Solo Leveling Episodes 1 and 2 Review

A-1 Pictures for me have a very hit-and-miss track record. Erased is incredible and I adore that show. On the other they made Sword Art Online which has plot elements that disgust me. While their difference in quality could be linked to the initial source material, I have never connected with their animation style. So, heading into Solo Leveling I was very trepidatious.

Solo Leveling is based on a South Korean web novel, the plot we get in the first 2 episodes is that in this world there are hunters who are given levels based on their abilities and must defend the world from creatures that spawn in dungeons, our lead is a weak hunter who is struggling to make ends meet and look after his sick mother and sister. When the show started, I felt the anime started on the wrong foot for me. The show looks very generic as an urban fantasy, and nothing truly stands out as looking incredible. During the dungeon that makes up the majority of the first and the entire second episode, I was just never sold on the animation style. What saved the show for me was the story. The story while not an Isekai (Which is an anime where the main character is transported to another world in some form) has elements that remind me of that genre and compared to others in the genre I was more on board with the story presented. While it starts slow by the end of episode 2 I wanted more. Without spoiling the end of episode 2, the plot was heading in a direction that just clicked with me and I was nothing but shocked that it stuck with that direction.

One thing I will say the show is incredibly brutal. The show is incredibly violent and I legit gasped when a character died in the dungeon as I felt they would cut away from the gore or they would censor it in some way but I’m glad it was not. I thought the voice cast was truly excellent. I listened to the Japanese audio track, and I thought everyone did a great job. Taito Ban as the lead Sung Jinwoo is a true standout and elevates the material to make his character sympathetic and someone you want to root for. Like I mentioned early by the end of episode 2 I did want more, and I cannot wait for the rest of the show to air so I can see where this narrative goes.