Solo Leveling: ReAwakening – Review

This review is based on the Solo Leveling: ReAwakening movie, and episode 1 and 2 of Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-.

The allure of video games often lies in their power fantasies, where levelling up is straightforward – defeat enemies, collect rewards, and incrementally improve your stats. It’s a far cry from the real world, with its unpredictable challenges and often unfair distribution of opportunities, which makes it cruelly impossible to even the odds. 

Offering an escape from reality’s constraints are fantasy stories like Solo Leveling, a Korean-webtoon-turned-anime-series by Chugong and illustrated by the late Jang Sung-rak (Dubu). Plunging viewers into a video game-inspired world where individuals awaken with superhuman abilities, these ‘hunters’ are tasked with battling monstrous creatures that threaten humanity. Strength is paramount in this world, in which Class Ranks (from E-rank to S-rank) determine one’s place in society. 

A lowly E-rank hunter Sung Jinwoo, brought to life by Japanese voice actor Taito Ban (Sand Land, Oshi no Ko) and Aleks Le (Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) in the English dub version, struggles to survive the brutal meritocracy. After surviving the dungeon that decimated his party, he gains the extraordinary ability to train and increase his strength, an anomaly in a ranking system where hunters’ abilities are usually fixed. With this newfound strength comes suspicion, danger, and challenges that test his abilities and humanity alike.

This foundation serves as the springboard for Solo Leveling: ReAwakening, director Shunsuke Nakashige’s (Sword Art Online) anime film adaptation of well, the first season of the anime series adapted from the Korean manhwa. Solo Leveling: ReAwakening operates as a hybrid, blending cherry-picked highlights from the first season of the anime – primarily from episode six onwards, and merged with the first two episodes of the upcoming second season, titled Arise from the Shadow, from the one hour and 16-minute mark. Mirroring compilation works like 2024’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training, which incorporates fully the last episode of the third season and the first episode of the fourth season, Solo Leveling: ReAwakening is packaged as a promotional tool to generate excitement for the new season. Hey, it beats rewatching the full first season if you’re pressed for time.

It doesn’t take long to notice the diluted storytelling depth with the film’s shift to an action-heavy approach. By focusing on the most action-packed moments from season one, it delivers the relentless energy and stunning visuals that the anime is so beloved for, but this comes at the cost of character interactions and arcs that give the series its emotional resonance, glossing over the nuances of Jinwoo’s journey. 

Key sequences from the anime, such as his partnership with D-rank hunter Yoo Jinho (Genta Nakamura, Ninja Kamui / Justin Briner, My Hero Academia), established during the events of episodes five and six, are entirely left out and these omissions leave gaps in character dynamics and backstory, making the interactions between characters feel superficial rather than earned. Furthermore, the film glosses over essential elements of The System that saved Jinwoo’s life, including daily quests, penalties, and the significance of Jinwoo’s quest to save his mother. The lack of an exposition, however, may leave viewers unfamiliar with the established lore, such as the rules of the world and the stakes at play. 

That said, Solo Leveling: ReAwakening compensates for its narrative gaps with an unapologetic embrace of high-octane spectacles. Produced by A-1 Pictures (86, Black Butler) with supplemental motion graphics from Production I.G (Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle, Psycho-Pass), it excels in delivering visually arresting battle sequences once the film enters the Red Gate arc in the first episode of Season 2. Screenwriter Noboru Kimura (Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture) crafts a fast-paced narrative that mirrors the grind of an RPG, with one boss battle leading directly to the next. 

Standout sequences include Jinwoo’s confrontations with the Ice Bears and Ice Elves, expanding the scope of the conflicts and showcasing the strategic thinking involved in large-scale encounters. The feature effectively captures the essence of the series’ signature visual flair, whether it’s fast-paced combat or a vibrant display of supernatural abilities, and furnishes it with precise, meaningful details. As the intensity of the battles builds, the animation keeps pace, ensuring that the power and ferocity of the characters are conveyed with impact. 

Sound design plays an equally significant role in amplifying the experience. Each action sequence is enriched by Hiroyuki Sawano’s (Attack on Titan, The Seven Deadly Sins) meticulously crafted score that blends orchestral grandeur with electronic beats. During Jinwoo’s transformative moments, the music pulses with intensity, reflecting the protagonist’s internal struggles and external triumphs. 

And at the centre of it all stands Jinwoo, the unlikely hero whose journey from weakness to extraordinary power. The protagonist’s character development avoids typical power fantasy tropes, revealing a nuanced inner world that both his English voice actor Le and Japanese voice actor Ban capture with impressive skill. While their deliveries differ slightly – Ban exudes a cool, quick-witted demeanour, whereas Le’s performance is more reactive and emotionally charged – both actors effectively convey Jinwoo’s growth and internal struggles to reconcile raw power with purpose. 

As a standalone film and a promotional piece designed to rekindle excitement for Season 2, Solo Leveling: ReAwakening thrives on its relentless action and stunning visuals. Despite truncating some elements of Jinwoo’s journey, it still revisits the series’ core themes and explores the weight of power and the choices it demands. The philosophical tension between survival of the fittest and the responsibility of strength is present, even if simplified, hinting at the moral complexities that will come to the forefront in the anime sequel. Newcomers can expect a thrilling introduction to the series, and should do themselves a favour by watching the first season in its entirety. But for longtime fans, the film is a satisfying way to re-enter Jinwoo’s world and gear up for more chaos to come.

Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow- will stream on Crunchyroll starting 4 January.

Natalie

Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Sylus from Love and Deepspace.