Summary

• Jinwoo's reliance on potions and weapons is controversial among fans and critics of Solo Leveling.
• The anime adaptation provides more context and detail to Jinwoo's victories compared to the manhwa.
• Jinwoo's unique approach to battles shows his cerebral nature and survival instincts, enhancing his character.

Despite its popularity and widespread acclaim, Solo Leveling is not without its criticisms. Some of its most common criticisms center around its protagonist – Sung Jinwoo. His unequaled ability to succeed belies – what some fans believe – are personal issues that would otherwise lead someone less lucky to defeat. The anime, however, does a better job than the manhwa of dispelling at least some of the criticism of Jinwoo, which is showcased especially in one early but pivotal fight.

One notable criticism of Jinwoo is that his overreliance on overpowered weapons and potions undermines his credibility as a hero, which is the story's central premise. Essentially, critics argue that Jinwoo's success is not due to his own abilities and powers, but rather the result of external factors – the broken weapons and busted potions – that do the work for him. Without these advantages, he would likely fail.

For instance, Jinwoo is able to defeat B-Rank Hunter Kang Taeshik – one of the most experienced hunters on that level. Jinwoo is able to accomplish this largely because of a “buff” in abilities he received from his teammate Joohee, the skill “bloodlust”, and his enchanted “Kasaka’s Venom Fang” dagger.

For Some Fans, Solo Leveling's Sung Jingwoo is a Paper Tiger

Jinwoo's Reliance On Magic and Weapons Is Controversial

According to his critics, without the assistance of those magical potions and abilities, it's unlikely Jinwoo would have survived Kang’s attacks. However, the critics miss – or ignore – an essential factor in his development prior to his encounter with Kang. Indeed, Jinwoo's prior dungeon duel against Cerberus, the three-headed demon hound who serves as the guardian of the Gates of Hell, offers plenty of evidence that Jinwoo is more than just magical items and magic spells.

Jinwoo begins his fight with Cerberus in his customary situation – outgunned and outmatched by a superior foe. Indeed, having just started on his new path to glory, Jinwoo enters his fight against Cerberus with one main magical item – a transporting stone that can immediately transport him out of the dungeon if activated – and a range of other “mid-level” weapons and “perks”. Now, if one were to only observe the fight from Chapter #27 of the manhwa, there is little to dispel the idea that, but for his perks, Jinwoo would have not been able to defeat Cerberus.

The Solo Leveling Anime Enhances the Narrative by Filling in the Gaps Left by the Manhwa.

However, the anime adaptation (Episode #7) provides more context and detail about Jinwoo's victory over his superior opponent, unlike the manhwa. In the manhwa, the fight is brief and doesn't fully show Jinwoo's actions leading up to his win. In contrast, the anime offers a more detailed depiction of the battle. For example, we see that Jinwoo's initial attacks are ineffective against Cerberus. Additionally, when Jinwoo realizes he can't win, he attempts to use the transportation stone to escape the dungeon, but Cerberus knocks it away at the last second.

Faced with certain death, the anime shows how Jinwoo uses his knowledge of the game system and his experience to come up with a truly unique solution. This demonstrates that while Jinwoo may not be the strongest, fastest, or most powerful hunter, he is likely the most cerebral. His actions are guided by a vast array of experiences, all centered on his survival instincts, which he knows are effective. The use of magic weapons, potions, and buffs is simply a bonus.

Thanks to the Solo Leveling anime adaptation, Jinwoo is presented with a depth and complexity that the manhwa only touches upon. Indeed, the anime solves one of the key critiques moved against Solo Leveling manhwa. Jinwoo is a unique individual, a hunter with a completely different power dynamic that no one else in the Solo Leveling universe has fully grasped.