Solo Leveling is undeniably one of the most popular and influential webtoons ever created. With the anime adaptation returning for new seasons, debates are resurfacing everywhere. And with renewed hype comes fresh waves of criticism and comparison. If you watched the anime or read the novel and wondered, “Why don’t I get the hype?” or “Why does everyone say the webtoon is peak?”, here’s the quick reason: the Solo Leveling Webtoon Is Better Than the Anime.
Many people forget a crucial point:
Solo Leveling became iconic because of the webtoon. Not the novel, and not automatically because of the anime.
The original story is a South Korean webnovel by Chugong. While the novel is solid, it was never considered among the most legendary Korean webnovels. The explosion in popularity came because the webtoon adaptation was visually groundbreaking, not because the original novel was unbeatable.
This context is important when discussing why the Solo Leveling webtoon is better than the anime.
Why the Webtoon Blew Up
Solo Leveling became a staple starter recommendation because it was one of the first webtoons with high-budget, scroll-optimized, cinematic art. Today, many series have top-tier visuals, but back when Solo Leveling dropped, this level of art was extremely rare.
Most webtoons were made by small teams or solo creators. Then came REDICE Studio, the powerhouse that redefined the visual standard of modern manhwa. Their dynamic action, polished designs, and 3D-assisted environments made Solo Leveling stand out instantly.
Those long vertical scroll panels
The massive battlefield spreads
The sweeping dungeon reveals
The dramatic shadow army entrances
They weren’t just cool, they were revolutionary.
This is the foundation of why the Solo Leveling webtoon is better than the anime for many fans. The webtoon format let the story shine in ways animation struggles to replicate.
The REDICE Effect: The Art That Made the Series Iconic
REDICE Studio is one of the most influential names in the manhwa industry. Their portfolio includes hits such as:
- I’m the Max-Level Newbie
- The Return of the Disaster-Class Hero
- Ranker’s Return
- The Twins’ New Life
- What It Takes to Be a Villainess
- Lady Evony
And their masterpiece: Omniscient Reader.
REDICE adapted Solo Leveling before ORV. By the time they worked on ORV, their artistic polish had reached new heights, but even Solo Leveling showed their signature strengths: strong lighting, dynamic posing, expressive characters, and cinematic paneling.
When the webtoon released, readers immediately noticed. The art wasn’t just good, it felt like an event.
Long Vertical Panels
Solo Leveling mastered the use of vertical composition to:
- build scale
- create tension
- enhance reveals
- showcase movement
- highlight Jinwoo’s transformations
Every time the shadow army appeared in a massive vertical spread, the internet went wild.
Characters and Creatures
From Jinwoo’s expressions to the fluid action choreography, REDICE elevated every moment. Even the shadows had personality. Fan favorites like Igris gained iconic status because of how well they were illustrated.
And the webtoon’s legendary artist, DUBU (Jang Sung-rak), may he rest in peace, left a legacy that continues to influence the medium today.
The Webtoon Isn’t Perfect, but It’s Visually Unmatched
The story of Solo Leveling is not flawless:
- The female lead is introduced as powerful but often sidelined.
- The romance is shallow.
- Several plot threads are left underdeveloped.
- The deeper thematic elements take a backseat to action.
Yet none of these flaws stopped its rise, because the visual experience carried it to greatness.
This leads to another key point in understanding why the Solo Leveling webtoon is better than the anime:
the story hits harder when supported by strong visual direction. The webtoon’s pacing, framing, and buildup were tailored specifically to maximize hype in scroll format.
Can the Anime Match That Impact?
This is where expectations become complicated.
The anime industry today is flooded with:
- high-budget productions
- advanced CGI
- dynamic choreography
- visually competitive series in every genre
Meanwhile, when Solo Leveling released as a webtoon, its competition was far weaker. The art gap between Solo Leveling and other webtoons felt massive.
The anime adaptation, however, enters a saturated landscape where many shows already look incredible. This makes it harder for Solo Leveling to stand out visually in the same way.
Other factors also affect the reception:
- The pacing differs from the webtoon
- Scroll-based reveals can’t be replicated 1:1
- Some scenes lose impact when re-framed for animation
- The anime has not yet reached its most hype arcs
- Fans already know what to expect, reducing novelty
Can the anime eventually peak? Yes.
Will it ever hit the same cultural impact the webtoon had? Much harder to achieve.
This is at the core of why the Solo Leveling webtoon is better than the anime – the timing, the format, and the artistic innovation aligned perfectly for the webtoon in a way the anime cannot replicate.
If You Want the Best Solo Leveling Experience: Read the Webtoon
If you want the true, visually explosive experience that made Solo Leveling a global phenomenon, the webtoon is where it shines the brightest.
You can support the creators legally on:
The webtoon version is the one that earned its GOAT status.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy Each Version for What It Is
There’s no need to judge the anime as if it should surpass every modern masterpiece. And there’s no need to compare it to the webtoon as if they were meant to function the same way.
Some people will prefer the animation.
Some will always favor the webtoon.
Both are valid.
But if you truly want to understand why Solo Leveling took over the world, and why many fans argue the Solo Leveling webtoon is better than the anime, then the webtoon is the version that defined its legacy.
Enjoy whichever version makes you happy, but don’t skip the webtoon if you want the full experience.