The year 2025 marked a historic milestone for Solo Leveling, as the series was crowned Anime of the Year at the Crunchyroll Awards by both fans and judges. Outside Japan, Solo Leveling’s popularity is undeniable. However, in the birthplace of anime, the story is very different: Solo Leveling did not stand out, with many new domestic series favored more by local fans. It didn’t even make Japan’s top 10 most searched anime of 2025.
Solo Leveling is absent from Japan’s top 10 most searched anime of 2025
Solo Leveling’s international fame, especially after the massive success of its anime adaptation, needs no introduction. The series dominated the Crunchyroll Awards and has fans worldwide eagerly awaiting future projects. Yet in Japan, the enthusiasm seems far less intense.
Solo Leveling’s complete absence from Japan’s top 10 most searched anime list in 2025 puzzles many international fans. Instead, a smaller series with deeper local impact claimed the top spot.
Takopi’s Original Sin leads Japan’s search rankings in 2025
Takopi’s Original Sin has enjoyed significant popularity overseas, but its appeal in Japan is even stronger. In the West, this short anime boasts one of the highest-rated episodes of the year. In Japan, it naturally became the most searched anime online.
Despite having only six episodes, Takopi’s Original Sin’s brief story creates an irresistible draw for fans worldwide. Its unique premise successfully captivates and unsettles viewers simultaneously, crafting a rare charm few series achieve.
Beyond Takopi’s Original Sin, several other series less known internationally than Solo Leveling also made Japan’s top 10. Titles like Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, Sakamoto Days, The Summer Hikaru Died, The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity, and Orb: On the Movements of the Earth attracted strong local interest, while Solo Leveling struggled to gain similar influence.
Solo Leveling faces challenges becoming a landmark series in its anime homeland
It’s clear Solo Leveling wields tremendous influence internationally, while Japanese fans remain relatively indifferent. This indifference is a reality even insiders acknowledge. Atsushi Kaneko, a member of the Solo Leveling production team, openly recognizes this barrier:
“Although I’m excited by the international response, personally I don’t feel the series is widely known in Japan right now. Solo Leveling hasn’t been broadly recognized here. As a Japanese person living in Japan, I see it hasn’t reached the level of Dragon Ball, One Piece, or Naruto. But if season 3 happens, that’s when I really want to break through that barrier.”
One reason Solo Leveling hasn’t made a big impact in Japan could be related to its character portrayal. For example, in the Jeju Island arc, most Japanese S-rank Hunters are killed off, including their strongest.
However, with investment and high hopes for season 3, Solo Leveling is gradually asserting its presence and aims to break domestic records in the future.