piece, Attack on Titan, and Demon Slayer. Adapted from Chugong's bestselling web novel, the series not only claimed the top prize but also earned recognition in multiple categories, including: Best New Series Best Action Anime Best Score (Hiroyuki Sawano) Best Main Character (Sung Jin-woo) Best Ending Sequence ("request" by krage) Best Voice Artist Performance in English, Brazilian Portuguese, and Castilian Spanish Film of the Year: 'Look Back' A story we won't forget, Look Back wins Film of the Year at the 2025 #AnimeAwards! In a night filled with standout titles, Look Back emerged as Film of the Year. Directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama and based on Tatsuki Fujimoto's stirring one-shot manga, the film was praised for its quiet intensity and emotional weight. 'Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc' scores two wins A fan-favorite then and now, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc wins Best Continuing Series at the 2025 #AnimeAwards! The series dazzled once again, earning dual awards for Best Continuing Series and Best Animation — proof that its momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Global Impact Award: 'Attack on Titan' Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 to Present Attack on Titan with First Ever Global Impact Award In a historic moment, Attack on Titan was honored with the inaugural Global Impact Award, recognizing its profound cultural and artistic legacy. Director Yuichiro Hayashi accepted the award on behalf of studio MAPPA and the franchise's creators, following the release of Attack on Titan: THE LAST ATTACK. Other major winners Best Original Anime: Ninja Kamui Best Director: Keiichiro Saito (Frieren: Beyond Journey' End) Best Supporting Character: Fern (Frieren) Best Romance Anime: Blue Box Best Isekai Anime: Re:Zero – Season 3
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
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Solo Leveling sets historic benchmark with 9 wins at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards
Solo Leveling shines at the 2025 Crunchyroll anime Awards (Image via Crunchyroll) In a landmark achievement for modern anime, Solo Leveling has etched its name in history by sweeping the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Winning in nine out of the 13 categories it was nominated for, the series not only cemented its place as a fan-favorite but also broke the record for the most awards won in a single year at the prestigious event. Solo Leveling wins Anime of the Year despite stiff competition Despite facing strong contenders like Kaiju No. 8, Delicious in Dungeon, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, and Dandadan, Solo Leveling walked away with the coveted Anime of the Year award. What's remarkable is that it was only the fifth-most nominated anime of the night, making its dominant performance all the more impressive. The hit adaptation of Chugong's 2016 Korean web novel clinched additional honors in key categories like Best New Series, Best Action, and Best Main Character for Sung Jinwoo. The show also impressed with its immersive soundtrack, composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, which won Best Score. The emotionally powerful ending theme, 'request' by krage, secured the Best Ending Sequence award. Global voice talent shines in Solo Leveling's diverse wins One standout feature of Solo Leveling's success is the international recognition of its voice cast. Aleks Le earned Best English Voice Artist Performance for his portrayal of Sung Jinwoo. Reflecting on the role, Le said, "As an Asian immigrant, I saw myself in him... Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Watching his growth and bringing that to life was incredibly meaningful." The show also bagged regional voice performance awards, including Best Brazilian Portuguese Voice Artist Performance (Charles Emmanuel) and Best Castilian Spanish Voice Artist Performance (Masumi Mutsuda), signaling the anime's broad global resonance. The anime's runaway success reflects its powerful connection with fans, which began with the original web novel and exploded with the manga's dominance in the Circana BookScan Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels chart earlier this year. The series claimed five of the top 20 spots, underscoring its lasting impact across mediums. Also Read: Webtoon inspired K-drama Head Over Heels weaves romance and prophecy, with Cho Yi-hyun and Choo Young-woo at the heart With its first season ending on the high-stakes 'Jeju Island' arc, anticipation for the second season is at a fever pitch. As Solo Leveling continues to break new ground, it's clear the series has become a cultural phenomenon that's redefining what modern anime can achieve. Fans can stream the show now on Crunchyroll. 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 .
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 .
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Beru exposed: Solo Leveling creator breaks the myth
Beru is one of the most popular characters in Solo Leveling , known for his power, loyalty, and dramatic entrance during the Jeju Island Arc . Fans often call him 'The Ant King' because of his royal presence and incredible strength. But according to Solo Leveling's creator, Chugong, Beru's title might be more show than truth. In a recent interview, Chugong shared some surprising facts that totally change how fans see the character. Solo Leveling creator reveals truth about ant king Beru In the interview, Chugong explained that Beru was never meant to be a true king. Instead, he was created as a powerful warrior to protect the queen ant—not to rule other ants or build a kingdom. Chugong even said, 'Beru is more of an ant soldier than an ant king.' So why the royal title? Simply because it sounded cool. That's right 'Ant King' was chosen for style, not story. This might be shocking for fans who see Beru as a leader figure. He fights like a boss, protects like a general, and even carries himself with pride. But Chugong's comments show that Beru's role was always about being the queen's strongest bodyguard, not a ruler. Beru's power still shines in Solo Leveling Even if he's not a real king, Beru is still one of the most dangerous characters in the series. When he first appears in the Jeju Island Arc, he easily defeats top S-Rank Hunters from both Japan and Korea. The only one who can stop him is Sung Jinwoo himself, in what many fans call the best fight in the entire series. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo After being defeated, Beru becomes one of Jinwoo's shadow soldiers and one of his strongest allies. His loyalty, strength, and confidence have made him a fan favorite, whether or not he has a royal title. Solo Leveling season 3: Beru's next big moment With Solo Leveling Season 2 ending on a high note, fans are now looking ahead to Season 3, where Beru is expected to play an even bigger role. As one of Jinwoo's main shadow soldiers, he's sure to get more screen time and major battles. Whether or not he's called a king, Beru's importance in the story keeps growing. So while Chugong may have called him a "cool-sounding soldier," fans will always see Beru as something more. King or not Beru rules.
