The Animation of the Year is coming in 2026 and will crush solo leveling.

This post contains spoilers about solo leveling.

solo leveling The first season created a lot of hype, but it was the following seasons that took the series to a whole other level and made it one of the most popular anime series in the world.

Following the success of Season 2 solo leveling It has become a typical action animation. Any anime fan who enjoys intense combat should watch Solo Leveling at least once. I think the series is that good. In terms of action, the animation is the most popular, but in other areas such as world-building, side characters, and plot, the animation is severely lacking, leaving other titles to catch up. One of the strongest competitors is the Daemons of the Shadow Realm.

Demons from the Shadow Realm will crush solo leveling in 2026

Demons of the Shadow Realm can surpass solo leveling

The demons of the Shadow Realm have a lot of potential.
The animation is scheduled to be released in April 2026

Not all fans will be familiar with the name Demon of the Shadow Realm, so it makes sense to provide some premise. The story is set in a fantasy world and follows the lives of two separated siblings. The series also features supernatural creatures called demons. Overall, the story and characters in Demons of the Shadow Realm are better than solo leveling. A proper adaptation could definitely increase the series' chances of crushing solo leveling.

Demons of the Shadow Kingdom is written by Hiromu Arakawa, the author of Fullmetal Alchemist, one of the best manga series of all time. It inspired two anime adaptations. One is Normal and the other is Brotherhood. The latter is more popular in the anime community and is currently the second highest rated series on MyAnimeList. It was the first before being dethroned by Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.

Demons of the Shadow Realm 2026 Release Date

Hiromu Arakawa's Demons of the Shadow Kingdom began serialization in 2021 and received an anime adaptation to positive response. The animation is being produced by Bones Film, a subsidiary of Studio Bones. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes and Gachiakuta have already showcased excellent animation. So Daemons of the Shadow Realm will also be a high-quality adaptation.

The series has already released two trailers to give viewers an idea of what to expect from the anime. Recently confirmed facts Daemons of the Shadow Realm is scheduled for release in April 2026.. The studio appears to be avoiding the already busy January 2026 period, which is a smart decision. The animations confirmed to be released in January 2026 are as follows:

Freeren: Beyond the end of the journey
hell's paradise
Oshinoko
Do a jujutsu
fire brigade
Trigun Stargaze

With so many celebrity releases in the same month, it's going to be extremely difficult to stand out and attract the right level of attention. So it's better that Demons of the Shadow Realm releases in April 2026.

The throne of solo leveling is at stake

Solo Leveling Could Lose the Next Animation of the Year Award

Seong Jin-woo looking at the ant king - solo leveling

Aside from the demons of the Shadow Realm, there are several names threatening the throne of solo leveling. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End and Jujutsu Kaisen are clear contenders. Both series have huge fan followings and have interesting stories. Steel Ball Run will also be released in 2026, based on the second highest rated manga on MyAnimeList. So, that will also pose a challenge.

Solo Leveling Season 2 was amazing, but it probably won't be enough to maintain the series' popularity. A-1 Pictures needs to announce a third season to at least ease the anxiety of fans who have been waiting for months. There has been no official announcement as the studio is busy with other projects and doesn't seem to have enough staff for solo leveling. I hope A-1 Pictures finds a way to resolve this issue quickly.

If the third season is announced, fans can expect it to release in late 2027. Solo leveling is known for its time-consuming and high quality. So studios need to give themselves enough time so they don't feel the need to rush production.