Solo Leveling Levels Up: Korean Billion-Dollar Megafranchise Goes Onchain With Story
Estimated Reading Time: ~5 minutes
- Solo Leveling Ventures into Web3: The global megafranchise is partnering with Story, a pioneering blockchain network for IP, to tokenize its universe, characters, and content rights.
- Official IP-Backed Memecoin: An unprecedented move sees Solo Leveling planning to launch an official memecoin intrinsically linked to its lore, allowing fans to “own a piece” of the saga.
- Programmable IP for New Engagement: Story’s infrastructure enables Solo Leveling’s IP to be machine-readable and enforceable onchain, opening doors for fan-driven remixing, automated royalties, and next-gen licensing.
- Redefining IP Economics: This collaboration sets a new precedent for how blockbuster franchises can monetize IP, foster community, and create value in the $80 trillion intellectual property industry.
- From Global Phenomenon to Web3 Pioneer
- Unlocking IP’s Programmable Future with Story
- The Dawn of IP-Backed Memecoins and Community Power
- How Fans and Creators Can “Level Up” with Solo Leveling Onchain
- Conclusion
- Join the Next Level
- FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
The world of entertainment is constantly evolving, but few shifts are as monumental as the one currently underway for Solo Leveling. This global phenomenon, which has captivated billions across webnovels, webtoons, anime, games, and soon, a live-action series, is now making an unprecedented leap into the blockchain space. In a groundbreaking move, Solo Leveling is partnering with Story, a pioneering blockchain network dedicated to intellectual property, to tokenize its beloved universe, characters, and content rights.
This strategic alliance signals a new era for how blockbuster franchises can engage with their massive fanbases, monetize their IP, and foster community-driven innovation. By bringing its rich narrative and iconic elements onchain, Solo Leveling is not just embracing Web3; it’s actively shaping its future, exploring novel forms of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) and even an official IP-backed memecoin.
From Global Phenomenon to Web3 Pioneer
The journey of Solo Leveling to cultural titan is nothing short of remarkable. What began as a South Korean webnovel has exploded into a multi-format empire, garnering a passionate following worldwide. Its unparalleled success across diverse media has set a new benchmark for global IP expansion.
Seoul, South Korea, October 1st, 2025/Chainwire/–Korea’s highest-grossing webnovel and webtoon, and the most-watched anime in Crunchyroll history, announces a partnership with Story, spanning IP-backed memecoins and exploring onchain IP economics. This official announcement underlines the significance of this venture, solidifying Solo Leveling‘s status not just as an entertainment powerhouse, but as an innovator poised to redefine industry standards.
Before its Web3 debut, Solo Leveling had already etched its name into history with a series of staggering achievements that showcase its unrivaled appeal:
- Webnovel & Webtoon Dominance: Originating in Korea and illustrated by Redice Studio, the series has amassed over 14 billion views and 175 million readers globally, making it the highest-grossing webtoon and Korean webnovel ever.
- Comic Book Bestseller: Its print adaptation soared to #1 on the New York Times Graphic Books bestseller list, selling over 10 million copies worldwide.
- Anime Sensation: The anime adaptation became the most-watched anime in Crunchyroll history, ranked in Netflix’s weekly Top 10 in 11 countries, and secured the #1 spot on Amazon Prime Video in Japan. It swept the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards with 9 honors, including the coveted Anime of the Year, a historic first for a manhwa-based show.
- Gaming Juggernaut: The mobile RPG Solo Leveling: ARISE generated approximately $70 million in its first month and attracted 50 million players within five months of launch, achieving #1 downloads in 141 countries and #1 revenue in 21 countries.
- Live Action Adaptation: Netflix is currently producing a live-action series, further cementing its cross-media appeal with rising star Byeon Woo-seok attached to lead.
These feats illustrate Solo Leveling’s unrivaled multi-format success and passionate worldwide fanbase. Now, by venturing onto the blockchain, the franchise is not merely seeking a new platform; it’s aiming to unlock entirely new dimensions of fan engagement, content ownership, and value creation.
