An unexpected twist on the anime’s first chapters, Solo Leveling has divided fans over the tone of the series.
From the Shadows of Controversy Rises the Light of Success: The fifth installment of Solo Leveling’s anime adaptation has taken the hearts of fans by storm, both Mahwah veterans and newcomers to this hunt monsters and unexpected heroes. Timothy Donohoe’s recent analysis has highlighted the factors that created divisions among viewers, making this chapter a hotly debated topic.
The series, up until the fourth installment, had accustomed us to a predictable narrative and character development, but it was in the fifth that everything changed. Sung Jinwoo, the weakest hunter known up to that time, underwent a radical change not only physically, but also in his personality. His design is noticeably different: a more prominent jawline, belly-shaped body, changes in his hair, and a deeper voice.
This sudden change has led many to imagine a dramatic jump in time, something that has not been fully embraced by fans. The change in Jinwoo’s personality, from an insecure character to a completely confident one, is shocking to the audience.
The sense of humor is lost
One of the most unique aspects of the Solo Leveling manhwa is its humor, especially the “chibi” comic scenes that add to the tension of the narrative. Series director Shunsuke Nakashige’s decision to leave out these moments in order to maintain a more serious tone has drawn mixed opinions. On the one hand, the intention to keep the anime more closely aligned with the dark tones of the original light novels is understandable, but on the other hand, the lightheartedness that these comics brought to Manhwa is lost.
The fifth episode is marked by a slowdown in pace compared to the pace at which the previous episodes developed. This change of pace, with a focus on secondary characters and world-building, was considered saturation by the community. Although it was necessary to deepen the plot, it did not bring the desired balance between action and story development, creating a fragmented experience for the audience.
A phenomenon that defies statistics
Despite the criticism, the series has proven to hold onto its viewers, with only a 1% churn rate according to MyAnimeList, the world’s largest anime database. This fact reflects Solo Leveling’s ability to keep audiences engaged, even with controversial decisions in direction and script.
Controversy over the fifth grade of Solo did not stop his success. When a second season was announced to double the number of episodes, the series was positioned as a titan in the anime universe. This episode, with all its twists and turns, can be seen in retrospect as a defining moment in the series’ run. The question that remains is whether the future direction will take fan feedback into account in order to better balance the elements that make manhwa and light novels great without losing the content that captivated the global audience.
Sung Jinwoo’s saga is a journey of emotional and narrative highs and lows, challenging both the characters and the audience. With a future full of hope and possible redemption, Solo Leveling continues to be one of the most exciting and controversial stories, keeping fans on edge and eager for more.