Solo Leveling
A dark fantasy descent into brutal strength, where a lone hunter's desperate climb for survival illuminates a world bathed in the neon glow of power and the encroaching shadows of his own humanity.
Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling

俺だけレベルアップな件

"He used to be the weakest."

07 January 2024 — 30 March 2025 Japan 1 season 25 episode Ended ⭐ 8.6 (1,371)
Cast: Taito Ban, Genta Nakamura, Haruna Mikawa, Reina Ueda, Daisuke Hirakawa
Animation Sci-Fi & Fantasy Action & Adventure
The Struggle of the Underdog Power and its Corrupting Influence Individualism vs. Systems Dehumanization and Alienation

Solo Leveling - Episode Highlights

Episode Highlights

I'm Used to It / If I Had One More Chance

S1E1

These inaugural episodes establish the world and Sung Jinwoo's rock-bottom status as the "World's Weakest Hunter." The majority of the party is brutally massacred inside a hidden Double Dungeon, the Cartenon Temple. Facing certain death, Jinwoo demonstrates immense courage by staying behind to help the last survivors escape. This selfless act leads to him being chosen by the mysterious "System," setting the stage for his entire journey.

Significance:

This two-part opening is the crucible for the entire series. It's the traumatic event that breaks Jinwoo and rebuilds him as the Player. It establishes the stakes, the brutality of the world, and provides the catalyst for the central plot. Without the Double Dungeon, there is no story.

It's Like a Game

S1E3

After waking up and discovering the game-like System, Jinwoo cautiously begins to explore its rules. He accepts a key to an "instance dungeon," a private training ground. Here, he fights monsters solo for the first time, including the powerful boss, the Blue Venom-Fanged Kasaka. He learns the mechanics of leveling up, healing, and using his stats, truly beginning his solitary ascent.

Significance:

This episode is critical for world-building and character development. It demonstrates the mechanics of Jinwoo's new power and showcases his transition from fear to calculated aggression. His first solo boss kill is a major milestone, proving that the System is real and that he truly can become stronger.

The Real Hunt Begins

S1E6

Jinwoo and Yoo Jinho are betrayed by their raid party leader, Hwang Dongsuk, who leaves them to be killed by a C-Rank dungeon boss. After Jinwoo single-handedly defeats the giant spider boss, he is confronted by the returning traitors. An emergency quest from the System forces Jinwoo to kill other humans for the first time. He systematically hunts down and eliminates his would-be murderers, demonstrating a new level of ruthlessness.

Significance:

This episode marks a significant moral turning point for Jinwoo. It's the first time his power is used against other people, blurring the line between hero and anti-hero. It solidifies his alliance with Yoo Jinho and signals to the audience that his journey will involve human conflict, not just fighting monsters.

A Knight Who Defends an Empty Throne

S1E11

Jinwoo finally undertakes the Job Change quest, transporting him to a hostile dungeon where he cannot use potions or log out. He faces waves of powerful knights and mages before confronting the final boss: the intimidating, blood-red knight, Igris. The episode features a spectacular, high-stakes battle where Jinwoo must use every skill and ounce of wit he has to overcome an opponent that vastly outmatches him.

Significance:

This episode showcases how far Jinwoo has come, pitting him against his strongest foe to date in a pure test of skill. The fight with Igris is a visual and narrative climax, a brutal and stunningly animated sequence that serves as the ultimate gatekeeper to the next stage of his power.

Arise

S1E12

After defeating Igris, Jinwoo must survive an endless horde of knights. He successfully completes the quest and the System grants him the class of "Necromancer," which is immediately upgraded to the hidden class "Shadow Monarch" due to his achievements. Realizing his new power, he looks upon the fallen knights and speaks the single command, "Arise," raising Igris and the entire army as his loyal shadow soldiers.

Significance:

The season finale fundamentally changes Jinwoo's abilities and the future of the series. He is no longer just a powerful fighter; he is now the leader of an ever-growing army. This episode concludes his initial arc of solo leveling and redefines him as the Shadow Monarch, setting up the immense scale of power he will wield in the future.