Real Anime of the Year 2026: Not Solo Leveling

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is the anime that truly deserved Anime of the Year 2026 over Solo Leveling. While Solo Leveling won through popularity at the Crunchyroll Awards, Orb excels in narrative complexity, character development, historical authenticity, and emotional depth that Solo Leveling lacks. As someone who’s spent countless hours analyzing gaming guides and entertainment content, I can tell you with confidence that this awards decision reflects popularity over genuine artistic merit.

I’ve been covering gaming and entertainment content for years, and when the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 crowned Solo Leveling as anime of the year, I couldn’t help but feel something was fundamentally wrong. As someone who’s spent countless hours analyzing RPG mechanics, character development in games, and narrative storytelling across media, I can tell you with confidence that Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is the series that truly deserved the crown.

Look, I get it. Solo Leveling’s power fantasy appeal is undeniable – it’s essentially the anime equivalent of watching your game character go from level 1 to max level with all the epic loot drops and boss battles you could want. But after watching both series multiple times and analyzing them through my lens as both a gamer and anime enthusiast, the quality gap between these two shows is honestly staggering.

Why Solo Leveling’s Victory Feels Like a Popularity Contest Win?

Let me be clear: I don’t hate Solo Leveling. In fact, I enjoyed watching Sung Jin-Woo’s journey from E-rank hunter to humanity’s strongest warrior. The animation by A-1 Pictures is genuinely spectacular, especially during those adrenaline-pumping fight sequences that reminded me of the best boss battles in challenging dystopian gaming experiences. The series knows exactly what it wants to be – a pure power fantasy that delivers dopamine hits with the regularity of a well-designed loot system.

But here’s where my gaming background gives me a different perspective: Solo Leveling is essentially the anime equivalent of a mobile gacha game. It’s flashy, it’s addictive, and it keeps you coming back for more, but when you strip away the beautiful animations and hype moments, what’s really there? The character development is minimal – Sung Jin-Woo becomes stronger, but does he really grow as a person? The supporting cast exists primarily to showcase how amazing the protagonist is, much like NPCs in a single-player RPG who exist solely to praise the chosen one.

The plot follows such a predictable pattern that I could practically write out the episode beats before watching them. Weak protagonist discovers hidden power? Check. Mysterious system that only he can see? Check. Increasingly powerful enemies that conveniently appear just as he levels up enough to face them? Double check. It’s the anime version of a power-leveling guide – effective at what it does, but lacking the depth that makes truly great storytelling.

What particularly bothers me is how Solo Leveling won not just anime of the year, but nine other categories at the Crunchyroll Awards. This wasn’t just a victory; it was a sweep that suggests either the voting system is fundamentally flawed or we’ve reached a point where popularity completely overshadows quality in these awards. The series has an 8.2/10 on MyAnimeList and a 9.5/10 on IMDb, showing its massive fan support, but those numbers tell a story of accessibility and mass appeal rather than genuine excellence.

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth – The Masterpiece Nobody’s Talking About

Now let me tell you about Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, and why it’s criminal that this series wasn’t even nominated for anime of the year. Produced by the legendary Madhouse studio and based on the manga that won the Grand Prize at the 26th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2022, Orb is everything that great storytelling should be – complex, thought-provoking, emotionally resonant, and genuinely transformative.

Set in 15th-century Europe, Orb follows the story of those who risked everything to pursue the heliocentric theory – the radical idea that Earth revolves around the sun. I know what you’re thinking: “How is a historical anime about astronomy supposed to compete with epic battle scenes?” But that’s exactly the point. Orb doesn’t need flashy fight sequences or power-ups to keep you glued to your screen. Instead, it uses masterful storytelling, complex character development, and genuine emotional stakes to create tension that rivals any boss battle I’ve ever experienced in gaming.

The protagonist’s journey isn’t about becoming stronger in a physical sense – it’s about the courage to seek truth in a world that will literally burn you at the stake for questioning accepted dogma. As someone who’s played through challenging gaming experiences, I can tell you that Orb captures that same sense of oppressive atmosphere and rebellion against authoritarian systems, but with a historical grounding that makes it all the more impactful.

