In a surprising turn of events in the anime world, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has officially surpassed Solo Leveling in manga sales in Japan for December 2025. This shift in popularity, occurring right at the beginning of January 2026, signals a new dominant phase for the fantasy series. Thus, the crown of absolute phenomenon, which had been with Solo Leveling since 2024, now belongs to the immortal elf, thanks to the impressive performance of volume 15 of its manga.
The numbers from the renowned Oricon chart show how this exchange happened. While the Frieren manga led sales in the critical week of December 22 to 28, volume 23 of Solo Leveling only reached fourth place. This result is even more relevant because it precedes the premiere of Frieren’s second season, scheduled for January 16, 2026. Therefore, the franchise enters the new year with formidable momentum, ready to dominate conversations among Brazilian fans.
The Contrast That Explains the Change
Meanwhile, the situation for Solo Leveling is quite different. The second season of the anime concluded its run in 2025, and as of now, there is no concrete date for the third. Experts point to a hiatus that could last two to three years, which naturally cools the hype around the series. This vacuum created the perfect window of opportunity for Frieren, which already holds first place in the MyAnimeList ranking, surpassing even the classic Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The crucial difference, however, goes beyond the numbers.
Frieren’s narrative wins over the audience with a more introspective and emotional approach, focused on the protagonist’s personal growth, and not just on battles and power progression. This depth, which explores themes like time and memory, seems to have created a more lasting connection with fans. In other words, the series proves that fantasy stories can shine without relying solely on explosive action scenes, an asset that has kept it at the top for over a year.
Thus, the battle for the title of best anime of 2026 already has a strong frontrunner. With the imminent release of its new season and the sustained success of the manga, Frieren has all the ingredients to be the center of attention. Despite this, Solo Leveling’s global legacy remains intact, but the engagement data from Japan, its home market, paints a clear picture of change. Therefore, fans can expect a year where reflection and emotion compete for preference with pure adrenaline.
