The Entire Story of Solo Leveling - Why We Love Power Fantasy
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- Опубліковано 13 чер 2024
- Welcome to a video essay and retrospective where i cover the ENTIRE story of Solo Leveling where we follow Sung Jinwoo's journey in the PERFECT example of how to write Power Fantasy in anime, Manwha and manga. Season 1 Of the Anime has just started and we can finally watch the weakest E Rank Level Up beyond 100. Thanks so much for watching!
Patreon: / axelbeats
Twitter: bit.ly/3p6otE0
HUGE Thank you to @AngelaTehaha for editing 0-10 and 28-35
Chapters:
0:00:00 Power Fantasy
0:00:39 Solo Leveling
0:09:51 Instant Dungeon
0:18:23 Lizard Arc
0:26:54 Prisoner Arc
0:33:39 Job Change
0:42:27 Red Gate
0:45:47 Demon Castle
0:58:17 Jeju Island
1:06:30 The Architect
1:11:22 AMERICA
1:14:49 Monarch Arc
1:29:12 Moving Forward
Solo Leveling was originally a Korea Light Novel by Chugong called "Only I Level Up". However a Webtoon adaptation was created by Redice Studio under Jang Sung-Rak, or Dubu.
The story follows Sung Jin Woo as he goes from the worlds weakest, to the strongest hunter of all time. To do this he must level up, become an S Rank like Cha Hae-In, Choi Jong-In, Baek Yoonho and Go Gunhee.
The series recieved an anime adaptation under A-1 Pictures, and the first season will consist of 12 episodes; following Jinwoo's growth through the Double Dungeon, fighting a Giant Snake, A Spider, and eventually Kang Tae-Shik.
Jinwoo ultimately becomes the Monarch of Shadows after Ashborn passes him the title. This allows him to call Arise and Summon shadows to fight for him and allowing him to become the strongest in the world.
#Anime #Analysis #HowToWrite #sololeveling #Axelbeats - Фільми й анімація
Sorry for any audio issues! i was pretty sick when recording. Hope you enjoy! Also, yes this is a re-upload. Had to fix some copyright issues that, appreciate your patience with this!
copyright is a b1tch, I hope this is the one!
@@ecowo57 me too aha
Its a dumb fun power fantasy that gets repetitive with a edgy op mc otaku wet dream and a main heroine who is just a prize for the mc to show that he's not just op but cool that he can have such a high tier girl not the no name weak nobody like healer girl.reality quest is better than this.the mc of reality quest still struggle and there are other characters and can beat the shit out of him without even trying also he has more personality than jin woo.also don't compare the artist to a generic power fantasy manhwa where the world revolves around an mc that has a clear advantage(a big dumb advantage at that)where he can grow and others can't.the artist is an actual person with talent and flaws of his own
Really amazing project 👍🏾, I’m no good at video essays but I love listening to them. A premise you might also find interesting, “Solo Leveling is not about Jin Woo, but his son” 🫨🫨🫨 do with that what you may 😏
Awesome job my brother
I liked the moments where Jinwoo has to face his own changes, and its an active choice to continue valuing humans, even with how much he'd been wronged and facing some of the worst traits of humanity, he continued to defend them. A lot of people face a similar choice when they grow up, whether they choose to continue to care, or closing themselves off. It could have had more focus, and I think the ending was rushed, but its a good series and I love it a lot.
I appreciate the fair critique of Solo Leveling as your points are valid and I agree with them. The ending of your video was sad but beautifully done.
I'm glad you enjoyed :)
I disagree. This isn't a story like overlord. (A story that people praise for its side characters development, even if they don't really grow and all focused around the mc. You just spend more time with them doesnt make it better). The reason solo leveling is one of the best stories out there is because of its focus. It didn't extend its time for more profit and chapters. The author had a idea for the story and kept its focus on the main plot of the story, while using side characters as story telling peices. It's perfect way to keep your story interesting and how you really put yourself in sungs shoes. If you connected to the main mc in the start of the story, you would see the same growth as the mc. Struggle isn't necessarily needed anymore. You would have the same questions and feelings sung has durning the story.
