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”)

Solo Leveling

by Dubu, Chugong

Synopsis:

Jinwoo continues to progress rapidly through the Demon's 6 Castle, climbing toward the top floor with the help of a demon noble who has agreed to escort the intruder if it means not having to fight him herself! Preoccupied with his personal quest, Jinwoo is unaware of the escalating threat outside the dungeon. The ant magic beasts that laid waste to Jeju Island are looking to relocate, and if they reach the mainland, all of Korea could fall. Will the combined S-ranks of Japan and Korea be enough to quell the swarm—and will Jinwoo be joining them?!

Volume 6 of the Solo Leveling manhua is a lot of fun, though it feels a bit weirdly paced, or like the volumes are weirdly split up. The first half is basically all about Jinwoo’s ascent of the Demon’s Castle, with lots of action and fighting that involves Jinwoo being… still clever, but mostly also way overpowered.

The second half is largely about the Jeju Island plot, with Japanese and Korean high-ranked hunters joining up, testing each other, and then starting the raid… and Jinwoo isn’t a super important part of that plot, since he chooses not to get involved due to his mother’s recovery. It feels really weird that he’s not involved, narratively, but I’m guessing he’ll be getting stuck in soon enough. I can’t imagine the system’s super interested in him no longer hunting…

The art and colours continue to be lovely, and while I don’t follow the action scenes well, eh, I never do — just not a visual person. I’m very curious where it’s all going, and also probably curious enough to start reading the light novel.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)