You Aren't E-Rank, Are You?

I have been waiting for a long time for an anime with such a stunning story and beautiful animation like this. It feels like watching this anime is a completely different experience from other anime. Every scene shown feels so detailed and full of meaning, as if every frame has an implied message that it wants to convey to the audience. The combination of a strong story and magnificent animation makes me feel like this anime is one of the best works ever made in the world of Japanese animation.

Impressive First Impression When I first watched the first episode, I was immediately captivated by the beauty of the visuals. Studio MAPPA really gave their best to bring this anime to life. They are known for their extraordinary animation quality, and in this anime, they prove again that they are indeed one of the best studios in the industry. The details in the background, character expressions, to special effects such as lighting and shadows are all executed perfectly. In fact, the background music used is very much in accordance with the atmosphere of the story, so that it is able to increase the emotions of the audience at every important moment.

However, even though this anime is extraordinary, I have to admit that there is one drawback that bothers me quite a bit, namely the duration which feels too fast. Each episode moves so fast that when the story is at its peak of tension, it suddenly reaches the end of the episode. It feels like there is not enough time to really enjoy every detail presented. I personally feel annoyed and a little disappointed because this short duration makes me always want more, but have to wait the next week for a new episode. Of course, this could be a strategy to keep the audience curious, but still, I wish the duration could be a little longer.

Season 2 of Solo Leveling kicks off with the highly anticipated Red Gate Arc, setting the stage for an action-packed season rumored to conclude with the epic Jeju Island Arc.

The very first episode delivers an excellent balance of action and gore, providing a thrilling glimpse of the chaos and massacres that lie ahead. The animation is smooth, visually stunning, and truly elevates the experience.

What stood out the most for me in this episode was the incredible character development of our protagonist, Sung Jin-Woo. Once known as "the weakest hunter in the world," with an unremarkable and timid personality, he has transformed into a confident, powerful, and undeniably charismatic figure. His evolution from the humble beginnings of Episode 1 to now is remarkable. Sung Jin-Woo is no longer overlooked; he's admired by both his peers and the audience. Officers now humorously tell him to "stand back and give the newcomers a chance," while his newfound charm begins to captivate everyone around him.

This episode is undoubtedly better than S1E1. The pacing of the episode was spot on-I didn't even realize how quickly 24-25 minutes flew by. It's a fantastic start to the season, and this episode undoubtedly deserves a solid 10/10.

Wow.. this first episode of the second season was an absolute blast, with things quickly going from calm to intense, thrilling and actionpacked!

The episode starts of slow... but oh boy does that change! The story quickly develops with some unexpected and welcome development! It gives you the feeling that this season is gonna be a wild journey as a lot of things were set up in season one, and this season could just take things further!

I am still in love with Jinwoo's development and its nice to see the outcome of season lne come into play! We can see that everyone is paying more and more attention to him!

Animation was somehow an improvement from season one, which is incredible when the first season was incredibly animated too!

Opening and ending... straight up fire!!

"Solo Leveling" Season 2 Episode 1, "You Aren't E-Rank, Are You?", wastes no time throwing viewers back into the action-packed world of Sung Jin-woo. The episode seamlessly picks up from the season 1 finale, showcasing Jin-woo's newfound power and the challenges that come with it.

The animation is a significant upgrade from the first season, with fluid and dynamic fight sequences that truly capture the intensity of the action. The character designs are more detailed, and the overall visual presentation is a feast for the eyes.

The episode masterfully sets the stage for the season, introducing new threats and reintroducing familiar faces with renewed stakes. The encounter with the Ice Elves hints at the scale of the challenges Jin-woo and his allies will face, while the return of certain characters promises exciting confrontations.

For fans of the original webtoon, the episode faithfully adapts the source material while adding its own unique flourishes. The pacing is excellent, and the episode leaves viewers eager for more.

While the episode is largely successful, some viewers may find the dialogue a bit stilted at times. Additionally, the focus on action might overshadow character development in the early stages of the season.

This anime by A-1 picture studios has by far out shine anything I have been watching since 2009. I have to give a huge hat tip to the author and manga and anime creators to help bring this amazing jaw dropping story to life. We bow to all of you deeply. Thank you Aleks Le for putting in such hard work into the English voice of this great story. We hope to hear more of you in the future good sir. I have been following this story since season 1 episode 1 and boy it hasn't disappointed me not once but smash every expectation for every episode. But now that Season 2 has started even more so. Thank you for bring this story to life. Keep up this great work.