Webtoon Spotlight

Spotlight #16: Solo Leveling

Have you ever decided to hit a bandwagon finally? Well, strap yourselves right in, folks, because I'm about to show you one of my new favorite manhwas: Solo Leveling by Chu-Gong.

Where to read

So unlike other manhwas, this one isn't on Webtoon, but so far, the best site I've found to read it on is Read manga online.

Summary

A decade ago, the world was forever changed when portals to unique realms called "Dungeons" were created. From these dungeons, incredible and unpredictable monsters sprang forth, destroying all those whom they encounter. Fortunately for humanity, a small portion of the race was seemingly "awakened" with supernatural abilities beyond any ordinary man.

 Eventually, these beings were paid great money to fight these monsters inside the dungeons and use their resources for our benefit. These fabled individuals are called Hunters, and our story focuses on Sung Ji-Woo: the world's weakest hunter. 

But after completing a special trial and nearly dying because of it, the young man became a player in a mysterious force called the "System." With this system, Sung soon realized he could become stronger than he ever imagined or wanted.

Characters

Sung: In a society where strength determines everything, Sung got forced to live in misery as a hunter to try and take care of his family. After becoming a player for the system Sung's PTSD from his near-death causes him to develop new traits. As we see him level up throughout the series, he creates a solid need to improve, far more merciless, detached, and a partial fear and recklessness of his past events. However, his primary personality still shines through in most of what he does.

He has shown to be very down-to-earth, not caring about fame and power over others. Sung is always willing to help others when he can, though he is cautious about showing his ability. His main quest over the series is to help save his mother from her illness and help her sister through college.

Powers

I think that Sung's powers could be a little difficult to understand, so I'll sum it up here. Sung effectively has become a video game character. The system gives him special quests and requirements to quickly gain exp and level up while giving him the chance to increase his strength, agility, sense, intelligence, and vitality. 

The system also gives him his secure dungeons, an inventory/ store that holds numerous weapons and gear, plus the ability to use the powers of other difficult enemies he's defeated. Unfortunately, the system can also bring out bad penalties if he doesn't complete specific requirements, which forces him to get stronger.

Overview

Solo leveling has got to have some of the most beautiful art I have ever seen in a manhwa. The shading is so good that it makes critical moments all the greater. The character design truly makes the many monsters of the series incredibly varied and downright terrifying. This series knows it's just an excuse for cool op fights, and it certainly delivers. 

Every major battle is fantastic at building the hype and excitement that reading becomes almost addicting. I've never seen a series display this much weight when it comes to absolute power. One of the most significant advantages of the comic is in its tone as well.

The setting of Solo Leveling is where hunters are given special treatment above even the law, for good or ill. As a result, entire territories can be filled to the brim with seemingly endless and dangerous city-destroying monsters at any time. 

And hunters are so few and far (with only 10% of the 7 million awakened being hunters) in between with such set power levels that they can often end up in endless cycles of poverty. While having a bunch of RPG-like motifs, The Webtoon never shies away from exploring these darker themes.

If I have only one complaint of the series itself is that while yes, I do know that Sung is supposed to be op, I feel like his leveling and progression were too short and fast. Just because he is powerful doesn't mean that his wins have to be clear-cut. Also due to the vast escalation power creep is unavoidable as most of the characters become irrelevant after a while. But this is a nitpick of any op mc story, so it does fall a little on deaf ears.

Epilogue

I'm glad to shine a light on this manhwa, and I hope that much comes in its future. There is a light novel for those interested, and I can't wait for where the story goes next. I hope you enjoyed these spotlights, and I hope you stick around for where the light takes us next.