Warning: The following contains spoilers for Solo Leveling’s manhwa!!
Solo LevelingSeason 2 - Arise from the Shadow started strong and has become a true mass phenomenon, surpassing its previous installment. This season has everything to captivate viewers with exciting battles and stunning animation as the mysteries close in while Sung Jinwoo keeps leveling up in power. However, one of the major concerns of the viewers in this season, which is more fight-oriented, is the pacing, with many worrying about how many arcs will get adapted. Yet, what many manhwa readers are claiming is thatSolo LevelingSeason 2 must reach the Jeju Island Arc.
Still, many viewers have debated ifSolo LevelingSeason 2 is too ambitious to try to adapt beyond chapter #90 in only 13 episodes. Nonetheless,the anime has already confirmed whetherSolo LevelingSeason 2 will cover the Jeju Island Arcwith the release of its third episode.
Solo Leveling Season 2 Has the Perfect Pacing to Adapt the Jeju Island Arc Completely
The Anime Isn’t Afraid To Include Some Changes From the Manhwa
Solo LevelingSeason 1 adapted 45 chapters in only 12 episodes. This amounts to less than 4 chapters for every episode, which is the standard in anime adaptations of weekly serialized series. But in order to cover the Jeju Island Arc that ends in chapter #107,Solo LevelingSeason 2 would need a pace of 5 chapters adapted per episode. However, with the broadcast of episode 3, “Still a Long Way to Go,” the anime has confirmed its commitment to reach the Jeju Island Arc.
While the first two episodes of season 2 were previously released as part of the filmSolo LevelingReawekening, which revealed that the anime sticked to a high pace, adapting 10 chapters and finishing theRed Gate Arc,Solo LevelingSeason 2, episode 3 adapted the Demon Castle Arc completely, covering 6 chapters of the manhwa in only one episode. In order to follow this pace, the production team had to overlook some scenes that elaborate more on Jinwoo’s relationships and interactions with other characters.
“There Is a Meaning to Everything”: Solo Leveling Star Teases the Secret Behind Jinwoo’s Undead Powers
Jinwoo’s abilities as a necromancer carry a deeper meaning, blurring the line between humanity and becoming a monster as he continues on his journey.
Even so, the adaptation did a great job highlighting the most important aspects of the arc without feeling forced or with a frenetic rhythm. Furthermore, the upcoming Retesting Rank Arc could easily fit in 1 episode, while the Hunters Guild Gate Arc and Return to Demon Castle Arc could be tackled in 2 and 3 episodes, respectively, consideringthey feature more action-packed scenes that are shorter when translated into animation. This will leave exactly 4 episodes available in the season, which should be enough to cover the Jeju Raid swiftly without the arc feeling rushed.
Solo LevelingSeason 2 Has Several Hints That Point to the Jeju Island Arc
The Anime Includes Many References to the Arc
Solo Levelinghas dropped hints of the Jeju Island Arc since before the end of season 1. The making-of documentary of the anime adaptationThe Leveling of Solo Leveling, accidentally leaked a character design sheet of the Ant King, who first appears in the manhwa in chapter #94. This serves as proof that A-1 Pictures’s production team always intended forSolo LevelingSeason 2 to close with the Jeju Island Arc. Additionally,many anime-original scenes inSolo Levelingserve to build up the Jeju Island arc, like the conversation between Choi Jong-In with Go Gunhee in episode 1 of season 2.
Moreover, the opening of season 2 highlights the S-Rank hunters who had a big participation in the arc. Also, in the key visual ofSolo Levelingseason 2, not only does Sung Jinwoo have the same outfit he wears during the raid on Jeju, but his hoodieforms the silhouette of Beru. It is unlikely that the anime willinclude these references to create anticipation for the Jeju Island Arcjust to push it to the next season.
The Jeju Island Arc Is the Perfect Midpoint of the Series to EndSolo LevelingSeason 2
Solo Leveling’s Story Reaches New Heights After The Events of the Arc
There is always a possibility that the anime could include larger original scenes to develop supporting characters, and that the season will end right in the middle of the Jeju Island Arc before Jinwoo faces the Ant King. However, it would be muchmore significant and a better cliffhanger ifSolo LevelingSeason 2 finished after subtly introducing the Monarchs. The Jeju Island Raid is a pivotal moment in Sung Jinwoo’s journey, as it’s after this arc thatSolo Levelingchanges the focus of the story from the imminent threat of the Gates to the Monarchs as the major antagonists.
Nevertheless, Jeju Island is without a doubt a fan-favorite arc, especially because of Beru. So, naturally,most manhwa readers are intrigued to see howSolo Levelingseason 2 will tackle the upcoming events of the story. What is certain is that the adaptation deserves to be celebrated for being able to capture the emotion of the manhwa and enhancing it in a way that has turnedSolo LevelingSeason 2 into an early candidate for anime of the year.
Solo Leveling
Cast
Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-woo, the world’s weakest hunter, who gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious program after surviving a brutal monster attack. As he navigates his newfound abilities, Jinwoo embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of his powers and the dungeon that altered his fate.
