Mixed reactions to Solo Leveling at the Anime Awards 2025 have been stirring up the anime community for the past few days. Is this anime's victory a testament to its success or the result of crowd effect? Let's join Hobiverse in analyzing the conflicting opinions surrounding this event.
Solo Leveling: From Korean webtoon to global phenomenon
Solo Leveling, adapted from a famous Korean webtoon, has created a global fever with its creative plot and eye-catching images. At the Anime Awards 2025 , this anime made a miracle by winning 9 awards, including Anime of the Year (the most anticipated award), Best Action, Best Main Character and Best Score. This is the first time a work adapted from a Korean manhwa has achieved this achievement.
Community Divided: Hype or Genuine Excellence?
Solo Leveling's win has sparked controversy among fans. Jinwoo's journey in the anime was polished by A-1 Pictures with eye-catching visuals, smooth CGI effects, and epic soundtrack from Hiroyuki Sawano. This investment fully expressed the spirit of the original and also helped Solo Leveling enhance the viewer experience. However, mixed reactions to Solo Leveling at the 2025 Anime Awards stemmed from the belief that this victory was the result of bias and crowd effect.
The mixed reactions to Solo Leveling at the 2025 Anime Awards partly stemmed from the perception that Solo Leveling lacked depth in plot and character compared to heavyweights like Dan Da Dan , Frieren: Beyond Journey's End , and The Apothecary Diaries . They argued that these anime series had deeper content and deserved more recognition.
Solo Leveling fans, on the other hand, are in full support. They believe that the combination of a dramatic plot, a unique leveling system, and eye-catching battles is what makes the anime worth watching. One fan said: “Jinwoo is not just a character, but a symbol of the will to rise from the bottom of society. The anime conveys that!”
Voting System: Fan Vote and Fairness
The Anime Awards 2025 are based primarily on fan votes, which has led to anime with large fan bases like Solo Leveling easily winning. Another notable analysis is that this award reflects Crunchyroll's preference for works with great commercial appeal. But what about anime with artistic or psychological depth like Delicious in Dungeon (which received 16 nominations but came up empty-handed), which should also be honored.
However, despite the mixed reactions to Solo Leveling at the Anime Awards 2025, it is impossible not to acknowledge the huge appeal of Solo Leveling. Season 1, released in January 2024, caused the Crunchyroll server to crash due to the huge traffic. By season 2, premiering in January 2025, the anime created high expectations with arcs such as Red Gate and Ant King . In manhwa, Jinwoo is often cold and cruel, but the anime added emotional moments and moral struggles, making the character more relatable.
This begs the question: Is there a way to strike a balance between fan voting and industry expert judgment to ensure fairness and quality of the awards?
Solo Leveling: The First Exception
Despite the controversy, there is no denying that Solo Leveling has been a huge success. The anime has attracted a large number of new fans and contributed to bringing Korean anime to a global audience. The fact that a Korean work won the top prize at an event that was dominated by Japan shows that this is a first and opens up anime to a more diverse range. Works from other countries with quality visuals, music and compelling storylines are key factors that help many works win the hearts of viewers.
The mixed reactions to Solo Leveling at the 2025 Anime Awards show the diversity of opinions and preferences within the anime community. Despite the controversy, the success of Solo Leveling is a testament to the growth and expansion of the anime industry. Hobiverse believes that every anime has its own merits and deserves to be recognized in its own way.
