Solo Leveling season 2 ending theme may have already shown the most elusive character

Modified Jan 08, 2025 02:30 GMT

Solo Leveling season 2 ending theme may have already shown the most elusive character (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Solo Leveling season 2 episode 1 was released on January 5, 2024, and marked the beginning of the q arc. While the episode was mostly faithful to the manhwa adaptation of the series, its opening and ending sequences might have spoiled many of the integral plot points that are currently underway.

The ending sequence of the series included a montage of the current Jinwoo walking through a castle and lending a hand to the former Jinwoo, who was cowering in fear. Although this scene can be interpreted in many different ways, the background imagery suggests that the current Jinwoo within the ending is actually Ashborn, the original Shadow Monarch.

Disclaimer- This article contains spoilers for Solo Leveling season 2.

Solo Leveling season 2: Ashborn and his involvement in the story

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The narrative of Solo Leveling is based around a constant looping war between the Rulers and the Monarchs. Both of these beings are essentially two sides of a war, created by the Absolute Being. Although the war between the Rulers and Monarchs was mainly thought of as an inevitable conflict between these two parties, it was essentially a game orchestrated by the Absolute Being for its own entertainment.

Ashborn was the only Ruler who stayed loyal to the Absolute Being and eventually became a Monarch. Ashborn mainly serves as a neutral force between the Rulers and the Monarchs.

Sung Jinwoo as shown in the anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

The double dungeon that served as the turning point for Jinwoo's story was essentially a test meant to cultivate a vessel for Ashborn, who could not cross over to the human world due to his immense powers. The Architect manipulated and constructed the system, which eventually made Jinwoo into a vessel, allowing him to become strong enough to facilitate Ashborn's descent.

The imposing Sung Jinwoo shown in the ending montage is respected by many legions and is a figure of reverence. He provides his aid to the younger and more desperate Sung Jinwoo. While anime-exclusive viewers can interpret the ending sequence as symbolism for the change in Sung Jinwoo's life, Ashborn's appearance in the manhwa paints a different picture.

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Ashborn remained obscured until the final few chapters of the manhwa, where he made his actual appearance in front of Sung Jinwoo while mimicking his form. The ending sequence might simply be a representation of the Shadow Monarch lending aid to the weakest hunter, Sung Jinwoo.

Similar symbolism has already been shown in the opening sequence, which practically spoiled the entire series of events that will be integral to Solo Leveling season 2.

Final Thoughts

Solo Leveling season 2 episode 2 will be released on January 12, 2025, and will depict the showdown between Sung Jinwoo and Barca. This fight will also mark the first moment where Jinwoo begins questioning the origins of his system and the functioning of Dungeons. These questions will pave the way for the eventual reveal of Ashborn and the Architect.