The long-awaited anime adaptation of the highly anticipated manhwa has finally arrived. The original anime scene at the beginning was truly impressive, showcasing remarkable art and animation. While it's challenging to match the artistry of the source material, A1 Pictures put forth their best effort, demonstrating a great deal of dedication with their top-tier team. The soundtrack was outstanding, with Sawano delivering a phenomenal performance. An added bonus was the decision to retain the Korean names without any apparent censorship concerns. While some viewers suggested a one-hour premiere would have been more beneficial, the episode we received exceeded expectations. The anime stands out in its effective introduction and development of all characters, providing a clear understanding even for those unfamiliar with Solo Leveling.
For those who have read it, witnessing the characters' starting points is a truly enjoyable experience. Although the animation had its humorous moments, it served its purpose well. Criticisms about it can be dismissed by choosing to read the source material instead. There is a sense of disappointment regarding the episode's conclusion, feeling that the sequencing and pacing were off. While attempts were made to enhance world-building and character development, some believe the initial episode should have focused more on drawing in the audience with action. The inclusion of the Jeju flashback was appreciated, but the execution of the episode's structure could have been more suspenseful and attention-grabbing if it had closely followed the first chapters. Suggesting that additional character snippets could have been seamlessly incorporated after the Dungeon sequence during the hospital scenes, some argue it would have achieved the same exposition goals in a more satisfying and logical manner. Despite these concerns, many viewers are pleased with the absence of CGI and commend the show for expanding the world. The primary worry lies in how the pacing will be managed throughout the two cours, especially given the ambitious episode count for the first season and the rapid coverage of multiple chapters in a single episode.
