Solo Leveling Is Purposefully Omitting Manhwa Panels to Make Other Characters Look Weaker Than They Actually Are

SUMMARY

• The anime Solo Leveling omits key panels in order to reduce supporting characters' impact.
• Focus on Sung Jinwoo overshadows the narrative depth while making his feats meaningless.
• To show a proper overpowered protagonist it is essential for strengths of other characters to be highlighted as well.

Solo Leveling has always been focused on breathtaking visuals and high-stakes battles. This hasn’t changed through the two seasons, but its approach to the highly anticipated arc where Hunter Sung Jinwoo would be revealed as one of the most powerful beings in the world is sidelining the other characters in the series.

Sung Jinwoo in Solo Leveling Season 2 | Credits: A-1 Pictures

The build-up and anticipation aren’t a problem, but when the scenes are being skipped from the manhwa (complete panels that focus on showcasing the strength or character of the others involved in the story), all of these are compromised to highlight the Sung Jinwoo in the upcoming arcs has sparked concerns among fans.

While the anime might deliver some of the most intense action sequences seen in Solo Leveling yet, the series appears to be now repeating a troubling pattern: they are sacrificing the consistency of the quality of episodes for spectacle and pizzazz. Let us delve in to understand how this is a disadvantage for the series.

A Sung Jinwoo-centred narrative drives Solo Leveling

The Solo Leveling anime adaptation has already captivated fans with its intense battles and visually stunning animation. However, keen-eyed viewers and devoted readers of the original manhwa have noted a glaring issue, which is the purposeful omission of key panels that highlight the abilities and personalities of characters other than Sung Jinwoo.

Adventurers Fighting Snow Bears from Solo Leveling | Credit: A-1 Pictures

This creative direction by the animation studio has sparked debates about whether the anime is sacrificing character depth and the integrity of the original story to keep the spotlight solely on the protagonist.

In the manhwa, many key characters like Cha Hae-In, Baek Yoonho, and Go Gunhee are depicted as formidable individuals with compelling arcs, and even the manhwa (Webtoons) have multiple panels that are focused on showcasing their moments of triumph and struggle to give readers a glimpse of their importance within the Solo Leveling universe.

Not only is this an essential part of fleshing out those characters, but it is also needed to draw comparisons with the protagonist, Jinwoo. Only when a contrast of power is established between side characters and the hero can the impact be felt. The ‘powerful’ standard can then be established, and it will feel meaningful to see the protagonist surpass limits.

The impact on fans and the original source integrity

It’s not a secret that Sung Jinwoo is the centerpiece of Solo Leveling, and his meteoric rise from the weakest hunter (essentially a porter) to the Shadow Monarch who reigns supreme is the story’s primary draw, the over-powered protagonist trope is at the core.

Sung Jinwoo in Solo Leveling | Credits: A-1 Pictures

While the focus on the protagonist Sung Jinwoo is understandable, it raises questions about the integrity of adaptations staying true to the source. The animation studio can creatively interpret the source material‘s depth, but this could compromise the essence of the original characters.

There’s still hope that future episodes will rectify this imbalance by giving supporting characters the screen time that they rightfully deserve. Only by doing so can the protagonist have a setting in which he can truly shine.

You can stream Solo Leveling on Netflix and Crunchyroll.

Written by Chandra Shekhar

Articles Published: 115

Chandra Shekhar, also known as Dan, is a voracious reader with an insatiable hunger for fantasy and fiction. Having devoured countless books, explored manga worlds, and delved deep into anime realms, Dan lives and breathes stories. As a creative mind who rambles on about books and anime all day long, Dan fits right in at FandomWire.