The manwha world regards Solo Leveling as one of the top series. Since A-1 Pictures has elevated the series with their anime adaptation, it has also gained recognition as one of the best in the anime industry.
Despite the great plot, cool fight scenes, and a beloved underdog protagonist, the anime faced controversy due to some drawbacks.
Why is Solo Leveling Anime One of the Best in the Industry?
Solo Leveling: The Anime Stays True to the Manwha
The anime adaptation of Solo Leveling successfully preserves the originality of the manwha, despite making some alterations to the plot. One notable change is the inclusion of a flashback to the Jeju Island raid in Korea, which offers viewers a comprehensive understanding of the Solo Leveling universe.
One other instance occurs when Jinah inquires about Jinwoo’s latest raid, prompting him to contemplate the events of the raid and his irreversible decisions. This scene effectively develops Jinwoo’s character arc and solidifies the extent to which the System has rapidly transformed him.
Additional changes include Sung Jinwoo being stabbed by the goblins, altering his weapon choice, and becoming less reclusive. These subtle modifications are fitting for an animated narrative.
2. A-1 Picture’s Amazing Animation
A-1 Pictures, renowned for producing exceptional series such as Your Lie in April, Sword Art Online, and Kaguya Sama: Love is War, has once again displayed their talent with the animation of Solo Leveling. The studio effectively captures the essence of the protagonist, Sung Jinwoo, and the rest of the characters through their expert animation, intricate character designs, and seamless action scenes.
The showdown between Sung Jinwoo and Igris in episode 11 was undoubtedly one of the most captivating scenes. The animation studio dedicated their utmost effort to this battle, pushing the limits of their creativity.
Despite initial concerns about A-1 Pictures’ previous mishandled adaptations, the studio has exceeded expectations by producing a breathtaking anime that quickly became the most popular and well-received series of Winter 2024.
Excellent International Distribution With a Variety of Dubs
The production team of Solo Leveling did an exceptional job in distributing the anime globally, delivering high-quality English dub and international productions. The casting, led by ADR director Caitlin Glass, was particularly impressive in the English dub.
Additionally, the anime was released in various languages besides English, such as Japanese, Dutch, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Korean, expanding its reach to a worldwide audience.
4. The Music Added an Extra Punch to The Narrative
The addition of music videos and soundtracks to Solo Leveling has greatly elevated the series’ overall quality. Fans were delighted by the official trailer and opening theme, “LEveL,”performed by Hiroyuki Sawano [nZk] and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, as they were mesmerized by its stunning visuals and impactful music.
Moreover, the show includes a variety of unique soundtracks (OSTs) that flawlessly enhance the gripping action sequences and poignant moments. One notable example is the powerful “DARK ARIA ＜LV2＞” from Episode 6, composed by SawanoHiroyuki [nZk]: XAI, which adds layers to the storyline.
If you are interested, you can find these music videos and soundtracks on platforms such as YouTube and Spotify.
5. Stronger Characters Introduced Before the MC
Despite being initially the weakest E-ranker, Sung eventually became the strongest. However, in the early episodes, the other S-rankers were much stronger than him. The first episode of the manhwa adaptation began with a flashback to the Jeju Island raid and introduced prominent S-rank hunters like Baek Yoonho, Choi Jong-In, and Min Byung-Gyu, who only appeared later in the story.
Our adored Cha Hae-In made a stunning debut earlier in the manwha (rather than her original introduction in chapter 65). Additionally, President Go of the Hunter’s Association briefly appeared in episode 1, hinting at a potential political plot in future installments.
Cultural Issues Were Well-Handled
Sota Furuhashi, the producer of Solo Leveling anime, has recently announced that there are separate versions of the anime created for both Japanese and international viewers. The localization process included using Japanese names for characters and locations in the domestic release, while keeping the original Korean names for the global audience.
Furthermore, careful consideration was also given to the background art and settings portrayed in the anime. Furuhashi elaborated on the decision-making process behind whether to incorporate elements of Korean or Japanese cityscapes into the settings.
Despite the controversy sparked by historical tensions between Japan and Korea and concerns over its Korean roots, the series was still well received.
The Downside of The Solo Leveling Anime
1. Lack of Fanservice and Early Character Development
In Solo Leveling, Jinwoo is the main focus while other characters mostly serve as his admirers due to his power. However, the series falls short in terms of character development, particularly for supporting characters. It seems to prioritize action scenes over storytelling and character progression, making it more appealing to fans of action.
One disadvantage is the lack of fanservice. Within the story, there are only two female Hunters – Joohee Lee and Hae-In Cha. However, Hae-In’s portrayal is focused on her exceptional abilities rather than her physical appearance, as she is an S-ranked Hunter. On the other hand, the male characters’ bodies are given more attention, such as Jinwoo’s toned physique while exercising.
Additionally, Joohee’s support for the protagonist Jinwoo stems from his initial weakness, and their bond is founded on mutual respect and a strong friendship. While the Solo Leveling anime does not heavily prioritize fanservice, it still remains a secondary aspect.
Anime Diverts From The Source And Lacks Comedy Elements
The Solo Leveling anime primarily follows the light novel rather than the manhwa, resulting in a lack of comedic elements, as seen in Episode 5 of the manhwa.
The anime differs from the manhwa by excluding the “chibi”cutaways, which are often used to add humor and showcase Sung Jinwoo’s muscular physique. This departure from the comedic elements and character development of the manhwa may be surprising for fans.
Pacing Problem
Despite being an enjoyable anime, some viewers have expressed concerns about the pacing of Solo Leveling. As season 1 primarily revolves around Jinwoo, many feel that everything is rushed. In episode 5, there is a noticeable and sudden change in Sung Jinwoo’s appearance and demeanor, causing some viewers to struggle to recognize him.
Despite his previous timid and insecure persona, he undergoes a transformation, becoming more assertive and confident in tandem with his new powers. However, this sudden change, which even includes physical alterations, may be too abrupt for certain fans.
Despite its imperfections, the anime remains one of the top contenders. It will be intriguing to witness how season 2 addresses these concerns.
About Solo Leveling
The web novel, I Alone Level Up, was adapted and published by Kakaopage in South Korea and Piccoma in Japan. The series concluded in December 2021 and has been compiled into 14 volumes.
The opening of portals between Earth and realms of monsters has allowed hunters to defeat these creatures. Sung Jin Woo may be considered a low-level hunter, but when he becomes involved in a Dungeon quest, he gains the ability to see and complete quests similar to those found in a video game.
His quest to become the most dominant hunter and restore harmony to Earth commences.
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