What really sets Orb apart is its narrative sophistication. Each of its 25 episodes (available on Netflix with a TV-MA rating) builds upon the last in ways that would make any RPG narrative designer jealous. Characters aren’t just leveling up their stats; they’re evolving their worldviews, questioning their beliefs, and facing consequences that actually matter. When a character dies in Orb, they don’t respawn at the last checkpoint – their loss reverberates through the story in ways that fundamentally change the narrative trajectory.

The animation quality from Madhouse is nothing short of exceptional, but it’s used in service of the story rather than as a crutch to carry weak writing. The way they depict medieval Europe, the attention to historical detail, and the subtle character animations that convey complex emotions – it’s like watching a master class in visual storytelling. The series holds an 8.4/10 on IMDb and has received universal critical acclaim, yet somehow it flew completely under the radar of the Crunchyroll Awards.

The Gaming Perspective: Why Story Quality Matters More Than Flashy Graphics

As someone deeply embedded in gaming culture, I’ve seen this same debate play out countless times in our community. Remember when everyone argued whether graphics or gameplay was more important? We eventually learned that while pretty visuals might sell copies initially, it’s the gameplay depth and story quality that creates lasting classics. The same principle applies to anime.

Solo Leveling is the anime equivalent of a AAA game with cutting-edge graphics but repetitive gameplay. It looks absolutely stunning, and those action sequences are genuinely impressive from a technical standpoint. But once you’ve seen one “Jin-Woo powers up and defeats impossible enemy” sequence, you’ve essentially seen them all. There’s no meaningful character growth, no complex moral dilemmas, no moments that make you pause and reconsider your perspective on life.

Orb, on the other hand, is like those indie games that come out of nowhere and redefine what the medium can achieve. Think of games like Outer Wilds or Return of the Obra Dinn – titles that might not have the flashiest graphics or the biggest marketing budgets, but deliver experiences that stay with you long after the credits roll. That’s exactly what Orb does with its narrative.

I’ve noticed that many of my fellow gamers who also watch anime tend to gravitate toward series with RPG elements or game-like systems because they’re familiar and comfortable. Solo Leveling literally has a game-like system built into its premise, complete with status windows, inventory screens, and skill trees. It’s designed to appeal to gamers, and I understand that appeal. But just because something uses gaming aesthetics doesn’t make it good storytelling.

The Awards Controversy and What It Says About Anime Culture

The fact that Solo Leveling swept nine categories while Orb wasn’t even nominated reveals a fundamental problem with how we evaluate anime quality. The Crunchyroll Awards, much like many gaming awards, seem to prioritize popularity and mainstream appeal over artistic merit and narrative innovation. This isn’t just my opinion – the anime community has been incredibly vocal about this issue, with Reddit threads on r/anime generating over 850 comments criticizing the results.

What’s particularly frustrating is that other deserving series like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Dandadan, and The Apothecary Diaries were at least recognized with nominations, even if they didn’t win. These series, while very different from each other, all share something that Solo Leveling lacks: genuine narrative ambition and character complexity. Frieren explores themes of mortality and the passage of time in ways that would make any JRPG writer envious. The Apothecary Diaries delivers mystery and intrigue with a protagonist who’s actually intelligent and resourceful rather than just powerful.

The community reaction has been tellingly divided. Solo Leveling fans are celebrating their victory, and I don’t blame them – their favorite series won big. But critics and more discerning viewers have been pointing out the obvious: winning a popularity contest doesn’t equal quality. It’s the same argument we have in gaming when Call of Duty wins awards over more innovative but less commercially successful titles.

The international perspective adds another layer to this controversy. European viewers, particularly those with historical education, universally praise Orb’s attention to period detail and intellectual rigor. Meanwhile, the Latin American anime community I engage with through Discord offers mixed opinions – younger viewers love Solo Leveling’s action, while older fans recognize Orb’s superior craftsmanship.

Where to Watch and Why You Should Give Both a Chance

Despite my criticism of the awards results, I’m not here to tell you not to watch Solo Leveling. It’s available on Crunchyroll, and if you enjoy power fantasy anime or games, you’ll probably have a good time with it. The production values are high, the action is well-choreographed, and there’s a certain satisfaction in watching Jin-Woo demolish increasingly powerful enemies. Just don’t go in expecting deep storytelling or complex character development.

