Solo Leveling

by Dubu, Chugong

Synopsis:

Saving Japan from total destruction at the hands of the King of Giants earns Jinwoo and Ahjin Guild world-wide recognition and a spot at the International Guild Conference. But heading to America means crossing paths with Dongsoo Hwang, who has a bone to pick with Jinwoo about the death of his brother—and isn’t above using Jinho as bait!

The tenth volume of the Solo Leveling manhwa is as action-packed as ever, and it gives us more of a glimpse into what’s going on below the surface, introducing us to a bigger conflict that Jinwoo is now going to be part of, whether he wants to be or not. I love that he’s clever enough to see a trap, and wise enough to evade it.

Oh, and I love the fact that he’s so kind to Jinho. Despite his decision to rely mostly on himself, he doesn’t actually stop being kind — even though his powers are dark, in a sense he hasn’t really let them change him.

Well… mostly. In the last part of the book, Jinwoo pretty much ends up charging in to rescue Jinho, and while I’m sure he’s going to triumph in the end, this is probably the most even match we’ve seen in a while. And naturally the book ends on a cliffhanger, arghhh…

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

Solo Leveling

by Dubu, Chugong

Synopsis:

Seeking answers, Jinwoo answers the call of the system and returns to the double dungeon that started it all. Meanwhile, after the loss of their strongest hunters, the Japanese government finds themselves struggling with particularly nasty gate and seeks outside help. Will Jinwoo be able to stop the magic beasts before they lay waste to Japan?

Volume nine of the Solo Leveling manhwa finally sees us given some answers! Kinda. A little bit. Jinwoo ends up returning to the double dungeon where it all began, there to confront — well. No spoilers! But there’s a lot of action in this volume, along with the other hunters coming to his aid, which is pretty cool.

I did love the moments between him and his sister, too, where she doesn’t want him to raid because she’s traumatised by the attack on her school, but all the same eventually they talk about it, and it’s clear how supportive she’s been for him.

I’m very curious how things develop from here, now it seems like Jinwoo’s probably powering up again. I don’t have the next volume on hand right now, but hopefully soon…!

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

Solo Leveling

by Dubu, Chugong

Synopsis:

Sweeping the ants on Jeju Island put Jinwoo on the map. The top guilds in Korea are all clamoring to recruit Jinwoo—but why join one when he can establish his own?

Volume eight of the Solo Leveling manhwa positively sped by, with lots of action scenes and less politicking than some of the other volumes. I loved that even in a dungeon, Jinwoo was immediately ready to return to his sister and help her, even though he can’t let the people he’s working with down either.

I’d love to see a bit more of his sister and his mother now, but it’s also clear that hunting isn’t something Jinwoo’s going to give up, and that the primary focus remains how strong he is. His minions are ridiculously powerful at this stage, and I find myself surprisingly 100% behind it. It might not sound fun to have little at stake because Jinwoo’s always gonna beat everything, but it becomes entertaining just to watch his constant ascent.

Also… poor Haein Cha. He’s so oblivious, so confused about her feelings. Yeesh.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

Solo Leveling

by Dubu, Chugong

Synopsis:

The joint expedition between South Korea and Japan to the ant-infested Jeju Island is well underway, and the Korean team has successfully located the queen. Taking her out should finally spell the long-awaited closing of the S-rank gate. But little do they know that wings aren't the only mutation the latest generation of ants has gone through— and having made short work of the Japanese hunters, the queen’s strongest soldier is now headed straight for them!

Volume 7 of the Solo Leveling manhwa features Jinwoo being more overpowered than ever, with him finally jumping into the action at Jeju Island, along with some aftermath stuff that makes it increasingly obvious how different he is to other hunters. There’s a reference again to the earlier reappearance of his father, though I’m impatient for that to get somewhere so we can find out more about where he’s been, whether it really is him, etc, etc.

The tension doesn’t come from wondering whether/how Jinwoo will win, at this point: it’s obvious that he will, that he’s constantly leveling up, and can outmatch anything thrown at him. Instead, it’s about what the System is, what certain mysterious characters/conversations mean, and so on. I’m getting really curious about what it’s building up to, and when we’ll finally see something that really tests Jinwoo.

I wish there’d been a tad more about his mother and sister, given the development in the last book, as well.

Anyway, looking forward to reading more, though not sure what exactly is next after Jeju Island!

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)