Summary
- The novel reflects the creator's initial vision, offering a unique perspective on the story.
- The manhwa adaptation provides a visually stunning experience, despite skipping and changing some parts.
- Choose between novel or manhwa based on personal preferences for storytelling or visual immersion, or read both.
Solo Leveling Season 2 ended a few weeks ago, but fans are still crazy about it. When a season ends, many decide to pick up the novel or the manhwa to know what's to come in the next season.
Thus, many fans may wonder which is the best option to choose. So, in the case of Solo Leveling, should you start with the original novel, or should you jump into the manhwa adaptation?
‘No Way They Didn't Include This Part!’: Manhwa Fans Are Unpleased With the Solo Leveling Anime Changes
Solo Leveling's Season 2 finale once included a change from the manhwa that has disappointed fans.
The Novel Represents The Creator's Original Views
There are many angles from which we can look to answer which is the best option. One of the most appealing points of the novel is that it is the original story, so it represents the creator's views better than any other format.
While the author may have made choices that he later regretted (as is usual to happen with any story), it represents what the author thought about the story as he was writing it.
Of course, since it is a novel, the visual experience is very different from reading the manhwa. For those who enjoy reading, y ou can let your mind freely imagine the scenes with the descriptions, but some people might have trouble doing that, especially those who aren't so used to reading any kind of literary content.
Where to Start Reading the Solo Leveling Novel?
Solo Leveling Season 2 concluded the Recruitment Arc, so fans could start reading from Chapter 136 (from the Ahjin Guild arc onwards). However, while the Recruitment Arc only lasts one episode in the anime and three chapters in the manhwa, it goes from Chapter 128 to Chapter 135 in the novel, so fans might start with the Recruitment Arc to feel the difference between the anime and the novel. Other options are to start with chapter 1 or with the arc you enjoy most in the anime.
The Manhwa Adaptation Provides A Great Visual Experience
While the Solo Leveling manhwa is great, it skipped or rushed some parts and changed some events. Additionally, for many fans, the character development could have been better. Part of this was due to the health condition of the manhwa's author.
Nonetheless, it is clearly an important material for the production of the anime. So fans who have only watched the anime might feel more comfortable reading the manhwa instead of the novel.
As mentioned before, instead of asking the reader to imagine things, the manhwa provides a visual experience — and, in the case of Solo Leveling, with many stunning panels.
Where to Start Reading The Manhwa?
Just like in the novel, fans could either start with Chapter 1, with an arc they really enjoyed in the anime, or with the Ahjin Guild arc, which in this case starts at Chapter 111 (the Recruitment Arc goes from Chapter 108 to Chapter 110).
Which Option Should You Pick?
There's really no right answer to this question; it depends a lot on personal preference. Those who want to enjoy the original story and care more about the development should pick the novel, and those who prefer a more visual experience should pick the manhwa. It is possible to read both, or to try one and, if you don't like it, try the other.
Both the manhwa and the novel are complete, so fans will learn the main story with either one. Now, there is a sequel series called Solo Leveling Ragnarok, which follows Jinwoo's son.
What About Solo Leveling Season 3?
Solo Leveling Season 3 hasn't been officially confirmed yet, but there are reasons to believe that it will be announced soon. However, rumors suggest that it may take a while before they confirm it, as the director seems to be busy with other projects.
Solo Leveling is available to stream on Crunchyroll, subbed and dubbed in many languages.
- 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
A-1 Pictures' Solo Leveling is an anime based on Chugong's popular web novel. Set in an unforgiving fantasy world where hunters explore dungeons filled with monsters, the vulnerable Sung Jinwoo gains a significant power boost after he is picked to be a solo player by the System.
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Based On
- Manhwa
- Number of Episodes
- 25
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Creator(s)
- Chugong