Yeah, but we ALL reach a point where we are over -leveled for the tasks before us, especially if you’ve spent time grinding.
@@acephas3 yes yes you do. It's what makes it so great. You spend enough time doing something you will be a master at it, and it becomes way way easier.
@@be9240not a money grab to make side characters interesting with their own drive and purpose. Also it’s not interesting to watch an overpowered mc for 100s of chapters no matter how strong ppl get something can always challenge us….
you just made me cry all over again. i get the shortcomings of this story, but despite all of them, i really can't stop myself from loving the whole story, the twists, the characters, and the world the creator, the illustrator, and everyone involved in the visualization of the story.
thank you for an awesome video.
Flaws? Couldn't notice any because I was having so much freaking fun!
This is how other fictional stories should properly write plot armors, not that stupid hidden genetics and power of friendship.
All depends on context. There are ways to do all those story lines really well and effectively, but it's just SUPER easy to make them shortcuts to avoid effort and THAT I'd the problem with them. They aren't inherently bad, just inherently easy to mess up lol
I think you didn't watch till the end
This also have hidden genetic and friendship lol, main character is selected due to some speciality in him. And main reason he fighting is for his family and protect his friend.
@@mr_santaclauss2840 but not as the same level as Bleach and FairyTail HAHAHAHAHAHA
@@mr_santaclauss2840he was chosen not because his father had some connection to the rulers, but because of how close he was to death all the time during the raids. The architect didn’t want to choose Sung but ashborn insisted. Having family as motivation to get stronger/provide for them is different then in some other mediums where friendship/family is literally the cause of their power up
We don't want tension, we want the bad ass to be bad ass. It's why the show is popular. Don't want him being reluctant to get stronger or weak or take forever before he gets stronger.
Yeah every single story has enough tension or delay between badass moments, which is all fine and good, but I've been waiting for a story where the MC just demolishes everything, In this specific story, I loved that he never really faced an intense challenge late game, it was so refreshing.
Really cool video my man, I found your words at the end a good inspiring note as to what his message meant and will continue to mean to the world. Loved the whole video, hope to see other cool things from ya!
Solo leveling is generic premise but execution is so awesome that i cannlt stop reading! What you call flaws is actually part of its charm. It does not add too much side character development so the story flows much faster pace. Some stores add too much side stories then lose focus. It reminds me a lot of gantz. Another one of my favorite 20 years ago. A weak boy facing unfathomable monsters who killed him then he revives and atart getting stronger. I look forward to finishing the story! Highly recommend,! 😊
Don't get me wrong, I still had fun with it. It's BECAUSE I like it that I wanted to know more about the world is all
You gained a subscriber my friend, it was a really interesting 1.5 hrs journey, was never into manwas but the story really intrigued me , getting to hear the story out made me feel like theres a lot of potential in here. Really cool job again. Rooting for another audio soon. ❤❤
Glad to receive this video looking into Solo Leveling and its story, I got to say that i got a nice perspective at what makes a power fantasy what it is after seeing more of what makes Solo Leveling. Thanks AxelBeats for this awesome video it was a delightful video to watch~!!!
this is one of the best videos I've ever seen on UA-cam it accurately highlights all the important and the consistent flaws the manhwa has but you allowed me to expand my horizons and start reading them. To address the level of depth and great storytelling the manhwa has although it didn't go into a lot of detail into the side characters aspects it's still presented as one of the best manhwa ever In my opinion. Cant criticise on how you said everything you said on this manhwa and I fully support everything you have said about this manhwa, (Just subscribed)
Keep up the awesome work and videos alexbeats love the video
First ever manhwa I finished, I have my doubts but after reading it I found myself so hook to the story that I can't stop reading it. I'm glad it got animated!
