The second season of Solo Leveling is already underway, and fans of the South Korean manhwa, now adapted into an anime by the Japanese studio A-1 Pictures, are eagerly following the journey of hunters who navigate through portals to battle formidable enemies.
Table of Contents
- What is the anime about?
- Why has the anime become so popular?
- The second reason for its popularity is Jin-woo himself
- Finally, the marketing played a big role
- Why does the anime receive criticism?
- Is it worth watching?
What is the anime about?
In Solo Leveling, the narrative unfolds in an alternate version of Earth where mysterious gates have begun to appear, unleashing monstrous beings that conventional weapons cannot harm. Only a select group of individuals, known as hunters, possess the power to combat these creatures. These hunters are ranked from the lowest E-rank to the prestigious S-rank, with dungeons similarly categorized based on the level of danger they pose.
The protagonist, Sung Jin-woo, starts as an E-rank hunter, struggling to even clear regular dungeons. Trapped with his team, Jin-woo's self-sacrifice during a dire situation earns him a unique reward: the ability to level up. This power transforms his life into a game-like experience, featuring a futuristic interface with quests and leveling menus. As Jin-woo grows stronger, he embarks on a journey of self-improvement and survival.
Image: ensigame.com
Why has the anime become so popular?
The popularity of Solo Leveling can be attributed to three key factors. Firstly, the anime is a faithful adaptation of the beloved manhwa, a task that A-1 Pictures has excelled in before with titles like Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Sword Art Online, and Erased. The studio successfully delivers a seamless action-packed experience, keeping the plot straightforward and easy to follow, with essential information conveyed through other characters to maintain focus on the main storyline.
Image: ensigame.com
The studio also enhances the viewing experience with visual techniques that heighten the atmosphere, darkening the screen during tense moments to highlight crucial elements and using bright scenes to depict more relaxed settings.
The second reason for its popularity is Jin-woo himself
Jin-woo's journey from an underdog to a formidable hunter resonates deeply with audiences. Initially dubbed "The Worst Weapon of Humanity" due to his lackluster combat skills, Jin-woo's self-sacrifice during a perilous mission not only saves his team but also earns him the System's favor, granting him the ability to enhance his skills. Despite his newfound power, Jin-woo remains relatable; he makes mistakes and faces consequences, such as being punished for skipping training by running from monsters in the desert. His dedication to leveling up through hard work and perseverance endears him to viewers, who appreciate his earned prowess over innate abilities.
Finally, the marketing played a big role
The iconic statue of God, with its memorable toothy grin, became a viral sensation during the anime's release, sparking curiosity and drawing in new viewers even among those unfamiliar with the manhwa.
Why does the anime receive criticism?
Despite its popularity, Solo Leveling is not without its detractors. Critics often point to the clichéd plot and the jarring transitions between action and calm scenes. Some argue that the portrayal of Jin-woo as an almost invincible hero borders on the grandiose, suggesting he might be an author-insert or Mary Sue character. Additionally, other characters are often seen as lacking depth and development, serving primarily as background to Jin-woo's journey.
Image: ensigame.com
Original manhwa readers also express dissatisfaction with the anime's pacing, feeling that it does not adapt the source material dynamically enough for the animated medium.
Image: ensigame.com
Is it worth watching?
Absolutely. If you relish in high-octane action with minimal focus on secondary character development, the first season of Solo Leveling is highly binge-worthy. However, if Jin-woo's story fails to captivate you within the first two episodes, it might not be worth continuing with the series, its second season, or exploring the related open-world gacha game.
