Solo Leveling wins Anime of the Year 2025: Was this deserved?

It has finally been revealed that the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 has chosen who will take the Anime of the Year award, and the winner is none other than Solo Leveling. This announcement has sparked massive celebration, but many fans are divided, sparking debates across the anime community in the anime community.

Fans have taken to social media to express both support and surprise, especially since it was in close competition with the critically beloved Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and other notable nominees.

The question is whether Solo Leveling actually deserves to win the Anime of the Year 2025. The short answer is yes; this series fully deserved to win. Not only did it elevate the action-fantasy genre with its slick production and heart-pounding sequences, but it also managed to capture the attention of die-hard anime fans and newcomers globally.

At its core, Solo Leveling tells the story of Sung Jin-Woo, once the world’s weakest hunter in a society full of dungeons and deadly monsters. But one day, Jinwoo gets an ability that grants him a chance to level up. After this point, his life changes as Jin-Woo doesn’t just get stronger, he reinvents himself entirely.

One of the biggest reasons behind Solo Leveling winning is its jaw-dropping animation style. Directed by Shunsuke Nakashige and animated by A-1 Pictures, the series employed a sleek, polished look that stayed loyal to the webtoon’s original aesthetic while elevating it with anime-level dynamism.

From the moment Sung Jinwoo enters the screen and starts leveling up, the animation transforms into a whirlwind of sharp, fluid movement and deep shadows, reflecting the dark fantasy tone.

Another feature of this anime was its frame rate. While many anime stick to standard animation timing with limited frames to save budget, Solo Leveling frequently pushes higher frame rates during action scenes.

This decision to go above and beyond makes the characters move with a natural fluidity that feels more like a video game cutscene than traditional 2D animation. As the anime world introduces new titles constantly, it is difficult to stand out by following the usual format. Solo Leveling broke free from this and produced a masterpiece.

Solo Leveling created a global phenomenon unlike any other.

Even before its anime debut, Solo Leveling had a massive global fanbase. Thanks to its webtoon success. However, when the anime finally aired in January 2024, it took things to another level. Most importantly, this anime broke through the typical anime bubble and reached a mainstream audience. Viewers who had never read the webtoon or even watched anime before were drawn in by the stylish trailers and high production value.

This anime has outdone itself when it comes to pacing. Viewers are constantly hooked on the episode. The animators have done a phenomenal job creating a sense of urgency and constant forward momentum, making every episode feel like a must-watch.

Viewers who watched one episode often couldn’t stop. It catered to both weekly watchers and binge viewers, ensuring it stayed relevant for months. Furthermore, as this series was heavy on battles, one of the underrated reasons behind the success was the combat choreography.

For instance, in high-stakes fights, like Jin-Woo’s battles against dungeon bosses or rival hunters, viewers could feel the weight of every movement. Moreover, the brilliance of the anime does not stop at its sound design, combined with a gripping soundtrack and top-tier voice acting, ensuring that the final product is nearly flawless.

Final thoughts

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In a year that offered multiple anime that caught the attention of the fandom, Solo Leveling managed to do what only the best shows can: it became a cultural moment. Whether you were rooting for Solo Leveling or had your heart set on other nominees, there’s no denying that 2025’s Anime of the Year has earned its place in the Hall of Fame. And with Season 3 rumors flying around, Jin-Woo’s journey is far from over.

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