Solo Leveling season 2 trailer analysis: Anime vs manhwa comparison

Modified Jul 08, 2024 14:08 GMT

Sung Jin-Woo as seen in Solo Leveling season 2 (image via A-1 Pictures)

A-1 Pictures recently dropped the trailer for Solo Leveling season 2 at the Anime Expo 2024, which took the whole internet by storm. Fans all over the world were delighted to see the series return, this time with more impressive animation and action sequences.

While a release window or the number of episodes for Solo Leveling season 2 is yet to be announced, the trailer provided a much-needed glimpse at the highly-anticipated story arcs that are set to be brought to life in the upcoming anime.

The trailer also set expectations high for the upcoming anime, as fans on social media praised A-1 Pictures for their animation quality, whereas some pointed out that the animation studio may have stepped up their game for Solo Leveling season 2.

Comparing Solo Leveling season 2 trailer to the manhwa

Red Gate arc and introduction of Baruka

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From the trailer, it seems like Solo Leveling season 2 is set to adapt the manhwa from the Red Gate arc onwards. In this arc, Sung Jin-Woo takes his sister's friend, Han Song-Yi, to a Dungeon to show her the perils that Hunters face on a daily basis. However, things quickly go awry when Jin-Woo and the rest of his party members find themselves trapped inside a Red Gate instead, and are faced with the threat of the Ice Elves.

The Red Gate arc is a short arc of nine chapters, and will be likely covered in the first two to three episodes. As expected, Studio A-1 Pictures has managed to perfectly transition some of the most iconic panels from the manga into the anime, as seen in the trailer.

The introduction of Baruka, the boss of the Red Gate Dungeon, was certainly one of the highlights of the trailer. As the manhwa readers may recall, the 3-on-1 battle between Sung Jin-Woo, Igris, Iron, and Baruka was one of the most memorable parts of the series. On that note, fans can expect A-1 Pictures to do proper justice to one of the most iconic fights of the series.

Demon Castle arc

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Apart from the Red Gate arc, the Solo Leveling season 2 trailer also provided a glimpse at the upcoming fight between the monumental battle between Sung Jin-Woo and Avaricious Vulcan, the Ruler of the Lower Floors of the Demon Castle. It takes place in the Demon Castle arc, which directly follows the Red Gate arc.

As one would expect, A-1 Pictures did a fantastic job in animating the battle. Even the tiniest bit of skepticism that fans had regarding the adaptation of this fight, vanished after they saw the trailer.

As such, fans can rest assured that A-1 Pictures will do just as good a job in animating the rest of the arcs. It is also safe to assume that the pacing of the second season will be no different than that of the first season, given that the animation studio seems to remain faithful to the manhwa. For the time being, the trailer only provided short glimpses of the Red Gate and the Demon Castle arcs.

Final thoughts

Apart from the trailer, no other information was released regarding Solo Leveling season 2. That said, if the upcoming season follows the pacing of the first season, it can be assumed that A-1 Pictures will adapt the manhwa till the events of the Jeju Island arc. As such, manhwa readers can expect to also see the Retesting Rank, Hunters Gate Guild, and the Return to Demon Castle arcs be animated in the upcoming season.