5 Great Changes Solo Leveling's Anime Makes To the Webtoon (and 5 We Hate)

Solo Leveling'sanime adaptation is one of the most popular animes in modern pop culture. It has successfully captured the essence of the webtoon, with fluid animation, exciting voice acting, and stunning visuals. However, as with most adaptations, the anime takes some creative liberties. While some changes work in favor of the series, others may leave fans of the original manhwa feeling disappointed.

Solo Leveling's anime has significantly changed some of the elements from the webtoon, often to make the viewing experience better for anime-only viewers. These changes range from altering character introductions to tweaking emotional moments. Some of these modifications are subtle, while others stand out more. The result is a mix of both positives and drawbacks.

10 The Anime Introduces Important Side Characters Earlier

Solo Leveling's Anime Puts More Focus on Key Side Characters

The anime does an excellent job of introducing important side characters earlier in the series. In the webtoon, many of these characters, like Choi Jongin and Go Gunhee, are introduced later in the story. However, the anime gives them much-needed screen time in the early arcs. By doing so, the anime builds their characters more organically, making them more recognizable and impactful as the series progresses. This is especially beneficial for new viewers who may not be familiar with the full webtoon.

Additionally, in the manhwa, Kang Taeshik was not introduced until later in the plot. In contrast, the anime introduces him in episode three, during a hospital visit to Jinwoo. This subtle change works in the anime's favor, allowing viewers to form an emotional connection with the character much earlier in the story.

9 Jinwoo Levels Up In a More Humanized Manner in the Anime

Jinwoo’s Struggles with Humanity Are More Relatable

In both the manhwa and anime, Jinwoo's transformation is key to the story. However, the anime places a stronger emphasis on the psychological effects of his evolution. In the webtoon, Jinwoo’s humanity is often overshadowed by his growing strength. The anime takes a more subtle approach, showing how he grapples with the darker aspects of his transformation.

One notable change is the way Jinwoo reacts to the human lives he is forced to take. The anime shows him grappling with remorse, adding depth to his character. This shift in focus presents a more relatable and grounded version of Jinwoo. While some fans may miss the darker, anti-hero vibes of the webtoon, the anime’s approach humanizes the character and makes his journey more relatable to viewers.

8 The Solo Leveling Anime's Voice Actors Bring The Characters To Life Like Never Before

Voice Acting Makes Jinwoo and Many Other Characters Feel More Real

One of the biggest, and most obvious, advantages of the anime adaptation is the voice acting. Through the work of voice actors, the characters come to life in new ways. For instance, Jinwoo's inner conflict over his actions is made more dramatic through Aleks Le’s vocal performance. The subtle quiver in his voice during intense moments adds a layer of emotional depth that the webtoon could not achieve.

This is true of the Japanese voice acting also, particularly Taito Ban’s portrayal of Jinwoo, which delivers a deep sense of desperation and urgency. These vocal performances transform the characters, making their emotional struggles more palpable. In addition, some lines of dialogue were rewritten for the anime, making them feel more natural in the English version, further enhancing the experience for viewers.

7 Solo Leveling's Anime Has New Outfits and Character Designs

Casual Outfits and Fresh Looks for the Iconic Manhwa Characters

The anime also gives characters new looks that deviate slightly from the original webtoon designs. These small changes to their appearances offer a fresh perspective on familiar characters. For example, Cha Haein, a beloved character in the series, is shown in casual attire and even workout clothes, allowing fans to see a side of her that was previously unexplored in the webtoon.

These design changes, though subtle, add an extra layer of depth to the characters. While the changes may sometimes come off as fan service, especially in the case of Haein, they offer fans a more realistic view of their favorite characters. They are no longer just hunters, but fully realized individuals with lives outside their roles in the guild.

6 Solo Leveling's Anime Has Many Manhwa Easter Eggs

Hidden Details for Hardcore Solo Leveling Webtoon Fans

Easter eggs and nods to the original manhwa are a fun and new aspect of the anime adaptation. These hidden gems give longtime fans something to look forward to. In the first episode of season one, eagle-eyed viewers can spot Han Songyi in the background of the Hunter’s Association. Similarly, characters like Kim Chul and Min Byunggu make brief cameos in the first season, much to the delight of fans familiar with the webtoon.

