Fortnite’s ever-expanding roster of collaborations may soon include the popular Korean manhwa-turned-anime Solo Leveling, if recent rumors prove true. While Epic Games has yet to make any official announcements, the gaming community is abuzz with speculation about this potential crossover.
The Source of the Rumors
The excitement began when renowned leaker Shpeshal_Nick shared a cryptic message on social media platform X (formerly Twitter):
Just got a DM that Solo Leveling is supposed to be coming to Fortnite.
Have no idea what that is, I had to Google it. I thought he was telling me levelling of individual characters lol
This leak quickly gained traction, with other prominent Fortnite insiders like HYPEX adding fuel to the fire by corroborating the information. While leaks should always be taken with a grain of salt, Shpeshal_Nick has a track record of accurately predicting previous collaborations, including The Witcher and Doom crossovers.
Fortnite’s Anime Collaboration History
If the rumors pan out, Solo Leveling would join an impressive lineup of anime franchises that have made their way into Fortnite’s colorful battle royale world. Epic Games has been steadily expanding its anime collaborations since Chapter 2 Season 8, when Naruto characters first appeared in the game. Since then, players have seen the arrival of beloved series such as:
- My Hero Academia
- Dragon Ball Z
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- Attack on Titan
- Cowboy Bebop
These collaborations have typically included character skins, themed cosmetics, and sometimes even gameplay elements inspired by the source material.
What Solo Leveling Could Bring to Fortnite
Solo Leveling tells the story of Sung Jin-Woo, a weak “hunter” who gains the unique ability to level up his powers like a character in a video game. This premise aligns well with Fortnite’s gameplay mechanics and could lead to some interesting in-game features if the collaboration comes to fruition.
Based on previous anime crossovers, players might expect to see:
Character Skins
Sung Jin-Woo: The protagonist would likely be the centerpiece of any Solo Leveling collaboration. His character design, complete with the iconic black outfit he dons later in the series, would make for a striking Fortnite skin.
Other Hunters: Popular supporting characters like Cha Hae-In or Choi Jong-In could also make appearances as alternative skins.
Themed Cosmetics
- Back Blings: Jin-Woo’s daggers or a miniature shadow soldier could serve as unique back bling options.
- Harvesting Tools: The Demon King’s Longsword or Jin-Woo’s Kamish’s Wrath would make for epic pickaxes.
- Gliders: A shadow-themed glider or one based on Beru’s insect form could be possibilities.
- Emotes: Jin-Woo’s “Arise” command or his level-up animation could be translated into Fortnite emotes.
Gameplay Elements
The most exciting potential lies in how Solo Leveling’s unique concepts could be integrated into Fortnite’s gameplay:
Shadow Soldier Summons: A limited-time ability to summon shadow soldiers as AI allies or as a form of deployable cover.
Stat Allocation: A temporary game mode where players can level up and allocate stats to different attributes, mimicking Jin-Woo’s growth system.
Dungeon Gates: Portals on the map leading to mini-dungeons with special loot, similar to the gates in Solo Leveling.
When Might We See This Collaboration?
While there’s no confirmed timeline, speculation points to a potential release coinciding with a major update in Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2. The v34.20 update, scheduled for late March, could be a prime opportunity to introduce this collaboration.
The timing would be particularly fitting, as the Solo Leveling anime adaptation is currently airing its first season, keeping the franchise fresh in fans’ minds. Epic Games has a history of timing collaborations with major media releases or events related to their partner properties.
The Impact of Anime on Fortnite
Fortnite’s anime collaborations have been met with enthusiasm from both the gaming and anime communities. These crossovers not only bring beloved characters into the game but also introduce anime fans to Fortnite and vice versa. The potential addition of Solo Leveling to this roster could further bridge these two passionate fanbases.
For Solo Leveling, a Fortnite collaboration would represent a significant milestone in its growing popularity outside of Korea and Japan. It would place the series alongside some of the most recognizable names in anime, potentially exposing it to millions of new fans through Fortnite’s massive player base.
As with all rumors and leaks, it’s important for fans to temper their excitement with patience. Epic Games has not officially confirmed any Solo Leveling collaboration at this time. However, given Fortnite’s track record of surprising and delighting players with unexpected crossovers, the possibility of Sung Jin-Woo dropping onto the battle royale island doesn’t seem too far-fetched. Whether you’re a Solo Leveling fan hoping to see Jin-Woo in Fortnite or a Fortnite player curious about this potential new addition, the coming weeks should prove interesting as we wait for any official word from Epic Games.