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Solo Levelingis a unique franchise, and it has become such a huge hit in a way that few series can. While we are still in the first half of the year, it is very unlikely that any other anime will beatSolo Levelingin terms of success (excludingDemon Slayer).
However, even though the original novel has already ended, there is still a lot of new content for fans to enjoy. That’s whereSolo Leveling Ragnarokcomes in, picking up where the original novel left off — even if it initially looked like the story was finished.
What Is Solo Leveling Ragnarok?
Solo Leveling Ragnarokis theofficial and canon sequel toSolo Leveling. It takes place in the reset timeline, but Gates and Hunters once again make their return, but at a later date when compared to the original timeline.
The story follows Sung Suho, the son of Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In. However, Suho’s parents disappeared when he was still quite young and one of the best things about this story, at least for longtime fans, is to slowly learn what happened to everyone. And, of course, everyone’s favorite shadow, Beru, is back in this story.
Which Came First, Novel or Manhwa?
Just like the original series,Ragnarokstarted off as a webnovel. While it is not written by Chugong, the creator of the franchise, it is considered canon, as Chugong himself entrusted the story to Daul. It has been in serialization for a few years now.
The manhwa, on the other hand, began serialization last year. However, Daul is apparently not involved in it, as he is not credited as one of the authors. In addition, while the manhwa retains the key plot line, there are major changes in the story compared to the novel.
We still don’t know which version of the story will be adapted into a live-action movie - Kakao Entertainment announced thatRagnarokwill be adapted into a live-action movie, but did not make it clear whether it would be the novel or the manhwa.
How Is The Manhwa Different From The Novel?
There areso many changes that we could almost consider the novel and the manhwa to be completely different stories. For example, the first arc of the manhwa introducesTiel, an Apostle, as the main antagonist, while in the novel this character doesn’t even exist and the Apostles are minor enemies.
The manhwa also doesn’t include many passages from the webnovel. Another big change came recently: in the novel, Suho can communicate with the monarchs and isexpected to become the Monarch of Unityafter becoming the descendant of the Monarch of Destruction. While the mahwa may still jump into this plot line,Suho has just become an “irregular”. Suho has also fought his “novel counterpart” during training — it could be that they are set in different universes and the stories will eventually converge.
The System uses me, and I use the System.
— Sung Jinwoo in Solo Leveling
WhileSolo Levelingmanhwa also differs from the novel, it does so on a much smaller scale thanRagnarok. While this can be confusing, it is also good in a way — those who read the novel are still surprised by the events of the manhwa and cannot predict what will happen next. And as both are still ongoing, there may be even more differences in the future.
The manhwa writers still seem to use the novel as a reference, as they keep some key events — for example, it seems thatthe whereabouts of Cha Hae-Inwill be the same as in the novel. They may even consult Daul to discuss what to do next, but that’s just speculation.
When Will Solo Leveling Ragnarok Manhwa Return?
TheSolo Leveling Ragnarokmanhwahas been on hiatus since the beginning of April. According to the official announcement on KakaoPage, the writers are preparing thesecond season of the story. Unfortunately, there has been no further news since then. The most recent chapter is chapter 47. The novel, on the other hand, is still following its regular serialization routine.
Solo Leveling Ragnarokis available to read in English on Tapas (both novel andmanhwa).
Solo Leveling
Cast
A-1 Pictures' Solo Leveling is an anime based on Chugong’s popular web novel. Set in an unforgiving fantasy world where hunters explore dungeons filled with monsters, the vulnerable Sung Jinwoo gains a significant power boost after he is picked to be a solo player by the System.
