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Not many anime adaptations dojustice to their manhwa/light novel originlikeSoloLeveling. Focused on Sung Jinwoo, the animation and fight scenes have made him a hot topic at the powerscaling roundtable, signing him up as a contender for one of the strongest anime protagonists ever.
With this, the explosive success of the anime, and the fast-tracking of seasons, fans are not just anticipating—they are anxious. Not because of what will be animated, but because of what may not—the side stories. These stories made the manhwa truly complete, and the possible absence of these touches in theSolo Levelinganime has fans sweating.
The Epilogue Isn’t Flashy
And That’s A Problem For Modern Action Anime
In all honesty,Solo Levelingwould not be where it is todaywithout the perfect blend of animationand action that keeps it on fans' tongues. The charm, drip, and might of Sung Jinwoo and his ever-expanding army of shadows have them on lock. However, Sung Jinwoo’s life after the final battle is the opposite. Sung Jinwoo traded his life as a hero for those lost during the process, turning back time to rewrite the world into one without as many dangers. A quiet life filled with people going about their regular daily activities—a world of peace. But peace is not selling as much these days, and that is bothering.
The anime heavily relies on the action constantly reaching a new climax—epic face-offs,menacing shadows in battle, and the bone-chilling “Arise.” The epilogue, on the other hand, shows a different life where magic is not the order of the day.
Yeah, my nightmare has ended.- Sung Jinwoo
For the first time in the entire manhwa, it was more about him stepping down than leveling up. And while it may have given the manhwa the closure that no one thought it needed, it does not exactly fit the hype the anime is currently known for. If the production committee dedicates the anime to solely being a spectacle, these side stories might never make it to the big screen.
Jinwoo And Cha Hae-In’s Relationship
The Romance Arc Could Be Left Dangling
The Sung Jinwoo x Cha Hae-In ship follows the sea’s current on a calm night, progressing slowly towards where the wind takes them. The ship’s final destination lies in the side stories, but the anime might be the paddle that steers them away from this happy ending. Throughout the main arc, hints of their connection are flashed. From Jinwoo’s distinct sweet scent that drew Cha Hae-In to the care and support they show each other, their relationship appears promising. Sadly, love can not bloom in a world whose existence is constantly threatened, and it is only in the side stories that their love finally upgrades from a spark to a forest fire.
This is where the love fully blooms, and if the anime skips it, their connection would be reduced to a relationship that never was. Fans fear this not because they want a sprinkle of emotions in their action-packed tea, but because the love story makes everything worth it. Without this love interest, Sung Jinwoo would lose his chance at experiencing something real beyond power and his affection towards family. It makes him human and relatable, and the anime leaving this part out would make him incomplete—just yourregular overpowered character.
The Introduction Of Sung Suho
Skipping Sung Suho’s Introduction Would Cut Off the Series’ Legacy
Emotions and a proper relationship were not the only things Sung Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In got out of the side stories. Their union gave birth to a child, Sung Suho. Suho is a part of the generation that Sung Jinwoo fought to protect so as not to experience the same struggles or fear he did as a hunter. Without Suho’s introduction, the anime would feel like it ends on a cliffhanger. Jinwoo would win the battle, but for what purpose? No future, no legacy, just the sweet and short-lived taste of victory. That gaping hole in the plot would massively affect the anime, making it a shadow of what could have been.
Sung Suho’s existence is not just a cute wrap-up ofSolo Leveling; he’s the next chapter of the world Jinwoo fought to save. In a Boruto-esque manner, he is the protagonist of the manhwa’s sequel and spin-off,Solo Leveling: Ragnarok. This is probably the common ground that the action enthusiasts and emotional fans have. Cutting out this side story would not only be a spit in the face of everything Sung Jinwoo fought for, but the possibilities of an animated sequel to this masterpiece would be next to none.
Why These Side Stories Are Not Just Bonus Content
Skipping These Arcs Could Miss What Made The Manhwa Legendary
It is easy to get caught up in the action, the boss fights, and Sung Jinwoo trampling on everyone who doubted his might with an unbelievable aura. But at its core,Solo Levelingis not just about Sung Jinwoo’s rapid progressin becoming the world’s strongest hunter. It is about what happens after achieving it. The peace and tranquility, the love between him and Cha Hae-In, leaving a legacy—all the things Sung Jinwoo fought for—is what turned the manhwa from great to legendary.
Without these narratives, the anime risks becoming half-baked by portraying him as just a power-hungry maniac looking to clear anyone who dared oppose him or threaten his family. These scenes are not just side stories; they are the result of Sung Jinwoo’s hard work. They matter, and Sung Jinwoo, with his fans, deserves better than these scenes being cut out of theSolo Levelinganime adaptation.
