Solo Leveling

by Dubu, Chugong

Synopsis:

Outnumbered a hundred to one, Jinwoo and his shadow army ready themselves for the fight that will determine the fate of the whole world. As hunters worldwide gather to make mankind’s last stand, Jinwoo focuses on the gate closest to home and those he loves. A superior strategy is his only hope in the face of such overwhelming odds, but as the first wave emerges, it’s clear his foes are already a step ahead of the new Shadow Monarch... Has Jinwoo leveled up enough to defend humanity from certain destruction?!

If I understand rightly, this 13th volume is the last of Solo Leveling‘s main story, which… it feels like the last 2-3 volumes all happened in a massive rush, because so much happens here. I wasn’t surprised by the fact that ultimately — despite all his allies — Jinwoo went at it totally alone. The clue is in the title: Solo Leveling. In the end, all he can depend on is himself: he learned that lesson very early on.

Now we know why he needed to learn it.

I don’t entirely know how I feel about the time travel plot here: it diminishes some of the sacrifices so far, but it entails a different kind of sacrifice, so… hm.

I think I’d like to read the light novels now: I wasn’t sure at the outset whether I would, because this isn’t my go-to style of story. But, in the end, I like reading a little of everything, and I’m curious to read in a bit more detail, and get an idea of where the story here might’ve been interpreted differently.

[Note: since writing the review, I have indeed started on the light novels, and I love them. Reviews will come eventually, though I still have a huge backlog of written but not yet posted reviews.]

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

Solo Leveling

by Dubu, Chugong

Synopsis:

Jinwoo faces off against the Monarchs for the first time, and while he's undeniably the strongest hunter in the world, three otherworldly beings prove to be too much for him! But as Jinwoo is about to find out, death means little to the Shadow Monarch, King of the Dead. As Jinwoo Sung finally confronts the true source of his newfound powers, in the real world, a person thought to be lost forever steps in to defend his son's defenseless body!

The Solo Leveling manhwa is ramping up toward the end in volume 12, and it’s a heck of a ride. There are some really cute and touching moments (a certain reunion, and Beru’s… well, most things about Beru, somehow; how is an ant soldier so cute?!), a lot of epic fighting, and a bit more explanation of what exactly is going on.

It’s hard to comment a lot without being super spoilery, but this volume did have some veeery satisfying and long-awaited moments, and while the fight scenes just kinda wash over me, I did want to add that I love the art. The whole thing is consistently gorgeous.

I do feel like the pace is accelerating, and that maybe if there’d been fewer monster-of-the-week type episodes early on — which we lingered on — then all of this climactic stuff could have been explored a bit more. The pacing feels a bit uneven. It’s not that I haven’t liked all of it, but… yeah.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

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”)