Why Doesn’t Solo Leveling’s Sequal, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok Hit As Hard As The Original
When Solo Leveling wrapped up, fans were starving for more — and when Solo Leveling: Ragnarok was announced, hype levels shot through the roof. But now that it’s out, the buzz just isn’t the same. The sequel hasn’t managed to capture that same electric energy the original had, and there are some pretty clear reasons why. Let’s break down why Ragnarok, despite its solid storytelling, just can’t climb out of Jinwoo’s massive shadow.
1. The Magic of “The Underdog Rise” Is Gone
The original Solo Leveling thrived because it nailed one of storytelling’s most addictive setups — the zero-to-hero fantasy. Watching Jinwoo go from being the weakest hunter to an unstoppable god-tier badass was pure dopamine. Every chapter felt like a power-up, every boss fight felt earned. Readers were able to connect with his climb.
Now with Ragnarok, that energy just… isn’t there. Sung Suho (Jinwoo’s son) starts off already strong. There’s no desperate climb, no real sense of helplessness to overcome — which means less tension and less emotional payoff. You can’t replicate that original rush of watching someone break limits when the bar’s already sky-high.
2. The Shadow of Jinwoo Looms Too Large
After Solo Leveling — Jinwoo isn’t just the protagonist; he’s a phenomenon. He carried Solo Leveling through sheer charisma, stoicism, and evolution. Even when he was quiet, you felt his presence. Now in Ragnarok, Suho’s constantly compared to his father — and that’s a curse. Readers can’t help but measure every move, every fight, every dialogue against Jinwoo’s legacy.
So while Suho’s character is fine on his own, he’s not Jinwoo. And that’s the problem. He just doesn’t have the same aura — not yet, anyway — which makes it hard for readers to feel that same attachment or hype.
3. Repetition Of Story & Different Stakes
The first series had a clear trajectory: dungeons appear, world goes to hell, Jinwoo rises, and evil trembles. It was clean, satisfying, and wrapped up beautifully. Ragnarok tries to expand that universe, but it feels like it’s retreading old ground without a clear “why.”
Sure, the world’s still in danger, but the stakes feel less personal. We’ve already seen the apocalypse-level threats and cosmic wars — how do you top that? You can’t just throw in more gods or bigger monsters; it risks becoming noise without the same emotional hook.
4. Timing & Market Saturation
When Solo Leveling first hit, the “overpowered MC” genre wasn’t nearly as crowded. It set the standard. Now, in 2025, the webtoon scene is packed with stories following the same formula — from The Beginning After the End to Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.
So when Ragnarok dropped, it wasn’t revolutionary — it was just another strong entry in a now-familiar genre. The novelty that fueled Solo Leveling’s rise just doesn’t exist anymore.
5. The Tone Shift
Solo Leveling had grit — that dark, almost horror-like atmosphere, the loneliness, the weight of Jinwoo’s isolation. Ragnarok, by comparison, feels lighter, more “next generation” shōnen-style. And while that’s not inherently bad, it does alienate fans who fell in love with the darker tone of the original.
It’s like going from Attack on Titan to Boruto — technically the same world, but emotionally? Totally different wavelengths.
Final Verdict
Solo Leveling: Ragnarok isn’t bad — not even close. It’s got great art, solid pacing, and a universe worth exploring. But the issue isn’t quality — it’s expectations. The original Solo Leveling was lightning in a bottle: the perfect storm of pacing, art, and emotional payoff.
Ragnarok is trying to follow that up, but it’s standing in the shadow of a giant. And sometimes, no matter how good a sequel is, the magic of the first journey can’t be replicated — only remembered.
Image credit Redice studio
