Where Can You Read Solo Leveling? Synopsis, Review and Light Spoilers
A single hero’s growth changes the world
The ultimate level-up fantasy
Hello, this is Kanahina 😊
This time, I am writing about Solo Leveling, a manga I have reread many times.
This article includes a synopsis, my impressions, and some light spoilers. Please be careful if you have not read the story yet and do not want to know any plot details 🥺
First, I will start with where you can read it and where you can buy it.
Conclusion: you can read Solo Leveling on the following platforms
I could not find a site where Solo Leveling can be read completely free to the final chapter. However, some platforms offer campaigns where you can read around volumes 1 to 4 for free.
If you want to continue after the free parts, I recommend buying the ebook on a platform that is running coupons or point-back campaigns.
I bought it on ebookJapan. When I first registered, I received six 70% off coupons, so I was able to buy the volumes I had not read at a very good price.
ebookJapan also works well with PayPay. The Comic Weekend campaign held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays can be especially good value for people who use PayPay regularly.
| Service | Key points | Campaign |
|---|---|---|
ebookJapan  | One of Japan’s largest ebook stores, especially strong in manga, with more than 800,000 digital titles. It also regularly offers over 2,800 free manga and supports PayPay. | 70% OFF usable 6 times |
| BookLive is one of Japan’s major general ebook stores, with more than one million titles. Daily coupons, coupon lotteries and discount sales make it easy to find deals. | 70% OFF for 1 volume | |
DMM Books  | A major Japanese ebook store with a large selection. New users may receive a 90% off coupon depending on the campaign. | 90% OFF up to 2,000 yen |
| Kindle Store | Amazon’s Kindle Store. Kindle Unlimited offers a huge selection of books through a paid subscription, and it is convenient for users who already have Amazon Points. | 70% OFF up to 3,000 yen |
| Manga Kingdom | A Japanese digital manga service known for strong campaigns, free manga and point-back offers. | up to 50% back |
| Comic Cmoa is a major digital manga and ebook service in Japan, with many free and discounted titles. | 70% OFF for 1 volume | |
| Renta! allows users to buy or rent some digital manga, making it useful for readers who want to keep costs low. | rank system available | |
| d Book | d Book supports docomo d Points. d Book Day, held on the 10th, 20th and 30th of each month, often offers point-back campaigns. | 70% OFF for 1 volume |
Rakuten Kobo  | Rakuten Kobo is convenient for users who collect Rakuten Points. New-user campaigns may offer a high point return after entry and first purchase. | up to 70x points |
There are many other places where you can read Solo Leveling, but I have picked the main services I know and could confirm.
I also wrote a separate guide on how far you can read Solo Leveling for free and how to buy it cheaply. Solo Leveling free reading and cheap buying guide
Overview of Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling is a comic adaptation based on a Korean novel and began serialization on Piccoma in Japan.
The protagonist, Shun Mizushino, is an E-rank hunter known as “the weakest weapon of humanity.” The story takes place in a dangerous world where gates to another dimension open and monsters appear.
People who awaken in response to these gates gain special abilities, and some of them work as hunters who enter the gates and clear dungeons. One day, Shun encounters a hidden double dungeon inside a D-rank dungeon. On the verge of death, he gains a special ability and reawakens.
Normally, a hunter’s rank does not change. However, Shun begins leveling up at an extraordinary pace, eventually becoming an S-rank hunter.
The story is already complete, and the latest collected volume is volume 17. It is not only about an E-rank hunter becoming overwhelmingly strong; the relationships with other people, allies and monster companions are also fascinating. It is the kind of work that makes you want to reread it again and again 😊
About the creator of Solo Leveling
The original author of Solo Leveling is Chugong.
The artist in charge of the webtoon adaptation was DUBU, whose real name was Jang Sung-rak. He passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage on July 23, 2022. I wrote more about that on this page.
Chugong is known to be from South Korea, but details such as age and gender do not seem to have been publicly disclosed. It appears that the author keeps personal information private so that readers can focus on the work itself without bias.
The appeal of the characters in Solo Leveling
Protagonist: Shun Mizushino
He begins as an E-rank hunter called the weakest weapon of humanity. After encountering a high-difficulty double dungeon inside a D-rank dungeon, he gains a special power on the verge of death and reawakens as a hunter who can grow without limits.
