Solo Leveling's Anime Looks Godly, But the Show Came Very Close to Missing Out On Its Best Animation

Animation plays a decisive role in determining the success of manga or manhwa-driven stories. Time and again, shows like The Beginning After The End and Seven Deadly Sins with incredible potential performed underwhelmingly on screen as a result of visibly lacking animation strategies. In the right situation, vibrant animation can compensate for subpar storytelling — it can distract viewers from subtle plot holes with aesthetic appeal that leave a lasting impression.

A1 Pictures proved themselves masters of animation, as Solo Leveling left an unforgettable impression with its crisp depiction of Sung Jin Woo’s resonating story. However, it appears that the show was on the verge of losing one of its greatest strengths. In this regard, Nakaya Onsen, a core member of Solo Leveling’s animation team, revealed on X (formerly Twitter) how they were able to overcome a significant hurdle in animating the show.

Solo Leveling Overcame One Of The Biggest Downfalls In The Anime Industry

It Delivered On Its Animation In The Second Season Despite Momentary Setbacks

In a tweet, Nakaya Onsen commented on how Solo Leveling staff choices were sublime and contributed to the show’s success. Nakaya narrated how the animation team reached a stopgap; they needed an animation strategy to not only tell the story but enhance it to a profound extent. This led the team to hire successful animation freelancers, such as Vercreek, who is well-known for his contributions to shows like Jujutsu Kaisen, Sword Art Online, and Attack on Titan, and Ceng, who participated in the animation of series like Black Clover, Bleach, and Dandadan.

“By episode 25 of season 2, the animation in Solo Leveling understandably began to run out of variety in regards to the team’s rotation. Even if the animation functioned well within the plot, it didn’t feel fresh anymore. But thankfully, at just the right time, we brought in Vercreek in season 1 and Ceng in season 2. I don’t know how much of it was intentional, but the anime’s staffing decisions have been great.”

A common pitfall in the anime industry is the animation process. Issues ranging from an insufficient budget to overworking animators can significantly influence the outcome and performance of anime with great potential. This development was apparent in the last season of Blue Lock, which contrasted heavily with the first season’s stellar animation that had won the hearts of viewers. Solo Leveling’s success, however, didn’t stop at the first season; the second season expanded the show’s prestige, with its incredible detailing of scenes involving Sung Jinwoo’s clash with the Ant King and his dungeon explorations.

Solo Leveling’s Animation Success Needs to Extend To The Third Season

The Third Season Features Critical Developments At The Heart Of Sung Jin Woo’s Story

solo leveling season 2 ending monarch of fangs

Solo Leveling’s second season starred the Jeju Island arc, premised on Sung Jin Woo’s battle with the Ant King, Beru – a battle that left an indelible mark on the hearts of viewers. Reputable hunters, like the warm-hearted Min Byung-Gyu, lost their lives in the honourable service of humanity. Even Cha Hae In, one of Solo Leveling’s most formidable hunters, was almost eliminated if not for Sung Jin Woo’s intervention. The impact of these developments was primarily fueled by the depth of the second season’s animation, which enriched the storytelling to an impactful level. It added an extra layer of tension that kept viewers pinned to their seats.

Drawing from the upcoming developments outlined in the manhwa, animating the next season of Solo Leveling would be a daunting task. However, if there is any studio that can pull it off, it’s A-1 Pictures. The animation studio has consistently delivered in other acclaimed series, such as the Sword Art Online franchise and the increasingly popular comedy show Mashle: Magic Muscles. The third season of Solo Leveling will cover one of the manhwa’s most pivotal arcs that shakes the very foundation of the story: “The Double Dungeon Arc.”

Following the effects of the arc on Jin Woo’s development as a character, it is expected that the animation should be razor sharp to present the story’s progression accurately. It isn’t uncommon for well-performing anime series to drop the ball animation-wise in their subsequent seasons. However, everything seems to be going well for A-1 Pictures, as there has been no news of insurmountable problems the studio may face in the next season. Now, more than ever, the studio needs to tighten its animation strategy, as the next season will feature iconic clashes that are at the core of Solo Leveling’s story.

With the second season teasing the presence of otherworldly villains, fans can expect a fulfilling third season if the animation rightly captures the story’s momentum.