Additionally, the anime's opening theme includes subtle hints at future character arcs. For example, season two's OP alludes to Esil, an important side character, setting up exciting developments down the line. These Easter eggs show that the anime creators are aware of the fanbase and have incorporated elements that will please both new viewers and long-time readers.

5 Sung Il Hwan’s Characterization is Altered in the Solo Leveling Anime

He Is Mysterious in Both Versions, But More Dangerous In The Anime

While Sung Il Hwan is a mysterious character in both the manhwa and the anime, the latter offers a slightly different take on his character. In the anime adaptation, Sung Il Hwan’s threat to Hwan Dongsoo is more direct, making him appear as a more menacing figure. The original dialogue in the manhwa, which hinted at future developments with Dongsoo's transformation into a shadow soldier, is cut from the anime.

This change was likely made to preserve the mystery around Sung Il Hwan and his true nature. However, while this adjustment adds an element of suspense, it does leave out important foreshadowing for fans of the webtoon. The anime opts for a more dramatic presentation of Il Hwan's power, possibly to heighten the tension and leave the mysteries for later revelations.

4 The Anime Skips Key Scenes That Reveal Sung Il Hwan’s True Nature

Solo Leveling's Anime is Building the Mystery Around Jinwoo’s Father

Another noticeable change in the Solo Leveling anime is the omission of scenes that further develop Sung Il Hwan's character. For example, in the webtoon, there is an important moment where the Deputy Director of the American Bureau questions Sung Il Hwan’s true intentions after witnessing him rescue civilians. This moment is important for understanding Il Hwan’s motivations, but the anime skips it altogether.

By leaving out these scenes, the anime keeps Sung Il Hwan’s character shrouded in mystery. While this preserves some intrigue, it also deprives the audience of key information about his dual nature, which plays a big role in later parts of the series. The anime’s decision to cut this content may have been made to maintain suspense, but it reduces the richness of the character’s development.

3 The Anime Cuts Foreshadowing of Future Strongest Hunters

Solo Leveling is Keeping the Most Powerful Hunters a Mystery

The anime's pacing also results in it cutting out some important foreshadowing. One example is the subtle hint at the existence of hunters stronger than S-Rank. In the manhwa, Chairman Go Gunhee alludes to the possibility of "SS" or "SSS" Rank hunters, hinting at even greater power levels within the world of Solo Leveling.

This pivotal detail is cut from the anime, potentially to build up to it in a more dramatic way later on. While it is understandable from a narrative perspective, it is a missed opportunity for fans to get a clearer sense of the power dynamics in the world of Solo Leveling. The absence of this foreshadowing lessens the excitement for future arcs, especially when the "National Level Hunters" are finally introduced.

2 The Anime Alters the Depiction of S-Rank Hunters' Power Levels

Solo Leveling's Anime is Unveiling the True Strength of S-Rank Hunters

In addition to cutting out some important foreshadowing, the anime also cuts out an important scene where Jinwoo assesses the power levels of other S-Rank hunters. In the manhwa, it is revealed that there is a massive gap in power among hunters, even within the same rank. Jinwoo himself, being the weakest E-Rank initially, realizes that some S-Rank hunters are much stronger than others.

This scene is skipped in the anime, leaving viewers without a better understanding of the power hierarchy. This change might have been made for pacing reasons, but it removes an important aspect of the world-building that helps to highlight the vast potential for Jinwoo’s future growth. It also limits the anime’s ability to hint at upcoming powerful characters who will play important roles later.

1 The Anime Has Already Skipped Details About the Jeju Island Arc

Solo Leveling's Anime Changes How the Jeju Island Arc Was Introduced

The Solo Leveling anime has also changed how the Jeju Island arc is introduced. While the manhwa dives into the cultural and political problems surrounding the raid, the anime avoids naming specific countries or diving into these details. This change likely stems from controversies surrounding certain characters’ nationalities in the webtoon.

By removing these references, the anime avoids potentially contentious topics but also weakens the depth of the world-building.Solo Leveling fans who were looking forward to the rich political context of the Jeju Island raid might feel disappointed by this change because it leaves out important discussions about international relations and the complexities of the world Jinwoo inhabits.

Source: cbr.com