Anime Solo Leveling failed to conquer the Japanese market.
Studio A-1 Pictures' Solo Leveling anime, based on the manhwa of the same name, released volume 1 on Blu-ray on March 27. However, despite being the third highest-rated anime of Winter 2024 on MyAnimeList, This series still failed to make a significant impact in the Japanese market.
According to CBR's report, according to data from Oricon, which tracks Blu-ray and DVD sales in Japan, Solo Leveling did not appear in the top 20 best-selling titles for the week from March 25 to March 31.
Topping the list is Girls Und Panzer Final Chapter Part 4 with 32,614 copies sold, followed by Gushing than Magical Girls Volume 1 with 8,114 copies. Even the title in 20th place, Mashle: Divine Visionary Selection Arc Volume 1, sold 634 copies. Solo Leveling's absence from the rankings indicates disappointing sales performance.
Why are Solo Leveling sales low and why doesn't it matter?
Several factors may have contributed to Solo Leveling's low sales in Japan. The manhwa, illustrated by Jang Sung-rak, was originally created for a Korean audience, which may result in a smaller current fan base in Japan compared to domestically produced series.
Additionally, some Japanese readers who also read the manhwa may have been deterred by the story's negative portrayal of their country, potentially affecting their interest in the anime adaptation.
Also read: Everything you need to know about Solo Leveling: Ragnarok
However, the landscape of the anime industry is evolving and Blu-ray disc sales are no longer the sole determining factor for a series' success and potential for further installments. The explosive growth in anime's global popularity has shifted the focus to revenue from streaming and merchandise sales. For example, Chainsaw Man was announced despite below-average Blu-ray sales.
Furthermore, Solo Leveling's strong performance on MyAnimeList, with over 250,000 users rating it an impressive 8.35/10, proves it has international appeal and success beyond Japan's borders.
As the anime industry continues to adapt to the changing global marketplace, the series' fate may ultimately depend on its ability to attract broader audiences through streaming platforms and create interest in related films. goods.
In case you haven't watched the Solo Leveling anime series, you can stream it on Crunchyroll. Solo Leveling season 2 has been announced although a release date has not been confirmed.