How a web novel about a bullied student reached 3 million copies
In short: In 2017, a web novel titled 'Level Up Changed My Life' began its journey on Kakuyomu. What started as a digital story about an outcast student discovering a portal to the world of Argena eventually transformed into a massive multi-media franchise spanning manga, anime, and even an MMORPG.
The series, known as Iseleve, follows Yūya Tenjō, a middle school student facing severe bullying and family rejection. After the death of his grandfather, the only relative who cared for him, Yūya discovers a portal within his grandfather's home leading to Argena. This new world grants him powers that allow him to battle demons, extraterrestrials, and gods, fundamentally altering his life in both the fantasy realm and the real world. The battles he undertakes are not limited to a single era, as the stakes involve the very fabric of existence across the past, present, and future. His struggle involves confronting a diverse array of malevolent entities, ranging from demons to gods.
The franchise's growth is marked by significant milestones. After its initial digital release by Miku on 25 March 2017, this piece secured the 3rd Kakuyomu Web Novel Contest's Grand Prize during May 2018. Following its acquisition by Fujimi Shobo, the light novel series began formal publication under the Fujimi Fantasia Bunko imprint on December 20, 2018. By October 2023, the series had achieved a massive circulation of 3 million copies. Initially, the web-based series appeared with the working name Level Up wa Jinsei o Kaeta. It was later illustrated by Rein Kuwashima for its official release.
The expansion into other media has been equally prolific. A manga adaptation by Kazuomi Minatogawa began in December 2019, and an anime series produced by TMS Entertainment aired between April and June 2023. The franchise has also branched into spin-off stories, such as 'Girls Side' and 'The Story of Kaori Hōjō', and even a browser-based MMORPG titled 'Parallel Universe', which was announced in March 2023. The English-speaking market has also seen interest, with Yen Press announcing the license for the novels in September 2021. Additionally, a television special for the series premiered in March 2026.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in the Real World, Too
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