'Solo Leveling: Ragnarok' Just Hit the Brakes After a Sudden Creative Exit

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Solo Leveling: Ragnarok has unexpectedly ended Season 2 following the sudden departure of its main illustrator. The official X handle of Publisher D&C Media has confirmed that Chapter 68 would serve as the Season 2 finale, which is a surprise move given that the season ran less than half as long as Season 1.

The reason behind the unexpected stop became clear within the chapter itself. As per CBR, the Lead artist JIN officially stepped away from the series due to mandatory military service in South Korea, bringing his work on Ragnarok to an immediate close. In a personal message to readers at the end of Ragnarok, “Chapter 68”, JIN framed his departure as a pause rather than a farewell, and emphasized growth, preparation, and gratitude. His exit marks the end of a four-year journey that began with Solo Leveling side stories and continued through Ragnarok, where his art was widely seen as a respectful and capable successor to the late Jang Sung-rak, known to fans as DUBU.

While the break is indefinite, the series itself is not ending. D&C Media has confirmed that illustration duties will be handed to a successor trained under DUBU’s legacy, and writer Brix remains attached to the project. Storylines are also expected to resume with Chapter 69, continuing Sung Suho’s clash tied to the Jeju Island S-Rank Raid and the Plague Monarch’s successor. For now, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok seems to be entering an unplanned cooldown phase.

‘Solo Leveling’ Fandom Still Has Plenty to Look Forward To

Even with Season 3 still unconfirmed, Solo Leveling fans are far from entering a drought. Firstly, the March 17, 2026, Blu-ray release of Arise From the Shadow is a major win for collectors and late adopters alike. Beyond home media, the franchise itself is clearly in expansion mode. A live-action Netflix adaptation is already in active development, backed by recognizable Korean talent and major studio involvement, signaling long-term confidence in the IP.

On top of that, persistent reports of a feature-length film point toward a cinematic future that could reshape how the story continues, even if Season 3 takes longer to materialize. The unexpected upcoming hiatus, therefore, still doesn’t change the fact that Solo Leveling is not slowing down, and it’s simply branching out, giving fans multiple formats, timelines, and entry points to stay invested in Sung Jinwoo’s world.

Solo Leveling: Ragnarok is currently available in English on Tapas, though the release remains three chapters behind the Korean edition. English readers can expect Season 2’s finale to arrive when Chapter 68 drops on Tapas on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.