Solo Leveling anime rights and licensing: who owns what
The Solo Leveling anime is a cross-border co-production: Korean publishers own the source, while Aniplex, Crunchyroll, and A-1 Pictures handle the Japanese anime adaptation.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: The Solo Leveling anime is co-produced by Aniplex and Crunchyroll with animation production by A-1 Pictures. The underlying property is Korean: the web novel by Chugong and the manhwa by Dubu are published by KakaoPage and D&C Media, which retain the original literary rights.
Who owns the Solo Leveling property?
Solo Leveling began as a web novel by Chugong on KakaoPage. It was later adapted into a manhwa illustrated by the late Dubu at Redice Studio and published by D&C Media. These Korean companies control the underlying story, characters, and original publishing rights.
The anime adaptation is a Japanese production. According to a Sony Music Group Cocotame interview, the series is co-produced by Aniplex and Crunchyroll, with A-1 Pictures handling animation production. The official anime site also credits A-1 Pictures.
How the Solo Leveling anime is financed and licensed
The anime is a co-production between Aniplex, a Sony Music Group label, and Crunchyroll, the global anime streaming service. This arrangement suggests Aniplex leads Japanese production and music rights while Crunchyroll contributes international streaming and marketing.
Crunchyroll streamed the series worldwide as part of its seasonal lineup. Because the source material is Korean rather than Japanese, the rights structure differs from a standard Shueisha-MAPPA-Crunchyroll pipeline.
Publicly disclosed Solo Leveling rights structure.| Party | Role | Rights layer |
|---|
| Chugong / KakaoPage / D&C Media | Original web novel and manhwa creators/publishers | Underlying literary and character rights |
| A-1 Pictures | Animation studio | Anime production |
| Aniplex | Co-producer | Japanese production and music rights |
| Crunchyroll | Co-producer and global streamer | International streaming rights |
What the co-production model means for ownership
A co-production between Aniplex and Crunchyroll does not mean the two companies own the Solo Leveling IP. They own the animated adaptation and its distribution rights, subject to licenses from the Korean rights holders.
The exact division between Aniplex and Crunchyroll - who controls which territories, who handles home video, and how music rights are split - has not been published.
Ownership uncertainty note: The exact contract terms between the Korean rights holders and the Japanese co-producers are not public. Sources confirm Aniplex and Crunchyroll as co-producers and A-1 Pictures as the animation studio, but the precise revenue shares and rights carve-outs remain undisclosed.
Why Solo Leveling is a cross-border rights case
Most anime covered on AnimeSignal are Japanese manga adaptations. Solo Leveling is a Korean web novel and manhwa that became a Japanese anime, which adds complexity. The original publisher is Korean, the animation studio is Japanese, and the streaming platform is American.
For licensors, this means the first contact depends on the use. KakaoPage and D&C Media control the source material, Aniplex handles Japanese production and music, and Crunchyroll is the global streaming partner.
How Solo Leveling compares to other web-novel adaptations
Web-novel-based anime are becoming more common, but Solo Leveling is one of the highest-profile examples of a Korean web property becoming a Japanese anime hit. Its success has likely made the rights more valuable and the licensing chain more carefully guarded.
The practical implication is that any remake, game, or merchandise deal must clear both the Korean source rights and the Japanese anime rights, which may involve separate negotiations.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the anime rights to Solo Leveling?
The anime is co-produced by Aniplex and Crunchyroll with animation by A-1 Pictures. The underlying web novel and manhwa rights belong to Chugong, KakaoPage, and D&C Media.
Who licenses Solo Leveling for streaming?
Crunchyroll co-produces the anime and streams it globally. Aniplex handles Japanese production and music rights.
Does Crunchyroll own Solo Leveling outright?
No. Crunchyroll is a co-producer and global streaming licensee. The original property is owned by the Korean creators and publishers.
Which studio animates Solo Leveling?
A-1 Pictures is the animation production studio for the Solo Leveling anime.