The primary two episodes of Solo Leveling season 2 at the moment are streaming on Crunchyroll.
Very like the video video games it emulates, the anime collection Solo Leveling typically forces its protagonist to tediously grind away in an effort to acquire expertise and degree up – a present distinctive to Sung Jinwoo on this universe of invading monsters and the magical “hunters” who hold them at bay. However when that repetition is adopted by an enormous, hyper-intense, and superior combat, it justifies the entire thing. It is a present that’s virtually criticism-proof: Simply when it looks like Solo Leveling is losing the viewers’s time with a subplot that goes nowhere or with facet characters that threaten to steal our consideration away from Jinwoo’s feats of power, it throws a dozen visually beautiful, jaw-dropping issues on the display. There’s not a lot substance to Solo Leveling past its thrilling fights, however the starting of season 2 remains to be an exhilarating, fist-pump-worthy good time.
Because of the flashy animation of A-1 Photos and the rousing music of Hiroyuki Sawano, the already spectacular paintings of the unique Solo Leveling webtoon turns into a second-season premiere filled with severed limbs, smashed skulls, and buckets of blood. The primary season ended with Jinwoo buying a superpower that lets him resurrect lifeless enemies and add them to his military; the primary two episodes of season 2 are primarily all about testing out these necromancy expertise, with dozens of recent faces cowering in concern to promote us on Jinwoo’s elevated expertise. Is there extra to the premiere than the fights and the wish-fulfillment of a forgettable, weak dude changing into essentially the most overpowered man on the earth? Sure! And in addition, not likely.
These two episodes see Jinwoo proceed his journey towards antiheroism (and at occasions full-on villainy). They even increase some attention-grabbing questions concerning the corrupting nature of Jinwoo’s powers and make some hints that he’s changing into extra just like the monsters he fights within the dungeons. But all that’s rapidly brushed apart in favor of developments just like the arrival of vicious killer Hwang Dung-soo, who’s on the lookout for Jinwoo in an effort to avenge the dying of his brother. He’d be an intimidating presence if Solo Leveling had any sense of stakes, however everyone knows there’s zero probability of this man truly posing a risk to Jinwoo.
We additionally get extra of the White Tiger Guild chief’s curiosity in Jinwoo and whether or not or not he has reawakened, an attention-grabbing thriller with some probably large penalties for the bigger world of Solo Leveling. However that storyline is shifting at a snail’s tempo and it’s form of laborious to keep in mind that folks discovering Jinwoo’s stupidly large enhance in energy is supposed to be essential. And, after all, there’s the thriller of this system that enables Jinwoo to degree up, essentially the most compelling story of the present, however that’s one other pot that appears to be simmering within the background.
So there is extra to Solo Leveling than the motion, however within the early levels of season 2, the present appears bored with being attentive to something apart from Jinwoo’s accomplishments in fight. As soon as these storylines transfer alongside, maybe the anime will acquire some precise substance. However for now, it does not matter. The whole lot is secondary to the depth of the combat scenes and the super variety of “hell yeahs” they elicit.
And you realize what? It really works. This isn’t a present I look ahead to advanced characterizations, nuanced discussions of morality, intricate world-building, and even memorable characters. I sustain with Solo Leveling for a similar motive I watch players pull unbelievable acts of badassery in Elden Ring or play a sport utilizing each cheat code and mod out there. That is the place Solo Leveling turns into a distinctively thrilling viewing expertise.
