Is The Solo Leveling Anime Faithful To The Original Story? Here Are All The Notable Deviations From The Manhwa

Here’s everything you need to know about the changes that have been made in the Solo Leveling anime when compared to the manhwa.

By Sneha Sam

Published on Feb 17, 2025 | 08:26 PM IST | 49.4K

Solo Leveling [Chugong, A-1 Pictures, Crunchyroll]

The Solo Leveling anime covers the major plot points of the manhwa, tracking Sung Jinwoo’s rise from an E-rank hunter to a powerful force comparable to a one-man army. Fans see his intense battles, dramatic character development, and pivotal moments such as his transformation into the Shadow Monarch.

However, while the anime remains true to the overall narrative, it makes several alterations that change specific details from the original manhwa. One of the most significant differences lies in how national identity and political themes are handled.

Solo Leveling [Chugong, A-1 Pictures, Crunchyroll]

The Solo Leveling manhwa strongly emphasizes South Korean patriotism and the tension between Korea and other countries, particularly Japan. In contrast, the anime tones down these elements. Certain dialogues about nationality are made less explicit.

In the Japanese version, names and locations are sometimes modified—for example, converting Seoul to Tokyo and renaming characters to suit regional preferences. Even in the English dub, detailed references to specific nations are kept vague.

Solo Leveling [Chugong, A-1 Pictures, Crunchyroll]

Another noticeable change is the pacing and tone. The Solo Leveling anime, especially in its second season, speeds up the progression of events, which results in a reduction of some of the humor and subtle character moments found in the manhwa.

Scenes that once offered a mix of wit and action now lean more toward dramatic storytelling. This adjustment affects minor interactions and playful sequences, such as those involving Jinwoo’s shadows, which many fans recall for their quirky charm.

Solo Leveling [Chugong, A-1 Pictures, Crunchyroll]

In the end, the Solo Leveling anime does captures the core journey of Sung Jinwoo and the epic battles that define his path. Yet, the omission of certain cultural and comedic details means that the adaptation does not include every element of his iconic path as seen in the original manhwa.

Fans can enjoy the anime as a robust narrative in its own right, but will have to acknowledge that some nuances from the source material have been altered or left out.

Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates from the Solo Leveling anime.