Unlocking IP’s Programmable Future with Story
The core of Solo Leveling‘s Web3 strategy lies in its collaboration with Story, the world’s first blockchain network meticulously crafted for intellectual property. Story’s infrastructure is designed to tokenize IP, making it programmable, machine-readable, and enforceable onchain through smart contracts. This means that select elements of the Solo Leveling IP – including iconic characters, the expansive universe, and content rights – can now be represented digitally on the blockchain.
This pioneering approach goes beyond traditional digital rights management, opening the door to unprecedented levels of programmability for integrations. It paves the way for future fan-driven remixing, innovative blockchain-based experiences (both digital and real-world), and next-generation licensing deals. Once on Story, Solo Leveling’s IP would become machine-readable and enforceable onchain, allowing developers and fans to build with it under preset rules.
For instance, imagine a fan creating a Solo Leveling game mod featuring Sung Jinwoo, where automated royalties instantly flow back to Redice Studio as the IP holders, ensuring fair and transparent compensation. Or consider licensed merchandise, where each item’s authenticity and provenance are immutably tied to the blockchain, verifiable by any consumer. Any third-party game or media using Solo Leveling content could seamlessly implement programmable licensing and revenue splits, transforming how IP is shared and monetized.
SY Lee, co-founder and CEO of Story, emphasizes this transformative vision: “Korea has always been a global launchpad for intellectual property. Beyond early unique cultural IP from K-pop, K-drama, Korea is leading the way in gaming, webtoons and Hollywood heavy-hitters such as Squid Games and Parasite. Solo Leveling is a perfect example of how Korean IP can transcend borders, dominate every format, and build massive global fandoms. IP shouldn’t just be watched or read, it should be programmable. That means IP that can be tokenized, composable, and monetized across games, AI models, and consumer applications.” He added, “Registering Solo Leveling’s IP onchain, would unlock the next level of engagement, loyalty, and monetization enabling remix culture, fan-powered economies, and token-native formats that weren’t possible before.”
The Dawn of IP-Backed Memecoins and Community Power
In a truly audacious and crypto-native move, the Solo Leveling team has also unveiled plans for an official IP-backed memecoin. This forthcoming token, whose details and launch date are eagerly awaited, will be intrinsically linked to the narrative, characters, and lore of the Solo Leveling universe.
This initiative represents a significant departure from the typical memecoin landscape, which often sees tokens emerge from ephemeral internet jokes with no direct ties to established creators or foundational IP. This Solo Leveling coin will be authorized and fully supported by the IP owners, providing a robust narrative and a tangible connection to one of the world’s most successful franchises. Built upon Story’s robust infrastructure, this token aims to align its value with the ongoing success and widespread cultural impact of the Solo Leveling franchise. As the story evolves, its memes proliferate, and its cultural footprint expands, both fans and creators stand to benefit directly from this innovative model.
Fans will effectively get the unique opportunity to “own a piece” of the Solo Leveling saga in token form, a concept that could revolutionize community engagement and fandom in the Web3 era. This approach taps into the immense value generated by memes and viral content, a market now topping $100 billion, yet historically one where creators capture very little of the value. An official Solo Leveling memecoin flips this script, channeling cultural hype and fan passion into a tokenized economy designed to benefit both the franchise and its devoted community. Jungsook Jang, CEO at Redice Studio, highlighted this vision: “Solo Leveling has always been about leveling up, and now we’re looking to level up the franchise with Web3. With Story, we hope to see the IP expand beyond the series itself, which could allow fans and creators to join Solo Leveling’s next chapter in new ways.”
