10 Solo Leveling Criticisms Even Die-Hard Fans Agree With

From where I stand, it’s clear that the success of this production has stirred quite a mix of opinions. Some have gone as far as labeling it as just an average reinterpretation. Yet, it’s hard to ignore the buzz surrounding the tale and the stunning animation that has left viewers awestruck with an abundance of captivating fight sequences.

Regrettably, fans find themselves expressing a sense of disappointment, suggesting that perhaps Solo Leveling reached its pinnacle too soon, and since Season 1, the imperfections and fissures in its plot have become increasingly apparent.

It appears that the anime show appears to heavily rely on the trope of the ‘Overpoweringly Strong Main Character’, causing other aspects like female characters and villains to seem less significant in comparison to Sung Jinwoo’s abilities. This concern has led some viewers to worry that Solo Leveling may follow the same pattern as many other series, leaving fans potentially dissatisfied if the anime doesn’t tackle this criticism as the excitement wanes.

It Feels Misdirected and Half-Heartedly Inserted In The Plot

In the series “Solo Leveling”, while romance isn’t the primary focus, it plays a significant role. However, up until Season 2, there’s minimal romantic chemistry between Jinwoo and Hae-In. She essentially functions as any other supporting character, admiring Jinwoo’s accomplishments. It would be more satisfying for the potential relationship between them if they were given opportunities to express their emotions towards each other.

I can’t help but feel disappointed because the romantic plot seems to overshadow Hae-In’s character, making her more of a prop to emphasize Sung Jinwoo’s qualities. A more balanced approach, like the one often seen in top-tier shonen anime such as Naruto and Dragon Ball Z, could have been used to weave romance into the story without diminishing Hae-In’s significance. In these series, there’s plenty of action, but when it comes to love stories, they are skillfully integrated to enhance the overall narrative rather than overshadowing it.

Most Of Sung Jinwoo’s Battles Conclude Before The Credits Roll

In those times, extended high-stakes conflicts, frequently stretching across multiple episodes, were common, offering viewers the delight of witnessing the villain receiving their just desserts. Each arc, twist, and turn culminated in significant confrontations that played a vital role in the protagonist’s development. However, unlike other instances, each battle Sung Jinwoo was involved in never extended beyond a solitary episode, despite his growth being a key aspect of the storyline.

In a single installment, the highly anticipated clash between him and the Ant King unfolded, leaving viewers yearning for more. However, these battles hold minimal emotional resonance due to their overwhelmingly one-sided and predictable nature. Critics argue that the absence of challenge faced by Sung Jinwoo results in a monotonous and uninteresting resolution.

Viewers Even Felt Beru Was A Level Down Compared To Sung Jinwoo’s Aura

In any anime, Sung Jinwoo can conquer any monsters, hunters, leaders, or kings without breaking a sweat, but this trend is temporary. The quality of an anime isn’t solely determined by its storyline or hero, but also by its antagonist. Villains aren’t just tools to inspire the hero; they offer contrasting viewpoints, heighten tension, and keep the protagonist on edge. In some cases, a villain’s backstory can be so compelling that it overshadows the main character.

It seems that in the series Solo Leveling, adversaries appear threatening mainly when they confront other hunters, rather than presenting a significant challenge for the protagonist, Sung Jinwoo. This lack of depth or exploration in antagonists has resulted in less tension, which leaves viewers feeling somewhat discontented. The hope is that future episodes will address this balance issue and offer more engaging conflicts for the audience.

Fans Always Know How It’s Going To End

The allure of an underdog transforming into a force to be reckoned with is unmistakable, given that it’s incredibly engaging for the audience to witness a protagonist facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. Initially, Sung Jinwoo’s trials in Solo Leveling resonated with viewers and ignited a strong desire for his success. Unfortunately, his narrative has lost some of its luster as it’s progressed, becoming more monotonous and lacking depth. Each conflict began to feel repetitive, leading to a predictable resolution.

Sung Jinwoo’s character, while not unique in terms of having overpowered abilities, has led to the repetition of a familiar narrative. The initial excitement has worn off due to the absence of tension and conflict. Fans find it hard to connect with Sung Jinwoo beyond admiring his extraordinary powers, which seem destined to grow even stronger as he confronts more adversaries.

Their Growth Is Almost Non-Existent

One common complaint among fans of Solo Leveling is the lackluster growth of its side characters following Sung Jinwoo’s power surge. Since then, other hunters have essentially disappeared from the narrative as if they had no significance, leaving characters like Lee JooHee without a chance to develop or showcase their potential. Moreover, high-tier hunters who were once regarded as the pinnacle of strength and ability have been relegated to lower ranks in every encounter where Sung Jinwoo ultimately comes to the rescue.

