Will Solo Leveling’s Anime Adaptation Modify Main Plot Points?

The second season of Solo Leveling moves at a quicker pace than its predecessor. Jinwoo’s personality changes in the anime, emphasizing his struggles with decision-making and the impact of his choices.

Other characters receive more attention, reshaping the structure of the original story. Season one of the Solo Leveling anime made a massive impact, dominating much of the conversation during the Winter 2025 anime season.

The sequel premiered on January 4, following the theatrical release of a film compilation of the first season. Before the second season’s official release, the initial two episodes debuted in U.S. theaters on December 6, 2024.

Even within these first glimpses, noticeable adjustments have been made to Solo Leveling’s story, which may lead to major differences in how audiences experience the anime.

These changes become even more apparent when compared to the manhwa. Here are some of the most notable modifications introduced in Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-.

Increased Pacing and Shift in Tone

One of the most striking differences in the adaptation from manhwa to anime is the accelerated pacing, allowing the anime to reach major story moments more quickly.

While the core developments remain intact, this change affects the overall feel of the series. Readers of the manhwa may recall numerous comedic moments or lighthearted interactions that provided contrast to the darker themes.

However, the anime leans into a more serious atmosphere, particularly as it emphasizes Jinwoo’s evolving personality.

This faster pacing continues into Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-, with the first two episodes covering nearly ten chapters of content.

To put this into perspective, the entire first season adapted approximately 45 chapters. Additionally, the anime introduces the horrors of Jeju Island much earlier than the manhwa, setting the stage for the upcoming Jeju Island Raid Arc as one of the series’ most crucial events.

While the manhwa incorporated humor to balance its violent and intense moments, this aspect is somewhat reduced in the anime, particularly as Jinwoo’s strength grows.

Most viewers will pick up on subtle changes in Sung Jinwoo’s characterization. While both versions of the character share the same motivations and endure similar hardships, the anime places greater emphasis on his struggle with maintaining his humanity.

“Then I’d say your shadow stretches into some really nasty places…

and you’ll probably get as strong as those places are dark.

You’d better watch yourself, though.

If you gaze for long into an abyss,

the abyss… gazes also into you.”

– Kang Taeshik

Different Character Development for Jinwoo

In the manhwa, Jinwoo exhibits a ruthless streak much earlier.

Each time he has had to take a life, he has done so without hesitation. However, the anime highlights the emotional weight of these moments, particularly after he eliminates Hwang Dongsuk and his allies.

The manhwa portrays Jinwoo as somewhat desensitized to violence—he can cut down an opponent, deliver a sharp remark, and then casually have dinner with his sister as if nothing happened.

In contrast, the anime explores the emotional consequences of his actions, showing that these choices linger with him even after the fact. A key moment illustrating this difference is Kim Chul’s death and transformation into a Shadow.

In the manhwa, Jinwoo manipulates the situation to ensure Kim Chul’s demise. Recognizing that the Red Gate ordeal has driven Kim Chul to desperation, he provokes the A-Ranker into attacking, intending to create a powerful new Shadow to aid in defeating the Red Gate boss, Barca.

The anime presents this confrontation differently, framing it more as self-defense. Jinwoo seizes the opportunity created by Kim Chul’s aggression rather than outright orchestrating his death.

As Jinwoo’s fading humanity remains a central theme during the Red Gate arc, the distinction between these portrayals is significant. In the manhwa, his calculated decision to eliminate Kim Chul for strategic gain underscores his growing detachment.

The anime, however, seeks to add more complexity to this moral decline, making it clear that having him deliberately murder Kim Chul in cold blood would not align with the direction this adaptation is taking.

Greater Emphasis on Other Character

Although the overall structure of the story remains faithful to the manhwa and web novel, the anime’s approach creates a noticeably different experience.

Instead of merely following Sung Jinwoo’s journey, the anime puts greater focus on how the System isolates him from others and how this transformation affects his relationships.

This shift becomes even clearer during the Red Gate arc when the Ice Elf Barca acknowledges Jinwoo as something beyond human. Jinwoo’s own actions confirm this, as he takes another person’s life and extracts their Shadow without hesitation.

One of the most impactful changes is the amount of attention given to characters outside of Jinwoo. The anime dedicates more time to developing supporting figures, a choice that inevitably means adjusting certain aspects of the story to accommodate these additional character moments.

While the manhwa prioritizes Jinwoo’s journey and highlights his calculated, ruthless pursuit of strength, the anime leans more into his internal struggles and interactions with others.

This difference in focus reshapes how the anime adapts key story arcs, creating a unique experience that stands apart from its source material.

Although Jinwoo’s personality is still evolving, the anime version presents a protagonist with more internal conflict, whereas the manhwa showcases a colder, more single-minded version of the character who embraces his power without much concern for morality.