Despite how enormously successful Solo Leveling has been both in Japan and abroad, the sales figures of the Blu-ray paint a much different picture that fans should not be worried about anymore, given the age we are currently in. Furthermore, it shows just how unreliable these figures have become in the past few years, even if they are still useful in some cases.

According to Oricon last year, Solo Leveling's volume 2 Blu-ray didn't even manage to be ranked in the first week of its release. For reference, the last ranked series, which was Mashle: Magic and Muscles, season 2 volume 2, sold approximately 629 units, meaning that Solo Leveling sold even less than that. While it might be surprising how a series that gigantic ends up selling so low, it makes perfect sense, and there is a precedent for this, as series just as big have failed to garner good sales.

Solo Leveling Blu-ray Sales Aren't Indicators Of Popularity

There Is A Much Better Metric Available

The best-selling Blu-ray volume of that week was Girls Und Panzer Final Chapter Part 4, followed by the popular Gushing over Magical Girls Volume 1. Much more popular anime such as Undead Unluck, Solo Leveling, and Blue Exorcist sold incredibly low or did not even rank. One might wonder why such hits sell much lower than niche anime like that, but the answer is quite simple. Girls Und Panzer targets a niche and more dedicated fanbase, one that would the series and buy the physical media.

This does not mean that Blu-ray sales are not used anymore in the decision-making process. Anime that performs well in this aspect usually has a very dedicated fanbase, and there is no better way to show this than through physical sales.

Anime like Chainsaw Man and Solo Leveling attract a broader and more casual audience due to their appealing action, which resonates with a diverse range of viewers. As a result, streaming has become the preferred method for these fans, as it offers greater convenience. Additionally, streaming now provides a more accurate measure of a series' success in today's market. Traditionally, Blu-ray sales were a key factor in deciding whether an anime would get a sequel.

However, with the rise of streaming over the past decade, this practice has largely become obsolete. Many anime that sold poorly but garnered high streaming numbers have ended up receiving additional projects.

Solo Leveling's Blu-ray Sales Don't Affect It Much

Its Popularity Cannot Be Denied Despite This

Solo Leveling already has two incredibly successful seasons that could not stop breaking records, as well as a game and a sequel, that have helped 20 future webtoon anime adaptations. The series is dominating streaming platforms, and this, as well as other cases like Chainsaw Man, proves that the anime industry is changing and globalizing.