On Wednesday, December 20, 2032, Crunchyroll, the leading anime streaming platform, hosted an exclusive Hindi Dub screening of the Solo Leveling anime in India. Actor Ali Fazal graced the premiere and shared his insights on the series and the potential impact of anime on Indian media.
In its efforts to expand its presence in India, Crunchyroll has been actively working to bring more anime content to the Indian market. The company has already released Hindi Dubs for popular titles like Jujutsu Kaisen and is now gearing up to provide Hindi dubs for six upcoming anime in the Winter 2024 anime season, including MASHLE: Magic and Muscles season 2 and BUCCHIGIRI?!.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling anime.
Ali Fazal gives his input on Solo Leveling anime and his views on the industry
The Solo Leveling premiere in Mumbai saw the presence of Ali Fazal (Image via Crunchyroll)
Crunchyroll India hosted a special fan premiere of the Solo Leveling anime with Hindi dub on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. The event was a huge success with over 220 fans in attendance.
During the premiere, Indian actor and producer Ali Fazal participated in a conversation with Indian author and journalist Anupama Chopra. Fazal took the opportunity to express his thoughts on the anime.
Ali Fazal dubbing Song Chiyul in Solo Leveling (Image via Crunchyroll)
During the premiere, Ali Fazal expressed his gratitude for the chance to work on the Hindi dub for Solo Leveling, stating that he feels "very fortunate." He also expressed his ambition to form stronger ties with the world of anime, particularly in the areas of artistic creation and the exploration of various aspects of our world.
He expressed how initially facing a challenge in preparing for a Hindi Dub role turned into an overwhelming source of excitement. He emphasized the importance of delving into the character's backstory to truly understand the nuances of the role and determine the appropriate voice texture. This was particularly crucial for his portrayal of Song Chiyul, a senior character.
Ali Fazal with anime fans at the premiere (Image via Crunchyroll)
The actor found it to be a unique experience that sparked his curiosity and drove him to further explore the craft. He expressed that working with Crunchyroll and immersing himself in the world of anime was exhilarating and new for him.
Regarding the story, Ali Fazal believed that Solo Leveling anime had a compelling narrative, particularly the underdog story of the protagonist Sung Jinwoo, known as "the weakest Hunter." He also appreciated the uniqueness of the anime's universe compared to other forms of live-action art.
Actor Ali Fazal lends his voice to the character Song Chiyul in the highly-anticipated Solo Leveling anime (Image via Crunchyroll). In a recent interview, Fazal expressed his admiration for Hayao Miyazaki's films, particularly Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. He also expressed his excitement at the opportunity to be part of the Solo Leveling anime, despite not having read the manhwa, as he recognized its widespread popularity and did not want to miss out.
Solo Leveling screening saw Sung Jinwoo get selected as the Player of the System
The actor further acknowledged the vast potential of anime in India, citing the country's rank as the fourth-largest audience in the world. This presented a significant opportunity for Indian creators to develop their own anime or draw inspiration to create similar animations.
Sung Jinwoo portrayed in Solo Leveling (Image via A-1 Pictures)
The premiere of the Solo Leveling anime featured the first two episodes, providing fans with insight into the anime's world and the mindset of the main character, Sung Jinwoo.
Sung Jinwoo, portrayed as the weakest Hunter, diligently worked to support his mother's medical expenses and his sister's education, driven by his desperate need to make a living. It was this very motivation that led him to decisively vote to enter the Double Dungeon under the guidance of Song Chiyul.
Sung Jinwoo as seen in Solo Leveling anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)
Their decision to enter the room turned out to be a critical error, as they found themselves trapped with strict rules to follow. While obeying the rules might have led to their escape, the hunter chose to stay behind to help others flee, resulting in his brutal demise at the hands of the dungeon's statues. Soon after, a new narrative unfolded before him.
The animation and dubbing quality were top-notch
Cha Hae-In as seen in Solo Leveling trailer (Image via A-1 Pictures)
A-1 Pictures delivered exceptional animation quality for the Solo Leveling anime, particularly in the character movements. Cha Hae-In's debut scene, where she stops a robbery and escapes the crime scene, was a clear demonstration of this. The series' brutality was also effectively portrayed, with burns and dismemberment depicted in a gruesome manner. Additionally, the animation of the statues was hauntingly well-done, leaving fans at the venue feeling scared.
The image above portrays Sung Jinwoo in the Solo Leveling anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)
In terms of the Hindi Dub, despite potential reservations from anime fans, the dubbing was actually quite impressive. Unlike in the Hindi Dub of Jujutsu Kaisen, where certain words and phrases were awkwardly translated into Hindi, the quality was much better in this instance.
The Solo Leveling anime dub was notably better than its predecessor, retaining key elements that allowed fans to fully engage with the series. One potential drawback of the Hindi Dub, however, was the pronunciation of character names. To address this, the Japanese team had altered the names, and the Hindi Dub team could have considered doing the same or using the Japanese versions of certain character names for the Hindi version.
Final thoughts on Solo Leveling anime Hindi Dub premiere
Maison PVR, venue for Solo Leveling premiere (Image via Our Website)
Crunchyroll India appears to have a strong grasp on their newly added collection of Hindi-dubbed anime. Not only have they created a Hindi dub for the much-anticipated series Solo Leveling, but they are also planning to release it alongside the global premiere. With their efforts to grow in the Indian market, the company predicts that India could potentially become the second-largest audience for anime. This suggests that fans have much to anticipate beyond the debut of the Solo Leveling anime.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I'm thrilled about the Solo Leveling anime exceeding all expectations and becoming a must-watch sensation. The exclusive Hindi Dub screening in India, with Ali Fazal's praise for the animation and dubbing quality, adds to the excitement. Sung Jinwoo's selection as Player of the System further enhances the anticipation. I can't wait to immerse myself in this thrilling premiere and experience the captivating world of Solo Leveling.
Ali Fazal's involvement in the Hindi dubbing of Solo Leveling is particularly exciting. His passion for anime and his dedication to understanding the nuances of the characters he portrays demonstrate his commitment to the craft. His insights into the process of preparing for a Hindi Dub role and his appreciation for the uniqueness of the anime universe resonate with me as a Gen Z netizen who values authenticity and creativity in storytelling.