Episode 8 of Solo Leveling has been delayed: why isn’t it coming out this week?

Solo Leveling takes a little break after episode 7, when Jinwoo has just faced Cerberus in a fight as thrilling as it is bloody.

Solo Leveling is undoubtedly one of the most followed animes of the start of 2024. The success story of the rank E hunter, considered the weakest of humanity and who suddenly becomes one of the most powerful, has largely won over the public.

The reappropriation of MMORPG game patterns, the animation from the A-1 Pictures studio, the music by Hiroyuki Sawano: from the start, everything seemed to come together to make the adaptation of the manhwa by Chugong and Dubu (Redice Studio) enjoyable.

And episode 7 of the animated series only confirmed the public’s expectations, by offering a breathtaking duel between Sung Jinwoo and Cerberus, the guardian of the infernal fortress. The three-headed dog proved to be formidable, several times nearly taking the life of the hero who understood that he was going to have to scavenge to gain new levels.

Unfortunately, Jinwoo will not gain experience right away: because the release of episode 8 of Solo Leveling has been postponed by a week.

Why was Episode 8 of Solo Leveling delayed by a week?

Episode 8 of Solo Leveling will not be released immediately: its release has been postponed by a week to make room for a recap.

Episode 7.5, “How To Get Stronger” will therefore be released on February 24, 2024 and will resume all the events seen since the beginning of the anime. As for episode 8 of Solo Leveling, it will be released on March 2, 2024.

This is what emerged from a publication on the official X/Twitter account, and the information was quick to receive rather negative reactions from fans, driven by frustration.

Worst news I’ve heard all week 😿😿

— Chrollo (Only W’s) (@chrollodontmiss) February 17, 2024

“On February 24, episode 7.5, “How To Get Stronger,” will air. The young man nicknamed “humanity’s weakest hunter”has taken the first step to becoming the strongest. Episodes 1-7 will be presented with new character narration. / The worst news I’ve had all week”

“The famous Aniplex recap break hits again,” one user also commented on Reddit. Indeed, the distributor Aniplex has the habit of punctuating its releases with summary episodes.

But the practice is in no way new and can depend on many factors: it allows animation studios to make up for any delays, as deadlines are very tight for releasing episodes. It is also necessary to take into account events and holidays marking the Japanese calendar.

Concerning Solo Leveling, it is possible that the reason behind this delay is also necessary, while the voice actor of the hero Sung Jinwoo contracted Covid-19. This is what Taito Ban announced on his social networks in any case, explaining that he has been ill since February 13.

Episode 8 of Solo Leveling, ironically titled “This Is Frustrating” , will therefore be released in March 2024.