Why Hunters Can’t Grow Stronger in Solo Leveling: A Missed Opportunity?

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Summary

  • Hunters in Solo Leveling cannot grow in power, leading to popular characters being outpaced by threats.
  • This issue is common in power fantasy stories like Solo Leveling and popular shōnen titles like Dragon Ball.
  • To maintain interest and balance, the rule about hunters not growing stronger needs to be subverted in some way.

In the initial concept of Solo Leveling, an unexpected move was made by limiting the development of powers for awakened hunters. This appears to have been done intentionally, creating a unique aspect for our protagonist, Sung Jinwoo, as he is the sole hunter who can increase in power, setting him apart from others.

Initially, the device used to emphasize Jinwoo’s uniqueness within his universe is effective, but as the narrative progresses, it unfortunately limits character development for everyone except Jinwoo. This results in other characters being overshadowed or sidelined when larger challenges arise. Although this reinforces the solitary theme that Jinwoo experiences as he gains power in Solo Leveling, it ultimately weakens the series’ potential scope. It might also lead to a sense of monotony and lack of variety by the story’s conclusion.

The Yamcha Problem

Characters Losing Importance Hurts the Story

In many tales, including those labeled as power fantasies like Solo Leveling, it’s not uncommon for the plot to move faster than the characters themselves. This is a phenomenon that can be observed in well-known shōnen series such as Dragon Ball and Naruto. As the strength of adversaries escalates, characters who were previously renowned for their powerful techniques and abilities may find themselves sidelined and unable to effectively respond to impending dangers.

In these stories I’m observing, there’s often a possibility for characters who’ve been less active to gain a power boost. For instance, in Dragon Ball Super, Master Roshi was no longer a sideliner during the Tournament of Power. Characters like Piccolo have undergone several power-ups across series, keeping them significant in newer plots. Regrettably, the hunters in Solo Leveling are stuck with their powers being locked, so they won’t experience that opportunity.

Absolutely, Ryuji Goto surpasses other S-ranks in strength, no doubt. Yet, I’m capable of evading his attacks.” – Sung Jinwoo, expressing his observation on Ryuji Goto’s superiority during their sparring session and his ability to dodge him.

In the storyline, the highly skilled hunters, each possessing unique traits, abilities, and appearances, struggle to match Jinwoo’s escalating power level as he progresses. The widening power discrepancy leads to missed chances for these characters to shine, which can be disappointing for fans who favor them, potentially causing dissatisfaction.

Now I understand everyone’s abilities well. I sent five troops to challenge the shadows of those lowly S-rank hunters.” -Sung Jinwoo, expressing his casual dismissal towards the S-rank hunters he considers inferior.

What Can Be Done?

Solo Leveling Needs to Change This Rule

This section contains minor manhwa spoilers.

To keep the narrative flowing and ensure all characters have their moment, it’s crucial to find a way around the rule that hunters can’t increase their strength. Rules are essential tools for storytellers, providing structure while offering opportunities for the author to introduce twists and alterations to the plot. Since the inability of hunters to grow stronger was an early rule of the world, it doesn’t have to remain unchanged throughout the entire story; instead, this limitation could be revisited or altered as the narrative unfolds.

In the comic, we observe a few exceptions to this stringent rule, as certain hunters are bestowed with powers as vessels of the Rulers, enabling them to surpass their initial capabilities. Furthermore, the fact that the Rulers managed to vanquish the Supreme Being, despite being its creation, suggests that there might be methods for entities to transcend their boundaries within this universe.

In Solo Leveling, although Jinwoo is the central figure, it’s essential for other characters to respond to him so the audience can appreciate his power and charisma. The narrative requires a diverse cast to keep its initial intrigue and prevent monotony. As the series unfolds, we anticipate seeing adjustments that challenge this initial rule about hunters, giving other characters an opportunity to take center stage as well.

Solo Leveling can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Amazon.

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2025-05-05 17:35