The wait for the much-anticipated Fortnite and Solo Leveling crossover has proven brief, following a series of cryptic teasers from Epic Games earlier this week. The initial wave of cosmetics has officially been unveiled, showcasing the legendary protagonist Sung Jin-woo alongside the formidable Blood-Red Commander Igris. However, fans of the anime might notice some subtle aesthetic variations in their digital recreations.
For the uninitiated, Solo Leveling began as a South Korean web novel by Chugong, chronicling the journey of Jin-woo in a world besieged by “Gates”—portals connecting Earth to treacherous, monster-filled dungeons. These threats are managed by Hunters, individuals gifted with tiered magical abilities. Jin-woo, once ridiculed as the “World’s Weakest Hunter,” gains a unique interface known as the “System” after a brush with death. This power allows him to transcend the usual limits of growth and reanimate fallen enemies into a loyal shadow army. Igris, a fan-favorite knight, stands as one of his most powerful and loyal shadow subordinates.
Epic Games debuted the teaser via Fortnite‘s official Instagram, utilizing the iconic command: “Knight Commander Igris the Bloodred. Will you submit to my control? Arise. Arise… ARISE!” This specific phrasing is telling. Industry observers have pointed out that this collaboration is specifically tied to the mobile action-RPG Solo Leveling: Arise, rather than the anime series or the original manhwa. This explains the specific character designs, which are modeled after the 2024 game’s assets. Despite the specific source material, the inclusion of these characters remains a monumental addition for the Fortnite community.
In the cinematic reveal, Jin-woo is seen manifesting Igris before the duo prepares for battle on the Island. Beyond the character skins, players have also been treated to a look at the “Statue of God” back bling—a hauntingly accurate representation of the entity from the series’ terrifying prologue.
Early leaks suggest that the Solo Leveling cosmetics will be available as part of a major bundle. Current reports indicate the set will feature Sung Jin-woo, Cha Hae-In, and Igris. While there was initial speculation regarding whether the shadow ant Beru would appear instead of Igris, the latest teasers seem to confirm the Knight Commander’s presence. However, considering Fortnite’s penchant for expansive collaborations—evidenced by the recent multi-character South Park release—there is still a chance for additional surprises in the final shop lineup.
While an official timestamp has yet to be finalized, the Solo Leveling collection is projected to debut during the Fortnite Item Shop reset this Friday (effectively Thursday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT).
Source: Polygon
