While Solo Leveling fans are left craving news about the anime’s third season, its manhwa future has continued to burn bright. The adaptation of Daul’s follow-up, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, has reassembled Sung Jinwoo’s old allies as his son, Suho, prepares for a new threat. With a new S-Rank Gate emerging in the skies above Seoul, a unique threat presents itself.
The Gate is a fearsome prospect, descending closer to the Korean capital with each passing day, with a Dungeon Break possibly threatening irreversible damage. Jinwoo is off fighting Itarim invaders, and Suho is not as powerful as his father yet. With this, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok presents a unique opportunity to remix the Jeju Island Arc with the power of teamwork.
Solo Leveling: Ragnarok’s Next Arc Will Flip Jeju Island on Its Head
While the original Solo Leveling by Chugong was pretty clear about it following Jinwoo alone, with its original title, Only I Level Up, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok has done well to paint Suho as a team player. Suho’s Shadow Creation, instead of focusing on a permanent army of minions, transforms his arisen Shadows into arms for himself and others.
As teased in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok chapter #62, Suho grants characters like Baek Yoonho with this gear empowering them to fight together. It reminds readers that, while Suho isn’t as powerful as Jinwoo, this is a gift that lets the son stand out. Unlike Jinwoo’s one-man army presence at Jeju Island, Suho will bring an army of his own.
This will hopefully also set Solo Leveling’s sequel further apart from the original, as well as from the Jeju Island’s clear inspiration, the Chimera Ant Arc in Hunter x Hunter.
This was foreshadowed with the end of Solo Leveling: Ragnarok season 1 and the first chapters of season 2. With a threat that makes the S-Rank Hunters tremble remembering the horrors of Jeju Island, characters other than Suho will have the power to fight back. It’ll feel familiar, yet surprisingly original.
Solo Leveling: Ragnarok’s New Jeju Island Arc Will Be Cathartic for the S-Rank Hunters
For those who remember the original Jeju Island Arc, the casualties, including the brutal deaths of powerful characters like Goto Ryuji and near-fatal incidents for Cha Haein and others, it has left a notable scar. Despite only recently getting their memories back, veterans like Choi Jongin appreciate the threat looming over Seoul.
Even Beru’s warnings of its dangers between chapters #61 and #62 are a reminder that he was once the mighty Ant King who eviscerated Hunters at Jeju Island, Korea’s last S-Rank Gate threat. It’s a stark reminder that Beru is nowhere near as strong as he was, but even he recognizes what Suho brings to the table.
It’s a stark reminder that Beru is nowhere near as strong as he was, but even he recognizes what Suho brings to the table.
With the Hunters able to arm themselves with Suho’s Shadow Items, this allows others to take the stage alongside Suho to bring the fight to the enemy. It prevents a predictable episodic story arc where, previously, it’d eventually just feature Jinwoo saving the day. But importantly, it’ll be a great opportunity for the S-Rank Hunters to be relevant once again.