10 Harsh Realities of Rewatching Solo Leveling

When *Solo Leveling* first came out, everyone in the anime world thought A-1 Pictures had created something truly special. Watching Sung Jin-woo overcome hardship and become the strongest hunter was incredibly thrilling. The show felt original and immediately grabbed your attention, making it perfect for discussion and attracting a wide audience. But revisiting the series now can be a different experience. While it’s still enjoyable, some parts don’t have the same impact after the initial excitement has faded.

Even though the series is still visually appealing and emotionally engaging, a second viewing reveals some minor weaknesses. Things like the speed of the story and how the world is built aren’t as strong upon closer inspection. Fans begin to notice small details that, while not ruining the overall story, can be a bit disappointing. *Solo Leveling* isn’t flawless, and it’s only after revisiting it that many realize this. However, it’s still rewarding to re-experience Jin-woo’s journey knowing everything that happens, especially because the animation, music, and feeling of power remain impressive. There’s simply more to appreciate and analyze on a rewatch than during the first experience.

Solo Leveling’s Early Episodes Move Painfully Slow

Looking back, the slow start of Season 1 is really noticeable. The beginning felt quite sluggish and was hard to get through, with a lot of setup before Sung Jinwoo’s character really started to develop. The first episode, in particular, doesn’t gain momentum until the very end.

The initial episodes focusing on Jin-woo’s training are important for understanding the series’ mechanics, but they include a lot of explanation and practice that aren’t relevant later on. Viewers familiar with both seasons might find these scenes slow and less engaging, as the pacing feels noticeably slower than the rest of the show.

Jinwoo’s Weakness in Episode 1 Is Hard to Watch

It’s easy for viewers to forget just how fragile Jinwoo was when Solo Leveling began, especially after rewatching the series. While people remember him being labeled the ‘weakest hunter,’ the extent of his initial weakness becomes less clear as the story progresses. By the end of Season 2, he’s become significantly more powerful than all the top-ranked S-Class hunters in both Japan and Korea.

Re-watching *Solo Leveling* really shows how far Jinwoo has come, and the beginning is particularly tough to watch. Before he gained his powers, Jinwoo was a hunter who constantly got hurt and treated badly. Seeing him struggle and ultimately die is almost painful, but these early scenes are important because they make his later strength even more impressive.

The System Feels Convenient Instead of Mysterious

When people first start watching *Solo Leveling*, the System is a really fascinating aspect of the show. While many questions about how it works remain unanswered, it’s still a key part of the story. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the System often provides Jin-woo with overly convenient opportunities, which diminishes some of the initial mystery and intrigue.

It often feels like the System magically solves problems for Jin-woo, always finding a way to help him escape difficult situations. When things are *this* easy, it’s hard to believe there’ll be a logical explanation. Maybe it’s best to just think of the System as a way to protect him, rather than expect a satisfying backstory that might not come.

Jin-woo’s Humanity Fades Faster Than Viewers Remember

A common observation throughout the series is how rapidly Jinwoo transformed from a weak nobody into an incredibly powerful being. However, this growth appears to be at the cost of his original personality. Viewers remember Jinwoo from the early episodes as not just weak, but also kind and likable. The Jinwoo we see by the end of *Solo Leveling* Season 2 is drastically different – and it’s not just about his increased strength.

Even during the first season, Jinwoo began to lose the qualities that made him human and easy to connect with. This change became much more noticeable by the end of the second season. He’s become distant and focused on gaining power, a stark contrast to the kind, but weak, hunter he once was.

Supporting Characters Barely Matter in the Long Run

A noticeable flaw in *Solo Leveling*, especially when rewatching, is the lack of depth in its supporting characters. They primarily serve to highlight Jin-woo’s development and rarely have compelling stories of their own. Characters introduced early on, like Lee Joo-hee and other guild members, initially seemed significant, but their roles ultimately didn’t expand beyond that.

