Solo Levelinghas become one of the biggest titles in anime, exploding onto the scene with a captivating first season, before establishing itself as the latest smash hit with its action-packed follow-up. In a 2025 that’s been on the slower side in terms of major anime releases,the series has dominated the spotlight without much competition.
However, despite the acclaim, broken records, and awards thrown its way,it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows forSolo Leveling. Fans of other shows have been vocal about their dislike of the series, while its own fan base was so unsatisfied with an ill-timed recap episode in season one that it became thesingle most disliked episode on Crunchyroll.
Though season two was an undeniable success, it wasn’t without controversy, either. One episode received a bit of backlash from fans,and not only was it undeserving, the episode isSolo Leveling’s best.
One Solo Leveling Episode Received Unwarranted Backlash
Season Two’s Best Episode Was Strangely Controversial
Solo Levelingis known for its fast-paced, stylish action and power fantasy elements. The words ‘hype and aura’ have become despised by the wider anime-watching community, but it’s entirely fair to say thatSolo Levelingwould be nothing without them,and that isn’t really a bad thing.
Despite criticism about its writing or lack of depth, it cannot be denied that the series is fun to watch. The concept of a man who was once incredibly weak becoming endlessly strong scratches an itch for anime fans around the world, andSolo Leveling’srecord-breaking performanceis proof of that.
However, when episode #9 of season two rolled around, titled “It was All Worth It”, countless fans of the series reacted in a peculiar way. The episode sees Sung Jinwoo finally craft the Elixer of Life and give it to his mother, reviving her and ultimately completing his main stated goal from season one.In response to her waking up, the protagonist cried out of joy.
Strangely, a large portion ofSolo Levelingfans weren’t all that happy seeing the series' hero in tears. Eventually, the fan base largely came around on the moment, praising the show for allowing Jinwoo a moment to let out his emotions, but a small yet loud number of anime fans continued tocriticize the episode for ruining his image as the ‘embodiment of hype and aura’.
Unfortunately, it seems there’s a growing collective of anime fans entirely unwilling to engage with any sort of content that strays from the over-the-top, all-flash-no-flame storytelling that has found its way onto the scene.
Not only is that criticism overly silly, it’s entirely wrong in just about every sense, and might just be the key to understanding why so much anime is released every season that relies heavily on style over substance. Not only is the moment impactful,but it makes the episodeSolo Leveling’s best.
Jinwoo’s Emotional Reunion With His Mother Makes the Episode Solo Leveling’s Best
A Rare Moment of Vulnerability Does Wonders For Solo Leveling’s Protagonist
The main criticism ofSolo Levelingis that there’s not much going for it aside from its action and style. Jinwoo keeps getting stronger and that’s great, but viewersdon’t get too many glimpses at what makes him the stoic action hero he’s become. He was pretty helpless when first introduced, until he gained some muscle and suddenly became the aura king.
However, it’s season two episode #9 that justifies that shift in his character. He didn’t become a badass because he thought it would make him look cool, or put his head down and grind to become stronger because it would fit an image of hype and aura.He did so with one mission in mind, and upon completing that mission, let out his pent-up feelings in a moment that finally let the audience in on his secrets.
Moments like these, which reveal what exactly makes a character tick or pushes them in a particular direction, make a series far better than one that foregoes any sort of development or internal focus simply to keep shoving hype moments at its viewers.Criticism over Jinwoo letting his guard down is entirely off-base, and displays a critical lack of an understanding of what makes quality storytelling.
If there is anything to criticize surrounding this moment,it’s thatSolo Levelingdoesn’t offer more of them. Even with episode #9,the series doesn’t exactly build up its characters much, and following the scene with his mother, Jinwoo rarely ever lets the audience in on his motivations or emotions again. The moment lends itself to the anime’s best episode, andSolo Levelingwould benefit from including similar scenes in the future.
Backlash At Solo Leveling’s Best Episode Is Troubling
Criticism Of Jinwoo’s Only Vulnerable Moment Might Be a Sign of the Times
Though criticism of the episode might have come from only a small portion ofSolo Levelingfans,it was undeniably loud across social media and in online discussion. Unfortunately, it seems there’s a growing collective of anime fans entirely unwilling to engage with any sort of content that strays from the over-the-top, all-flash-no-flame storytelling that has found its way onto the scene.
It’s no coincidence that there has been an increase in shows arriving each season that cause anime fans toturn to one another and ask,“are you the one watching this?“Stories likethe methodically craftedChainsaw Manare being written off as perverted slop, mostly because the expected hype moments and aura have been replaced by intense and uncomfortable themes delivered by complex characters.
There’s a time and place for stories that rely on style over substance,andSolo Levelingis one that recognizes what it is and delivers a top-notch experience. However, when that sort of series receives criticism for even attempting to explore one of its characters, it’s a bad sign for other stories delivering complex casts and narratives.
Solo Levelinghas been on the receiving end of some nasty criticism, especially after it took homethe Crunchyroll Anime of the Year Award. Regardless of whether fans deem it worthy of such a title, it can’t be denied that the series is doing what it’s set out to do at the highest possible quality. Unfortunately, its best episode has largely been overlooked, and deserves recognition for even trying to build on its hero.
Solo Leveling
Cast
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.
