Solo Leveling‘s second season has captivated audiences, emerging as a standout in the winter 2025 anime lineup. After an extraordinary premiere in 2024, the series reached unprecedented heights, surpassing One Piece to become Crunchyroll’s most highly-rated show and breaking the record for the most-watched individual episode previously held by Chainsaw Man. As the recently concluded season wraps up, discussions among fans regarding potential future developments in the series have intensified.
In the wake of the thrilling Jeju Island arc, Solo Leveling delves deeper into its intricate world and narrative. Upcoming arcs, including the Japan Crisis and the International Guild Conference, are poised to unveil more about the key players, namely the S-Rank Hunters, thus enriching the lore and preparing the stage for the ultimate showdown. However, before venturing into those storylines, it would be advantageous for the series to revisit a pivotal encounter that the manhwa left unexplored.
Opportunity to Explore the First S-Rank Gate
Expanding the Narrative Landscape
Throughout the series, a significant battle that predates the main storyline is alluded to multiple times. During the arc set at the International Guild Conference, Jinwoo encounters the remains of a dragon known as Kamish, which emerged from the first-ever S-Rank gate and wreaked havoc on the west coast of the United States. Although Jinwoo manages to extract its shadow after several attempts, Kamish’s long-term decay hindered its revival as a formidable ally to the Shadow Monarch.
As a final warning, the fading shadow cautions Jinwoo against entities known as Rulers, offering a crucial clue regarding the overarching narrative’s climax. The dragon resurfaces in subsequent episodes when Hunter Thomas Andre, one of the five S-Rank hunters who defeated Kamish, plays a pivotal role, eventually gifting Jinwoo daggers crafted from the dragon’s tooth. Despite the significance of this conflict, the manhwa does not showcase it visually, leaving it to the audience’s imagination.
With the Solo Leveling anime expected to cover this exciting segment in future installments, there is substantial potential to enrich the storyline by depicting the long-missing Kamish Raid. This not only promises thrilling, high-stakes action but also provides an opportunity for viewers to get acquainted with vital characters like Thomas Andre before their narrative arcs unfold. While the series has been filled with gripping action, a large-scale battle involving numerous high-ranking Hunters is yet to manifest, making it an ideal addition for the anime.
Enhancements Over the Original Source Material
Positive Changes to Enrich the Viewing Experience
The adaptation has already introduced subtle adjustments that enhance the storyline, including the earlier introduction of Cha-Hae-In compared to the original manhwa. These minor, yet significant modifications foster a deeper connection between the audience and the characters before they play larger roles in the narrative, ultimately enhancing the overall viewing experience.
Overall, Solo Leveling has displayed exceptional quality across its first two seasons, and while the future remains uncertain regarding its continuation, the series’ overwhelming popularity strongly suggests that fans can expect more. As the anime prepares to delve into the complex intricacies of its universe, viewers will likely enjoy further development of the narrative, specifically through the adaptation of the Kamish Raid. In the meantime, fans eager to continue their journey can begin by exploring the completed original manhwa.