An Exhilarating Blood-soaked Spectacle: Solo Leveling Review

Is Solo Leveling poised to become the biggest anime of the decade? Judging by the preview, we certainly believe so.

On December 13, 2023, some fortunate Solo Leveling fans were treated to an early Christmas present with a special screening of the first two episodes in London's Leicester Square.

Get ready for an action-packed review of Solo Leveling, as it hits the Crunchyroll stage on January 6, 2024. With a full house, high anticipation, and material that exceeds expectations, this debut is not to be missed.

An exclusive insight into Solo Leveling’s production

The stage set, the lights dimmed, and after an hour delay from the official start time, Solo Leveling transported a select few in London’s Leicester Square into its world.

The producer kicked off the screening with an exclusive pre-recorded talk, detailing the efforts made to ensure the anime did justice to its source material and discussing the creative choices made in portraying the main character Jin-woo. These choices will become evident as you watch the series, especially as you pay attention to his clothes, hair, and facial expressions as the story unfolds.

Some were worried about the series' pacing, but with a slight alteration to the order of certain scenes, viewers will gain a deeper insight into the characters. Fans can now relax, assured that they will be treated to a well-developed, less-rushed viewing experience.

Solo Leveling: An almost spoiler free review

Contrary to the source material, Solo Leveling episode one starts off with a bang in the form of a flashback to Jeju Island three years prior to the events of the series.

You will witness a team of hunters battling monstrous ants and be introduced to the world of Solo Leveling. Even if you're not familiar with the source material, you'll still be able to follow along without any difficulty.

After that, the story takes us to a city resembling Seoul, where we follow the plot of the webtoon. We are introduced to Jin-woo's raid party, which includes Go Gun-hee, Cha Hae-in, and Yoo Jin-ho. What comes next is an exciting and intense display of action and gore that keeps us on the edge of our seats as we eagerly await to see who will survive the Cartenon Temple (unless you've already seen it).

The stakes are at their peak, with the raiding party consisting of individuals who all have loved ones depending on them. Nobody wishes for their demise, not even Jin-woo, who we learn has a compelling reason for choosing to become a hunter despite his E-rank.

We are captivated as he cleverly battles a formidable opponent like never before, teetering on the brink of survival. However, he is ultimately faced with a gut-wrenching decision. And just when it seems he may have a chance, a surprising twist leaves us hanging as Episode 2 concludes, right before the end of webtoon chapter 10.

The animation may not be exceptional, but it is still good. Those expecting something on the level of Demon Slayer may be disappointed. Hiroyuki Sawano's music score in Attack On Titan's first two episodes also did not stand out, but this is what the series needed. The storyline and characters carry the story, making for an exciting introduction to what could be the biggest series of the decade. Are you ready to dive in?

See our other anime coverage below:

Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of Solo Leveling, I was thrilled to attend the early screening of the first two episodes in London's Leicester Square. The atmosphere was electric, with fans eagerly anticipating the adaptation of this beloved webtoon. The producers' dedication to staying true to the source material was evident, and the creative choices they made in portraying Jin-woo were spot-on. The slight alteration to the order of certain scenes in the first episode provided a deeper insight into the characters, addressing concerns about the pacing of the series.

The action sequences were nothing short of breathtaking, with the gore and intensity keeping us on the edge of our seats. The animation, while not exceptional, was still solid, and the music score effectively complemented the storyline. The characters were well-developed and relatable, making for an engaging and immersive viewing experience. Overall, Solo Leveling has the potential to become one of the biggest anime of the decade, and I can't wait to see how the rest of the series unfolds.