Solo Leveling has proven that its popularity is seemingly ironclad across its novel series, manhwa, anime, and even sequels (or spinoffs in the eyes of Chugong). However, this doesn’t stop its key creatives from having to step away for entirely justified reasons. Such is the case for the artist of Solo Leveling: Ragnarok stepping away to complete mandatory military service.
Jin confirmed this hiatus via Solo Leveling: Ragnarok chapter #68, aka the season 2 finale on KakaoPage. A custom in South Korea since the mid-20th century, mandatory military service is expected of every male citizen for approximately 18-21 months. Jin additionally confirms that another artist and fellow former disciple of Jang Sung-rak (Dubu) will take over in his absence.
Solo Leveling: Ragnarok Confirms Big Hiatus Before Season 3
Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling with raindropsCustom Image by Vanessa Piña
Merely 22 chapters after its return following season 1, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok cuts off just as the story gets especially exciting. Suho’s participation in the S-Rank Gate raid brings him across Arsha and a mysterious young Ice Elf girl, Shika, whose Monarch heritage makes her an essential ally. Even Esil demonstrates her new Bond Skill with Grey.
Naturally, stopping progress on the manhwa now, of all times, is a heck of a cliffhanger. Although Jin will no longer serve as the artist on Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, he indicates a new successor from REDICE will take his spot.
A letter from Jin, the artist of Solo Leveling: Ragnarok before going on hiatus:
I’m the artist JIN (REDICE STUDIO). Even before I was entrusted with Solo Leveling, I had been an avid fan of this work throughout my school years. I started drawing after seeing artist Jang Sung-rak’s artwork and direction, and that influence has remained the foundation of my work to this day.
After graduating high school, I continued taking part in contests, and then – through an unexpected opportunity – I was chosen and given the honor of working on Solo Leveling side stories. I still remember very clearly how I felt when I first heard the news.
About four years have passed since then, and through side stories and Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, I was able to gain many experiences – both as an author and as a person. I had many shortcomings, and there were difficult moments as well, but I believe that is exactly what made the time so valuable.
As of today, I am wrapping up all work related to this title and will be stepping away from my position for a while. Due to personal circumstances – military service – I will be away temporarily, but I believe this is not an end; it is another period of preparation.
I also want to send my heartfelt support to the artist who will continue the series – another disciple of artist Jang Sung-rak. Given the weight and expectations that come with a work like Solo Leveling, it will not be an easy role, but I believe you will surely expand this world even further in your own unique colors. I hope readers will also stay with the series with warm and kind eyes.
To everyone who worked together with me, and above all to the readers who loved and supported this work, I offer my sincere thanks. Each and every one of your reactions was a great source of strength for me.
Going forward, I will keep this experience close to my heart and continue striving so that I can show you artwork I won’t be ashamed of.
Thank you truly for everything.”
While it doesn’t affect the mainline story in terms of Solo Leveling’s anime going into a potential season 3, it inevitably alters the pipeline of content should the anime ever reach the point of adapting Ragnarok. While this latest successor from REDICE will be highly likely to retain the manhwa’s spirit, it’s not the first time an artist change occurred.
Solo Leveling Changes Artists Again
Sung Suho with gauntlets in the background
Jang Sung-rak, aka Dubu, the original artist who illustrated Solo Leveling’s manhwa for creator Chugong, previously passed away in 2022 of a cerebral hemmorhage. As the CEO of REDICE Studio at the time, he was followed by a line of successors, with Jin originally tackling the side stories of Solo Leveling before illustrating Ragnarok’s manhwa.
Fans didn’t dislike Jin’s art by any means, but the franchise wasn’t the same after his passing. Given that these circumstances are thoroughly not preventable, the show must go on, and mandatory military service comes for all, including every member of BTS. While Jin teases a return, for now, fans must trust Solo Leveling’s future with REDICE’s new chosen artist.
Release Date
2024 – 2025-00-00
Network
Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV
Directors
Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki
Writers
Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii
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Genta Nakamura
Yoo Jin-ho
