Review

What a pleasure to see this anime again. I devoured the novels multiple times this year, they’ve even made my best books of the year list. I’ve been waiting for season 2 to premiere and even took myself to the theaters for the pre-release movie Solo Leveling: Reawakening, so I’ve technically seen the first two episodes. I wasn’t expecting any surprises – but even on a rewatch, I found myself appreciating new details and basking in the immersive world of hunters, gates, and Jin-woo’s ever-evolving power.

Season 2 begins with a strong focus on relationships and responsibility, giving us a moment to reflect on Jin-woo’s staggering transformation. He looks suave and confident yet not quite aware of it. The parent-teacher conference is a nice reminder of Jin-woo’s protective side as he immediately shuts down the idea of Jin-ah becoming a hunter. His concern for her future pairs beautifully with the following scenes where in an effort to convince Han Song-yi, an E-rank hunter from his sister’s school, against fully committing to becoming a hunter by tacking her to High level raid.

These quieter, character-driven moments are what make Jin-woo such a compelling protagonist. He’s always trying to protect those around him while navigating his own goals of becoming stronger. It gives a nice emotional core of the story. The action quickly ramps up though with Jin-woo’s impromptu training raid. The comedic timing of the gate’s sudden shift to a more dangerous red one was brilliant to see realize here, giving the episode a much-needed dose of levity before the stakes climbed.

This season’s opening sequence deserves special mention—it’s a visual treat that teases some of the incredible battles to come. Having read the novel, I spotted some familiar moments, but there’s one fight I didn’t recognize that already has me hyped for the twists this season might bring. The production quality remains impeccable, with top-tier animation, sound design, and music combining to deliver a cinematic experience.

That said, one design choice is not my favorite – Jin-woo’s shadow, I like the smoky look of the shadow soldiers, but not the fact that hos shadow is also smoky before releasing them. It’s nitpicky I know but it seemed more like floating gas than shadows. While this might be a serviceable stylistic choice, to avoid comparison with other anime characters like Shikamaru in Naruto, it lacks the eerie weight of the shadows.

For a fan of Solo Leveling like me, there’s nothing more thrilling than seeing Jin-woo’s loyal shadow soldier, Igris, back in action. His fluid movements and fighting style are just as captivating as it was in the finale last season. And while I know the story beats from the source material, the anime adaptation still manages to keep me on the edge of my seat. That’s a testament to how well the sound effects, music, and visuals elevate the storytelling.

Season 2’s premiere episode balances character-driven storytelling, a bit of humor, and epic action with finesse. It reintroduces us to Jin-woo’s world while hinting at even bigger battles and challenges ahead. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, this episode delivers the same electrifying energy that made Solo Leveling a global hit.

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