The first season of Solo Leveling has generated excitement among fans eager to see how much of the web novel and manhwa will be adapted. With its fast-paced storyline and action-packed sequences, many are curious about how far the anime will progress in Jin-Woo’s journey.
The series begins with his struggles as an E-Rank Hunter and gradually follows his transformation into one of the most powerful individuals. Key story arcs, including the Double Dungeon incident and his reawakening, are expected to be major highlights.
Emotional depth or action focus—how will the anime balance the story (Photo: Solo Leveling/Lucasfilm Ltd)The adaptation’s pacing will determine whether it covers only the early stages of his rise or extends into more intense battles. Viewers also anticipate whether certain story elements will be condensed or expanded upon.
Understanding how much of the original material will be included in Season 1 helps set expectations for both new and longtime fans.
1. Jinwoo Talks to Jinah About the Raid
A moment in the anime occurs when Jinwoo is faced with the decision to eliminate Hwang Dongsuk and his group inside a C-rank dungeon. Episode 7 places a strong emphasis on this event, even adding an extra scene to reinforce its impact.
Meanwhile, the manhwa presents this differently—Jinwoo is shown spending time at home with his sister, Jinah, engaging in casual conversation. She notices that he seems to be in an unusually good mood and treats her to chicken wings, leading to a lighthearted moment.
Shortly after, he discovers that alcohol no longer has any effect on him. The anime alters this sequence by having Jinah initiate a discussion about the recent raid, prompting Jinwoo to reflect on the difficult choice he had to make.
This additional scene deepens his character by emphasizing the psychological toll of his actions and how much the System has changed him in a short period. By incorporating this, the anime provides a clearer understanding of his evolving mindset and the burden he now carries.
2. Kim Sangshik’s Death Was Cut Short
A minor change in the anime affects the way Kim Sangshik’s final moments are portrayed in Episode 9. In the manhwa, as Kang Taeshik attacks him, a flashback reveals touching memories of his wife and children.
He desperately clings to the promise he made to return home, reinforcing the emotional weight of his impending death. This reflection adds depth to his character, making his demise even more tragic.
The anime presents his death differently by omitting these inner thoughts. Instead, when Jinwoo and his group find him, he is already critically wounded. Before passing away, he weakly apologizes to Jinwoo while Joohee attempts to heal him, but her efforts prove futile.
Unlike the manhwa, which provides a more personal and emotional farewell, the anime compensates by including a brief earlier scene where Sangshik is seen with his family before the raid. Though his role in the story is minor, the manhwa’s version gives his death more emotional weight due to the added depth at that crucial moment.
3. Jinwoo Drinks Kasaka’s Venom Against Cerberus
An important difference between the anime and the manhwa appears during Jinwoo’s fight against Cerberus. The anime intensifies the battle by having Jinwoo suddenly remember that he still has Kasaka’s venom and using it at a critical moment.
This strategic decision proves advantageous, as the venom reduces incoming damage by 20%, though at the cost of a 35% reduction in his strength. This element adds a tactical layer to the fight, making it feel more intense.
The manhwa presents the events differently. Jinwoo does not use the venom while battling Cerberus but instead consumes it later while at home with Jinah. At that point, he realizes that his poison resistance prevents him from experiencing any of its intended effects.
Testing it confirms that his body automatically neutralizes toxins, making the venom ineffective as a combat tool.
4. Joohee Gets a Call From Her Parents
Joohee, a B-rank healer who plays a supportive role early in the story, receives a brief yet meaningful scene exclusive to the anime in Episode 8. In this additional moment, she answers a phone call from her mother, who urges her to leave the hunter profession and join the family business instead.
This small but insightful scene provides a better understanding of Joohee’s life outside of dungeon raids and the personal struggles she faces. Still haunted by the horrors of the Double Dungeon incident, Joohee finds herself questioning her abilities and whether she should continue as a hunter.
Before she can make a decision, an offer to participate in a D-rank raid is presented to her, leading to an unexpected reunion with Jinwoo. While brief, this added moment sheds light on how deeply the trauma of past battles lingers within hunters, regardless of their rank.
