Solo Leveling Features Some of Anime's Best Fights in Ages, But That's Not the Real Reason It's So Popular

As Solo Leveling’s season 2 of the anime concluded, its popularity blew up even more than the first. With improved animation and action sequences, it consistently delivered top-quality episodes that helped the series break multiple records. It even surpassed anime like One Piece and Demon Slayer on the major streaming platform, Crunchyroll, becoming the top most-rated series. These accomplishments solidify Solo Leveling as the best new-gen anime currently out there.

Fans were quick to credit the anime’s success to its high-quality animation and intense fight scenes, elements also praised in Demon Slayer. While these aspects certainly played a major role, there is another layer to the series that may be the true driving force behind its explosive popularity. A deeper look reveals that Jinwoo’s journey, and the way it’s portrayed, is what truly resonates with viewers, thanks to how realistically his character is written and developed throughout the series.

Solo Leveling’s Protagonist’s Journey Is the Reason Behind the Anime's Success

Jinwoo’s Journey Over the Past Two Seasons Tells the Story of a True Underdog

Solo Leveling's protagonist, Sung Jinwoo, is initially portrayed as the weakest hunter in the nation, if not the world. However, that doesn’t stop him from joining raids and working as a hunter, simply because he has no other choice. Before becoming an S-Rank and the strongest hunter, Jinwoo lived a minimalistic life in his early twenties, struggling to make ends meet. What makes his situation even more dire is that he’s the sole provider for his family. Instead of taking a typical office job, he risks his life in dangerous raids that pay more, driven by the desperate need to cover his mother’s medical expenses.

On top of that, he also supports his younger sister, Jinah, who is still in high school. This adds another layer of realism to Jinwoo’s character, making him more relatable to viewers, especially those who may find themselves in similar circumstances. With a protagonist who feels more grounded than most fictional leads, this could be the true reason the series resonated so strongly with audiences. The fact that Solo Leveling was already popular before the anime adaptation further supports the idea that Jinwoo’s character is the core reason behind the series’ success, rather than the animation.

Jinwoo from Solo Leveling exhibiting his aura and Goku in ultra instinct form

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During its serialization, the manhwa was immensely popular, sparking a wave of similar stories featuring protagonists who rise from nothing to greatness, creating an entire subculture of Solo Leveling narrative. This trend underscores that the heart of Solo Leveling’s popularity lies in its protagonist, one who embodies the journey of a true underdog. Jinwoo’s rise to the top feels like a fantasy, a dream many people can relate to or aspire to.

Sung Jinwoo's Rise to the Top Is a Fantasy Dreamed by Nearly Everyone

Jinwoo's Rise to the Top is Inspirational and Lets Individuals Fantasize About Their Own Success

Solo Leveling anime season 2 episode 11 Sung Jinwoo shadow exchange

While Jinwoo's struggle makes him feel more grounded, his rise to the top presents a hypothetical dream that individuals in similar circumstances might long to realize. After the double dungeon incident, where Jinwoo faces near death and is saved by the mysterious "System", his journey toward immeasurable success begins. He gradually becomes stronger and starts gaining control over his life, accumulating wealth and supporting his family without worry, just as he always wished. This kind of success is something nearly everyone dreams of, and Jinwoo’s journey offers a glimpse into that fantasy.

What makes Jinwoo's rise feel more realistic, however, is the effort he puts in to achieve his goals. After being granted the opportunity through the "System," Jinwoo actively tests his abilities and, more importantly, continues to take significant risks. One of the clearest examples comes near the end of the first season of Solo Leveling, when Jinwoo attempts to enhance his powers and is nearly killed in the process, only surviving due to the "System’s" punishment for skipping his daily quest.

While this may seem far-fetched, Solo Leveling might subtly be suggesting that relentless effort and the willingness to take risks can enhance other factors, such as luck, when it matters most. Ultimately, while Jinwoo’s journey feels highly fictional and realizing his dream seems hypothetical, it remains deeply inspiring due to his unyielding determination and hard work. While Jinwoo's journey and his ultimate reach to the top is the true heart of the series, there is one more aspect that might also appeal to the audience.

Jinwoo's Journey in Solo Leveling Constantly Delivers Small Bursts of Dopamine

Jinwoo's Journey Constantly Feels Like a Game, Providing Rewards After Each Level

After gaining the "System" in his arsenal, Jinwoo is rewarded for nearly every action he takes, steadily elevating him to higher levels. His journey closely mirrors a video game character who receives rewards for overcoming each challenge, motivating him to face even tougher obstacles in pursuit of even greater gains. Near the end of the first season, Jinwoo acquires the ability to extract the shadows of his defeated enemies, allowing him to use them as weapons, adding to his growing power. This progression system may be one of the key reasons why the series appeals so strongly to viewers.

Jinwoo in front of face off of Jinwoo vs Ant king beru

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Watching Jinwoo acquire new abilities and level up can evoke the same satisfaction players feel in a video game, keeping fans highly engaged in their journey. And unlike a game, where effort is required from the player, here the audience can simply sit back and still experience that small burst of dopamine that comes from seeing a character defeat an enemy or complete a side quest and earn a reward.

These elements highlight that while A-1 Pictures has delivered outstanding animation and some of the best fight sequences in recent memory, the true draw of the series might lie in Jinwoo’s journey itself. His journey in Solo Leveling is one that resonates with many viewers, especially those who dream of growth and success and not just achieve success but also take control of their lives, just like Jinwoo was once desperate to achieve.