This article contains spoilers from theSolo Levelinganime and manhwa.
Summary
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For some reason, it’s difficult for hunters to stand out inSolo Levelingregardless of their rank, ability, or personality. As long asSolo Levelingmaintains its focus on Jin-Woo’s character development, there’s little to no room for other characters to grow, especially those who gradually lose relevance in the plot. As a result, many fans are upset by the underutilization of underrated characters who could have been so much more if not for their weak portrayal.
During the Jeju Island arc, one character has so much potential to shine, so much so that evenSolo Leveling’s creator, Chugong, regrets not making his character stronger and cooler. This particular character has always carried the hopes of his entire nation, but he barely made a lasting impression after dying a meaninglessdeath at the hands of the Ant King.
Solo Leveling’s Creator Regrets Not Writing Goto Ryuji Cooler and Stronger
Goto Ryuji Fails to Live up to His Title
InSolo Leveling’s Jeju Island arc, theJapanese hunters led by Goto Ryujifailed to carry out their dishonest scheme against Korea. The raid plan was supposed to be simple and promising, but their failure to anticipate the presence of the Ant King sent everything into a downward spiral. One by one, the Ant King effortlessly took down Japan’s elite hunters, including Goto Ryuji, without breaking a sweat.
To make matters worse, Goto Ryuji did not live up to his title as Japan’s strongest hunter in his final moments. His arrogance and overconfidence in his abilities may have contributed to his poor performance, or he may have just been truly weaker than the Ant King. Anime fans expected to see him fight toe-to-toe with the Ant King, but in just the blink of an eye,his severed head hit the ground.
“Goto Ryuji. He’s definitely no ordinary man."—Go Gun-Hee
Naturally,Goto Ryuji’s meaningless deathearned mixed reactions from fans. A lot of memes inspired by Goto Ryuji’s death also emerge, almost as if the fans are reducing the significance of his character further.
While some fans are satisfied with his ending, others, including Solo Leveling’s creator, Chugong, wish he could have been cooler and stronger. Here’s what the creator had to say in a Korean forum known as DCnside:
“One thing I regret is that if I had known my novel would be this popular in Japan, even if I couldn’t have changed Goto Ryuji to a protagonist, I should have written him as stronger and cooler.
Personally, I wanted to make him cool, but it ended up like this due to expressing the enemies' strength he faced…
-Chugong
Understandably, the Ant King was a force of nature, an anomaly that only hunters of Jin-Woo’s caliber could hope to face. Clearly, Goto Ryuji’s full power was nowhere near Jin-Woo at the time he confronted the monstrous creature. Using his death might just be the best way for Chugong to show just how powerful the Ant King truly was, so much so that even Japan’s strongest hunter paled in comparison. In other words, Goto Ryuji’s death and defeat may have been used to emphasize the gravity ofthe Ant King’s threat.
What Happens to Goto Ryuji Now?
Will He Ever Return to the Series?
Anime and manhwa fans alike have yet to see Goto Ryuji fight at full power, excluding his brief sparring session with Jin-Woo. To this day, many fans remain curious about the skills and abilities that earned him the title of Japan’s strongest hunter. His character continues to be shrouded in mystery, buttheSolo Leveling: Arisegamehas at least provided some insight into his past.
Meanwhile, Goto Ryuji is truly deceased in the anime. It’s not yet confirmed whetherSolo Levelingseason 3will reveal what truly happened to him after dying at the hands of the Ant King but based on the events that follow in the novel, fans could at least anticipate a clarification sometime in future episodes.
“I should climb to the point where it wouldn’t be weird for me to also receive the title of nation-level hunter."—Goto Ryuji
For now, Goto Ryuji remains dead inSolo Leveling, but that doesn’t mean fans will not get a chance to see him again. His appearance in the next season may happen through a flashback from the perspective of the president of the Japanese Hunters Association or from Jin-Woo himself. Who knows? Maybe the anime will produce yet another piece of original content, especially considering Goto Ryuji’s significant reputation in Japan.