Glad to see you’re still at it! The manwa is one of the two I’ve read and I’m really hoping the anime won’t disappoint
Yoooooo I hope you've been well man!
Great video, have been looking for a video like this showcasing the manhwa, thanks!
Bro why am I watching this and tearing up at the end like I didn't read the novel and webtoon as they were being published and wrote a tribute post for Dubu when he passed away...honestly your tribute at the end was lovely. I am glad we finally got an anime too so I can experience Only I Level Up all over again. For your comments on the weak points...since the webtoon is from Jinwoo's viewpoint I understand the lack of 3rd character omniscient to explore the other characters but I think if you read and review the novel you will find it more fulfilling. However I will say that the tension was created by the release schedule since you couldn't read it all at once. Jinah's school getting attacked was stressful even when reading it again as a manhwa.
Its honestly heartbreaking to see these brilliant manga artists/authors passing due to hematoma or hemorrhaging.
This is a great comprehensive video for the story!
Thanks friend! I hope you enjoyed :)
I love that the anime is trying to develop some of the characters around Jinwoo so far
i found that it was appropriate for jin to get as strong as he did and for things to get as easy as they did. it’s still relatable, as i now wanna work as hard as i can untill life becomes just as easy as it got for our mc, it makes sense that he’d get that strong given the nature of the story and the trope of leveling up
Great video my guy like your takes and hope you have a great week
Appreciate you friend!
Love this video! You’ve gained a new subscriber
The ending of this great manga ended with the father who created it. It really it a true form of love
Thank you for the last section of this video, you really went above and beyond. Rest in Peace Dubo
Great review!
I think I can agree with some points on your critique, but you mention the biggest appeal about this being a struggle for power, but It is also a power fantasy, I wasn't unhappy about exponential growth at the tower because the way I was being shown was cool, really cool S level magic and that's what I wanted to see. Probably not a repeating pattern of struggle, overcome, till he gets to the top. I want to see him pop off. yk?
100% get you on that. I just wasn't super satisfied with how to tone shift was done. Still had fun overall tho
Thank you. Awesome video ❤
The author died 😭 wow i did not know that however ive only gotten into this series 3 weeks ago but still kinda sad but incredible at the same time he have created something that people will remember for ages which is all i could ever want before leaving this wolrd , Fly High🌠
To clarify the webtoon artist died. The original author of the novel is alive.
@@hipployta ah the artist still he created such stunning work 😭
Jinwoo is one of if not the most generic protagonist ive ever seen, but he is by far my favorite protagonists from this genre. His motivations make sense and hes so dedicated to them that it checks out why hes kind of a dumbass when it comes to relationships. The powering system makes sense and is done in a way thats pretty fun, even when it gets more complex and the story starts to get out of hand. It was just done so well in a manner thats so fun to watch play out. I love how simplistic he is at his core, hes just a boy that loves amd supports his family, he never becomes this holy than tho guy, even when he has the power of a god, the most benevolant thing he ever does is become the neighbourhood watch lmao.
It basically takes the power fantasy genre, both its good parts and its weaknesses, and shows it off perfectly.
Something you missed in the castle arc. I think it’s good writing that as more is revealed to him by the system his motivations would change. Yes he mentioned his mom a lot at the beginning, but that was before the system started to take his emotions and sensitivities away by having him kill. Then his motivations moved towards figuring out what the system actually wanted from him because he knew he was strong enough to save his mom at that point.
great explanation. as someone who's just new to the series, i think your points about jin-wu's early struggles is what makes him more relatable to more people than superman.
I like solo leveling so much because we can see ourselves in the shoes of sung jin woo. Everyone has some hidden potential but we are always too late to realize it. Solo leveling teaches us that being weak is not the end of the world. You can always be serious and courageous enough to grow strong in any aspect of your life through sheer hard work and will. This power fantasy gives us the motivation that even the weakest can become the strongest. So, if you are strong from inside then you can become strong in no time.
