Global music superstar J Balvin is making his first foray into anime voice acting, joining the cast of Crunchyroll‘s “Solo Leveling Season 2 — Arise From the Shadow” in a key role. Though details of his part are being kept under wraps, the Grammy-nominated Colombian artist will provide both English and Spanish voice work for the acclaimed series, which began streaming on Jan. 4.
Adapted from Chugong’s bestselling Korean web novel, the series follows Sung Jinwoo, who transforms from the world’s weakest hunter into a powerful necromancer after a near-death experience grants him mysterious abilities. In the current season, Jinwoo must master his newfound powers while keeping them hidden from other hunters as he races to save his mother. The story sees him pushing his body and mind to the limit as he confronts humanity’s toughest foes with an army of loyal shadows at his command.
“I’m beyond thrilled to join the cast of ‘Solo Leveling,'” Balvin said. “This series has such a passionate fanbase and getting the chance to be part of the anime world, after being a fan for such a long time, is an absolute honor. I can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve been working on.”
“Solo Leveling” is animated by A-1 Pictures, known for “Sword Art Online,” with motion graphics by Production I.G, the studio behind hits like “Attack on Titan” and “Haikyu!!” Shunsuke Nakashige directs the Aniplex and Crunchyroll co-production, which is streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll’s platform.
As revealed by Variety, Balvin made his acting debut last year with “Little Lorraine.” The addition of Balvin, who has sold more than 35 million records worldwide, to “Solo Leveling,” marks another milestone in the reggaeton star’s expanding creative portfolio. The Medellín native has established himself as a cultural force beyond music, with achievements spanning multiple industries. His sixth studio album, “Rayo,” was recently up for a Grammy Award, adding to an collection of accolades that includes wins at the Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards and four Latin Grammys.
Last year, Balvin launched the creative design studio Vita Veloce Team in collaboration with Italian designer Matias Gollin, further expanding his artistic vision into design, art, architecture and innovation. The multifaceted artist has also made significant strides as a mental health advocate, working to raise awareness about the importance of accessible mental health care, particularly within the Latino community.
Streaming platform Crunchyroll operates as an independently operated joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex.
English (US) ·