Like Demon Slayer, Solo Leveling anime promises an epic journey

The anime Solo Leveling, based on the popular South Korean manhwa, has generated a lot of excitement among fans due to the upcoming adaptation by A-1 Pictures. The high-quality animation showcased in the trailers indicates that this project has the potential to be very entertaining. However, some fans have noticed the similarities to the approach taken in the Demon Slayer adaptation, prioritizing stunning visuals over storytelling. This has sparked a lively debate in the anime community.

The approach A-1 Pictures seems to have for Solo Leveling could be similar to Ufotable's for Demon Slayer

When Solo Leveling was first released as a South Korean webcomic in 2018, it quickly gained popularity for its thrilling action and well-developed characters. However, with news of A-1 Pictures adapting the series, concerns have arisen about the potential lack of focus on the supporting cast, which could pose a significant issue.

Ufotable faced a similar challenge when adapting Koyoharu Gotouge's manga, Demon Slayer. The series is simple and straightforward, with noticeable problems that become more evident as people read it. As a result, many now argue that the success of the adaptation relies heavily on high-quality animation rather than strong storytelling and characterization.

It appears that Solo Leveling will take a similar approach, prioritizing dynamic action scenes and top-notch animation to make a powerful impact on the audience. If executed well, this strategy could yield impressive results. However, it also raises the question of whether storytelling or animation is more crucial, especially in light of situations such as the overworked MAPPA staff working on the second season of Jujutsu Kaisen.

The debate between animation quality and great storytelling

Solo Leveling has the potential to become a prime example of the ongoing discussion in the anime community regarding the balance between animation quality and storytelling. This debate was previously observed with Demon Slayer, which managed to achieve global success due to its outstanding adaptation by Ufotable, despite not being considered groundbreaking. On the other hand, series like Black Clover and Record of Ragnarok faced challenges in gaining popularity due to their lower quality animation, despite their well-crafted storytelling and intriguing plots. Despite Black Clover's recovery and increasing popularity, Record of Ragnarok failed to gain traction, despite its captivating premise of gods versus humans.

Final thoughts

Solo Leveling's release is scheduled for January 7, 2024, and if handled well, it has the potential to make a significant impression on the anime community. It's important to note, however, that this adaptation is expected to prioritize action and visual elements over storytelling, a choice that may divide audiences.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of both Demon Slayer and Solo Leveling, I am thrilled about the upcoming anime adaptation of Solo Leveling. The trailers have showcased stunning animation quality, and I am confident that A-1 Pictures will do justice to the original manhwa. However, I am also concerned about the potential lack of focus on the supporting cast, which was a crucial aspect of the manhwa's success.

I believe that Solo Leveling has the potential to become a prime example of the ongoing discussion in the anime community regarding the balance between animation quality and storytelling. While Demon Slayer achieved global success due to its outstanding animation, series like Black Clover and Record of Ragnarok faced challenges in gaining popularity due to their lower quality animation, despite their well-crafted storytelling. I hope that Solo Leveling will find a way to strike a balance between these two elements and deliver an adaptation that satisfies both fans of the original manhwa and newcomers to the series.