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Discover how Sung Jinwoo became strong and why he was always supposed to be overpowered in the Solo Leveling universe.
Solo Leveling is one of the most popular anime in the world right now, captivating fans with its exciting power fantasy tale. During discussions of the series, one undeniable fact that pops up is how immensely overpowered the protagonist Sung Jinwoo is.
Some viewers love the hype moments that are created because of it, while others believe his dominance over others brings down the thrill of the series. While both sides are equally entitled to their opinions, Sung Jinwoo’s rise to the top is far from inconsistent.
On the contrary, there are an abundance of reasons why he was always destined for greatness. These range from his unique powers to the celestial threats against the world.
The Overpowered Protagonist Stereotype in Manhwa
Solo Leveling was originally a novel, after which it was made into a manhwa that gained worldwide renown. Korean action stories, especially manhwa, have relied upon the overpowered protagonist trope for a long time to generate viewership.
Since nothing is quite as cool as a protagonist stunning others with his unbelievable abilities, it has helped manhwa become extremely popular. Some notable examples of this are The Beginning After the End and Second Life Ranker, where protagonists are blessed with skills through unique circumstances.
For Solo Leveling, Sung Jinwoo’s powers are not just for plot convenience but are an essential component of the story’s themes. Hence, while an overpowered protagonist has helped the series gain acclaim, it is a direct consequence of world-building. The existence of hunters, Monarchs, Rulers, the System, and Gates in general has been building up to an escalating conflict. Let us take a closer look at each of these aspects.
Sung Jinwoo’s Humble Beginnings
Despite his eventual strength, Jinwoo’s start in Solo Leveling came from rock bottom. Classified as the weakest hunter, he was barely able to survive the E-Rank dungeons. His frailty made him the object of pity and ridicule from all those around him.
However, it is important to note that Jinwoo’s key trait during this period was his determination. He was driven to provide for his sick mother and younger sister, fighting for survival at every waking moment. This unwavering relentlessness was the reason why he gained strength in the first place.
Therefore, Jinwoo’s main strength was never just physical, but his strong mentality and emotional maturity. While fans felt sympathy for his situation as a weak hunter, they could sense the potential he had to grow stronger. Even when stuck inside the double dungeon, he outshined hunters stronger than him, constantly looking for a solution to escape.
The System Gifted to Sung Jinwoo
The main cause of Sung Jinwoo being an overpowered individual in Solo Leveling is the System he possesses. Shortly after surviving his ordeal in the double dungeon, he gained this cheat code that presented him with tasks, challenges, and opportunities.
It allowed him to become the only hunter in the world who could level up, increasing his stats beyond human comprehension. However, due to the enigmatic nature of this, there were always suspicions regarding the source of the power. Finally, Solo Leveling revealed the monumental being who helped Jinwoo gain strength.
The System’s origin came from Ashborn, the original Shadow Monarch. He had worked together with the Architect to come up with a way to create the perfect successor. By forming this vessel, Ashborn would eventually take over the body and enter Earth. However, in a twist, Ashborn decided not to do so. Rather, he chose Jinwoo to carry forward his powers, trusting in his ability.
This was a direct consequence of Jinwoo’s actions throughout the series. The protagonist had been continuously grinding and increasing his strength through battles. He had gone past the expectations of both the Architect and Ashborn, even defeating the former during their confrontation.
Therefore, right from the very beginning, Jinwoo was given an unfair system that placed him one step above the rest. He possessed the powers of an entity beyond comprehension, who was taking part in a celestial war. As a result, rather than his powers seeming unnecessary, they were crucial to his eventual position in the world.
The Unending War Between Rulers and Monarchs
Though Sung Jinwoo is a very dashing protagonist, his powers aren’t just for the sake of showing off. Rather, they are meant to be a game-changer in an eternal war taking place between the Rulers and Monarchs.
Representing light and darkness, respectively, both Rulers and Monarchs were created by the Absolute Being. The Monarchs wished to cause destruction and annihilate humanity, whereas the Rulers wanted to preserve order and existence. In this grand war between celestial beings, there was no place for human interference.
The gates and dungeons were created as a consequence of their battle, with mana saturating the world. Nevertheless, even the strongest National Level Hunters’ powers were underwhelming in the face of the Monarchs.
Therefore, humanity was merely pieces on this grand chessboard. This was the time when Ashborn, whose shadow powers could change the tides of the war, came in. He did not choose either side but rather decided to stand with humans. Hence, Jinwoo, with his shadow powers, was always meant to be the deciding factor in the war.
His abilities weren’t meant to be decided on the scale of other hunters but to face every force threatening the world.
The Need for a Protector of the World
As we have seen, without Jinwoo’s ascendance as an unparalleled hunter, the world would have been doomed. Even with his powers, he struggled in the battle against all the Monarchs, especially Antares. The protagonist’s role in the series is more than a personal journey; it is a necessity to protect the world at large.
His rapid growth, seemingly unfair power-ups, and eventual dominance were not mere indulgences in power fantasy but critical elements in ensuring everything didn’t fall to ruin. This is further supported by the fact that Jinwoo’s eventual victory required the interference of the Rulers and his decision to warp time itself.
As the only one capable of saving others, he reset the world, heading out on a lone quest to defeat the enemies before the appearance of gates on Earth. Unfortunately, in the sequel, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, Jinwoo’s role has not been completed.
There are even more godly beings threatening the world. Titled the Itarim, these figures are much stronger than the Monarchs, with Jinwoo yet again being the only determining factor. Hence, Sung Jinwoo being an overpowered protagonist is extremely deserved and necessary in Solo Leveling.
Moreover, unlike many overpowered protagonists who become arrogant or detached, Jinwoo remains connected to his humanity. He never loses sight of why he fights, sharing a close bond with his loved ones. As a result, though he possesses great strength, fans are attached to him and find him likeable.
Conclusion
Sung Jinwoo being overpowered in Solo Leveling isn’t just for the “cool” factor but rather essential to humanity’s survival. The series cleverly set up hints on why he deserved the power before revealing the need for his rise as a protector.
Hence, anime fans have a lot to look forward to as the series keeps rising in the scale of threat in the coming arcs. Even manhwa fans who are keeping up with Solo Leveling: Ragnarok can enjoy Jinwoo continuing his role as the strongest, facing bigger dangers than ever before.
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