According to ScreenRant, Solo Leveling could become the strongest challenger yet to Demon Slayer after the latter’s record-breaking success with Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part I.
Infinity Castle Part I exceeded expectations at the global box office, breaking multiple records and reinforcing Demon Slayer’s position as one of anime’s biggest franchises. The film ranked among the highest-grossing releases of 2025 alongside major Hollywood titles such as Avatar: Fire and Ash and the live-action How to Train Your Dragon. It also won Crunchyroll’s Film of the Year award in May 2026, further highlighting its worldwide popularity.
The film went on to become Japan’s highest-grossing movie of all time, setting a benchmark few anime releases are expected to match.
However, Solo Leveling has now entered the conversation following confirmation that the hit franchise will receive an anime film in 2027. The announcement came during Anime Expo 2026 and quickly generated excitement among fans worldwide.
The report suggests Solo Leveling is well placed to challenge Demon Slayer’s dominance thanks to its rapid global rise. The anime has become one of Crunchyroll’s biggest success stories, setting records as the platform’s most-watched and highest-rated title. Its popularity, combined with an already established international fan base from the original web novel and manhwa, gives the upcoming film significant momentum.
Another advantage is accessibility. New viewers need to watch only two seasons, comprising 24 episodes, to catch up with the story. By comparison, Demon Slayer currently spans more than 60 episodes, with several extended instalments.
The report also argues that Demon Slayer has already demonstrated that anime films can compete with major Hollywood productions, creating opportunities for other franchises to reach wider audiences.
Although surpassing Infinity Castle remains a daunting task, Solo Leveling appears to be one of the few modern anime capable of mounting a genuine challenge. If its current popularity continues, the 2027 film could become one of the biggest anime theatrical releases in recent years, even if it ultimately falls short of Demon Slayer’s unprecedented box office achievements.
