Summary
- D-Rank Dungeon Arc: Sets tone for series with tragic event shaping character development.
- Dungeon & Lizards Arc: Jinwoo's cold clash with human rival reveals corruptive powers.
- Dungeon & Prisoners Arc: Intense battles lead to pivotal character development.
Solo Leveling is an exciting series with no dearth of high-stakes battles. Each fight is relevant to the protagonist's character development and serves as an indispensable element in his journey. The action scenes are also well-choreographed, with fluid pacing and impactful visuals.
Solo Leveling has quite a few arcs that focus on intense battles, each taking the series to a whole new level. While almost every arc has ample action sequences, the following seven are undoubtedly the most memorable for their high-stakes battles.
Solo Leveling: 21 Strongest Characters In The Manhwa, Ranked
From the Absolute Being to Sung Jin-Woo, the Shadow Monarch, Solo Leveling has remarkably powerful characters.
7 D-Rank Dungeon Arc
The Double Dungeon Disaster
- Anime: Episodes 1 to 3
- Webtoon: Chapters 1 to 10
Before Jinwoo experienced his second awakening, he went on a raid where his squad was surprised to discover a double dungeon. Without knowing what awaited them on the other side, the raid team voted to check the dungeon and ended up getting trapped inside Cartenon Temple.
If I don’t kill, I will be killed. I can’t run away anymore.
Unlike most arcs where hunters usually triumph with or without Jinwoo's help, the D-rank Dungeon arc focuses on a tragic event that eventually ends up reshaping the human world. Gloomy, violent, and filled with despair, the arc not only sets the tone for the entire series but also packs decent fight scenes.
6 Dungeon & Lizards Arc
Sung Jinwoo Kills a Squad of C-rankers
- Anime: Episodes 5 and 6
- Webtoon: Chapters 18 to 24
Jinwoo has fought many battles, but most of the time, his rivals are magic beasts. Only on a few rare occasions, he is forced to battle a human being, and more often than not, the victory leaves him with a feeling of emptiness.
Solo Leveling: The Origin of Hunter Abilities, Explained
While the anime shows hunters began to develop abilities after the emergence of the gates, there is much more to the story.
The Dungeon and Lizards arc captures the first moment in Jinwoo's life when he has to fight against another human being and kill them. The brief clash is cold and violent, revealing a different side to Sung's personality that makes fans wonder if his powers are going to corrupt him slowly.
5 Dungeon & Prisoners Arc
Jinwoo Protects His Friends
- Anime: Episodes 7 to 9
- Webtoon: Chapters 25 to 34
In the Dungeon and Prisoners arc, Sung Jinwoo reunited with Lee Joohee, Kim Sangsik, Kang Jeongho, and Song Chi-Yul for one last raid together. Little did he know at the time that this raid would end on a tragic note. The former teammates were accompanied by Kang Taeshik and a pack of probationary prisoners.
When a dangerous man showed his true face, Sung Jinwoo had to reveal his true strength and remove the mask he had been wearing all this time. Because of the unexpected nature of the Dungeon and Prisoners arc, the battles were far more intense and impactful. It can be argued that this is perhaps the most underrated arc of the series because of its brilliant balance of suspense, action, and pivotal character development.
4 Return to Demon Castle Arc
Jinwoo Clears S-Rank Instant Dungeon
- Anime: Episodes 18 to 21
- Webtoon: Chapters 76 to 89
Sung Jinwoo's quest to cure his mother eventually led him back to the Demon Castle instant dungeon, where he expected to collect all the ingredients for the Holy Water of Life. While he had evolved dramatically since the last time he had been at the Demon Castle, Sung was now staring at his biggest challenge yet.
If the pain doesn’t kill me, it will almost make me stronger.
The Demon Castle dungeon boss, Baran, was no pushover. The fight was intense and definitely one of the best of the series. With so much on the line, Jinwoo knew he had to win at any cost, and that meant that he had to give everything he had. Sung was never as emotionally invested in a fight as this one.
3 Job Change Arc
Jinwoo's Most Challenging Quest
- Anime: Episodes 11 and 12
- Webtoon: Chapters 38 to 45
The System pushed Sung Jinwoo to evolve by assigning him to different instant dungeons that subsequently became more difficult to clear. Each of these dungeons came with unique challenges, but none was as difficult as the Job Change quest.
Sung Jinwoo not only had to fight an army of armored soldiers, but once he was done with them, he found a red knight waiting for him. The entire arc was filled with high-stakes battles, and Jinwoo was frequently overwhelmed. There are very few storylines in which Sung is seriously challenged, and this is one of them. The battles don't feel too one-sided, which adds more tension and excitement.
2 Red Gate Arc
Jinwoo Fights Baruka
- Anime: Episodes 13 and 14
- Webtoon: Chapters 46 to 55
Sung Jinwoo got stuck in the Red Gate along with White Tiger Guild's raid team while trying to acquaint Han Song-Yi with the dangers of a hunter's job. Things got real fast, as the squad leader and A-rank hunter, Kim Chul, abandoned low-ranking combatants to fend for themselves.
I am saying, you should get ready to become hunted.
With dangers waiting for the hunters at every corner, surviving in Red Gate was a challenge. The final battle between Baruka and Sung Jinwoo gave the arc an epic conclusion that left a lasting impression and showcased how far the protagonist was willing to go to win.
1 Jeju Island Arc
Sung Jinwoo Faces Ant King
- Anime: Episodes 21 to 25
- Webtoon: Chapters 90 to 107
As the Korean and Japanese governments realized the threat posed by the evolved ants from Jeju Island, they ended up forming an alliance of convenience to tackle the crisis. Top hunters from both countries arrived in the forsaken region to reclaim it and kill the magic beasts there.
Solo Leveling: 6 Things Sung Jin-Woo Still Has To Accomplish In Season 3
Jinwoo is expected to achieve these things in the third season of the show.
The action-packed drama that unfolded was captivating. S-rankers from both countries showcased what they were capable of, and each fight was choreographed exceptionally. But when Sung Jinwoo exchanged blows with Ant King, the Jeju Island arc peaked in intensity and revealed how strong the protagonist has gotten following his battle with Baran, the Monarch of White Flames.
- Release Date
- 2024 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV
- Directors
- Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki
- Writers
- Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii
Cast
-
Taito BanSung Jin-woo -
Genta NakamuraYoo Jin-ho
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Creator
- Chugong
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.28 (Season 1); 8.86 (Season 2)
- Where To Watch
- Crunchyroll
