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Solo Leveling Season 3 is actively pre-produced, with the release window usually set for January 2026.
Since Nakashige Shunsuke is busy with another project, a replacement may be sought.
This season will thus see an elevation to narrative and power stakes, focusing on Sung Jinwoo's war against the Monarchs.
With the explosive Season 2 finale, Solo Leveling has laid the groundwork for an even greater war in its third season, which is highly expected. The conclusion of the Jeju Island arc was jaw-dropping, but the arrival of the Monarchs heralds a colossal change in the tone of the story. These fearsome entities, who exist as the counterforce to the light-wielding Rulers, bring an unprecedented level of threat, ensuring that Solo Leveling Season 3 will be a battle unlike any seen before. As Sung Jinwoo stands at the precipice of an all-out war, fans eagerly await the next chapter of this thrilling saga.
Born out of darkness itself, the Monarchs are the personification of destruction. Brought into existence by the Absolute Being, their only mission is to cause annihilation, and they are the strongest enemies Jinwoo has ever faced. Though his previous fights have pushed him to his limits, the arrival of the Monarchs raises the stakes exponentially. Their real strength is unknown, but their presence alone ensures that the war to come will be unlike anything experienced previously in Solo Leveling.
The Monarchs’ history goes back to an ancient conflict that defined the very fabric of the world. The Rulers were formed to bring order, whereas the Monarchs aimed for utter destruction. Their constant battles marked time with wounds, and both sides lost countless numbers. One of the limited successes against them was when the Rulers captured the Monarch Legia with artifacts imbued with divine power.
But this momentary failure brought the other Monarchs to an uneasy cooperation with Ashborn, the Shadow Monarch. But betrayal was deep-seated, and trust was a luxury for a moment. Ashborn eventually betrayed the Monarchs, allying himself with the Rulers and paving the way for the next stage of the struggle, one that will be seen in Season 3.
The season’s finale not only brought the Monarchs back but also suggested the full-blown war that’s soon to break out. Their comeback is not a first-time experience; centuries before, they came near to killing off humankind to recreate their armies. The mighty Cup of Reincarnation, which could go back ten years in time, could not stop their wrath entirely. Now that they're back, the world again hangs by a thread and stands ready to be destroyed.
After Season 2 concluded, A-1 Pictures producer Atsushi Kaneko left viewers wondering, “The TV anime series Solo Leveling will end, for the time being,” and hinting, “Will this be a temporary end or not?” While this ambiguous declaration left viewers in the dark, the sold-out success of Solo Leveling makes it extremely unlikely that the show will return. But the hiatus between Seasons 2 and 3 can be longer than anticipated because of scheduling issues with director Nakashige Shunsuke, who is said to be working on other projects.
Traditionally, Solo Leveling’s initial two seasons have debuted in early January, Season 1 in 2024 and Season 2 in 2025, on a 13-week release pattern. If the trend is followed, Season 3 may release sometime around January 3, 2026. Yet, if production is delayed, the release may be pushed further. Some believe that Season 3 may start with a theatrical release, just like how Season 2’s Solo Leveling: ReAwakening did.
This has already been done for other franchises such as Demon Slayer, and it wouldn’t be out of place if Solo Leveling does the same thing.
One of the most pressing concerns for Season 3 is Nakashige Shunsuke’s availability. With his work on other titles, there is an increasing rumor that A-1 Pictures will introduce a new director to keep production moving. Though substituting a director during a series can be a risk, it has been accomplished before in other anime.
A new director might introduce new ideas, but they would have to make sure the series maintains its style and high-octane narrative.
Whenever Season 3 comes out, it will be the most intense chapter so far. Season 2’s climactic finale had left us on a cliff’s edge with Sung Jinwoo becoming South Korea’s strongest Hunter after defeating the Ant King on Jeju Island and joining the world’s elite ranks. But it is far from over for his journey.
Uncovering a hidden key that sends him back to the Cartenon Temple, where his change first started, promises revelations that will shake Solo Leveling’s very foundations to its core. Although fans will have to wait longer than anticipated, one thing is sure: when Solo Leveling comes back, it will be worth every second. The battle against the Monarchs has only just begun, and the best is yet to come.