As the story of *Solo Leveling* unfolds, it becomes more and more focused on the main character, Jin-woo. While new characters appear, they aren’t developed enough for readers to truly care about them. The series ends up feeling like it’s just about one hero and a bunch of background characters, when the supporting cast had the potential to add depth and a different viewpoint to Jin-woo’s journey. Unfortunately, those characters feel underdeveloped and lack substance.

The Worldbuilding Starts Strong, but Never Expands Enough

One of the things that initially drew viewers into *Solo Leveling* was its detailed worldbuilding. The anime starts by explaining the gates and hunters, which effectively introduces the story’s core concepts. However, upon closer inspection, the world feels somewhat limited. While the setup offers a lot of potential – suggesting conflicts between hunter guilds and a hidden reason for the gates’ existence – it doesn’t fully deliver on that promise.

Sadly, after two seasons, the series hasn’t delved much into these interesting aspects. This leaves the anime with two possibilities: a very gradual unfolding of mysteries, or a world that remains largely undeveloped. The story concentrates so heavily on Jinwoo’s personal battles that everything else feels secondary, making the series’ grand scope more of an idea than a reality.

Female Characters Get Even Less Development Than Viewers Remember

Many popular action anime, known as shonen, have a habit of introducing characters who seem important at first but then fade into the background. Solo Leveling falls into this pattern. For example, the hunter Lee Joo-hee is presented early on, leading viewers to think she’ll play a significant role or even become a love interest, but she quickly disappears. Similarly, Jinwoo’s sister, Jin-ah, is introduced early, but instead of being a meaningful part of his story or reminding him of his humanity, she ends up as a minor, almost forgotten character.

The hunter Cha Hae-in appears later in the story, but unfortunately, she follows the same pattern. We get a glimpse of her past, but she mostly seems preoccupied with Jinwoo. After two seasons, it’s disappointing that *Solo Leveling* still hasn’t given us a single truly memorable female character.

The Power Creep Overshadows Solo Leveling’s Story

Looking back at *Solo Leveling*, it’s hard to ignore the way the characters get increasingly powerful – a common trend in shonen anime, and this series is no different. The ‘System’ was meant to make the main character, Jinwoo, grow stronger at a reasonable pace. However, his power-ups actually feel quite uneven. Early on, his training involves simple exercises like sit-ups and running.

The early episodes suggest Jinwoo’s growth will be slow and believable. However, he quickly becomes one of the world’s most powerful hunters—within just two seasons. This rapid change feels abrupt, making his journey less satisfying upon repeated viewings. While the action remains engaging, the increasingly extreme power gains are noticeable.

The Stakes Vanish Once Jinwoo Becomes Too Strong

A common problem with shonen anime, like *Solo Leveling*, is that as characters get stronger, the stories lose their suspense. The thrill of watching these shows comes from the feeling that the characters are in real danger, with monsters and challenging situations posing a genuine threat of failure or even death. But when a character like Jinwoo becomes overwhelmingly powerful, those fights lose their impact because the stakes no longer feel high.

The story has become predictable now that Jinwoo is so powerful. Because he usually wins every fight, there’s little tension or excitement. While external challenges could still create conflict, it’s become clear upon revisiting the series that Jinwoo overcame any meaningful threats a long time ago.

Some Fights Are More Flash Than Substance

Okay, let’s be real – the action in *Solo Leveling* is what *everyone* is here for, and honestly, they still look amazing even after you’ve seen them a few times! But, after a while, I started noticing something… a lot of the fights follow pretty much the same pattern. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does mean they sometimes lack that extra something to really make them stand out. It’s like, the spectacle is there, but the *meaning* behind the fights isn’t always as strong as it could be.

The story often features characters facing impossible challenges, where the enemy believes victory is assured. Just when it seems hopeless, Jinwoo appears with newly learned abilities and turns the tide. While the fight scenes are visually stunning, they lack substance. Many of the boss battles feel repetitive and forgettable, and without compelling stakes or unique enemies, the series relies almost entirely on its impressive visuals.

2025-10-15 03:43