But I strongly urge you to watch Orb: On the Movements of the Earth on Netflix. Yes, it’s a slower burn than Solo Leveling. Yes, it requires more attention and emotional investment. But the payoff is so much greater. This is the kind of series that reminds you why you fell in love with anime in the first place – not because of the flashy fights or the power-ups, but because of the medium’s unique ability to tell stories that challenge, inspire, and transform us.

The 25-episode run might seem daunting compared to Solo Leveling’s first season, but trust me when I say that every episode is worth your time. The series builds momentum gradually, layering plot threads and character arcs in ways that create incredibly satisfying payoffs. By the time you reach the finale, you’ll understand why critics are calling it one of the best anime of the decade, not just 2026.

The platform divide is part of the problem here. Orb being a Netflix exclusive while the awards are run by Crunchyroll creates an obvious conflict of interest. It’s like having the PlayStation Awards and wondering why Xbox exclusives don’t win – the system is rigged from the start.

Other Contenders That Deserved Better Recognition

While I’m focusing on Orb as the true winner, I’d be remiss not to mention Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, which boasts an incredible 9.1/10 on MyAnimeList compared to Solo Leveling’s 8.2. Frieren revolutionized fantasy anime by exploring immortality from a genuinely alien perspective. Following an elf mage reflecting on adventures after her human companions have died, it delivers philosophical depth that most anime never attempt.

The character development in Frieren puts Solo Leveling to shame. Where Jin-Woo’s progression is purely about power accumulation, Frieren’s journey involves learning to understand human emotions and the value of fleeting moments. Her apprentice Fern’s evolution from traumatized child to confident mage unfolds with patience and nuance that modern anime rarely attempts.

Then there’s The Apothecary Diaries, which proves you don’t need battles to create compelling drama. Set in an imperial Chinese-inspired palace, it follows Maomao, a pharmacist who solves mysteries while navigating court intrigue. The series delivers intelligent writing, complex female characters, and political intrigue that would feel at home in the best strategy games.

Dandadan deserves mention for successfully blending genres in ways that shouldn’t work but absolutely do. Combining supernatural horror, science fiction, comedy, and romance, it’s the anime equivalent of those genre-mashing indie games that surprise everyone. The creativity on display makes Solo Leveling’s straightforward power fantasy look pedestrian by comparison.

My Verdict: Quality Should Trump Popularity Every Time

As someone who’s spent years analyzing and creating comprehensive guides for games and entertainment media, I can say with confidence that Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is objectively the superior anime. It excels in every metric that actually matters for storytelling: character development, narrative complexity, thematic depth, emotional resonance, and artistic ambition.

Solo Leveling winning anime of the year is like a mobile game winning Game of the Year over titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Tears of the Kingdom. Sure, more people might play the mobile game, and it might generate more revenue, but does that make it better? Absolutely not.

The real tragedy here isn’t just that Solo Leveling won – it’s that Orb wasn’t even considered worthy of a nomination. This sends a message that anime awards are more about celebrating what’s popular rather than recognizing what’s genuinely excellent. It’s a disservice to the medium and to the incredibly talented people at Madhouse who created something truly special.

What frustrates me most is that this isn’t just about personal preference. When I recommend games to friends, I consider their tastes but also push them toward quality experiences that might challenge them. The same should apply to anime. Awards should highlight excellence, not just reflect viewing numbers.

If you only have time to watch one anime from 2026, make it Orb: On the Movements of the Earth. Yes, you might miss out on the water cooler conversations about Solo Leveling’s latest fight scene, but you’ll gain something far more valuable: an experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll, challenge your perspectives, and remind you of the incredible potential of anime as an art form.

Don’t let the Crunchyroll Awards dictate what’s worth your time. Sometimes the best experiences are the ones that don’t win popularity contests – they’re the ones that dare to be different, that challenge rather than comfort, and that prioritize artistic excellence over mass appeal. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is all of these things and more. It’s not just the real anime of the year – it’s one of the best anime series of the decade, and it deserves your attention.

The future of anime depends on us recognizing and supporting true excellence, not just following the crowd. As gamers, we understand the difference between a polished product and a transformative experience. It’s time we apply that same discernment to anime. Watch Orb, watch Frieren, watch The Apothecary Diaries – support the series that push the medium forward rather than those that simply give us more of the same. Because at the end of the day, that’s how we ensure anime continues to evolve and surprise us, rather than stagnating in safe, predictable patterns.