{"id":43211,"date":"2024-01-06T09:00:27","date_gmt":"2024-01-06T08:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1954826"},"modified":"2024-01-06T18:57:35","modified_gmt":"2024-01-06T17:57:35","slug":"solo-leveling-isnt-in-shape-to-keep-up-as-anime-thrives","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/solo-leveling-isnt-in-shape-to-keep-up-as-anime-thrives\/","title":{"rendered":"Solo Leveling isn\u2019t in shape to keep up as anime thrives"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\"> Solo Leveling has cast a shallow yet broad net with its storytelling. <\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By Jasmine Valentine\n                \t\t<\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Saturday, 06 January 2024 at 08:00 AM<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cIn a world of gifted hunters and monsters, a weak hunter, Sung Jinwoo, gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious programme, leading him to become one of the strongest hunters and conquering even the strongest dungeons.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is the synopsis of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/fantasy\/anime\/solo-leveling-anime-release-date\/\">Solo Leveling<\/a>, an anime that\u2019s brand new to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/technology-guides\/crunchyroll-cost-explained\/\">Crunchyroll<\/a> for 2024. Kicking off with its premiere episode on 6th January, it\u2019s easy to think that we\u2019ve heard this story somewhere before.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cGon Freecss discovers that his father, who left him at a young age, is actually a world-renowned Hunter, a licensed professional who specialises in fantastical pursuits such as locating rare or unidentified animal species, treasure hunting and surveying unexplored enclaves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is the synopsis for 2011 smash hit anime series <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/fantasy\/anime\/hunter-x-hunter-watch-order\/\">Hunter x Hunter<\/a>, which wrapped up a full 10 years before Solo Leveling even came into existence. Without context, these two shows are almost completely indistinguishable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<iframe title=\"Solo Leveling | OFFICIAL TRAILER 4\" width=\"200\" height=\"113\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HkIKAnwLZCw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s a tale as old as time \u2013 a young unestablished hero, typically with a dysfunctional family unit, enters a magical foreign world thanks to powers or strengths that they didn\u2019t know they fully had. From there, an untouchable desire to be the best and strongest in their field is formed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">From <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/fantasy\/anime\/hunter-x-hunter-watch-order\/\">One Piece<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/fantasy\/demon-slayer-franchise-in-order\/\">Demon Slayer<\/a>, and from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/fantasy\/anime\/jujutsu-kaisen-season-2-release-schedule\/\">Jujutsu Kaisen<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/fantasy\/anime\/black-clover-watch-order\/\">Black Clover<\/a>, almost every franchise-worthy anime follows this exact route. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Even in mainstream fantasy, the likes of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/movies\/how-to-watch-harry-potter\/\">Harry Potter<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/movies\/how-to-watch-lord-of-the-rings-movies-order-timeline\/\">Lord of the Rings<\/a> have all built their success off of this premise. In short, it seems to be a foolproof path to long-term glory. But how does a newbie sustain themselves in the midst of it all?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The problem is that being too generic \u2013 or trying to cater to absolutely everyone by following a tick box formula \u2013 works against a debut programme in the 2020s framework. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Goblin Slayer shows like Goblin Crown have continued to fly under the radar, while anime such as Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 fell off the face of the Earth, even with a familiar IP to work from.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-handler__container image-handler__container--full\" style=\"padding-bottom: calc(100% * (705 \/ 1059));\"> <picture> <source media=\"(max-width: 320px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=300%2C200, https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?webp=true&amp;quality=45&amp;resize=600%2C399 2x, https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?webp=true&amp;quality=45&amp;resize=900%2C599 3x\" type=\"image\/webp\"> <source media=\"(max-width: 320px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?quality=90&amp;resize=300%2C200, https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?quality=45&amp;resize=600%2C399 2x, https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?quality=45&amp;resize=900%2C599 3x\" type=\"image\/png\"> <source media=\"(max-width: 375px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=355%2C236, https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?webp=true&amp;quality=45&amp;resize=710%2C473 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"> <source media=\"(max-width: 375px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?quality=90&amp;resize=355%2C236, https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?quality=45&amp;resize=710%2C473 2x\" type=\"image\/png\"> <source media=\"(max-width: 425px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=405%2C270, https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?webp=true&amp;quality=45&amp;resize=810%2C539 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"> <source media=\"(max-width: 425px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?quality=90&amp;resize=405%2C270, https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?quality=45&amp;resize=810%2C539 2x\" type=\"image\/png\"> <source media=\"(max-width: 589px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369\" type=\"image\/webp\"> <source media=\"(max-width: 589px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369\" type=\"image\/png\"> <source media=\"(min-width: 992px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413\" type=\"image\/webp\"> <source media=\"(min-width: 992px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413\" type=\"image\/png\"> <source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=408%2C272, https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?webp=true&amp;quality=45&amp;resize=816%2C543 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"> <source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?quality=90&amp;resize=408%2C272, https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?quality=45&amp;resize=816%2C543 2x\" type=\"image\/png\"> <source media=\"(min-width: 590px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=556%2C370\" type=\"image\/webp\"> <source media=\"(min-width: 590px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?quality=90&amp;resize=556%2C370\" type=\"image\/png\"> <img class=\"wp-image-1887480 align size-landscape_thumbnail image-handler__image image-handler__image--full no-wrap js-lazyload\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Solo-Leveling-2-Cropped-702c1a6-e1704450204175.png?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413\" width=\"620\" height=\"413\" alt=\"Solo Leveling key art showing a person in a white and cream outfit\" title=\"Solo Leveling\"\/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div><div class=\"caption-hold\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"caption-copy\"><i class=\"icon-arrow icon-camera-circle\"\/> Solo Leveling.<\/span><\/figcaption><span class=\"im-image-caption\"> <i>Crunchyroll\/A-1 Pictures<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Does adopting this strategy make Solo Leveling a bad anime? Not at all. Sung is an endearing sweetheart, even though his genuine hopelessness is nigh-on frustrating to follow in early episodes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He\u2019s an E-rank hunter, meaning he\u2019s about as lowly as low could get. Called in to tackle a D-rank dungeon, he\u2019s quickly in over his head when it\u2019s revealed that a secret second dungeon is attached to it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As more of Solo Leveling\u2019s premise is revealed, there\u2019s a solid structure to be enjoyed. The action sequences are gruesomely brutal, leaving viewers open to what might be to come \u2013 even when the bare bones of the narrative are obvious. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stuck in violent and disarming situations, there\u2019s enough present to want to come back to see how Sung might progress.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">But is this enough to stand up against a packed roster of anime in 2024? It\u2019s incredibly unlikely. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, the world of Gundam makes a comeback with Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, Frieren: Beyond Journey\u2019s End \u2013 what some have hailed as the best anime of 2023 \u2013 returns and One Piece starts its long-awaited final Egghead arc. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Where anime lovers are spoiled for choice, Solo Leveling is probably not the place their eye is drawn to.<\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Whether it\u2019s a case of bad timing or purely predictable patterns, well-established IPs with the same structure, or new shows that have a completely fresh spin, are likely to take precedence. Solo Leveling plays out more like an anime greatest hits medley, having a little bit of everything to cater to every taste.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There\u2019s an intricate magic system, a network of villains, a bashful hero and a sidekick who won\u2019t admit they\u2019re in love, even when everyone else can see it. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In essence, Solo Leveling has cast a shallow yet broad net with its storytelling. The result? A lack of authentic edge that keeps the show as good rather than great.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On top of this, Solo Leveling doesn\u2019t seem like a show \u2013 or original Korean web novel \u2013 many fans are overly fussed with.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> There\u2019s a feeling of \u2018mid\u2019 in the air, with the general consensus that even the original web novel needs a bit of bedding into.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The trouble is, Solo Leveling doesn\u2019t have the luxury of time in an industry where a new show \u2013 or at least episode \u2013 is being released on a weekly basis. It hasn\u2019t argued hard enough to ascertain why viewers should choose it out of thousands of options the streaming platform has, letting the fact that it is something new do the talking instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Perhaps it\u2019s a signal that anime should step away from story adaptations altogether. Perhaps it\u2019s a sign for said adaptations to slow down in output, so we can savour them more. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regardless of personal opinion, Solo Leveling is likely to bear the brunt, lost in the sea of shiny, intricate and unique animated shows we are routinely presented with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Solo Leveling is available to watch on Crunchyroll. Check out more of our <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/protect-eu.mimecast.com\/s\/PVxzCwk7zSyNxXAIK1Nfp?domain=radiotimes.com\/\"><strong>Fantasy<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0coverage or visit our\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/protect-eu.mimecast.com\/s\/UvbwCxlLASxXvK9TRo0_k?domain=radiotimes.com\/\"><strong>TV Guide<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/protect-eu.mimecast.com\/s\/gDhuCym2BIL4oE0FAg9MV?domain=radiotimes.com\/\"><strong>Streaming Guide<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0to find out what else is on.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only \u00a310 \u2013\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/protect-eu.mimecast.com\/s\/p4FhCznYDf4rqvxUBYT-E?domain=radiotimes.com\"><strong>subscribe now<\/strong><\/a><strong>. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/protect-eu.mimecast.com\/s\/0kjfCAmKzIEROMnFOykg9?domain=radiotimes.com\/\"><strong>The Radio Times Podcast<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> Solo Leveling has cast a shallow yet broad net with its storytelling. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":43213,"template":"","categories":[6,5],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2024\/01\/solo-leveling-isnt-in-shape-to-keep-up-as-anime-thrives.jpg",779,519,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2024\/01\/solo-leveling-isnt-in-shape-to-keep-up-as-anime-thrives-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2024\/01\/solo-leveling-isnt-in-shape-to-keep-up-as-anime-thrives-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2024\/01\/solo-leveling-isnt-in-shape-to-keep-up-as-anime-thrives-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2024\/01\/solo-leveling-isnt-in-shape-to-keep-up-as-anime-thrives.jpg",779,519,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2024\/01\/solo-leveling-isnt-in-shape-to-keep-up-as-anime-thrives.jpg",779,519,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2024\/01\/solo-leveling-isnt-in-shape-to-keep-up-as-anime-thrives.jpg",779,519,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Solo Leveling has cast a shallow yet broad net with its storytelling.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/43211"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}