Solo Leveling Is A Success, But These Two Anime Did What It Never Could

In 2025, the anime industry witnessed remarkable progress with the debut of exciting new titles such as Gachiakuta and Sakamoto Days, alongside stellar returning hits like Dandadan and Kaiju No. 8. It was also the year Solo Leveling Season 2 premiered, living up to expectations and securing major wins at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. It won Anime of the Year, beating strong contenders like The Apothecary Diaries and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and it also took home awards for Best New Anime Series, Best Action Anime, Best Main Character, Best Anime Score, Best Anime Ending Sequence, and more.

Solo Leveling’s meteoric rise has taken even industry experts by surprise, standing tall as an epitome of Manhwa-anime symbiosis. Its global popularity, critical success, record-breaking viewership, and the way it has spotlighted the Manhwa industry and brought it into mainstream conversations are undeniably admirable. Yet despite its critical and commercial success, Solo Leveling leaves fans wanting more. A thorough look reveals that there is room for something more. And this is where titles such as Dandadan and Kaiju No. 8 step in.

Sung Jinwoo Embodies The Archetype Of Power Fantasy

Solo Leveling’s Sung Jinwoo starts the series as the weakest hunter of all, runt of the litter, barely able to survive without the aid of a healer. He is seen as a burden by his fellow hunters and is quite obviously not respected all that much. Jinwoo embodies the typical traits of a power fantasy hero, in that, he is an underdog with a tragic backstory and a heavy burden to bear. His eventual metamorphosis into the most powerful hunter is a given from episode one and thus, not at all surprising. The few core characteristics that Jinwoo embodies are common in power fantasy heroes. He undergoes a major growth spurt, going from the least powerful to the most, with no cap on his progression, which in turn weakens the plot and takes away the element of surprise. This is why Jinwoo is often met with criticism as an underdeveloped Manhwa character, one who can be surpassed by many more formidable ones.

Although all of this doesn’t take away from Jinwoo’s appeal, or the fact that viewers consistently find themselves rooting for him, Dandadan and Kaiju No. 8 offer more thrilling, gripping settings. Dandadan thrives in a more unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat setting. The humor is self-aware, the plot chaotic, and it breaks new ground with popular and widely loved storytelling themes of extraterrestrial elements and supernatural beings. Solo Leveling, by contrast, executes the story straightforwardly, which, though not necessarily a bad thing, is a major pinpoint of its shortcomings.

Solo Leveling’s Cast Of Spectators

A strong supporting cast elevates the storytelling, often enriching the various facets of a protagonist’s journey. It enhances emotional resonance, appeal, thrill, story progression, and protagonist vs. antagonist confrontations. Solo Leveling falls short in this area, as not only Jinwoo but also those around him are less developed than characters in Dandadan and Kaiju No. 8. The supporting cast of both these anime actively contributes to the overall narrative, strengthening the story on the whole.

It wouldn’t be wrong to call Solo Leveling a one-person show, as most of the story centers on Jinwoo’s rise. However, the same cannot be said for Dandadan and Kaiju No. 8, where the plot gives equal attention to the supporting cast. In Dandadan, for example, both Momo and Okarun play significant roles. The same goes for supporting characters like Kikoru and Hoshina in Kaiju No. 8, who have been developed to stand shoulder to shoulder with Kafka Hibino.

This kind of character development and effective utilization of the supporting cast draws a sharp contrast with Solo Leveling, where once Jinwoo levels up, even the once-strongest hunters, i.e., the S-Rank hunters, become mere spectators. Jinwoo dominates every battle, which in turn affects the overall quality of fight sequences on the show. Solo Leveling’s supporting cast is that of spectators, while in Dandadan and Kaiju No. 8, the supporting cast is that of active participants, equally significant and impactful as the participants.

Solo Leveling: A Noticeable Drop In Battle Quality

Besides all of this, the battles also deserve a closer look, as Solo Leveling is touted as a quality shōnen anime. Battle sequences, as such, are key in shaping the plot and maintaining viewer interest. But it’s hardly the case, as it predictably plays a spoiled sport and the narrative becomes less dynamic and more predictable, failing to do justice to the action sequences. Dandadan and Kaiju No. 8 excel in this regard, with battles nicely spread across multiple episodes, giving ample room for stakes and battles to build naturally.

Solo Leveling often concludes its battles within a single episode, making them feel rushed and emotionally underwhelming. Season 2, in particular, follows a textbook formula from the start, and although the story does move forward, the predictability of each episode’s conclusion drains much of the tension and excitement. It leaned heavily on showcasing Jinwoo’s aura and cool demeanor, and was mostly about him dominating battles. Yes, all of this is expected of him as the lead, and he is supposed to outshine the rest, but the lack of a real challenge from his foes made his victories feel repetitive. Jinwoo’s wins lost their charm and began to drag, and this stood in sharp contrast to Season 1, where the story excelled at delivering a compelling underdog-to-hero arc and set high expectations for the sequel.

What’s more, it felt a little bit out of rhythm to have every fight in Solo Leveling end within a single episode. Spreading critical battles over multiple episodes like Dandadan and Kaiju No. 8 does give the story a way to amp up the tension. The fear of the unknown not only raises the stakes but also offers an opportunity to highlight the characters’ growth and struggle in the heat of the conflict. Most elaborate battles often result in a significant change related to the characters’ emotional arc, and sadly, that’s something painstakingly absent from Solo Leveling. For me, the lack of high-stakes battles and non-risky conclusions was a big turn-off, leading me to accept the bitter truth. On paper, Solo Leveling might have been the best anime, but other anime were doing a better job.

Solo Leveling Season 3: Will It Be Able To Maintain Its Momentum?

Solo Leveling is undeniably a global phenomenon, with a massive global fanbase that has brought Manhwa into the mainstream. Yet, at the same time, cracks in its formula have begun to appear. Oftentimes, with many super-hit series, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to sustain the momentum. There is a lingering fear that Solo Leveling may fall into the same trap. The magic of Solo Leveling Season 1 and even Season 2, to some extent, is quite difficult to recapture.

Unless Solo Leveling Season 2 addresses the flaws and shortcomings in its upcoming season, there is very little rhyme or reason behind its renewal for a third season. Additionally, the delays in confirming Season 3 will affect its appeal. Months have passed since Solo Leveling Season 2 concluded, and instead of capitalizing on its success, the studio has yet to provide a concrete word on Season 3. At first glance, the delay in renewing Solo Leveling Season 3 seems gratuitous on the part of the makers. However, a closer look suggests there may be valid reasons behind it. Perhaps the creators are taking their sweet time to ensure quality and to avoid falling short of the sky-high expectations.

Where To Watch Solo Leveling Seasons 1 And 2

Solo Leveling Season 1 has a total of 12 episodes, while Season 2’s episode count exceeds this by 1. A total of 25 episodes, Solo Leveling is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll. Since there is no update on the next season, going down the Manhwa route to follow Jinwoo’s saga is the next best option, especially when waiting for a nigh-impossible immaculate Season 3. Solo Leveling fans are already dissatisfied with the delays, especially in the absence of any official communication from the studio. In such circumstances, there’s a fear that viewers may lose interest and could turn to alternatives, especially when they have a wide array of anime options.

Stellar anime hits such as One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen already overshadow Solo Leveling’s appeal, especially in Japan. Solo Leveling has built a massive fanbase outside Japan, but if producer Atsushi Kaneko truly hopes to break boundaries with Season 3, the studio must act sooner rather than later.