The wildly popular anime series Solo Leveling has stirred up controversy just four episodes into its run. Multiple reports indicate that the opening credits sequence was forced to remove references to the animation studio behind the show.
This came amidst allegations that the studio had been linked to several controversial incidents in the past.
While the show itself remains enormously popular globally, Korean audiences in particular have voiced outrage over Solo Leveling’s association with Studio PPURI.
The studio has previously been accused of incorporating anti-male gestures and messaging in some of its work. This is said to have greatly offended the sensibilities of the Korean viewer base.
Additionally, the studio has faced claims of involvement with Megalia, an online feminist community known for its extreme views.
The blowback over Studio PPURI’s participation led to a notable drop in the stock value of Solo Leveling’s publisher, D&C Media.
This financial motivation is considered the primary reason the credits were suddenly revised.
Controversy Surrounding Solo Leveling Opening Theme Song
The immensely popular K-pop group Tomorrow x Together, also known as TXT, is performing the opening theme song for Solo Leveling.
They are collaborating with acclaimed composer Hiroyuki Sawano, who has created music for several hit anime series such as Attack on Titan, The Seven Deadly Sins, Bubble, and more.
The popularity of Solo Leveling is evident from the overwhelming response to the opening theme video “Level” on YouTube.
Uploaded by Crunchyroll, the video has already amassed over two million views and is one of the highest-liked anime theme songs.
The vibrant animated version of the Solo Leveling intro sequence set to TXT’s catchy song was produced by Studio PPURI.
Their involvement has proven controversial due to allegations of the studio promoting anti-male agendas in their past work. However, the opening video itself continues to thrill fans.
Studio PPURI, the animation studio behind the opening sequence for Solo Leveling, has faced backlash in Korea over its perceived ties to extreme feminist groups and ideas.
Specifically, the studio has previously been accused of including subtle anti-male gestures and messaging in some of its animated projects.
Additionally, there have been allegations of the studio’s involvement with Megalia, an online feminist community known for militant views.
As a result of these controversies surrounding Studio PPURI, Solo Leveling became caught up in the outrage when it was revealed they had worked on the show’s high-profile opening theme.
Facing pressure from displeased Korean fans and falling stock prices for publisher D&C Media, the decision was ultimately made to remove Studio PPURI’s credits from the Solo Leveling intro sequence.
Alleged Connections And Hand Gesture Debates
Studio PPURI, which created the opening sequence for Solo Leveling, has faced backlash over its alleged connections to Megalia – an online feminist community in Korea.
Megalia has apparently used a hand gesture referring to small Korean male anatomy that many find offensive.
Critics have accused Studio PPURI of subtly incorporating visual references to this controversial gesture in some of their past animation work.
There are even claims that the gesture can be spotted in the Solo Leveling opening itself.
These assertions have sparked criticism, especially given existing anger over the studio’s perceived extreme feminist leanings.
Rumors suggest that once initial outrage began impacting the stock price of Solo Leveling’s publisher, the decision was quickly made to remove Studio PPURI’s name from the intro sequence credits.
The controversy surrounding Studio PPURI’s involvement with Solo Leveling had definite financial impacts in South Korea.
On January 15th, stock prices for D&C Media – the publisher handling Solo Leveling’s Korean distribution – took a major hit.
Reports indicate that compared to the previous day’s trading, D&C Media’s stocks plunged over 6% when markets opened. By the close of trading on the 15th, the stocks had dropped a staggering 10% overall.
Analysts tied this severe financial blow directly to outrage over Studio PPURI and the feminist Megalia community. With both the studio and activist group based in Korea, the backlash predominantly affected domestic opinion.
Fortunately, outside of Korea, global audiences remained captivated by Solo Leveling’s anime adaptation. So the shameful stock decline didn’t completely dampen the series’ international momentum.