Boasting breathtaking animation and intense fight scenes, Solo Leveling’s action is unparalleled. While somewhat lacking in complexity, Solo Leveling is the perfect show for those who love watching powerful characters clash on the battlefield. This thrilling series is a non-stop adrenaline rush that makes 23 minute episodes go by in the blink of an eye.
The concept of Solo Leveling is simple: the main character, Sung Jinwoo, lives in a world where people awaken magical abilities to fight powerful monsters. While most hunters’ abilities cannot improve after they “awaken,” Sung Jinwoo discovers that he can use a “player system” that allows him to level up his power endlessly as if he were in a video game.
Season 1 of Solo Leveling finished releasing on March 31, 2024, and season 2 began airing on Jan. 4, 2025, which is when the show hit mainstream popularity. The season 2 hype was sensational: the release of several episodes crashed streaming websites like Crunchyroll due to high demand. In a display of the show’s universal appeal, one viral video shows Liverpool soccer stars watching Solo Leveling while on a flight. Fans have had very high expectations for Solo Leveling’s animation studio, A-1 Pictures, which also has produced big name shows like “Sword Art Online,” “Erased,” “Your Lie in April” and “The Seven Deadly Sins.”
The animation in Solo Leveling is by far the best aspect of the show. Many of the frames in the fight scenes could be displayed as artwork on their own. The animation easily exceeds other well-budgeted shows like “Demon Slayer.” Solo Leveling’s characters are incredibly powerful, which makes it challenging to bring them to life convincingly. Still, the animation team nailed it, and I was wowed by the complexity of each character’s powers. The animation includes subtle details and movements that make seemingly difficult actions look effortless. For example, you can sense the calm, John Wick-esque confidence of Sung Jinwoo when he casually dodges back-to-back attacks with a straight face. Impressively, A-1 pictures also did a brilliant job animating each detail for the side characters. The detail put into side character Choi Jong-In’s “S-Rank” fire tornado that wiped a cave clean of monsters was equally as terrific to watch.
Solo Leveling’s storyline is also engaging. Its simple yet compelling nature keeps the audience hooked to the series. As Sung Jinwoo gradually levels up his power, the story presents various monsters that he must defeat. In these battles, he showcases his newly improved power in a beautifully animated fight scene. This cycle keeps viewers like me yearning to witness the next stage of Sung Jinwoo’s power development.
However, the “overpowered main character” concept isn’t for everyone. Viewers who are looking for shows with hidden meanings and underlying themes will walk away from this show unsatisfied (check out my “The Boy and the Heron” review if this is what you are looking for!). Additionally, those expecting character nuance and depth on something similar to an “Attack On Titan” level masterpiece will be disappointed. The focus of the show is to portray Sung Jinwoo’s journey of “Solo Leveling.” Still, for those that love a good comeback underdog story or high-octane action shots, Solo Leveling is the perfect show to go watch.
Plot aside, Solo Leveling’s animation is an absolute masterclass. Its simple yet effective plot and detailed fight scenes make for a captivating, binge-worthy show. If you enjoyed other shows like “Jujutsu Kaisen” or “Demon Slayer” or if you are looking to jump into the world of anime, Solo Leveling is the perfect show for you. “Solo Leveling” is available on streaming services Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime Video. You don’t want to miss out on one of the most awe-inspiring animated series of the year.
