Solo Leveling Is the Anime of the Year But There’s A Lot That Frieren Does Way Better, Especially When It Comes to Its Protagonist

There’s hardly a day that doesn’t see anime enthusiasts comparing “Solo Leveling” with “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.” The competition between these contemporary fantasy anime series has reached an unprecedented level of fervor following the victories of “Solo Leveling” and its protagonist, Sung Jin-Woo, over “Frieren” and its elf mage in the Anime and Main Character of the Year awards held by Crunchyroll.

In the realm of fantasy literature, both “Solo Leveling” and “Frieren” are highly regarded for their captivating stories and entertainment value. However, they each employ a distinct style in their handling of fantasy aspects, character development, world creation, and delving into themes. Despite the shared acclaim, it’s evident that “Frieren” excels in certain areas when compared to “Solo Leveling.

Use of Side Characters

Side Characters Have More Emotional Weight and Development in Frieren

One significant concern often raised regarding the series “Solo Leveling” is its propensity to use secondary characters primarily for Sung Jin-Woo’s rapid advancement from mortal to deity. Instead of fleshing out their personalities and giving them meaningful growth, these side characters tend to become expendable, unable to match Jin-Woo’s swift progression and supremacy. Essentially, the stories of these characters are left incomplete, with their significance primarily hinging on their influence on Jin-Woo’s rise to power. Regrettably, that appears to be the extent of their role.

Frieren’s supporting characters undergo significant development, with intriguing backgrounds and personal conflicts that make them fascinating. Not only the deceased characters, but also ordinary villagers who cross paths with Frieren play crucial roles in her journey. These characters are not used merely as tools but feel vital to the story because they’re written with rich emotional depth and growth. Essentially, Frieren gives its side characters a chance to become fully developed characters.

Avoids Repetition

Story Arcs Are Distinct and Unpredictable

It’s hard to deny that the plotlines in Solo Leveling can be exhilarating and engaging, but there’s a sense of repetition and predictability about them. Time and again, the story wraps up with our protagonist, Sung Jin-Woo, becoming more powerful by overcoming a formidable adversary and then advancing to a higher level.

In essence, Solo Leveling follows a recurring pattern where the protagonist, Jin-Woo, consistently gains levels and new abilities to enhance his strength. This gradual growth leads him towards achieving a level of power that allows him to overpower and dominate his adversaries. The narrative is highly concentrated on Jin-Woo’s power evolution, giving off an impression of adhering to a particular formula. Despite the show’s frequent visual thrills, some might argue that this predictability lessens its overall impact.

Weakness is not something to brag about.—Sung Jin-Woo

In a diverse sequence of events, Frieren excels in presenting a mix of everyday life tales and poignant episodes, along with flashbacks and conflicts. Rather than following a standard pattern of power-ups, it focuses on intriguing emotional disclosures that impact not only Frieren but also characters such as Fern and Stark, ensuring the narrative remains original and less monotonous.

Use of Time

Deliberate Pacing That Invites More Reflection

In the dynamic world of Solo Leveling, events and battles unfold rapidly, mirroring the show’s swift pace. Characters like Sung Jin-Woo encounter intense encounters and power boosts, such as his powerful shadow soldiers, in quick succession, providing little opportunity for contemplation. As one episode transitions to another, Jin-Woo finds himself under constant pressure due to the rapidly evolving dangers within the dungeons and beyond. The anime offers little need for viewer patience, as rewards and progress are often immediate following Jin-Woo’s resolution of conflicts.

From another perspective, Frieren appreciates the flow of time, which is evident in her extensive travels with Fern and Stark, as well as through recollections and experiences shared with the Hero Party. Time serves as a recurring motif in Frieren’s extended lifespan and her understanding of human lives as transient instances. Notably, the show’s leisurely pace provides viewers with ample time to ponder the moments that truly matter.

Use of Magic

Art Over Destruction

Frieren excels in its distinctive take on magic, skillfully depicting the varied uses of magic beyond pure destruction and power. In this anime, magic serves not only as a weapon against formidable foes but also as an artistic expression, a tool for daily chores, and a means to uphold tradition. It’s used to preserve memories and foster connections among characters. Even the seemingly insignificant or peculiar spells can bring joy to the show’s characters.

In Solo Leveling, magic seems predominantly used as a combat tool for the protagonist, Sung Jin-Woo. It’s dramatic and devastating, linked to the game-like system that underpins Jin-Woo’s progression. Moreover, the significance of other characters often depends on their magical prowess, making it crucial for their survival.

Layered Antagonists

Villains Have More Depth in Frieren

Without the involvement of Monarchs and some competing hunters, Sung Jin-Woo may have continued battling monotonous monsters indefinitely, given the circumstances of Solo Leveling. However, he’s successfully vanquished numerous magical creatures, with only a handful standing out as particularly memorable encounters.

Instead of remembering these adversaries as complex characters with rich backstories and distinct personalities, fans might find it simple to dismiss them due to their role primarily serving as mere physical challenges for Jin-Woo to conquer.

In the story of Frieren, antagonists serve a purpose that extends beyond simply creating obstacles. These adversaries frequently embody the regrets and darker aspects of the protagonist’s personality, as demonstrated by Aura the Guillotine who represents Frieren’s potential sinister side, driven by greed, ambition, and arrogance. Crucially, the villains in Frieren pose challenges for the main characters that go beyond physical conflict, due to the ethical quandaries they present.

Unique Protagonist

Avoids “Chosen One” Trope

Many enthusiasts of anime are already familiar with the tale of Sung Jin-Woo in Solo Leveling. Indeed, there’s an abundance of anime where the main character embarks on a journey from nothing to godhood, much like our protagonist Sung Jin-Woo. Characters such as Rimuru Tempest, Hajime Nagumo, and even Naruto Uzumaki share similar narratives with that of Sung Jin-Woo, starting at the bottom before eventually claiming the title of the strongest.

As a fervent fan, let me share my perspective: Unlike Jin-Woo who ascended through raw power, Frieren embarks on a journey seeking significance and purpose beyond her formidable magical abilities. She’s had enough of the battles that etch their names in history, now prioritizing the value of human existence and fostering deep connections with others.

2025-08-19 14:35