Review: Is Solo Leveling Overrated or the Next Big Thing?

After years of hype surrounding its original webtoon, the anime adaptation of Solo Leveling finally hit screens in early 2024. Produced by A-1 Pictures, the series was expected to revolutionize the power fantasy genre. But now that Season 1 has wrapped, fans and critics alike are asking:

👉 Is Solo Leveling overrated—or is it the next big thing in anime?

In this in-depth, spoiler-free review, we’ll explore the show’s plot structure, character development, animation quality, soundtrack, and deliver an honest final verdict on whether this mega-hit lived up to its sky-high expectations.

📖 Plot: The Ultimate Power Fantasy

Set in a world where portals open to dungeons filled with monsters, hunters are humanity’s defense. Among them is Jin-Woo, initially the weakest E-rank hunter. But after a mysterious dungeon incident, he gains a unique leveling system and starts rising in power—fast.

✅ What Works:

• Clean premise with fast-paced progression
• Builds intrigue around dungeon lore and the “System”
• Great momentum, especially in the second half of Season 1

❌ What Doesn’t:

• Formulaic early episodes
• World-building lacks depth compared to other modern fantasy anime (e.g., Made in Abyss or Mushoku Tensei)
• Side characters often feel underdeveloped

Characters: One Man Army, But at What Cost?

At its core, Solo Leveling is a Jin-Woo-centric story, meaning the entire narrative orbits around his evolution. While this offers a satisfying empowerment fantasy, it comes at the cost of ensemble dynamics.

🔥 Jin-Woo:

• He’s stoic, determined, and visibly grows stronger each episode
• While initially a blank slate, his darker decisions add intrigue
• His “lone wolf” nature is appealing but also alienating

Side Characters:

• Cha Hae-In, Go Gun-Hee, and Jin-Woo’s family are interesting but get minimal depth in Season 1
• Antagonists feel more like level bosses than true characters

Honest Take:

If you love self-insert power fantasies, this works. But if you’re looking for rich, multi-character arcs like in Attack on Titan or Jujutsu Kaisen, you may be underwhelmed.

🎨 Animation & Visuals:

This is where Solo Leveling excels. The animation is fluid, cinematic, and visually gripping. A-1 Pictures proves they were the right studio for this high-stakes adaptation.

✅ Visual Strengths:

• Shadow summoning effects and dungeon boss battles are standouts
• Use of dramatic lighting and digital camera movement creates a cinematic tone
• Smooth 2.5D transitions and magic effects feel polished and high-budget

❌ Weak Points:

• Occasional pacing issues in early episodes may make some sequences feel repetitive
• Background details sometimes feel sparse outside of dungeons

🎧 Sound & Music:

The soundtrack, composed by Hiroyuki Sawano (Attack on Titan, Kill la Kill), is a banger. From epic orchestral buildups to aggressive EDM-infused tracks, every moment is elevated by the score.

Highlights:

• Opening theme “LEveL” by Sawano + TOMORROW X TOGETHER is energetic and catchy
• Subtle but powerful use of music during transformation scenes and boss fights
• Strong voice acting in both sub and dub versions

🧾 Final Verdict: Is It Overrated or the Real Deal?

Short Answer: Solo Leveling isn’t groundbreaking in narrative depth—but it nails what it sets out to do: deliver a stylish, empowering, visually explosive ride.

✅ Who Will Love It:

• Fans of power fantasy, RPG mechanics, and fast-paced solo progression
• Webtoon readers (it’s very faithful)
• Viewers looking for spectacle and strong main-character energy

❌ Who Might Be Disappointed:

• Viewers looking for complex ensemble storytelling
• Those who dislike “one-man army” tropes
• Fans hoping for philosophical depth à la Vinland Saga or Parasyte

⭐ Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)

Stylish. Addictive. Shallow but satisfying.

💬 Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Watching?

Absolutely—if you go in with the right expectations.

Solo Leveling isn’t trying to redefine anime storytelling. It’s here to dominate your screen with energy, power-ups, and dark fantasy flair—and in that, it succeeds spectacularly.

🎥 Have you watched Solo Leveling? Are you Team “Overrated” or Team “Next Big Thing”? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let’s debate it out 👇

Image credit A-1 Pictures.