Warning: Contains Spoilers For The End Of The Solo Leveling Manhwa
While fans are, understandably, excited about the upcoming second season ofSolo Leveling, they shouldn’t overlookSolo Leveling: Ragnarök. This sequel has successfully filled the Sung Jinwoo-shaped void left by the hiatus of the anime series. More importantly,Ragnarök’s content makes it a direct challenger ofSolo Leveling’s glory, as many supporters of the series contend that its narrative and overall quality outshine even that of the parent series.
Dangdo and JIN’sSolo Leveling: Ragnarökexpands on — but doesn’t directly continue — the story ofSolo Leveling. The focus now shifts to Sung Suho, the son ofSolo Levelingheroes Sung Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In. Rather than being a direct sequel, it’s a fresh start. This is because Jinwoo locked away Suho’s memories to protect him from the evil forces that would inevitably target him if the world knew he was the son of the Shadow Monarch.
Ragnarök Combines The Old Solo Leveling Vibe With A Whole New Story
However, Jinwoo’s efforts to protect his son from danger begin to falter as the barrier he created to suppress Suho’s supernatural abilities weakens. As a result, not only does Suho start to realize he’s different from others, but powerful and malevolent forces also become aware of who he is. According toCBR.com, in the firstfew hours after the first episode ofRagnarökdropped, the webtoon garnered a 9.9/10 rating, nearly three million views, and secured a top ranking on Kakao, its online publisher. In other words,Ragnarökhas been just as popular, if not more so, than its predecessor,Solo Leveling.
10 Darkest Solo Leveling Moments That Completely Shocked Fans
Explores the darkest moments in Solo Leveling from Joohee’s phone call with her mother to twisted murderers roaming in the world.
What makesRagnarökrevolutionary and worthy of fan attention is that — like any good sequel — it builds on the foundational concepts established inSolo Leveling, quickly setting up the story’s framework and background. However, instead of simply rehashing the past, it ventures into new, unexplored territory forSolo Levelingfans. Aside from the Shadow Monarch himself, few main characters from the original series have made appearances. So far, the most significant connection to the previous series is the fact that Suho is Jinwoo’s son.
The brilliance of this approach is that the story appeals to both long-timeSolo Levelingfans and newRagnarökreaders.Solo Levelingfans will be eager to explore the aftermath of the events that crowned Jinwoo as the Shadow Monarch. Meanwhile, those unfamiliar with theSolo Levelinguniverse will be drawn into a captivating coming-of-age story about a hero who has inherited extraordinary powers but must learn on his own how to wield them effectively.
Ragnarökoffers a more grounded take on the action, adventure, world-building, lore, and characterization found inSolo Leveling. UnlikeSolo Leveling, where Jinwoo’s meteoric rise from obscurity to ultimate hero was often criticized for being implausible,Ragnarökintroduces Suho as an exceptional individual from the start. As the son of two elite Hunters from a previous life, Suho possesses inherent abilities that enable him to master the system and surpass even his parents' impressive achievements at their peak.
With A New Story,RagnarökImaginatively Expands The Solo Leveling Universe
Solo Levelingfans might be hesitantto follow another story about an overpowered Hunter effortlessly slaying monsters, butRagnarökchanges the formula. Suho has a subtle awareness of his immense power, yet, due to his father locking away his memories and abilities, he struggles to fully access, understand, and wield his strength. As a result,while Jinwoo was surprised by how quickly and consistently, he could “level up,” Suho is frustrated by the barriers to his progressand confused as to why he can’t level up faster — especially given his powerful lineage.
Suho’s bloodline is a fascinating aspect of the story and his character development. Unlike his parents, Suho has a unique heritage that sets him apart. Although he’s informed about his parents' identities and achievements early on, his memories of them are virtually non-existent. This creates an intriguing dynamic: as he hears second-hand accounts of their adventures, he’s essentially continuing their legacy without fully understanding it. Suho strives to forge his own path but struggles with living up to a legacy he doesn’t truly comprehend or connect with on a deeper level.
A Manhwa Considered Solo Leveling’s Successor Has Already Surpassed It In the US
According to the top webtoon app in the U.S., Tapas, Solo Leveling’s manhwa has been surpassed as the most successful title on the platform.
Suho’s character development isn’t the only aspect thatRagnarökrefines. It also expands on the lore and mythology of the original series. For example, in the early chapters, a new type of threat is introduced: monsters now have the ability not only to kill Hunters but also to infect and transform them into monsters. This makes dungeons even more dangerous, as a single scratch from a monster can turn a Hunter into — depending on their class — a superpowered minion, weaponized to serve the monsters without putting them at risk.
It’s Shaping Up To Be Quite A Year For Solo Leveling Fans
WithRagnarökAnd A New Anime On The Way - There Will Be Planty Of Great Solo Leveleing Content
There’s also a growing divide between the “Awakened”—those with powers to fight monsters—and the unawakened, the majority of humans without special abilities. WhileSolo Levelinglargely depicts the Awakened as heroes dedicated to protecting humanity,Ragnarökintroduces Awakened individuals who have become corrupted by their status. Instead of solely using their powers to fight monsters, some are now using them to rob, steal, and oppress weaker humans. In this way, certain Hunters are becoming as much of a threat to society as the monsters themselves.
What this all means is that it’s a great time to be aSolo Levelingfan. On the one hand, there’s thehighly anticipated second season of theSolo Levelinganime, which will continue Jinwoo’s journey as he advances toward becoming the Shadow Monarch. On the other hand, there’sRagnarök- the story of his son, Suho.
Unlike his father, Suho was born with immense power and potential to be the greatest Hunter ever, but he must learn to unlock these abilities with little guidance while facing even more powerful threats. Together, the upcoming anime and manga offer an exciting double feature that will keepSolo LevelingandRagnarökfans engaged for months.
Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-woo, the world’s weakest hunter, who gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious program after surviving a brutal monster attack. As he navigates his newfound abilities, Jinwoo embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of his powers and the dungeon that altered his fate.
