This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa.
One of the biggest concerns in Solo Leveling is unfair character growth, a problem Sung Jinwoo never experienced throughout the series, all thanks to Chugong. The former E-rank hunter consistently enjoyed steady, well-earned development from start to finish, making him nearly unrecognizable by the time he faced the final boss of Solo Leveling.
In comparison to the old Jinwoo, who was weak, timid, and constantly betrayed, the new Jinwoo inflicts fear and commands respect from hunters and enemies alike. Looking back, it’s remarkable how far he has grown, and every challenge he overcame contributed to the hero he has become. Without these difficult moments, his growth would have been impossible.
Solo Leveling: Sung Jin-Woo's Biggest Weaknesses In The Anime
Even though he is the strongest S-Rank Hunter in the world, Sung Jinwoo still has some glaring weaknesses
Surviving the Double Dungeon Incident
Jinwoo Overcomes the Fear of Death
Entering the Double Dungeon is a death sentence, especially for someone like Jinwoo, who was at the lowest of the hunter rankings. The place is filled with deadly traps, where even the smallest mistake can be fatal. Not to mention, the Cartenon Temple operated with strict commandments that were difficult to decipher. Worse, disobeying these commandments punishes those who misunderstand them with instant death.
Sung Jinwoo, despite being the weakest of the strike team, showed remarkable courage and incredible quick thinking while everyone panicked in despair inside the double dungeon. He refused to go down without a fight, using his wits to protect himself and his teammates. This was the first time Jinwoo stepped up and took responsibility for the survival of other people, even at the cost of his life. However, this is also the first time he realized how fear and desperation brought out the darkest sides of humanity.
Awakening as a System Player
Jinwoo Actively Seeks Combat
Accepting the system’s offer to become its sole player was the first step Jinwoo took to become the strongest hunter in Solo Leveling. It was a last-minute choice Jinwoo made out of desperation to continue living and protect those who cared about him, instead of dying with a life full of regrets.
Becoming a player isn’t a walk in the park. The Architect designed the System to push Jinwoo out of his comfort zone and test his strength, intelligence, senses, and so on. His very first daily quest even threw him into a penalty zone, where he was asked to survive for four minutes while a high-level monster attacked him. Later on, he even cleared an instance dungeon alone, which his past self would have thought impossible.
Embracing the Powers of the Shadow Monarch
Jinwoo Claims the Shadow Monarch's Power as His Own
Nearly dying against Blood-Red Commander Igris triggered Jinwoo’s trauma, making him realize the cost of weakness and the need for strength. Seeing his former self appear before him and insult him ignited a fire within him to become stronger and more resilient. If he wants to continue living, the only choice is to embrace the powers of the Shadow Monarch.
By the time Jinwoo received a taste of these powers, his mind had been fixed on survival no matter what happened. He no longer hesitated in killing his opponents, regardless of whether they were monsters or humans. Even summoning his opponent’s shadow with Shadow Extraction became a means to expand his power, failing to feel any remorse.
Showing Vulnerability to His Mother
Jinwoo's Humanity Is Still Intact
Sung Jinwoo’s mother was afflicted with Eternal Slumber disease for quite a long time, confining her to a hospital bed for life support. This unfortunate situation left Jinwoo to shoulder nearly all the burdens of the entire family, from living and hospital expenses to his sister’s school fees. Despite this, Jinwoo remained strong in the hopes that one day his mother would be cured.
That one day became a reality after Jinwoo secured the Elixir of Life, turning a long-held dream of healing his mother into reality. When his mother opened her eyes, Jinwoo cried, showing his most vulnerable side and revealing the heart of a son who had carried so much alone. While this crying episode became controversial, it reinforced Jinwoo’s humanity.
Caring for Cha Hae-In
Jinwoo Allows Personal Happiness
Anime characters who possess extraordinary powers often isolate themselves to ensure the safety of their loved ones, and Sung Jinwoo is no exception. For most of Solo Leveling, he refused to let anyone reach his heart in a world that demanded him to grow stronger. He only gave his trust to those who deserved it, allowing a select few to truly know the person behind the immense power.
Over time, Jinwoo warmed up to Cha Hae-In, treating her as a friend and later as a potential partner in life. He saw how genuine Cha Hae-In was and trusted her with his true self, which was something he rarely did. He even asked her to go on a friendly date just to get to know her better, not to mention being the last person he wanted to talk to on the phone before going into a fight where his survival isn’t guaranteed.
Reconciling With Sung Il-Hwan
Jinwoo Replaces Resentment With Understanding
Sung Jinwoo had a complicated relationship with his father, Sung Il-Hwan. Since his father disappeared, all the responsibilities were shouldered by Jinwoo, forcing him to grow up quickly and take care of his family in ways no child or teenager should have to. He missed out a lot on typical teenage experiences, which he somehow blamed on his father’s disappearance.
However, when Jinwoo discovered the truth behind his father’s disappearance, anger and blame gave way to clarity. Speaking with his father before he vanished once more made him understand all the sacrifices his father had endured all this time. This moment deepened Jinwoo’s resolve to fight for his family, even if it meant taking on the Monarchs and the Rulers at the same time.
Becoming the Protector of the World
Jinwoo Assumes Absolute Responsibility
When Antares, the Monarch of Destruction, ascended, Jin-Woo was prepared to protect humanity even at the cost of his life. He even asked Yoo Jin-Ho's father to take care of his family after he passed away, showing his deep sense of responsibility and the lengths to which he was willing to go to protect his loved ones.
Even after Jinwoo defeated Antares, he was selfless enough to change reality by using the Cup of Reincarnation. Not only did he bring back those who died, but he also fought for nearly 30 years to protect humanity’s peace, even if it meant living a lonely, isolated life.
- Release Date
- 2024 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV
- Directors
- Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki
- Writers
- Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii
Cast
-
Taito BanSung Jin-woo -
Genta NakamuraYoo Jin-ho
A-1 Pictures' Solo Leveling is an anime based on Chugong's popular web novel. Set in an unforgiving fantasy world where hunters explore dungeons filled with monsters, the vulnerable Sung Jinwoo gains a significant power boost after he is picked to be a solo player by the System.
- Creator(s)
- Chugong
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Number of Episodes
- 25
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.28 (Season 1); 8.86 (Season 2)