Many characters appear, including Shizuku Kosaka, Shin Mogami, Aoi Mizushino, Kenta Morobishi, Akira Inukai, Taiga Shirakawa, Kiyoomi Goto, Masato Ukyo and Thomas Andre.
There are trustworthy allies, rivals and people who betray others easily, so the story never loses momentum.
What I find so appealing about Solo Leveling
From weak to strongest: the protagonist’s awakening is exciting
This is the core appeal of Solo Leveling. The hero begins as a hunter called the weakest weapon of humanity, but he grows dramatically stronger and becomes a reliable, powerful figure. Watching that transformation is extremely satisfying.
A strong cast of characters
Even though Shun is the center of the story, the allies, rivals and former enemy monsters who join him add great energy to the plot. Powerful allies can be defeated in an instant, and many developments make you want to read the next chapter right away.
Thrilling battle scenes
DUBU’s dynamic artwork is one of the biggest attractions. The characters are beautifully drawn, and the combination of stylish art and powerful battle scenes pulled me deeply into the story.
Which publisher releases Solo Leveling?
In Japan, the publisher is KADOKAWA, while in South Korea it is associated with D&C Media. In Japan, the series was published on Piccoma, and in South Korea it appeared on KakaoPage.
As of May 15, 2024, Piccoma allowed readers to read up to episode 155 for free.
The Korean webtoon version began on KakaoPage on March 4, 2018. DUBU, who also illustrated the novel, handled the artwork. The series continued, resumed after a break, and concluded on December 29, 2021 with 179 chapters. An English version has also been available since 2020.
How popular is it in Japan?
The Japanese version of the webtoon began on Piccoma on March 1, 2019. In December 2019, it ranked first in the manga category of Piccoma Best of 2019, and in March 2020 monthly sales reportedly exceeded 98 million yen. It also won the IGNIS Award at the Piccoma Award 2020, making it a major hit in Japan.
Official X accounts related to Solo Leveling
I found two official X accounts related to Solo Leveling: one for the anime and one for the game. If you are interested, you can check them from the images below.
Reviews, ratings and reader impressions of Solo Leveling
I summarized both positive and critical impressions to look at Solo Leveling in a balanced way.
- (5.0)Once you start reading, it is hard to stop
Once you start reading, it is hard to stop. The story flow and artwork are so engaging that the level-up journey becomes addictive. - (5.0)The main character is extremely cool
The main character is extremely cool. Even though the basic premise feels familiar, the pacing is excellent and the overwhelming power fantasy is fun. - (4.0)A satisfying rise-from-the-bottom story
A satisfying rise-from-the-bottom story. It has dark moments, but the growth and battles are exciting. - (4.0)Some parts feel a little too convenient, yet the artwork, speed and dramatic battles make it easy to keep reading
Some parts feel a little too convenient, yet the artwork, speed and dramatic battles make it easy to keep reading. - (3.0)The story is simple in a good way, and the beautiful full-color webtoon style makes the action very easy to follow
The story is simple in a good way, and the beautiful full-color webtoon style makes the action very easy to follow.
Searching for Solo Leveling with raw or zip is very dangerous
When people try to read manga online, many search for keywords like “Solo Leveling raw” or “Solo Leveling zip.” However, this is very risky. Below are the main dangers and legal issues.
Risk of viruses and malware
Downloading manga files from unofficial sites carries a high risk of viruses and malware. Unauthorized scan sites often lack proper security, and simply opening a downloaded file can infect your device or expose personal information.
Copyright infringement and legal risks
Downloading manga through raw or zip files is usually copyright infringement. Manga is a creative work protected by law, and unauthorized copying or distribution damages the rights and income of creators and publishers.
An ethical issue as well
Reading through official platforms is a direct way to support creators and publishers. If piracy spreads, the manga industry may weaken, and in the long run it may become harder for new works to be created.
Summary
To summarize, Solo Leveling can be read on several ebook services, but I especially recommend starting with official platforms that offer free episodes, coupons or point-back campaigns.
