Excitement is high for the upcoming second season of Solo Leveling, but there’s another installment in the franchise that shouldn’t be overlooked—Solo Leveling: Ragnarök. This sequel has successfully stepped in to fill the void left by the anime’s break, ensuring that fans still have plenty of content to enjoy.
More than that, Ragnarök brings a story that many believe rivals, or even surpasses, the original Solo Leveling in terms of both story depth and quality.
Suho’s hidden powers awaken, drawing enemies from the shadows (Photo: Solo Leveling/Lucasfilm Ltd)A Fresh Perspective on the Solo Leveling Universe
Created by Dangdo and JIN, Solo Leveling: Ragnarök introduces a new story that expands the Solo Leveling universe without directly continuing its plot.
The focus now moves to Sung Suho, the son of Sung Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In, rather than following Jinwoo’s journey. Instead of serving as a straightforward sequel, this installment starts anew, largely due to Jinwoo’s decision to erase Suho’s memories.
This act was intended to shield Suho from the dark forces that would inevitably target him if they learned he was the Shadow Monarch’s heir.
Ragnarök Blends Familiar Elements With a New Adventure
Jinwoo’s attempts to keep his son hidden from danger begin to weaken as the suppression placed on Suho’s abilities starts to fade. As a result, Suho not only starts realizing that he is different from those around him, but powerful enemies also become aware of his existence.
Reports from CBR.com highlight the overwhelming response to Ragnarök, noting that within just a few hours of its premiere, the webtoon achieved a 9.9/10 rating, nearly three million views, and a top-ranking spot on Kakao, the platform hosting it.
These numbers indicate that Ragnarök is proving to be just as beloved—if not more—than its predecessor, Solo Leveling. What sets Ragnarök apart and makes it stand out among sequels is its ability to build on Solo Leveling’s original framework while introducing fresh ideas.
The series doesn’t simply retread old ground but instead ventures into unexplored territory, giving long-time fans something new while still maintaining ties to the original. Outside of Jinwoo himself, only a handful of familiar characters from Solo Leveling have made appearances.
The strongest link to the past so far remains the fact that Suho is Jinwoo’s son. This approach allows Ragnarök to appeal to both dedicated Solo Leveling fans and those new to the franchise.
Readers who followed Jinwoo’s journey will be eager to see the result of his reign as the Shadow Monarch, while those unfamiliar with the result of his reign as the Shadow Monarch, Solo Leveling can immerse themselves in Suho’s coming-of-age journey.
His story follows a young warrior who inherits immense power but must figure out how to master it on his own.
A New Take on Action and World-Building
Elements of action, adventure, lore, and character development—key aspects that made Solo Leveling popular—are all present in Ragnarök, but with a fresh twist. Jinwoo’s rapid ascent from an underdog to the ultimate warrior in Solo Leveling often sparked criticism for being too convenient.
Ragnarök introduces Suho as someone who is already born exceptional. As the child of two elite Hunters, his abilities give him an innate advantage, allowing him to grasp the system faster and even surpass his parents’ greatest achievements at their peak.
Ragnarök Expands the Solo Leveling Universe With Creativity
Some Solo Leveling fans may be hesitant to invest in another story about an overpowered Hunter effortlessly taking down monsters, but Ragnarök alters this dynamic. Suho has an underlying awareness of his strength, yet due to Jinwoo’s interference, his abilities remain locked away.
A new generation rises, but can Suho surpass the Shadow Monarch (Photo: Solo Leveling/Lucasfilm Ltd)This creates a stark contrast to Jinwoo’s journey—while Jinwoo was continuously astonished by how quickly he could grow stronger, Suho instead struggles with barriers preventing him from reaching his full potential.
His frustration builds as he finds himself unable to advance at the rate he expects, especially considering his legendary lineage. A key aspect of Suho’s journey is his unique bloodline, which sets him apart even from his powerful parents.
Although he knows who they are and what they accomplished, his memories of them remain inaccessible. This creates a compelling character arc where he carries on their legacy without fully understanding its weight.
While striving to carve his path, he also battles with expectations placed upon him—expectations that stem from a history he can’t fully remember. Beyond character development, Ragnarök also introduces new layers to the lore established in Solo Leveling.
Early in the series, a major move is revealed: monsters now possess the ability not only to kill Hunters but also to corrupt them, transforming them into monsters themselves. This makes dungeons even more perilous than before, as a single injury can turn a Hunter into a superpowered enemy, weaponized against their former allies.
A Huge Year Ahead for Solo Leveling Fans
Another major development in Ragnarök is the growing divide between those with supernatural abilities, known as the Awakened, and the powerless majority.
While Solo Leveling primarily depicted Hunters as humanity’s defenders, Ragnarök introduces Awakened individuals who have become corrupted by their power.
Some of these enhanced humans no longer dedicate themselves to fighting monsters but instead use their abilities to commit crimes and dominate weaker individuals. As a result, certain Hunters are becoming just as dangerous as the very creatures they were meant to battle.
With all these exciting changes, there has never been a better time to be a Solo Leveling fan. On one side, anticipation continues to build for the highly awaited second season of the Solo Leveling anime, which will further look into Jinwoo’s path to becoming the Shadow Monarch.
On the other, Ragnarök follows Suho’s unique journey, one that presents new challenges and a fresh take on what it means to be a Hunter. Unlike his father, Suho enters the story already brimming with immense potential.
However, he must figure out how to unlock his abilities without guidance, all while facing even more formidable threats than those Jinwoo once encountered. Between the upcoming anime continuation and the gripping expansion brought by Ragnarök, there is plenty to keep fans engaged for months to come.