Solo Leveling's Anime Adaptation: What It Got Right (and Wrong) > 자유게시판

The long-awaited Solo Leveling anime adaptation finally arrived, bringing Sung Jin-Woo’s legendary rise to power to the screen. Fans had sky-high expectations, and A-1 Pictures—the studio behind hits like Sword Art Online and 86—took on the challenge.

But did the anime live up to the hype? Or did it fall short of the manhwa’s greatness?

In this article, we’ll break down:
✔️ What the anime got right
❌ What the anime got wrong
What needs to improve in future seasons

Let’s dive into the good, the bad, and the future of Solo Leveling’s anime!

What the Anime Got Right
1. Stunning Animation & Fight Sequences
One of the biggest worries fans had was: "Can the anime match the manhwa’s visuals?"

Thankfully, A-1 Pictures delivered jaw-dropping action:
✔️ Fluid animation during battles, making every move feel intense.
✔️ Epic effects—from Jin-Woo’s shadow summons to devastating boss fights.
✔️ High-quality character designs that stayed faithful to the manhwa.

Best Example: Jin-Woo’s first dungeon battle—when he awakens his powers—is animated beautifully, showing his newfound strength in a way that feels cinematic.

2. The Soundtrack and Voice Acting
A strong OST (original soundtrack) can make or break an anime. Solo Leveling nails it with:
✔️ Epic orchestral themes that add intensity to fights.
✔️ A memorable opening and ending that fits the dark, thrilling tone.
✔️ Top-tier voice acting—Jin-Woo’s Japanese and Korean VA’s bring out his transformation from weak to dominant.

3. More Emotional Depth in Some Scenes
The anime expanded certain emotional moments, making them even more impactful than the manhwa.
✔️ Jin-Woo’s struggles as a weak hunter feel more personal with added inner monologues.
✔️ His relationship with his mother is highlighted more, adding more emotional weight to his journey.

Best Example: The scene where Jin-Woo awakens in the hospital after his near-death experience feels more intense, showing his fear and desperation to get stronger.

What the Anime Got Wrong
1. Some Story Changes & Censorship
Like most anime adaptations, Solo Leveling made changes—some small, some big.
❌ Certain brutal scenes were toned down, reducing the impact of key fights.
❌ Some dialogue was softened, making Jin-Woo’s transformation feel less intense.
❌ A few fights were shortened, making them less impactful than in the manhwa.

Worst Example: The Double Dungeon scene (where Jin-Woo is betrayed by his party) lacked the same level of fear and brutality that made it so terrifying in the manhwa.

2. Pacing Issues ⏳
Some fans felt the anime rushed through early chapters, skipping character interactions that helped build tension.
❌ Fewer details on the world-building—the ranking system and guilds feel underdeveloped.
❌ Side characters got less screentime, making their roles feel less important.

Worst Example: The introduction of guilds and the importance of hunters in society felt rushed, making the world seem smaller.

3. Not Enough Shadow Summons (Yet!)
One of Solo Leveling’s best parts is Jin-Woo’s Shadow Army—but the anime hasn’t fully captured the weight of it yet.
❌ Shadows don’t feel as intimidating or overwhelming as they should.
❌ Some Shadow Battles were toned down, making them feel less powerful.

This should improve in later seasons when Jin-Woo starts recruiting more legendary shadows!

What Needs to Improve in Future Seasons
1. Stick Closer to the Manhwa’s Dark Tone
The manhwa’s intensity is part of what made it great—future episodes should bring back that brutal, high-stakes feeling.
Fights should feel more brutal, with real consequences.
2. Expand World-Building & Side Characters
Give more background on hunters, guilds, and the ranking system.
Develop side characters like Cha Hae-In and Baek Yoon-Ho so they feel just as important as Jin-Woo.
3. Go All-In on Shadow Battles
Later seasons will feature massive, army-sized battles—the animation team needs to go bigger and crazier to fully showcase these moments.
Final Verdict: Did the Anime Do Solo Leveling Justice?
✔️ What It Did Right:
✅ Amazing animation and fight sequences.
✅ Epic soundtrack and voice acting.
✅ Added emotional depth to key scenes.

❌ What It Needs to Improve:
Some story changes and toned-down brutality.
Pacing issues—world-building could be expanded.
Shadow summons need to feel more intimidating.

Overall, Solo Leveling’s anime is a strong adaptation, but it has room to grow. If future seasons push the limits, it could become one of the best action anime of all time.