Netflix's 'Jujutsu Kaisen Meets Ready Player One' Series Can Be Better Than Both

Published Oct 27, 2026, 9:00 PM EDT

Even beyond Netflix’s impressive collection of anime shows, the streaming giant is making a name for itself with strong live-action adaptations of anime. One Piece started this, with another, based on a recent popular anime, in the works; in 2027, Netflix is set to release a live-action adaptation of Solo Leveling. The Solo Leveling anime centers on a young ‘hunter’ named Sung Jin-woo, who dedicates his time to defending humanity against a series of monster-filled dungeons connected to the human world by mysterious Gates. Unlike other hunters, though, Sung Jin-woo has the strange ability to level up, getting stronger as he goes.

Netflix announced a live-action adaptation of the anime after it became popular on various streaming platforms, with South Korean directors Lee Hae-jun, Kim Byung-seo, and Han Dong-wook attached. In many ways, the live-action Solo Leveling show can capitalize not just on the anime’s popularity, but on Jujutsu Kaisen's as well. What’s more, Solo Leveling’s unique aspects lend themselves to a popular western property like Ready Player One, allowing Netflix’s upcoming live-action version to potentially be better than both.

Netflix's Live-Action Solo Leveling Can Compete With The Likes Of Jujutsu Kaisen & Ready Player One

Although Jujutsu Kaisen and Solo Leveling have their own unique stories, characters, and themes that make them distinct, they have two notable similarities. Both deal with supernatural, otherworldly threats, with their respective main characters being part of organizations dedicated to stopping such threats. This leads to fast-paced action with slick animation and an overwhelming sense of speed, strength, and top-tier action. If Netflix’s live-action Solo Leveling can adapt this aspect correctly, it can certainly compete with Jujutsu Kaisen, which is often considered a top contender in the genre for its action.

Concerning Ready Player One, the broad aspect linking it with Solo Leveling is video game mechanics. Ready Player One is set in a virtual reality, meaning its main characters can level up, spend credits, interact with famous gaming icons, and more, both in the original book and Steven Spielberg’s movie adaptation. Solo Leveling’s power system, aptly named The System, is similar. It allowed Sung Jin-woo to put points into various attributes, like strength and speed, complete daily quests, earn currency, and spend that currency on upgrades or storage. By combining this with JJK-style action, Netflix’s Solo Leveling could outdo both.

What Netflix's Solo Leveling Can Learn From Other Live-Action Anime Shows

Despite all these strengths that Solo Leveling can take from Ready Player One and Jujutsu Kaisen, it will have to learn from other live-action anime shows, too. Thankfully, Netflix being behind its production can allow for exactly that. After all, the streaming service has been behind some of the best live-action anime or manga projects, from One Piece to Alice in Borderland. Concerning the former, One Piece was revered for its unabashed love for and fidelity to the original anime. Many of the worst adaptations of Eastern animation tend to forego what makes them so special, but One Piece embraced them.

If Solo Leveling can do the same, while leaning into aspects that make the likes of Jujutsu Kaisen and Ready Player One so special, it could be something truly great for Netflix.