The Art of Solo Leveling
The Manhwa that was Almost Perfect
Solo Leveling is an adaptation of the Light Novel Only I Level Up (Solo Leveling) written by Chugong. It was completed on February 14, 2014, and was published in 2015. The novel was serialized with 270 chapters on October 10, 2018. The webtoon began on March 4th, 2018, and has been slowly reaching its climax.
This is the only light novel from Chugong that we know as of now.
There is a lot to discuss about this manhwa but before I delve too far in, let me explain what a manhwa is.
Manhwa/Manhua/Manga/Comic
A manhwa is the general Korean term for a comic in South Korea, and the same can be said for manhua, which is the general term for Chinese comics, Manga for Japanese, and Comic for everyone else.
Manhwa word became a common phrase during the 1920s when Korea was under Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945. During this time, Japanese culture was incorporated into Korean society. These comics were used as political and social cartoons but were abandon later for more humorous illustrations targeted at children.
By no means are these comics only for children because the themes for Manhwa, Manhua, and Manga are as deep and wide as the themes discovered in novels. Alright, enough of history, let’s continue onto the topic.
Redice Studios
Redice Studios is a distributor, producer, and publisher of comics, webtoons, and film. With their dream of being the best comic production company in the world. Unlike other large comic companies, they put a lot of effort into the art style, making sure it is consistent and sharp—quality over quantity.
The artist for Solo Leveling would be Jang Sung-rak, who is able to create intense, epic, and powerful moments with a single panel. The template of a webtoon comic does flow differently from traditional comics that read right to left. Instead, webtoons read from top to bottom, giving the artist another way to guide your eyes down towards the next panel.
Redice has published the manhwa as a physical book as well, with the panels floating compared to being next to each other, keeping the essence of what the Webtoon has portrayed.
Plot
I thought I would never get to this. Solo Leveling is placed in a world where “Gates” have appeared all over the world, connecting to the realms of magic and monsters. This was ten years ago. To combat these vile beasts, ordinary people received superhuman powers and became known as “Hunters.” Not everyone is chosen, and those that are are considerably stronger than the average joe. Our main character Sung Jin-Woo, twenty years old, is known as the “World’s weakest” because of his pathetic power compared to other E-Rank hunters (S-Rank being the highest in a country, and National Rank being the pinnacle). Even though he’s weak, he needs to hunt monsters tirelessly in low-rank Gates to pay for his mother’s medical bills. There is great money in being a Hunter. After a tragic event in Gate, his life changes putting him on the path of greatness. Giving him a role that will undoubtedly change him, the people around him, the future of the world, and uncover the truth to why the Gates appeared.
Pretty cool, huh?
What is so cool about it?
First, it’s the art style. When I picked up Solo Leveling years ago, I found myself drawn to the art, enjoying it more than Japanese Manga. I was reading One Punch Man at the time and was drooling from how an artist could recreate film-like shots and flow with art panels. It still amazes me to this day.
The art that Redice Studios has taken the words of Chugong has brought his story to life. Of course, there is nothing wrong with reading and imagining what the writer is trying to describe, but it's mind-blowing when you see it in full color.
They are able to make the story even more enjoyable for the eyes and the heart. The character isn’t overpowered, and we see all the hard work they put in to make themselves strong. So when you’re reading, you’re not thinking how terrible the situation is (and there are many terrible situations), but you're more on the line of how much damage Sung Jin-Woo will do. You sit there in your seat giddy about how badly the enemy messed up.
Now I’m a writer, just a couple of weeks ago I just finished my first novelle (It’s still in beta period will be released soon). I’m all about the character and the relationships that they have with each other. We are a product of who we meet, love, and hate. So I’m always fascinated by how people react to each other.
I also love overpowered characters. Characters that have started from the bottom and have proven everyone wrong as they rise to glory. An underdog story with violence. It hits at my lizard brain, just right.
I have read other stories, mangas, where the main character is transported to another world and has a cheat ability that makes them the strongest. That’s fun for a couple of chapters, but it dies pretty quickly if that is all the story is. People don’t just get powerful for no reason. Sung Jin-Woo didn’t get strong because he wanted to, but because he had no choice. He needed to get strong (almost like he was forced). Even at the height of his power, he still seems relatable, and understandable. He doesn’t leave the people he’s befriended behind. He protects them.
The flow of the Solo Leveling is also great. Each chapter gives you a little bit more of the story, of the world, building up to the climax. I truly feel that each chapter is not wasted showing us character growth, relationships, world-building, but that just might be me though.
Why is it not perfect?
One reason that I find the story just a tad bit bad is that we don’t really explore other hunter's abilities. They are stuck in the ranks that they are given. They don’t level up like the main character. It takes tremendous work for a hunter to rank up. So when Sung Jin-Woo makes friends, they can never be as powerful as he is unless given power from an unknown source. To me, this almost feels like we’re heading into Dragonball Z territory where only Goku can save the world with a spirit bomb, and no matter how strong everyone is, in the end, someone dies, and everyone is wished back to life with the dragon balls.
Sung Jin-Woo is humanities champion, but I just wish to see his friends stand on the same level as he does. Lifting the burden just a little bit, but hey, the story is not over yet.
Conclusion
Overall this is a great story that I think more comic creators, writers, and maybe even filmmakers can take notes. The characters are rooted down, and ever scene feels enjoyable to read and watch. He’s Superman and Green Arrow all at the same time. He’s strong and weak in certain moments of his life.
The flow is smooth, with no interruptions; everything makes sense. We follow our character around but also give him room to breathe. The development is important, and Sung Jin-Woo learns from his mistake, and we see that.
That’s all from me. Thanks for reading, and go enjoy some Solo Leveling.
