Solo Leveling: KARMA Reveals Original Storyline in New Anime Expo 2026 Trailer
Publisher Netmarble and developer Netmarble Neo have unveiled a new story trailer for the roguelite action RPG Solo Leveling: KARMA at Anime Expo 2026, marking the first major reveal of the game’s original narrative. Following the previously released gameplay trailer, this latest footage focuses entirely on the story, which departs from both the original webtoon and TV anime series. The presentation showcases an ambitious direction for the adaptation, centering on an entirely new chapter in the protagonist’s journey.
According to the reveal, the game’s narrative picks up after Sung Jinwoo has ended all wars. In an effort to save those who sacrificed themselves, he uses the “Cup of Reincarnation” to reverse time and return to the past. He then ventures alone into the “Rift of Dimensions” — a mysterious space never deeply explored in the original source material — and engages in a brutal 27-year war against the Monarchs. The key to this conflict is a shattered artifact called the “Broken Cup of Reincarnation,” which players must restore by collecting and repairing Jinwoo’s fragmented memories.
Players’ exploration and combat within the game directly tie into helping Sung Jinwoo piece together his lost memories, gradually uncovering the truth behind the 27-year war. This narrative mechanic frames the roguelite gameplay loop as more than just combat — every run becomes a step toward reconstructing the protagonist’s past. The memory fragments serve as both a storytelling device and a progression system, linking player actions directly to narrative revelations.
The cutscenes featured in the trailer were produced by A-1 Pictures, the same studio behind the Solo Leveling TV anime. The studio previously created a dedicated opening animation for the game, depicting Jinwoo returning to the “Rift of Dimensions” and leading his Shadow Army in a decades-long war. The visual quality and cinematic impact are on par with the anime series, with some scenes being entirely new content that even original fans have never seen before. This collaboration between Netmarble Neo and A-1 Pictures is shaping up to be a treat for Solo Leveling enthusiasts.
