Solo Leveling: The Battle Anime Ready to Fill Dragon Ball’s Void

The Dragon Ball franchise has dominated anime for over 40 years, becoming an integral part of countless childhoods worldwide. But following the tragic death of creator Akira Toriyama, the series faces an uncertain future with Dragon Ball Super on indefinite hiatus. Enter Solo Leveling—a modern battle anime that’s capturing the same excitement that made Dragon Ball legendary.

Why Dragon Ball Needs a Successor Right Now

The Dragon Ball franchise has hit a difficult period. After Toriyama’s passing, production immediately halted on new content, leaving fans without fresh material from the series that defined shonen anime.

The Current State of Dragon Ball:

• Dragon Ball Super on hiatus – No clear return date announced
• Creator’s absence – Future content will largely lack Toriyama’s direct input
• Uncertain future – Fans waiting for official announcements about what comes next
• Content drought – Limited new material for one of anime’s biggest franchises

This void has left battle anime fans searching for something to fill that Dragon Ball-shaped hole in their watch lists. Solo Leveling has emerged as a compelling answer.

What Is Solo Leveling?

Solo Leveling is a 2024 anime adaptation based on a massively popular Korean webcomic (manhwa). The series took the anime world by storm with its modern take on the battle anime formula.

The Story Setup:

In a world where gates to dangerous dungeons have opened and created “Hunters” with supernatural abilities, Sung Jinwoo starts as the weakest Hunter—nicknamed the “World’s Weakest.” After a near-death experience in a deadly dungeon, Jinwoo gains a mysterious system that allows him to level up like a video game character, growing exponentially stronger with each battle.

Key quote: “I am the record of your struggles, the evidence of your resistance, and the reward of your sufferings. I am death, I am eternal rest, I am terror.” – Ashborn to Sung Jinwoo

This progression system creates the same addictive power scaling that made Dragon Ball so compelling—fans constantly anticipating the next power-up.

How Solo Leveling Captures Dragon Ball’s Magic

Intense, Spectacular Battles

Dragon Ball is known as the father of shonen anime, and its biggest contribution to the genre? Absolutely incredible fight scenes that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Solo Leveling delivers that same energy:

• Stunning animation – A-1 Pictures brings manhwa panels to life spectacularly
• Choreographed combat – Each fight feels impactful and strategic
• Escalating stakes – Battles grow more intense as Jinwoo levels up
• Visual spectacle – Modern animation techniques create jaw-dropping sequences

When it comes to heated battle anime in the modern era, fans immediately think of Solo Leveling—just as they’ve thought of Dragon Ball for decades.

Power Scaling That Keeps Fans Hooked

Both series thrive on one core appeal: watching the protagonist evolve to new heights.

Dragon Ball’s formula:

• Goku faces a stronger enemy
• Achieves a new transformation (Super Saiyan, Ultra Instinct, etc.)
• Defeats the enemy and grows stronger
• Repeat with even more powerful foes

Solo Leveling’s approach:

• Jinwoo confronts dangerous dungeons and enemies
• Levels up and gains new abilities through the system
• Defeats enemies and extracts their shadows as servants
• Tackles increasingly impossible challenges

Power scaling conversations always include both Goku and Jinwoo—testament to how both characters capture fans’ imaginations with their progression.

The Main Character’s Journey

Both series center on protagonists fans desperately want to see succeed:

• Goku (Dragon Ball) – Pure-hearted fighter who loves battle and protects Earth
• Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling) – Determined Hunter protecting his family and proving his worth

Fans become invested in their growth, celebrating each victory and feeling the weight of each challenge.

Solo Leveling Is NOT a Perfect Dragon Ball Replacement

Let’s be clear: Solo Leveling will never fully replace Dragon Ball, nor should it try to. These are distinctly different series with their own identities.

Key Differences:

Setting and Tone:

• Dragon Ball – Sci-fi/fantasy universe with planets, aliens, and gods
• Solo Leveling – Modern urban setting with dungeon gates and Hunters

Genre Elements:

• Dragon Ball – Pure shonen with martial arts roots
• Solo Leveling – Battle anime with isekai/RPG mechanics (leveling system, stats, inventory)

Protagonist Personalities:

• Goku – Jolly, fun-loving, naive, loves a good fight for its own sake
• Jinwoo – Calm, nonchalant, strategic, fights with purpose

Key Jinwoo quote: “I Will Protect My Family Even If It Means Turning All The Hunters In The World Against Me.”

This calculated determination contrasts sharply with Goku’s carefree warrior spirit.

Different Appeal, Similar Satisfaction

Solo Leveling isn’t trying to be Dragon Ball 2.0—it’s offering a modern evolution of what made battle anime exciting in the first place. Think of it as a spiritual successor rather than a direct replacement.

