Despite its somewhat divisive reputation among anime fans, it cannot be denied that Solo Leveling is one of the most popular anime series of the 2020s. Following a first season in 2024 that led to an eventual Anime of the Year win, Solo Leveling returned earlier this year with a second season that broke a number of longstanding streaming records.

It would have been impossible to escape the series as an anime fan over the last two years, especially after its near sweep at the Crunchyroll Awards this past March. Which is why it might come as a surprise that Solo Leveling did not rank among the most-searched anime titles in Japan in 2025, failing to crack the top 10.

2025’s Anime of the Year Failed to Rank Among Anime’s Most Popular Online Searches

Google Trends Reveal Solo Leveling Failed to Break Into the Top 10 Most-Searched Anime

Despite being crowned Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year, after becoming one of the streaming service’s most-watched shows ever and stealing records from other heavy hitters like One Piece and Chainsaw Man, Google Trends has revealed that Japan’s list of most-searched anime does not include Solo Leveling.

Instead, the top three shows include Takopi’s Original Sin, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, and Sakamoto Days, in that order, with other notable titles like The Summer Hikaru Died, The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity, and Orb: On the Movements of the Earth following closely behind.

The results point to Solo Leveling not quite being the newest titan of the industry that many anime fans assumed the show was becoming. However, there are a number of reasons the series might not have made the cut. Except for Mobile Suit Gundam, which is known worldwide, each entry on the list debuted in 2025.

Solo Leveling established itself before the premiere of its second season this year, and anime fans interested in the series wouldn’t have much reason to Google search it, though they would have a reason to search for hot all-new titles. However, the results do back up the fact that Solo Leveling just isn’t very popular in Japan.

Solo Leveling Isn’t Nearly as Popular in Japan as It Is in the West

Despite its immense success in the West, Solo Leveling hasn’t exactly won over audiences in Japan. The series failed to outperform its main competitor this past Winter anime season, The Apothecary Diaries, in ratings, and did not appear in the Tsumiki Co., Ltd popularity poll ranking Japan’s top anime of the first half of 2025 earlier this year.

Solo Leveling‘s lack of popularity in Japan cannot be easily attributed to one particular flaw or shortcoming. Fans have speculated whether the popularity of similar power fantasy shows has caused the series to pass by relatively unnoticed. Nevertheless, Solo Leveling has enjoyed incredible success in the West, and will be returning for a third season in the future.

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