Many characters in past stories, like Goku, Naruto, Satoru Gojo, Saitama, and others, have been incredibly powerful. Yet, none of these characters operate alone; they always have a strong supporting cast to assist them, even if they don’t always save the day. Sadly, the series Solo Leveling has fallen short in this aspect, and even ardent fans can’t help but acknowledge it.

It Has Become Increasingly Difficult To Relate To Him

Initially, prior to meeting the System, Sung Jinwoo possessed an endearing innocence, and fans could relate to his hardships. But once he gained power, Sung Jinwoo started appearing detached and cold. It’s like the anime intentionally stripped away the emotional depth that his character development had built up, focusing instead on increasing his power and strength. Granted, this is the core concept of the series, but it unfortunately flattens Sung Jinwoo into a single-layered character.

In Season 2, it felt challenging for me to empathize with Sung Jinwoo beyond the moment when he showed genuine emotion upon his mother’s recovery from her coma. His character appears devoid of emotional depth and sensitivity, leaving his personal growth unexplored. The audience yearned to see a more relatable side of Sung Jinwoo, someone who overcame obstacles rather than just an invincible hero named Jinwoo.

Solo Leveling Is Great, But A Monotonous Plot Could Be Damaging

Experienced viewers might concur that although Solo Leveling is enjoyable, it seems quite familiar as its narrative structure has been used numerous times. However, the repetitiveness isn’t because of a formulaic plotline, but rather, the story tends to follow a consistent, foreseeable sequence. The hunters come across a powerful adversary; Sung Jinwoo steps in, defeats them, gains power, and the cycle continues.

Fans are always on the lookout for something unexpected in Sung Jinwoo’s battles, a moment where he might be outsmarted, but such moments never materialize, leaving them feeling bored instead. The storyline lacks the excitement or tension that usually keeps viewers hooked. Instead of offering surprises or deviations, it seems to follow a predictable pattern where Sung Jinwoo always steps in to resolve the situation, leaving little room for suspense.

Solo Leveling Has Refrained From Being Too Dark

In the comic “Solo Leveling”, the character Jinwoo Sung is suggested to be a type of anti-hero, known for his complex personality and actions that raise moral concerns, primarily due to his use of the System for self-protection. However, unlike the manhwa, the anime has chosen not to delve deeply into his internal struggles, instead opting to soften his image. This approach in the anime significantly reduces the opportunity for Jinwoo’s character development because it avoids portraying his darker aspects altogether.

In a way that seems somewhat cautious, the anime appears reluctant to intensify its storyline to prevent Sung Jinwoo from appearing too unsympathetic. Additionally, viewers have voiced concerns about the anime’s handling of the manhwa’s nationalist undertone. The anime has also made changes and adjusted viewpoints when depicting Japanese hunters, choosing not to portray them as adversaries, unlike in the manhwa, to avoid potential offense towards Japanese audiences.

Fans Felt That The Anime Could Have Benefitted From Having More Episodes

Experienced viewers find that the series Solo Leveling seemed to be hurriedly produced despite its deep backstory. With two seasons completed, there remain numerous unresolved questions, particularly concerning the origins of the gates and the creatures within them. It’s logical to assume that the anime was laying groundwork for the introduction of the Monarchs, but without providing essential context, it may feel hurried and artificial when these topics are fully revealed.

In the manhwa, the Jeju Island Arc stands out as crucial, yet it was wrapped up in just five episodes in the series. This left fans disappointed because the pace seemed too fast, and it failed to create the necessary tension. Additionally, when Sung Jinwoo defeats Baran in the Demon Castle Arc, the anime neglects to provide any background on why this particular monster is so powerful or holds the title of Monarch.

Solo Leveling Has Failed To Tap Into Cha Hae-In’s Potential

Initially, Hae-In was established as a powerful figure and someone to fear, but fans only got brief glimpses of her abilities, mainly during the Jeju Island Arc. Unfortunately, this one encounter with Beru nearly killed her, which makes it confusing why she was presented as a renowned ‘Dancer’ or Korea’s top S-Rank hunter, given that she didn’t contribute much to the storyline in that particular area.

Apart from minimal development, Hae-In seems one-dimensional and lacks emotional depth in both her individual character arc and as a romantic interest. This leaves fans disenchanted, as they had hoped the anime adaptation would breathe life into her. Despite this, Jinah outshines Hae-In in terms of screen presence, with the latter often serving more as visual appeal than a fully fleshed-out character.

2025-07-06 01:54