• Solo Leveling is a completed level-up fantasy with 17 collected volumes
• It is a thrilling story about Shun Mizushino rising from E-rank to overwhelming strength
• Piccoma has offered a large number of free episodes
• ebookJapan, DMM Books and other official ebook stores are good options for buying the series safely
If you are curious about Solo Leveling, please make use of official free reading options and discount campaigns instead of risky raw or zip sites.
| Service | Key points | Campaign |
|---|---|---|
| ebookJapan | One of Japan’s largest ebook stores, especially strong in manga, with more than 800,000 digital titles. It also regularly offers over 2,800 free manga and supports PayPay. | 70% OFF usable 6 times |
| BookLive is one of Japan’s major general ebook stores, with more than one million titles. Daily coupons, coupon lotteries and discount sales make it easy to find deals. | 70% OFF for 1 volume | |
| DMM Books | A major Japanese ebook store with a large selection. New users may receive a 90% off coupon depending on the campaign. | 90% OFF up to 2,000 yen |
| Kindle Store | Amazon’s Kindle Store. Kindle Unlimited offers a huge selection of books through a paid subscription, and it is convenient for users who already have Amazon Points. | 70% OFF up to 3,000 yen |
| Manga Kingdom | A Japanese digital manga service known for strong campaigns, free manga and point-back offers. | up to 50% back |
| Comic Cmoa is a major digital manga and ebook service in Japan, with many free and discounted titles. | 70% OFF for 1 volume | |
| Renta! allows users to buy or rent some digital manga, making it useful for readers who want to keep costs low. | rank system available | |
| d Book | d Book supports docomo d Points. d Book Day, held on the 10th, 20th and 30th of each month, often offers point-back campaigns. | 70% OFF for 1 volume |
| Rakuten Kobo | Rakuten Kobo is convenient for users who collect Rakuten Points. New-user campaigns may offer a high point return after entry and first purchase. | up to 70x points |
Finally, here are some frequently asked questions about Solo Leveling
Frequently asked questions
- Q.1Which app lets you read Solo Leveling for free?
- A.1
Piccoma is a good first option because it has offered many free episodes. Free availability may change, so check the current app page.
- Q.2How many episodes of Solo Leveling can you read for free?
- A.2
As of the information used in this article, Piccoma allowed readers to read up to episode 155 for free.
- Q.3When did the Solo Leveling manga end?
- A.3
The main story has already ended. The webtoon completed with 179 chapters on December 29, 2021.
- Q.4How many volumes does Solo Leveling have?
- A.4
The Japanese collected edition has reached volume 17.
- Q.5How well did Solo Leveling sell?
- A.5
In Japan, it became a major hit on Piccoma, ranking first in Piccoma Best of 2019 and surpassing 98 million yen in monthly sales in March 2020.
- Q.6Did the author of Solo Leveling pass away?
- A.6
The artist DUBU, also known as Jang Sung-rak, passed away in 2022. The original author, Chugong, is alive.
- Q.7Which country is Solo Leveling from?
- A.7
It is originally a Korean novel and webtoon. In the Japanese version, many names and settings were localized for Japan.
- Q.8When did the Solo Leveling anime begin?
- A.8
The anime began airing in January 2024 and has been available on several streaming services.
- Q.9Who does the protagonist marry in Solo Leveling?
- A.9
In the side story, he marries Shizuku Kosaka.
- Q.10When was the Solo Leveling smartphone game released?
- A.10
Solo Leveling: ARISE was officially released on May 8, 2024.
- Q.11How do you read the names Shun Mizushino and Shizuku Kosaka?
- A.11
They are read as Shun Mizushino and Shizuku Kosaka.
- Q.12Where can you read the Solo Leveling side stories?
- A.12
They can be read on several services, but Piccoma is a good first place to check.
- Q.13What are the Solo Leveling side stories about?
- A.13
They take place after peace returns to the world and follow events that occur after Shun’s actions.
- Q.14Who is the child in the Solo Leveling side story?
- A.14
The child of Shun Mizushino and Shizuku Kosaka is Mamoru Mizushino.
- Q.15Is free registration for Piccoma dangerous?
- A.15
Piccoma is an official service, not an illegal raw site, so it is a safe option for reading eligible works.
