The One Demon Slayer Decision That Solo Leveling Must Never Copy

Anime fans love big battles, bold animation, and stories that keep them glued to the screen. Solo Leveling checks all those boxes, and that’s why its rise has been so wild to watch. But behind all the hype, there’s a real concern growing in the fandom: the series could hurt itself if it tries too hard to follow Demon Slayer’s path.

Solo Leveling became a hit the moment viewers met Sung Jinwoo—once the weakest hunter alive, now one of the deadliest forces in his world. Season 1 showed his climb from zero to hero, and Season 2 pushed him even higher with insane power and flawless animation. And shockingly, we’re still only halfway through the original story.

So naturally, everyone expected a Season 3 announcement. Instead… nothing. But then reports surfaced that a Solo Leveling movie might be coming. And if that’s true, the creators need to be very careful, because Demon Slayer’s latest approach set a dangerous example.

Demon Slayer Became the King of 2025

Demon Slayer didn’t just break records in 2025—it smashed them.
Infinity Castle Part One: Akaza’s Return didn’t just top the charts. It became the highest-grossing Japanese movie ever, beating out Studio Ghibli films, Makoto Shinkai’s hits, and even Mugen Train.

The movie was everywhere. People who didn’t even watch anime were talking about it. It turned into a cultural moment that no one expected.

But that success came with a side effect: it pushed every other anime franchise to chase the same movie-first strategy.

Demon Slayer Changed the Entire Industry

After Demon Slayer’s success, studios realized how much money anime films can make. Suddenly, movies became the new trend.

Shows like:

• Jujutsu Kaisen
• Haikyu!!
• Chainsaw Man
• The Apothecary Diaries

all jumped onto the movie train. Some did it to cash in. Others did it to tell bigger stories.

And honestly, it’s not a bad strategy—when done right. But Demon Slayer also showed everyone what not to do.

Solo Leveling Might Be Next in Line for a Movie

A financial report from Kiwoom Securities revealed something interesting: DNC Media (the company behind Solo Leveling) is working on a new Solo Leveling movie.

They even pointed to Demon Slayer’s success as motivation.

And it makes sense. If any series can rival Demon Slayer at the box office, it’s Solo Leveling. The hype is massive, and Season 3 covers one of the strongest arcs in the story.

But here’s the catch: if they turn that arc into a movie, they must avoid Demon Slayer’s mistakes.

Solo Leveling Can’t Repeat Demon Slayer’s Big Misstep

Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle movie was long. Very long. More than two and a half hours. And while it animated huge chunks of manga, it didn’t feel like a theater-worthy experience most of the time.

A handful of moments looked incredible—Zenitsu’s Thunder Breathing and Obanai’s Serpent Breathing were God-tier—but the rest felt like a stretched-out anime episode. It tried to do too much. It felt rushed and overcrowded.

Fans could feel that the studio wanted profits more than storytelling.

Solo Leveling needs to stay far away from that problem.

Chainsaw Man Showed the Right Way to Do It

If Solo Leveling wants a model to follow, it should look at Chainsaw Man: The Reze Arc.

The movie:

• Used IMAX sound and visuals to their fullest
• Focused on one complete arc
• Delivered cinematic-quality animation
• Kept a perfect runtime around 90 minutes

It felt like a true movie—not a long episode. And that’s exactly the direction Solo Leveling should aim for.

Can Solo Leveling Beat Demon Slayer? Sure. But Should It Try?

Solo Leveling absolutely has the audience to take on Demon Slayer at the box office. The fandom is huge, loyal, and hungry for more.

But turning Season 3 into a movie might not be the best long-term move.

A full third season would:

• Break Crunchyroll records again
• Give the story space to breathe
• Deliver consistent weekly hype
• Strengthen the franchise instead of rushing it

A movie would be fun, but the anime format works better for the depth and pacing Solo Leveling needs.

Right now, all we can do is wait for an official announcement. But if the creators want to keep Solo Leveling on top, the safest and smartest choice is simple: