Before I get into the review I just want to make it clear that there is a difference between bad as in quality and 'bad' as in you personally didn't like it.
Solo Leveling is by no means bad. Its art is great and as far as common tropes such as OP protagonist and game like monster hunting go it's one of the best. However I don't write my reviews to be analytical cause I don't think I'm that smart and I admire any author that manages to successfully bring a story to a close. Instead, my review is based on how it made me feel, so how did the story make me feel by the end:
"Damn"
That's the thought I had, I wish we spent more time in the world. Maybe if there was another arc before the ending but I guess when it's time, it's time. Sung Jinwoo's sacrifice is up there with the greatest tragic sacrifices any hero can make and although I wanted anything but that to happen I respect it. It ended with hope, even though most of the people forgot him, he saved everyone and I mean everyone. He has the chance to live in a safe world, rebuild relationships and find new meaning. This with the author's heartfelt message made it a worthy ending to a great series but that wasn't the ending that stayed was it?
The Manwha author dying was heartbreaking and I understand doing it in his honour but something about the epilogue felt off to me. Do we really need to see the happy ever after? I get it if you enjoyed seeing a slice of life with Sung Jinwoo, his shadow soldiers and watching his relationship with Cha Hae-In finally solidify but after his son grew up it felt painfully dragged out. I love the story still but I went from wishing I had spent more time in the world to feeling like I had spent too much time in it. The story was bittersweet and the ending may put people off or not but one thing I do know is the world of stories is a brighter place with Solo Leveling in it. Thank you Chugong and Rest in Peace Seong-rak Jang.
