For much of 2024,Solo Levelingdominated the anime conversation. The manhwa adaptation lit up Crunchyroll with record-breaking engagement, topping review counts, racking up likes at lightning speed, and even crashing servers during peak demand. Its PR campaign was massive, its hype unstoppable. To many fans, it seemed likeSolo Levelinghad become the anime of the year. But new Nielsen multiplatform ratings suggest otherwise. Despite its strong streaming performance within anime circles, it turns out thatSolo Levelingdidn’t even crack the top 100 most-watched shows in the U.S.
According to Nielsen’s comprehensive multiplatform ratings fromVariety, tracking viewership across broadcast, cable, and legal streaming services for 35 days after each episode’s release,Solo Levelingwas absent from both the overall top 100 and the 18–49 demographic rankings.These figures show a critical divide and that being big in anime does not always translate to mainstream success. While anime fans were glued to Jinwoo’s every battle, the average American viewer simply was not watching. The only anime to make the cut wasDandadan, which reached 61st place in the 18–49 demo with 2.6 million viewers.
Dandadan Quietly Outpaced Solo Leveling in Mainstream Reach
Dandadan Wins the Numbers Game Over Solo Leveling
UnlikeSolo Leveling, which is exclusive to Crunchyroll in the U.S.,Dandadanwas far more accessible. It streamed not only on Crunchyroll but also on Netflix and Hulu, which are platforms with massive user bases and broader appeal. That accessibility made a major difference.While Crunchyroll excels with core anime fans, Netflix dominates in mainstream streaming.According to recent reports, Netflix’s anime revenue far outpaces Crunchyroll’s globally, and its reach among Gen Z and Millennials is unmatched.
Thisavailability across multiple platforms likely gaveDandadanthe edge it needed to break into the Nielsen rankings, making it, by the numbers, the most-watched anime in the U.S. for 2024–25.Even though it did not generate the same intense fandom or social media buzz asSolo Leveling, its broader exposure helped it capture more casual viewers. In today’s fragmented streaming landscape, accessibility can matter more than hype, andDandadanproved just that.
Hype Does Not Always Equal Viewership in Anime
Why Solo Leveling Did Not Get As Many Views as Dandadan
Solo Levelingremains a titan within the anime world. Its 610,000+ user ratings on Crunchyroll and overwhelming demand prove that it struck a chord with fans. However, Nielsen’s data pulls back the curtain on how narrow that success really was. Without multiplatform reach, even the most beloved anime can go unseen by the wider public. The numbers suggest that the anime industry’s big hitters often live in their own streaming silos, detached from broader U.S. viewing habits.
For fans,Solo Levelingwas everything 2024 promised and more. But in terms of raw viewership, it simply did not reach enough people to break into the mainstream. That title, surprisingly, goes toDandadan, a show with far less fanfare but far more platform reach. In the end, it is a reminder that being loud is not the same as being widely seen.
Solo Leveling
Cast
Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-woo, the world’s weakest hunter, who gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious program after surviving a brutal monster attack. As he navigates his newfound abilities, Jinwoo embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of his powers and the dungeon that altered his fate.
Dandadan
Two high school students, embroiled in a wager to prove the existence of ghosts or aliens, encounter daunting paranormal threats, acquire superpowers, and possibly discover love. The series blends supernatural elements with personal dynamics as the protagonists navigate their newfound abilities and unexpected challenges.
