After years of petitions and what felt like an eternity of waiting, Solo Leveling is finally getting an anime adaptation! However, after taking a closer look at the trailer and other information regarding the upcoming series, a new question arises (see what I did there). What exactly is Studio A-1 adapting?
Most fans are familiar with Sung Jin-Woo and his adventures in the Solo Leveling manhwa, but that isn’t the only way to read his story.
The series was initially a well-known South Korean web novel known as Only I Level Up before being completely illustrated by Redice Studio. The original novel, written by Chugong, quickly gained popularity in South Korea before even being translated and taking the world by storm. The series was then translated into a source accurate manhwa, which only increased the series fame and audience.
So, which of these is Studio A-1 adapting into an anime? Neither, in fact. Instead, the animation will be based on the recently released Japanese Solo Leveling light novel. Although the basic plot will remain the same, there will be a few modifications from what Korean light novel and manhwa readers are expecting.
NEWS: Solo Leveling Japanese Adaptation Vol.1 Light Novel Cover!! pic.twitter.com/LTl2H7rdJX
— Anime Trending (@AniTrendz) January 22, 2021
The names of the characters are the first to change. This can already be seen in the Japanese version of the internet-breaking clip, where Sung Jin-name Woo’s has been altered to Shun Mizushino.
Based on Japanese influence, the Japanese light novel makes a few more subtle changes, such as art styles. These modifications may or may not be adopted into the anime.
Given the recent controversy surrounding the series’ “anti-Japan” stance, which was also adjusted in the Japanese light novel, Studio A-1 may use this adaptation of the series to alter their anime as well.
