Unpacking Solo Leveling: Is Its Popularity Justified?

One of the biggest anime hits lately has been Solo Leveling. The show exploded in popularity, especially with Western fans who couldn’t get enough of the story, characters, and flashy action. But like with every popular show, some people have started to question whether Solo Leveling is actually as good as everyone says. So, what’s the truth? Let’s break it down.

What Is Solo Leveling All About?

Solo Leveling started as a Korean web novel, then became a manhwa (Korean comic), and finally got turned into an anime — and each version pulled in a huge fanbase. The story takes place in a world where mysterious gates open up and release monsters, and people called “hunters” have to go in and fight them. These dungeons are dangerous, but they also offer money and power to those strong enough to survive.

The main character, Sung Jinwoo, starts off as one of the weakest hunters, but things change fast. After a near-death experience, he gets access to something called the System—basically a game-like setup that helps him level up and grow stronger. Suddenly, he’s on his way to becoming one of the most powerful people in the world.

More topics about Solo Leveling at Collider.

Why People Love It

The anime looks great — really great. The animation, fight scenes, and overall vibe are exciting and super easy to binge. It’s also refreshing to see a main character who isn’t the typical cheerful, never-gives-up hero. Jinwoo is cold, serious, and sometimes even brutal — but that fits his world perfectly.

The concept is cool, too. It feels like an isekai (alternate world) story, but it takes place in the real world. There are no do-overs or infinite lives. If a character dies, they’re gone for good. That raises the stakes and makes the tension feel more real.

Why Some People Dislike Solo Leveling?  

As much as Solo Leveling has going for it, it’s far from flawless. One of the biggest complaints is that Jinwoo becomes too powerful too quickly. At a certain point, he’s so overpowered that his fights lose all suspense — we know he’s going to win. And when there’s no real threat, things can get a bit boring.

Another issue is how little attention the side characters get. The story pretty much revolves around Jinwoo, and everyone else just kind of exists in the background. That might work for a while, but it makes the world feel flat and less interesting over time.

Season 2: Some Improvements

To be fair, Season 2 does try to fix some of these problems. There's more focus on world-building and more effort to develop side characters a bit. It gives us a better look at the bigger picture beyond just Jinwoo's journey. But even with those changes, the pacing still feels uneven, and the overall plot doesn’t dive as deep as other anime out there.

Still, if you're into wild action scenes and cool power-ups, you'll probably have a blast. Solo Leveling knows how to deliver hype moments, and that’s a big part of why people keep watching.

Conclusion: The Hype Is Justified But Only Slightly

Honestly, I was super hyped to watch Solo Leveling. I saw people raving about it online, and my cousin (a big fan of the manhwa) kept telling me I had to check it out. So I gave it a shot — and while I could see why people liked it, it just didn’t click for me. It’s not that the show is bad, it just didn’t hold my attention. The story didn’t feel strong enough to keep me fully invested, and I found myself drifting away from it after a few episodes. Maybe I’m not the target audience, or maybe I just need more depth in my anime. Both can be true. Solo Leveling is super popular for a reason. It’s got flashy fights, a cool setup, and a main character that a lot of people really enjoy. But if you’re looking for a deep, layered story with a rich cast of characters, it might fall a little short.

It’s not on the same level as shows like One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, or Attack on Titan, but it’s still worth checking out if you want a fast-paced, action-packed ride. Just go in knowing what to expect.

More about this topic at Anime Corner.