Nah some people just born with terrible genes
The light novel needs to be read first because there's a lot left out of the manwha and the anime.
God THANK YOU FOR SAYING THIS! 🙏🏽🙏🏽 people who are new are missing so much! And so is Axel because he didn’t read the LN either🤷🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️
Thank you for your fantastic, knowledgeable overview for this manwha. I am watching the anime episodes as they come out. They interested me so much, I got the 8-book series of the original novels (predating the manwha) and just finished the main story today. Many of your critiques are less of an issue in the novel. They are still there, but, with more time to flesh things out, they are no longer total buzz-kills narrative wise. For example, the middle section, where you have a lot of problem with characters just disappearing, more of them last longer. The demon princes still gets written out, but other characters do have an extended presence, fleshing them out.
Thanks for the recap :D
While it does suck that a lot of the other characters aren't really explored and they kind of disappear as he gets stronger it also makes sense.
If you really think about it as he is the player, then that means that everybody else is just an NPC.
As he levels up he has to leave behind the party members that don't help him anymore, and find new ones that will allow him to continue to develop.
Okay trying to just piss writing lol
true that side characters werent flashed out enough, didnt read the ln tho so dont know much about that, the interesting thing is dubbu who also was the ceo of the company was getting sicker so lots of ups and downs were going in real life which effect is shown in the manhwa.I hope the anime adaptation improves it source material further like they are doing right now
Anime hurts bad cause mixed up with music it emotionally binds you with the character's life. It's better to take this up completely here rather than crying at the last episode there
23:24 so when I played the Witcher 3 I spent most of my saving monsters from humans and killing humans that were the real monsters, the monsters don’t have a choice in what they are/need the humans choose to become monsters.
When you get down to it everything on earth is an animal the difference is us humans have conned ourselves into thinking we are more, been human is something a person has to be taught and it is something that can be unlearned.
Hopefully this get fleshed out more in the anime kind of like we are seeing in the Bleach TYBW
Well done, subscribed ❤️
Bro i started living my life where i see my daily task like he did and boy does your body change quick especially in the gym
great recap brotha positivity forward
Amazing video, man. Loved it.
For me its the pacing and no annoying one dimensional side character is so refreshing
That's totally fair! Like I said, the issues I have are just opinion. I'm glad that it works for you and I hope you enjoy the rest of the series :)
I'm loving the show. It's great.
Solo leveling plot armor is used correctly and effectively
32:00 focusing way more on the main character rather than spreading out the character development was a breath of fresh air for me being as tho every other anime a watch go in on everyone (as they should normally) lol
46:45 At this point AxelBeats says that Jinwoo plows through most of the 100 floors of the dungeon in a couple of chapters, with attention only given to a couple of major bosses. This might be true of the manhwa, which I have not read, but the light novel covers in detail progressing through a large number of floors. If this were a movie I can easily see many of these scenes winding up on the cutting room floor.
BTW, I am absolutely adoring this recap. Not just the story itself but also the editing and narration. Thank you. I discovered a few days ago that I haven't read the light novel to the end (maybe it wasn't translated to English when I read it) so I'm looking forward to the final third of your recap.
Power fantasy are the best and most popular for a reason.
1:29:48 They needa make a Sequel about his 27 years, kinda like how Frieren does it (we spent like 4-5 inlore years in one season)
this video is excellent.
🙏
Love the fact that the writer finished the story before they passed makes it pretty unique feeling
The writer did not die the artist of the manwa died, the writer is alive and is continuing soloeveling ragnarok
More like JinWOOOOOOO Axel uploaded a video!