What Makes Solo Leveling Special

Beyond just being a battle anime, Solo Leveling brings unique elements to the table:

The Leveling System

The video game-style progression adds a layer Dragon Ball never had:

• Visible stats and growth
• Skill trees and ability unlocks
• Inventory management
• Quest completion rewards

This gamification makes Jinwoo’s progression feel tangible and measurable in ways Goku’s transformations don’t.

The Shadow Army

One of Solo Leveling’s most distinctive features: Jinwoo can extract shadows from defeated enemies and command them as loyal servants. This creates:

• Strategic depth – Not just about raw power
• Growing army – Visual representation of victories
• Unique combat style – Jinwoo + shadow soldiers vs. enemies
• Spectacular visuals – Shadow extraction and summons look incredible

Modern Production Values

A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online, Fairy Tail) delivers:

• Fluid, dynamic animation during battles
• Stunning visual effects for abilities and powers
• Atmospheric cinematography and lighting
• Faithful adaptation of iconic manhwa moments

What’s Coming for Dragon Ball?

Despite the current hiatus, Dragon Ball’s future isn’t as bleak as it might seem.

Dragon Ball GENKIDAIMATSURI – January 2026

This major event promises to unveil huge projects for the Dragon Ball franchise:

• Potential announcements – New anime content, movies, or games
• Revival opportunity – Could be what the series needs post-hiatus
• Fan excitement – First major Dragon Ball event since Toriyama’s passing

The Series Still Has Massive Potential

Dragon Ball isn’t going anywhere:

• Decades of goodwill – Fanbase remains incredibly loyal
• Untapped storylines – Plenty of narrative territory to explore
• Global recognition – One of the most valuable anime properties worldwide
• Multimedia empire – Games, merchandise, and more keep the franchise alive

Any fan knows that Dragon Ball will eventually make a big comeback. The current difficult phase is temporary—the series has weathered storms before and emerged stronger.

How to Watch Solo Leveling

Currently available:

• Season 1 – 12 episodes
• Season 2 – 13 episodes
• Total: 25 episodes available now

Where to stream:

• Crunchyroll – All episodes with subtitles and English dub

What About Season 3?

No major announcements yet regarding a third season, though the manhwa source material has plenty more content to adapt. Given the anime’s massive popularity, a continuation seems likely—fans just need to wait for official confirmation.

Want more Solo Leveling? The original manhwa is complete and available to read online, offering the full story for those who can’t wait for anime adaptations.

Why Fans Should Embrace Both Series

Here’s the truth: You don’t have to choose between Dragon Ball and Solo Leveling.

Different Experiences, Similar Thrills:

• Dragon Ball – Classic shonen that defined a genre
• Solo Leveling – Modern evolution bringing fresh ideas

Watching Solo Leveling doesn’t diminish Dragon Ball’s legacy—it celebrates the battle anime tradition Dragon Ball pioneered while offering something new for contemporary audiences.

Related anime and gaming content:

• MMO fans: Final Fantasy 14 planning more character customization updates for 2026
• Manga news: Japan’s best-selling manga of 2025 is One Piece, reclaiming its crown
• Gaming creativity: Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Flying Dutchman pirate ship build

The Verdict: A Worthy Successor for a New Generation

Solo Leveling represents the evolution of battle anime in the 2020s—taking what Dragon Ball established and adapting it for modern sensibilities. While it can’t truly replace the legendary series that inspired it, Solo Leveling offers:

• Intense battles that rival Dragon Ball’s best fights
• Addictive power progression that keeps fans hooked
• A compelling protagonist fans want to see succeed
• Modern production values that showcase today’s animation capabilities
• Fresh ideas that push the battle anime genre forward

Until Dragon Ball Returns

While waiting for Dragon Ball’s inevitable comeback at GENKIDAIMATSURI or beyond, fans can enjoy watching Sung Jinwoo’s journey from the World’s Weakest Hunter to an unstoppable force.

Solo Leveling offers:

• 25 episodes of spectacular battles available now
• A complete manhwa story for those who want the full experience
• The same rush of excitement that made Dragon Ball legendary
• A modern take on the power fantasy that defined shonen anime

Dragon Ball will return—its legacy is too powerful, its fanbase too devoted, and its potential too vast for it to stay dormant forever. But in the meantime, Solo Leveling proves the battle anime spirit is alive and well, ready to carry the torch for a new generation of fans.

Bottom line: Solo Leveling isn’t replacing Dragon Ball—nothing could. But as the legendary series navigates a difficult transition period, Solo Leveling captures that same magical formula of intense battles and power scaling that made Dragon Ball a phenomenon. With 25 episodes available on Crunchyroll and Dragon Ball’s future uncertain until January’s GENKIDAIMATSURI event, now’s the perfect time to welcome this worthy successor into your anime rotation.