The Solo Leveling anime has generated plenty of excitement since its release, with lovers of the original story eager to see how well the adaptation stays true to its source material.
Given that the series originally started as a web novel before being adapted into a manhwa, many viewers are curious about which version the anime follows more closely.
Character designs and transitions closely follow the manhwa’s influence (Photo: Solo Leveling/Lucasfilm Ltd)While there are elements from both, the anime appears to lean heavily towards the manhwa’s artistic and story style, though with some differences.
Visual and Storytelling Approach
One of the most noticeable aspects of the Solo Leveling anime is its resemblance to the manhwa in terms of visual presentation. The manhwa, with its rich colors and dynamic illustrations, brought the world of Solo Leveling to life in a way that text alone could not.
The anime follows this same approach by maintaining the visual style seen in the manhwa, from the character designs to the fight sequences.
Additionally, many of the scenes and panel transitions in the anime are adapted directly from the manhwa rather than the web novel, making it clear where its primary influence lies.
However, when it comes to storytelling, the anime does make slight modifications. While the web novel contained more detailed explanations and inner monologues, the anime has streamlined some of these elements, much like the manhwa did during its adaptation.
This means that while some aspects of the web novel’s story depth may be reduced, the anime retains the action-driven pacing that made the manhwa popular.
Character Portrayal and Dialogue
The portrayal of characters in the anime also aligns more with the manhwa than the web novel. Sung Jinwoo, the protagonist, transforms the story, and his character development in the anime mirrors the way it was handled in the manhwa.
Some depth from the web novel is trimmed for a faster-paced anime (Photo: Solo Leveling/Lucasfilm Ltd)His physical appearance, expressions, and interactions with other characters closely follow how they were depicted in the manhwa, rather than relying on the more detailed internal thoughts provided in the web novel.
The dialogue in the anime is adapted in a way that feels more natural for an animated medium. While the web novel had extensive descriptions and inner reflections, the anime—like the manhwa—focuses more on conversations and visual storytelling. This allows for a smoother flow of events, making the anime engaging for both longtime fans and newcomers.
Changes and Omissions
Despite staying mostly true to the manhwa, the anime has made a few changes that set it apart. Some minor story details have been adjusted to improve pacing, while certain scenes have been either condensed or omitted. This is a common practice in anime adaptations to maintain a consistent runtime and keep viewers engaged.
While the Solo Leveling anime takes inspiration from both the web novel and the manhwa, it is clear that the manhwa serves as its primary foundation.
The artistic style, character portrayals, and storytelling approach closely follow the manhwa, ensuring that fans who enjoyed that version will find a familiar experience in the anime.