Solo Leveling: The Rising Phenomenon in Gaming

The second season of Solo Leveling, a South Korean manhwa turned anime by the Japanese studio A-1 Pictures, is already underway. This captivating series follows hunters who can traverse portals to combat otherworldly foes.

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?

Set in an alternate Earth, Solo Leveling introduces a world where mysterious gates have begun to appear, unleashing monsters impervious to conventional weaponry. Only a select group of individuals, known as hunters, possess the ability to combat these creatures, ranked from the lowest E-rank to the highest S-rank. Dungeons, filled with these monsters, are similarly categorized.

The protagonist, Sung Jin-woo, starts at the lowest rank, unable to effectively clear even a regular dungeon. Trapped with his group, Jin-woo's self-sacrifice in a dire situation earns him a unique reward: the ability to level up. This newfound power transforms his life into a game-like experience, complete with a futuristic interface, quests, and leveling menus, propelling him on a journey to grow stronger.

Why has the anime become so popular?

Solo Leveling's popularity can be attributed to three key factors. Firstly, the anime is a faithful adaptation of its beloved manhwa source material, a task A-1 Pictures has mastered with previous successful adaptations like Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Sword Art Online, Erased, and Your Lie in April. The studio's commitment to recreating the manhwa's continuous action-packed narrative, devoid of overly complex plots, keeps viewers engaged and informed through character-driven explanations.

A-1 Pictures also excels in creating an immersive atmosphere, using visual techniques like darkening the screen during tense moments and brightening it during more relaxed scenes, enhancing the viewing experience.

The second reason for its popularity is Jin-woo himself

Jin-woo's journey from underdog to powerhouse is a compelling narrative. Initially dubbed "The Worst Weapon of Humanity" due to his poor combat skills, his willingness to sacrifice himself for his trapped group, despite his financial responsibilities to his family, earns him the System's favor. Jin-woo's growth is hard-earned; he learns from his mistakes, like when skipping training leads to a grueling punishment. His dedication to improving through effort rather than innate talent resonates with viewers, making his story all the more engaging.

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. This marketing success piqued the interest of those unfamiliar with the manhwa, drawing more viewers to the series.

Why does the anime receive criticism?

Despite its popularity, Solo Leveling faces criticism for its clichéd plot and the jarring transitions between action and calm scenes. Some argue that the anime glorifies Jin-woo excessively, portraying him as an author-insert or Mary Sue character, whose rapid transformation from underdog to killing machine overshadows the less-developed supporting cast. Original manhwa readers also critique the anime's pacing, feeling it doesn't adapt the source material's gradual storytelling effectively for the screen.

Is it worth watching?

Absolutely. For fans of non-stop action with a focus on the protagonist's journey, the first season of Solo Leveling is binge-worthy. However, if Jin-woo's story fails to captivate within the first two episodes, it might be best to explore other series. Whether to continue with the second season or dive into the open-world gacha game depends on your engagement with Jin-woo's evolving tale.