Jan 21, 2025
The rampant inflation of scores in MAL's database has really gotten worse over the years. If something this shallow and mediocre was given a generous rating of 8.6, then I wouldn't even be surprised if, 5 or so years later Berserk will get overtaken by some random powerfantasy action isekai. While highly unlikely, you can't deny its possibility, especially with how things have been going for the past decade. The lack of maturity and thoughtful critique within the community has only exacerbated this problem even further, making it increasingly frustrating for those of us seeking more nuanced and honest evaluations. It really goes to show
...
that popularity doesn't always decide a series' overall quality.
Solo Leveling, with how it's constantly lauded with compliments and overwhelmingly positive reviews from its fanbase, you too would naturally be under the impression that you're in for what seems like an exceptional reading experience. However, that wasn't the case as after reading it myself, I found that it fell far too short from the "masterpiece" its reputation suggests. What you get instead is a narrative structure that prioritizes style over substance, leaving little to no room for readers who value depth, complexity and emotional resonance in a story. Which led me to the conclusion that the overwhelming acclaim seems to have come more from the series' surface-level appeal and the community's personal bias towards escapist powerfantasies rather than any substantive storytelling or meaningful character developments.
The use of a progression system as a shortcut for character growth diminished the value of the protagonist’s journey from weak to strong.
Relying on a cheap growth mechanic like the System indicates poor writing and lazy storytelling since the character's growth isn't earned through personal struggle and effort. While the protagonist's initial effort to survive and grow stronger can be viewed as genuine struggle, demonstrating his determination and will to change his circumstances. However, the fact that his power progression is facilitated by a system designed by a higher power (providing carefully curated challenges and rewards) undermines the organic nature of growth. In this context, the effort he puts into fighting and surviving is real, but the framework that ensures his growth is artificial, making it feel cheap. This can be seen as a type of narrative convenience where the struggle is controlled, removing randomness and external risks that typically define true hardship and the unpredictabilities in character development.
The supporting cast's lack of any real purpose in the story is incredibly frustrating. Cha Hae-In, positioned as the protagonist's potential love interest, is a prime example. Despite her unique ability to detect the smell of mana and her reputation as a top-ranked S-Rank Hunter, her character arc quickly stagnates after her introduction. Her involvement in the story rarely extends beyond being a bystander to the protagonist’s battles or a vessel for romantic subplots that lack significant development. What could have been a dynamic partnership between two powerful hunters instead feels underutilized, with Cha reduced to admiration from the sidelines rather than active participation in key events. Similarly, figures like Baek Yoon-Ho and Choi Jong-In, introduced as formidable hunters in their own right, serve little narrative purpose beyond emphasizing the protagonist’s growing dominance. Their roles often boil down to offering exposition or reacting in awe to the protagonist's feats, robbing them of any meaningful growth or contribution to the overarching plot.
And the fact that the author didn't capitalize on the opportunity to delve into the topic of the consequences of immense power, which should have been written all over the wall, was such a waste of potential. They would rather stroke the protagonist's shlong for the entirety of the series' run than add depth to the narrative, it's ridiculous. But it's fine as long as they make the protagonist look cool and edgy, am I right, kids? haha!
So, would I recommend Solo Leveling to anybody with standards? Absolutely not, that would be embarassing. But, I definitely would recommend this to people who just want to experience superficial thrills in their story, because despite it's many flaws I can still see why people would like it. Fun is subjective, as much as I didn't enjoy the series, it might not be the same for others.
It still sucks balls though 1/10.
Reviewer’s Rating: 1
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