5. Kim Sangshik Opens the Doors to the Double Dungeon
When the hunters in the first episode of the anime encounter a D-rank dungeon with an unusual passage leading to another room, a discussion arises about whether they should proceed. This event mirrors the manhwa closely, but a slight difference can be found in who physically takes action.
The anime features 13 hunters (compared to 17 in the manhwa), and as the group debates their next move, someone needs to open the doors leading to the hidden area. A change occurs here—while the manhwa has Song stepping forward to push the doors open, the anime assigns this role to Kim Sangshik instead.
Although this might seem like a minor alteration, it could impact how guilt and responsibility play out in later parts of the story, particularly for both Song and Kim. It remains to be seen if this adjustment will influence future character development in the anime adaptation.
6. Sung Jinwoo Is Stabbed By a Goblin
Sung Jinwoo’s early struggles as an E-rank hunter are made more brutal in the anime, adding a layer of realism to his initial weakness. The first dungeon encounter, which involves battling goblins, is depicted with greater intensity in the adaptation.
The manhwa presents the fight as a fast-paced sequence where Jinwoo barely manages to kill a goblin and obtain its useful stone. Though he sustains injuries, they are not overly severe. The anime, however, expands on this by adding a sudden ambush, where a second goblin attacks him right after his victory.
This unexpected assault results in Jinwoo suffering a deep stab wound in the stomach, causing him to collapse in pain. By emphasizing his injuries, the anime further highlights just how difficult survival is for someone of his rank.
7. Jinwoo’s Choice of Weapon Changes
The weapons used by hunters play a critical role in combat, influencing their ability to fight effectively. In the anime, Jinwoo enters a dungeon equipped with a small knife, which breaks during his battle with goblins. This leaves him vulnerable and forces him to fight with his bare hands, leading to him getting injured in the struggle.
This scene shows differently in the manhwa. Instead of carrying a weapon, Jinwoo enters the dungeon unarmed. A flashback in Chapter 4 explains the reason behind this—he had stopped bringing weapons because they were too expensive and would often break, costing more than he could afford.
This detail provides additional insight into his financial struggles, reinforcing how desperate his situation was before gaining power.
8. Yoo Jinho and Han Song-Yi Make Cameos Together
Some well-known characters from later arcs receive an early introduction in the anime. The first episode includes brief moments showcasing hunters participating in association training and rank assessments, helping to establish the setting.
A small Easter egg in this sequence features both Yoo Jinho, who later becomes Jinwoo’s right-hand man, and Han Song-Yi, a classmate of Jinwoo’s sister. The manhwa introduces them separately under different circumstances, but the anime places them together as two strangers just beginning their hunter careers.
This fun detail serves as a nod to fans who recognize their later importance.
9. The Anime Is in Japanese
Due to A-1 Pictures adapting, cultural adjustments were made to accommodate the Japanese setting. While the original light novel and manhwa were written in Korean, the anime is voiced in Japanese, leading to localization changes for the domestic Japanese release.
Kim Sangshik’s fate takes a different turn, but is it just as impactful (Photo: Solo Leveling/Lucasfilm Ltd)Although the international version retains the original Korean names and locations, the Japanese release makes modifications, changing “Sung Jinwoo” to “Shun Mizushino” and setting the story in Tokyo instead of Seoul. These alterations initially sparked debate when first announced nearly two years ago.
However, the global version that premiered on January 6 remains faithful to the original, ensuring consistency for long-time fans.
10. The Jeju Island Prologue That Never Happened
The anime introduces a dramatic prologue that wasn’t present in the manhwa. It begins with a flashback to Jeju Island, where a catastrophic S-rank Gate releases a swarm of massive killer ants.
This opening sequence serves as a gripping introduction while also treating longtime fans to early appearances of well-known S-rank hunters such as Baek Yoonho, Choi Jong-In, and Min Byung-Gyu—characters who only appear later in the manhwa.
Though this event was referenced in the source material, it was never directly shown. By incorporating this scene, the anime offers a visually intense beginning, immediately showcasing the overwhelming power of high-ranking monsters.
The design of the ants is taken from a later arc, where Jinwoo and other S-rank hunters fight to reclaim Jeju Island. Including this sequence creates a high-impact start to the series, setting the stage for the dangers that lie ahead.