How Fans and Creators Can “Level Up” with Solo Leveling Onchain
The venture of Solo Leveling into Web3 through Story is not just a technological advancement; it’s an invitation for its global community to participate actively in its next chapter. For fans and creators alike, this partnership opens up new avenues for engagement, creativity, and even potential ownership. Here are three actionable steps to consider as Solo Leveling embarks on its onchain journey:
1. Educate Yourself on Web3 & Story’s Platform
For those new to blockchain, understanding the fundamentals of Web3, tokenization, and decentralized IP management is crucial. Familiarize yourself with Story’s specific purpose and how its layer-1 blockchain infrastructure supports programmable IP. This foundational knowledge will empower you to grasp the potential benefits and participate effectively in the emerging ecosystem. Explore Story’s resources to see how digital assets and intellectual property are converging.
2. Anticipate the Official IP-Backed Memecoin
Keep a keen eye on official announcements regarding the launch and mechanics of the Solo Leveling IP-backed memecoin. This token will be a direct pathway for fans to engage with the franchise in a new, ownership-oriented manner. Following official channels for both Solo Leveling and Story will ensure you are among the first to receive updates on its issuance, utility, and how it connects to the broader narrative and success of the franchise.
3. Explore Future Fan-Driven Creations and Experiences
For aspiring creators and passionate fans, this move unlocks an entirely new playground. With Solo Leveling‘s IP elements becoming machine-readable and programmable onchain, think about how you might contribute to the universe. Whether it’s through community-created art, innovative game mods, fan fiction with clear royalty rules, or other interactive experiences, the framework is being built for you to participate. Stay engaged with community discussions and look for opportunities to build upon the franchise in ways that were previously impossible.
Conclusion
The decision by Solo Leveling to embrace Web3 via Story marks a watershed moment, not just for the franchise itself, but for the entire $80 trillion intellectual property industry. It demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to content monetization, community engagement, and the long-term sustainability of beloved narratives in a digital-first world. By tokenizing its IP and exploring innovative financial instruments like IP-backed memecoins, Solo Leveling is setting a new precedent for how megafranchises can thrive in the age of AI and crypto.
The stage is now set for groundbreaking experiments at the intersection of fandom and Web3. Community-created content, verifiable ownership, and new revenue streams for creators and IP holders are no longer theoretical but within reach. As Solo Leveling continues its journey of “leveling up,” its partnership with Story is poised to inspire countless others to explore the boundless potential of programmable IP.
Join the Next Level
Don’t miss out on this revolutionary development. Follow Solo Leveling and Story on their official channels for the latest updates on token launches, ecosystem developments, and new ways to interact with your favorite megafranchise. Explore more about Story’s mission to revolutionize IP onchain at story.foundation.
This story was published as a press release by Chainwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Do Your Own Research before making any financial decision.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Solo Leveling doing in Web3?
- Who is Story and what is its role?
- What is an IP-backed memecoin?
- How can fans and creators benefit from this Web3 venture?
- What are some of Solo Leveling’s key achievements before Web3?
Solo Leveling is partnering with Story to tokenize its intellectual property, including characters and content rights, and plans to launch an official IP-backed memecoin, revolutionizing fan engagement and IP monetization.
Story is the world’s first blockchain network dedicated to intellectual property. It provides the infrastructure to tokenize Solo Leveling‘s IP, making it programmable, machine-readable, and enforceable onchain through smart contracts, enabling new forms of fan interaction and licensing.
An IP-backed memecoin is a cryptocurrency token that is officially authorized and supported by the intellectual property owners, intrinsically linked to the narrative, characters, and lore of a franchise. Unlike typical memecoins, its value is tied to the success and cultural impact of the underlying IP, allowing fans to “own a piece” of the saga.
Fans can gain new forms of ownership and engagement through the IP-backed memecoin. Creators can utilize the programmable IP on Story’s network for fan-driven remixing, game mods, and other experiences, with automated royalty splits and clear licensing rules.
Solo Leveling has achieved over 14 billion webnovel/webtoon views, sold 10 million print copies (NYT Bestseller), had the most-watched anime in Crunchyroll history (winning Anime of the Year), and its mobile RPG generated $70 million in its first month with 50 million players.