I remember reading solo leveling for the first time and the feeling of emptiness when the final chapter of the main story came out. Whenever you get that feeling of emptiness, you know that you enjoyed the story. I really enjoyed solo leveling for both its strengts and flaws. I especially liked the way how the plot progressed and everything slowly started falling into place. But i definitely agree with the point that there was not much development for the side characters. Which was quite a shame because some of them would have made the story more satisfying. But in my opinion had thomas andrew (the national ra k hunter) the most character development out of the side characters. Because before he got beaten to a pulp by sung woo. He would've never asked or voluntarily help someone. Because he believed that his domenating strength could solve everything. After the beatdown, he helped fighting the beast monarch and assisted in the korean massive gate. Also he assisted sung woo with ambushing the dragon monarch. Which shows how his ego shattering turned out for the better.
What i loved about jin woo was that he was NOT a wimp
Beautiful ending
Unrelated but I appreciate the Honkai and Genshin OSTs. You happened to pick my favorite ones too 🔥
Rest in peace 🕊️🪦
Thank you.
I've been S O L D just by the intro, Imma go watch
Id probably add woo chin Jul to the list of characters. I mean he's been there from the beginning and constantly pops up.
Even more true in the light novels.
Good work Axel
This one of them ones I watched a good bit of anime I know a classic in the making
his servants especially the ant and ingram had the best flushing out and character development.
Can you make a video of God of Highschool
This was fire🔥 great job dude this shi was too good!
So, now that episode 11 has come out, how do you feel about the fight differences?
Side stories after returning are also great.
hey just to let u know i was struglling in writing my own series an i saw some of ur videos they actually help me a lot btw my name is or bar im 17 and i hope that when my series will rise up u will remember me (:
I read the entire manwha. I'll wait for the anime to get to the latter parts cos that's gonna be lit
You should try out apothecary diaries you and your fan base who likes inuyasha would love that anime . It fits them
It also has a 5 star rating on crunchy roll . That’s a hard feat!
I love this so much because it reminds me so much of Sword Art Online just like you said; it was the first Anime I watched that wasn’t YuGiOh and Pokemon.. (I then watched yowamushi pedal and wrote off anime until One Piece live action; now I’m a weekly manga reader)
I appreciate your work but you missed some vital points in his development and shadow ability
I mean obviously. Some stuff is worth talking about, some stuff isn't. I just made judgement calls as I went
I think the manwa The Gamer uses a tool Solo Leveling would benefit from. The Gamer can recruit others into a "party" so they can level as well. This would allow the story to branch off from Jin Woo and help slow down power creep as you can focus on smaller stories with other characters
Do you have any advice on editing UA-cam videos about anime or anime facts or breakdown videos
How do you not have 1million subs this videos are fire😊😅😅
Thank you aha one day maybe :p
Black Suit Jinwoo is *chefs kiss*
Even taking advices I always find myself attracted to these types of manga especially those where there are touched to romance. Does adolescence really hurts that bad that I can't even get over when an anime ends. I think being single is the cause of it or maybe I have become distracted in my life.
You deserve so many more subscribers
I don’t want to be him. I just want him. He can own me…
Don't be weird in my comments please
Lol solo character development level. Thank you for this video
TBH I found it refreshing reading a comic that didn't go off in a dozen side stories. It knew what it was here to do and it did it. I think if you focus so much on the side characters, you're just ruining it for yourself. Judge a work for what it is not what you wish it was.
Cerberus is A rank isn't it? What's inside the Demon's Castle is S. Am I mistaken?
Also do you have any advice on how to make anime thumbnails
Bro I’m reading this after JUST finding out Toriyama passed. Now I learn the creator of my new #2 series passed.
Does anyone know what the anime is that he talks about after mentioning SAO? Can’t make out what he’s saying when he says the name
Bofuri
Cool 2 !
Did you used Liyue BGM in the video?
'The characters having a problem developing who aren't Jinwoo...' gotta be the most hilarious shit I've heard throughout the video.
Sung Jinwoo got what Gojo Satoru didn't...
The answer to WHO HE IS
Is he Sung Jinwoo because he is The Strongest?
he should have gotten with the healer in the double dungeon
You stuck the landing on this one 😭
Now Ragnarok baby!
does he ever resolve that "sick mother" plot hook or do they just forget about it entirely
Yes he does! It's about 30% into the story. The anime seems to be focusing on that plot thread much more heavily which is nice.
