Warning: The following contains spoilers for Solo Leveling Season 2, Episode 12!!
Solo Leveling has emerged as one of the standout anime series of 2025, captivating audiences with its stunning animation and thrilling action sequences. This season has delivered intense moments, including the emotional arc of Jinwoo finally curing his mother. However, the highlight of the season is undeniably the climactic battle scene, marking a new high in the franchise.
While shows like Goku’s Super Saiyan 4 return in their battles and Re:Zero Season 3 continues to impress with emotional confrontations such as Garfiel vs. Kurgan, the showdown between Jinwoo and the Ant King has set a new standard, solidifying itself as the most impressive anime fight of 2025. This spectacular clash is poised to be remembered as one of the greatest anime battles of all time.
Beyond the Manhwa: The Best Anime Fight of the Year
Original Scenes in Jinwoo Vs. The Ant King Elevate the Encounter
Jinwoo’s journey has been filled with remarkable battles, from his confrontations with Baruka and Kargalgan to the epic clash with Baran, each of which resonated with fans. However, the recent fight against the Ant King surpassed all previous expectations, showcasing A-1 Pictures’ commitment to creativity. They extended a brief combat scene from the manhwa into a nearly ten-minute thrill ride.
This Jiwnoo vs. Ant King battle was enhanced with several new elements. Unlike the manhwa, where Jinwoo easily bested the Ant King, the anime version depicted a more evenly matched fight, creating additional drama as Jinwoo appeared to face true challenges. This alteration invites more audience investment in Jinwoo’s struggle compared to his outright triumph in the source material.
Notably, an additional sequence in the anime reveals Jinwoo’s moment of vulnerability, introducing a system notification about the Fatal Strike ability’s upgrade just as he’s about to lose to the Ant King. This adjustment provides a layer of tension that bolsters viewer engagement, emphasizing the gravity of the battle.
Jinwoo vs. The Ant King: A Groundbreaking Anime Showdown
Inspiring Future Anime with Extraordinary Combat Sequences
This confrontation resonates with other iconic anime battles, including Saitama vs. Boros and Mahito vs. Yuji, as well as Jinwoo’s battle against Igris. It features a stunning visual style shift from a raw fistfight to an exhilarating speed match, enhancing the viewing experience with dynamic action.
Moreover, the transition in perspective from Jinwoo to the Ant King during key moments adds depth to the fight, coupled with artistic cinematic techniques that draw viewers in. The fight’s reception has been overwhelmingly positive, evidenced by the clip showcasing this battle, which has garnered over 5 million views on Crunchyroll’s YouTube channel. This unprecedented popularity suggests that Solo Leveling is set to influence numerous future anime battles.
Enhancing the Ant King’s Power in the Adaptation
Conveying the Ant King’s Fear Effectively
The anime adaptation amplifies the Ant King’s threat through a more intricate transformation sequence that emphasizes speed and showcases his unique ice powers, derived from a defeated Japanese S-Rank hunter—a detail that was absent in the manhwa. Also, the balancing of power during the battle amplifies the excitement when the Ant King realizes his desperation, mirroring the intent of the source material.
Jinwoo’s initial assessment of the Ant King’s power adds tension, but as he understands the urgency of his mission to save Cha Hae In, he begins to take the fight seriously. He also realizes that the Ant King’s regenerative abilities pose a serious challenge, leading him to step up his efforts significantly.
This depiction is intensified as the anime portrays the Ant King struggling significantly, often depicted without limbs and in continuous recovery, highlighting his fear of Jinwoo. Such adaptations have made the battle between Jinwoo and the Ant King an intense and fast-paced narrative, challenging for the title of the best anime fight of 2025.
Source: Crunchyroll YouTube Channel