"On the outside, there's this awesome image, but on the inside, there is filth."

Solo Leveling is an adaptation of the novel by the same name. The novel was unique and charismatic enough to get a webtoon adaptation with nice art and better pacing. The story itself didn't changed, so this is in part a review for the novel too. I will be concise and use simple language. There will not be major spoilers:

Jing woo, the main character of this story, is a low level hunter that lives in a world full of magic dungeons. Accompanied with videogame screens he is goign to become the strongest one. The core of the story is simple. The idea is very similar to other works often classified as "wish fulfillment" or "power fantasy" using popular games mechanics. Some people think this is bad, but it is not. Power fantasy as a genre has a lot of potential, even if we really don't have a good example of it.

Jing woo starts as a low level hunter, an association with human warriors who possess magical powers and use them to fight magic beasts and clear dungeons. He wants to be the stronger and defeat the dungeon system, because the world is endangered by it. I like the idea but, sadly, the dungeon system lacks as a whole. As worlbuilding goes the series doesn't explain very much. Some inconsistencias with the technology, the hunter's abilities, certain gates, the goverment and the relation with the hunters/dungeons, global problems, security issues... A lot remains unanswered.

The author knows why a lot of the readers are in a power fantasy: the badass moments. Anf that's ok, but having other works explaining with detail their world, mechanics and characters in similar stories we need to adress when Solo Leveling is not good. The worlbuilding is not good.

With Jing being a little bit more stronger all the endless entertainment arcs and missions changes. He is very strong, and I mean, VERY strong. The series change the tone. Jing can defeat any enemy without sweating. All the other hunters aren't strong enough, in fact, they love it. At the beggining he was insulted, but after some training he is very strong. As simple as it sounds.

Now the story centers of the main idea, this cool fights with nice effects. The fights are mostly one sided, even if the enemy can defeat any hunter that isn't Jing or other secondary characters. At the beggining can be cool, but it becomes boring. There is no point of showing the same episode 8 TIMES, maybe 1 or 2 but the variety is important. Is a problem because it just it is what it is, tons of fights without much meaning, only the level up stuff. In general the fights are nice, the effects and drawings rock! I love them. But fights cannot be only cool. We don't need a lot of lore, but repeating the same formula con be exhausting. The fights are generally mediocre.

Jing woo keeps developing as a hunter, increasing his level. Then, as a character...he should evolve a lot! Sadly, no...not very much. It is true that Jing changes, he starts as a "weakling" but becomes "chad". But as a character he is really plain. His design is plain and his personality lacks of everything, this is common in the power fantasy genre as a core. It is not bad at first sight, he can work as an spectator for example (visual novels use this a lot). But he is the center of the series. The plot, the story revolves around him. He doesn't develop, even after all what happens in the world. His cold personality is the same throught all his adventure. As a character, Sung Jing Woo is plain, vapid and boring.

The secondary characters aren't very special either. There are a few with some screentime but they mostly serve the purpose to "glaze" over Jing. It is sad, beacuse the hunters are a very interesting group. The females characters, as unfortunately expected aren't treated with the love and care the deserve. Becoming mere plot tools even if they are relevant to it. The secondary characters aren't good.

The antagonists are even more one-dimensional. Without spoiling too much want to destroy the world. They are as plain as the other characters. Also one of them is very similar to one charismatic green guy, something that I don't think is a good idea. Using something from othe authors can work but you need to be creative, work around it. This is a more subjective critic but I wanted to note it.

As a story, Solo Leveling, doesn't offer very much. The lack of characters development, worldbuilding and progress are the main victims of the general subpar writing. The conclusions often feel rushed, leaving lots of answers and ideas in the back. Solo Leveling had the potential to be creative, and maybe even well written but decided focusing of the shallow aspects.

In conclusion, Solo Leveling is basically cool effects and drawings with no content. Is not a simple piece of media, is underveloped and full of basic problems. But that also works in its favour because the fights and the drawings can get intense as soon as possible. If you want a good story, good characters, a message or general development, Solo Leveling is not for you. If you want badass moments, non-stop action and pretty drawings: Solo Leveling is for you.

Is not the best at what is does, is not good at what it does. We need to address that and support quality projects!

Thanks for reading, have a good day.