So jin woo just.., chose up completely dropped the B rank healing girl
Healer girl, and demon girl deserved better. Like she would add a lot by her, being with him since the beginning, even just as friend.
I have seen this type of comment before:
You need to understand Joohee was never meant to be waifu 🤷🏽♀️ She was shaken very badly by the double dungeon. Being a healer Hunter was not for her anymore especially after the Taeshik Kang event. This confirmed for her that she was done. A huge part of her going into the dungeons even though she was scared, was solely because of Jinwoo. But now she sees he is different and he scares her 😔, add in that he doesn’t need her to heal him anymore and that he is no longer a burden. Take all of that in. She went home to Busan, and in the LN, she comes back when she is needed. Chugong didn’t need to attach her to Jinwoo anymore, and this frees her to pursue other job avenues back home. Jinwoo never thought of Joohee again though when the time came he could feel her presence, but by this time he already had feelings for Cha Haein.
As for Eisa, she was a means to an end. She attempted to kill him in the Demon’s Castle. He was impressed with her skill and he wanted her shadow. But then she speaks and he is told she was protecting her home and her family, which Jinwoo easily understands. He respects that when she was beaten, she had the good sense to speak up. He also respected that she was able to make a viable offer to him: spare me and my family and I give you the transport scroll. Jinwoo having upped his Knowledge skill (finally 🙄🤣) sees the logic and due to his high Perception stat he knows she is telling him the truth. He meets her dad, who flips his lid as he can see the Shadows that Jinwoo has with him, but is appeased that no one from his clan need to die over the scroll and so he keeps Eisa’s promise to Jinwoo. He took Eisa with him not out of any feelings of love. She had told him that she knew exactly where the other transport scrolls were, so she is a living map. Jinwoo wanted to work smarter not harder. 🤷🏽♀️He liked her intelligence and after sharing a meal with her father and the clan, found that they were okay Demons. He tells Eisa that he spared her even though he got the scroll, because he liked her. Not romantically like SHE thought. He leaves her when he gets the final scroll because he: 1. Doesn’t want to see her get hurt, and 2. He wants the Elixer of Life, that is his end goal after all. 🤷🏽♀️ Eisa can’t be with him outside of the gate and so why have Jinwoo have feelings of love for her? It can’t be, and Chugong knew this and so she was written out of the story. It had to be that way. And while Jinwoo would see her family’s banner and think of her and hope she was okay, he was not in the vision to care about HER, he was there to unlock HIS memories from Ashborn, though he doesn’t understand all of what was shown to him.
These two females were never to be used past their purposes, and Chugong got it right. There was no need to waste time on these two as the goal beyond them was gigantic 🤷🏽♀️ And in case you don’t pick it up from the webtoon or the manhwas, Jinwoo is a bit dense when it comes to noticing things like ‘ Hey that girl likes you!🤦🏽♀️’ His complete misunderstanding of why the nurse wanted his number, the girl at the bank, the upper class women at his sister’s high school, and so on. He is oblivious to what they see in him. But he SAW Cha Haein 😏 and he knew that she was to be his, but even then he was a little slow on the uptake 😂
I feel like part of the reason solo leveling still works after Jin woo becomes a monarch and over powers everyone is because you’ve been with him through the struggle and the level grind so it feels like he deserves it
That's fair! It's definitely fun the whole time, I just think the opening arcs fit my own preference more. I can totally see why people would like the latter bits more tho
@@AxelBeats I actually agree I enjoy the early arcs more bc I don’t think the later arcs would be anywhere near as good or enjoyable without the early struggles
God bless everyone and have a wonderful day ❤🙏
OK, one punch man dead put in work for his power. He was pushing himself to death every day, and then he just broke is limited.
Can someone please list some good power fantasy anime for me please