Will Any Violent Scenes Be Censored in the Solo Leveling Anime?

With this season covering multiple arcs within just 13 episodes, adjustments in pacing and omitted scenes from the source material were expected. The anime adaptation of Solo Leveling Season 2 moves quickly to highlight the most crucial parts of the story.

However, a particular moment in episode 2, which could have added more depth to Sung Jinwoo’s character, was subtly changed to present him in a less morally ambiguous light. Jinwoo’s internal conflict and the ethical challenges he faces as he grows stronger play a vital role in his character development.

These aspects emphasize how immense power can impact a person’s sense of humanity. Despite this, the anime adaptation has softened one of the darker scenes from the manhwa, which initially demonstrated the extent of Jinwoo’s ruthlessness as a hunter.

A Key Moment in Kim Chul’s Death Was Toned Down in the Anime

Episode 14 of Solo Leveling, titled “I Suppose You Aren’t Aware,” portrays Jinwoo as aware of his current limitations against Baruka and needing a stronger shadow to ensure survival. The anime presents his actions as if he merely anticipated Kim Chul’s retaliatory attack, allowing him to kill the A-Rank hunter in self-defense.

However, chapter #53 of the manhwa shows that Jinwoo had a deliberate strategy from the beginning. He fixated on the unconscious Kim Chul while contemplating the acquisition of a new shadow and intentionally kicked the sword near him to provoke an attack.

This detail is barely noticeable in the anime, as Jinwoo’s kick is quick and easy to miss. Given the result of his battle with Baruka, many viewers might assume that the sword landing next to Kim Chul was coincidental.

While this change does not alter the fact that Jinwoo killed another person—especially one who was already mentally unstable and had endangered other hunters—the anime has subtly omitted elements that would have portrayed him in a more morally complex manner.

Previous Adaptation Changes in Season 1 Softened Jinwoo’s Character

Although this adjustment may seem minor, it reflects a pattern in how the anime adaptation approaches darker aspects of Jinwoo’s personality. A much more controversial moment was removed in Season 1 when Solo Leveling omitted a scene from chapter #34 of the manhwa.

In this instance, Jinwoo dragged a criminal hunter into the boss’s chamber and watched as hobgoblins killed him. While some might argue that moments like these are excessively grim, Solo Leveling is not primarily a dark story, and its tone becomes more optimistic as it progresses.

However, these scenes contribute to Jinwoo’s character arc and align with Kang Taeshik’s words in episode 9, where he suggests that each time Jinwoo grows stronger, he loses part of himself.

These omitted moments could have reinforced Jinwoo’s transformation, serving as a natural progression from his moral dilemma in episode 6, when he killed for the first time in his confrontation with the Lizard Hunters.

Sung Jinwoo’s Strength Lies in His Ruthless Philosophy

Survival instincts dictate the harsh reality of Solo Leveling’s dungeons, where individuals are either hunters or prey. Jinwoo’s mindset is heavily influenced by the trauma of being left to die in the Double Dungeon. By episode 6, he fully grasps the cruelty of certain hunters who are willing to dispose of others for personal gain.

This experience leads him to believe that those who prey on the weak should, in turn, face the consequences of being hunted themselves. This perspective explains why he had no hesitation in executing Kim Chul.

Jinwoo never paused to reflect on the morality of using shadow extraction on Kim Chul, turning him into one of his soldiers. Despite Kim Chul’s status as the raid leader, his willingness to abandon weaker hunters left Jinwoo with no sympathy for him.

Even though Solo Leveling Season 2 has been highly effective in adapting the original material, the decision to omit certain aspects of Jinwoo’s character presents a slightly altered version of his development.

For those wanting a deeper understanding of his transformation, reading the manhwa remains the best way to experience the story in its fullest form.