Solo Leveling Creators Finally Reveal Why Season 3 Production Will Take So Long
The Solo Leveling team shared the details of their grueling production process and admitted that if a third season does happen, they'll need all the support they can get from fans.
After the finale of Solo Leveling Season 2, fans were left in suspense. The epic battle with the Ant King on Jeju Island was over and Sung Jin-woo had gained new powers. It was only natural that everyone was hoping for an immediate announcement of a new season.
However, we still haven't received the official confirmation of the anime's renewal for a third season, although the creators' comments clearly indicate that none of them doubt that a new season will take place.
Solo Leveling Season 3 May Not Be Released Until 2028
In the context of Solo Leveling, however, the more important question is not if there will be a third season, but when.
At the Solo Leveling For Your Consideration special event held in Los Angeles on April 30, Aniplex producer Sota Furuhashi joked that the third season of Solo Leveling could be released in 2028.
Furuhashi explained that about 220,000 frames of animation were created during the first two seasons. According to him, the amount of work is so great that “if it were up to me, I'd say let's wait until the next Olympics.”
Solo Leveling Creators Explained Why the Third Season May Take So Long to Produce
Then, during a Reddit AMA, Solo Leveling animation producer Atsushi Kaneko explained why a third season might take so long to produce:
“Each episode takes about 10 months to complete, with some of the longer ones taking up to 12 months. [...] Subtitling happens almost around the clock to meet the delivery, and the dubbing process typically takes 2 to 3 weeks per episode”
He also added, along with Sota Furuhashi, that if the third season happens, the Solo Leveling team will need all the support from the fans:
“Do you know Dragon Ball's Genki-dama (Spirit Bomb)? We need your energy! If we’re going to make a Season 3, it’s going to take all the support and energy from the fans.”
Season 3 Wasn't Planned in Advance Like Seasons 1&2
There is another explanation for such a long break between seasons. The first two seasons of Solo Leveling were planned in advance. Aniplex originally ordered 25 episodes, which the studio divided into two parts.
Therefore, there was only one year between the first and second seasons – they were produced almost back to back. But the third season was not originally included in the contract. This means that its production will have to be approved and launched again, which takes time.
