The Water Magician has surpassed Solo Leveling in popularity on Crunchyroll, according to streaming data. The isekai anime adaptation has quickly climbed rankings in both the United States and United Kingdom, where it has reached the top position multiple times since September.
The series is adapted from Tadashi Kubō’s light novel, illustrated by Hana Amano, which began as a self-published work on Shōsetsuka ni Narō before being acquired by TO Books in 2021.
A manga followed later that year, with the anime, produced by Typhoon Graphics and Wonderland, premiering on July 4 2025.
The Water Magician follows Ryou Mihara, a young man who dies in an accident and awakens in a new world, Phi. Blessed with water magic and Eternal Youth, he begins to master his powers, travelling alongside swordsman Abel and learning about Phi’s dungeons, monsters, and rival factions.
Data from FlixPatrol shows that by early September, the anime had overtaken Solo Leveling on Crunchyroll in the US. On September 6, The Water Magician reached number one, retaining its lead over titles such as Kaiju No. 8, Dandadan, and Clevatess.
Solo Leveling, by contrast, fell outside the top ten on several days during this period. In the UK, The Water Magician also secured first place on September 6 and 7 before fluctuating in subsequent days.
While Solo Leveling continues to hold a higher average user rating, The Water Magician has grown significantly in viewership. Its focus on character development and detailed magic systems has been cited by fans as reasons for its rising popularity.
With its first season ongoing, the series has already positioned itself as one of 2025’s most-watched isekai anime, potentially reshaping Crunchyroll’s rankings in the months ahead.
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