No One Saw It Coming, But Solo Leveling's Anime Is Way Better Than the Manhwa

G7 Magazine Staff6 February، 2025

171 5 minutes read

No One Saw It Coming, But Solo Leveling's Anime Is Way Better Than the Manhwa

Solo Leveling Season Two is properly underway, boasting extremely spectacular visuals and exhilarating motion sequences which have stored followers each in awe and on the fringe of their seats with every weekly launch. The hit energy fantasy franchise has lengthy loved widespread reputation, and its anime adaptation from A-1 Pictures has solely elevated that success to record-breaking levels. Now nearing the midway level of its sophomore outing, the sequence reveals no indicators of slowing its exceptional momentum.

Originally printed in the type of an online novel, Solo Leveling was tailored right into a webtoon in 2018, and concluded in 2021 following a massively common run which launched Korean comics to numerous readers. The ongoing anime is predicated carefully on the manhwa’s model of occasions, although it has taken from each Solo Leveling sequence at completely different factors. However, a big portion of the franchise’s fan base have begun to consider the anime is the definitive model of the story, and there is a level to be made there.

Solo Leveling’s Anime Adaptation Is Making Character Focused Changes

Solo Leveling Is Showing a Willingness to Expand on Its Characters

The Solo Leveling anime hasn’t hesitated to make delicate modifications to the occasions of its supply materials. As is the nature of all variations, not each panel might be replicated in full on display screen. Though only a few of the sequence’ modifications maintain main implications for the general narrative, like the current omission of Sung Jinwoo studying that S-Ranks differ greatly in power and ability, one change to Solo Leveling‘s storytelling is tough to color as something apart from an enchancment on the webtoon.

Cha Hae-In, one in every of the webtoon’s most essential characters, is launched far earlier in the anime than she is in the manhwa. Initially coming into the sequence throughout the occasions of the second season’s fourth episode, the fellow S-Rank soldier seems in the anime’s opening season, and turns into a plot related character far earlier than she did earlier than. Though the change could not look like a lot on the floor, it would simply be pointing at the risk of additional fleshed out characters to return all through the story.

Solo Leveling is not typically the goal of criticism all through the anime and manga world, although one frequent grievance surrounding the sequence is that it focuses solely on Sung Jinwoo, as an alternative of taking the time to flesh out the many aspect characters related to the overarching narrative. The anime, by introducing a personality like Cha Haie-In earlier episodes, is ready to keep away from a few of the criticism lobbied towards the sequence.

Setting the S-Rank hunter with a eager sense of odor into sections of the story she doesn’t belong reveals what immense care the anime’s creators have for the sequence. Spending even a small period of time with Cha Hae-In earlier than her unique encounter helps to construct upon her character’s portrayal. Originally popping up in the manhwa and falling for Jinwoo with little warning, the anime appears insistent on rising its forged to the better of its skill, as a way to preserve cohesive storytelling.

Anime Offers Entertainment That Cannot be Translated onto a Page

The Visual Quality of the Anime Adaptation of Solo Leveling Is Incredibly High

Though Solo Leveling options some completely awe-inspiring art work, courtesy of Dubu, the medium of anime is ready to accomplish ceratin feats that manhwa and manga merely can’t. In a seemingly unattainable activity, nonetheless, the Solo Leveling anime is outdoing its previous adaptation in the visible features of the manufacturing. A-1 Productions have delivered breathtaking animation and art direction on a constant foundation for the entirety of the sequence’ run, and is seemingly solely bettering on a weekly foundation.

Combined with the anime’s willingness to incorporate its personal unique materials as a way to construct upon sure characters, it is not obscure why some in the Solo Leveling fan base consider the newest adaptation to be the premiere model of the sequence. At the very least, it’s an extremely early bid for the title of 2025’s anime of the yr. The second season is about to include the entirety of the Jeju Island arc, and as long as it continues at its present high quality, will probably be an unforgettable watch.

sung jinwoo demon castle solo leveling season 2

Anime Can Be Edgy, But Solo Leveling Knows How to Do the Genre Right

Solo Leveling is one in every of the few anime sequence to get the edgy vibe completed proper by a few key elements.

Though Solo Leveling has been splendidly spectacular all through its airing, and a close to simple improve on its supply materials, only a few variations might be good. Certain components are all the time misplaced in the translation from the web page to the display screen, and Solo Leveling isn’t exempt from that rule. Its enhancements could outweigh its omissions, although one main change may simply maintain the anime again from perfection.

Solo Leveling’s Anime Leaves Behind Some of the Series’ Lightheartedness

Much of the Comedy Was Lost in Solo Leveling’s Transition to the Screen

A close-up of Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling's season one finale.

Solo Leveling is a sequence that takes itself significantly, with a brooding protagonist that exudes the very essence of ‘cool’. From the second he inherits the advantages of the system in the anime, Sung Jinwoo does little or no however win. However, the webtoon’s model of the character was not fairly as extremely severe as his anime counterpart. At least, not all the time. Very typically, Jinwoo would put on a comedically clean look on his face as some element or social cue flew over his head, or one thing outrageous would happen on his journey.

Sung Jinwoo looking dazed in the Solo Leveling webtoon.

The anime’s tackle the character ends in a Sung Jinwoo that’s principally stoic, not often breaking from his simple gaze. Though which model of the protagonist is healthier is a extremely subjective take, it can’t be denied that a few of the whimsy and lightheartedness of the webcomic is misplaced in the anime’s model of occasions.

Aside from which persona fits Sung Jinwoo finest, Solo Leveling has up to now benefited drastically from the modifications made in its anime adaptation, in addition to merely being put to animation. The anime will nearly assuredly proceed to impress on a weekly foundation all through the the rest of its second season, and followers will not need to miss the climactic Jeju Island arc simply round the nook. There is a methods to go in the yr, however the sequence has set a excessive bar for any anime releases to come in 2025.