The 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards crowned Solo Leveling Anime of the Year, but the decision sparked a debate among fan groups. While many celebrated the win, highlighting the work's technical quality and global impact, others questioned whether it truly surpassed competitors like Sousou no Frieren and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba .
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The discussion took over social media, with detailed comparisons between the nominees and even accusations that the choice was more a reflection of international popularity than artistic merit.
Points considered by those who watched Solo Leveling
- Top-notch animation : Sung Jin-Woo's combat scenes were praised for their fluidity and intensity.
- Soundtrack that left its mark : music and sound effects that enhanced the atmosphere of the battles.
- Faithfulness to the original manhwa: iconic moments from the web novel have been faithfully adapted, pleasing longtime fans.
Anime criticism and weaknesses
- Inconsistent pacing : Some episodes featured rushed narrative or abrupt transitions.
- Little space for supporting characters : secondary characters were overshadowed in relation to the protagonist.
- Less emotional depth : compared to Frieren , the series invested more in action than drama.
Other important competing anime:
- Sousou no Frieren : won over audiences with a sensitive narrative, exploring themes such as loss, friendship and the passage of time, as well as a delicate soundtrack.
- Demon Slayer : maintained the high standard of technical quality, with impeccable art direction and precisely choreographed fight sequences.
In addition to Anime of the Year , Solo Leveling also won in categories such as Best Action Scene and Best Soundtrack . These awards reinforce that, despite the controversy, the production made its presence felt and garnered significant votes.
What does this reveal about the audience?
Solo Leveling 's victory demonstrates how global appeal and presence on streaming platforms directly influence awards results. Productions with international reach tend to receive more votes, regardless of the critics.
Meanwhile, the anime's third season has yet to be officially announced. The series' massive success, however, earned Solo Leveling the Anime of the Year .
Source: Reddit
