Solo Leveling Season 2 Is So Good That It’s Reminding Me of Jujutsu Kaisen: Here’s Why

Solo Leveling’s season 2 has only just begun, and it has already been well-received, with some praising it as an early contender for anime of the year. And after watching the second episode, I’m inclined to agree. As I watched Jinwoo go up against Ice Elf Bakura in epic fashion, I got wrapped up in the season’s cinematic Art direction, improved animation, and swift story pace. I started getting goosebumps at what I was witnessing, and it reminded me of another anime’s season 2 debut, which left me in awe the same way: JuJutsu Kaisen.

The difference between the first and second seasons of Solo Leveling is very similar to the jump in quality from JJK season 1 to 2. The rise in popularity of each series between seasons also mirrors each other and serves as a contributing factor in their updated visuals. But it’s more than that, as the direction for each respective anime aims to elevate the source material in ways that make it the best way to experience the story. As such, Solo Leveling may leave its mark in 2025 as JJK did in 2023.

Solo Leveling and JJK’s Art Style Has Become More Cinematic With Season 2

A More Cinematic Approach Instantly Matures JJK and Solo Leveling’s Story

One of the first things that’s noticeable when Solo Leveling season 2 begins is its change in art style. The first season of the show featured more cartoonish character designs, brighter colors, and some very basic framing. However, in the first few scenes of season 2, Jinwoo’s bedroom, the framing of his alarm clock, and his appearance during the parent-teacher conference for his sister sport a realistic art direction. The vibrant colors of the first season are traded in for deeper contrasts, the framing is more dynamic, and it juxtaposes the more mature characterization of Jinwoo well.

Similarly, JJK season 2 traded more detailed character designs and backgrounds for simpler ones but with an added emphasis on creating expressive faces and fluid animation. Although character designs began to feature less texture and detail, character’s exaggerated stylization and dynamic angles enhanced their emotions, expressing a more cinematic adaptation of the original source material. The expressive change in direction also mirrors the darker subject matter of the season’s two arcs, Gojo’s Past and the Shibuya Incident.

Solo Leveling and JJK’s Animation Has Vastly Improved Between Seasons

Better Animation and Choreography Usually Result in Better Fights

Although the differences in art style between each series’ respective seasons are very apparent, all doubt is quickly stomped out once the fighting begins. Although Solo Leveling’s first season featured some fun fights, even the most basic of battles (in this case, against Bakura) are energetic due to the improved animation. The action is faster than the previous season and is showcased to its fullest in episode 14. The fast-paced animation, coupled with its cinematic choreographyelevates battles far more than in season 1 and made me more invested, as animation like this is usually reserved for more important battles.

JJK experienced something similar in 2023 when the art direction opted for less character and background detail, and battles began emphasizing motion and power. The action is more fluid and, as a result, allows for greater battle choreography and seamless clashes, enhancing every stuck blow and impact along the way. Season 2, episode 16, “Thunderclap,” showcases the evolution in the series’ fights the best alongside Sukuna’s battle against Mahoraga. Both of these have become two of the greatest battles I’ve personally seen in anime history.

Artistic Omissions and Additions Improve the Pace and Enhance Source Material

There Are New and Missing Scenes From Both Solo Leveling and JJK, and That’s Okay

Although the anime is taking the world by storm, the Solo Leveling has been criticized for being “edgy” at times. The first season of the series already made several omissions to moments deemed to go too far, like Jinwoo’s ruthlessness against a prisoner following his battle against Kang. The prisoner relished in the assault of women, and as punishment, Jinwoo dragged him to a dungeon with man-eating goblins to seal his fate. Although this scene is meant to showcase our protagonist’s increased mercilessness, the series is less interested in showing this through angsty actions than in his reflective moments alone.

In season 2, 10 chapters of the manhwa were adapted in the first two episodes, with the anime expected to cover future arcs the same way. In the original source material, Jinwoo does several things before attending the parent-teacher conference in episode 1. He goes to the bank, and an employee is shocked by how much money he has. Later, when he meets one of his sister’s teachers, they compliment him on his looks after not seeing him since his graduation. Instead, the anime opts to keep the story tight and not adapt moments that may interfere with the pacing of the story.

However, the anime notes Jinwoo’s rapid change in reception by including a new scene of his sister’s classmates fawning over him. His edginess is also explored more in his continuous loss of humanity the stronger he becomes. As a result, the death of Kim Chul was changed to less sinister and calculating and more like self-defense. The anime then adds a scene of Jinwoo looking at himself in the mirror, struggling with the fact he’s killed three people, more unfeeling than the last. The transition of Jinwoo’s characterization is handled with greater care in the anime and enhances the story.

JJK similarly enhances the manga’s explanations, such as Satoru Gojo’s battle against the Disaster Curses in B-5 of the Subway Station, by showing rather than telling. Seeing Gojo dismantle transfigured humans in 0.2 seconds greatly improves the pace and action of the story. Conversely, additional anime-only scenes expand on themes more greatlyas seen during the ‘hunter vs the hunted’ moment between the cursed spirit Mahito and protagonist Yuji Itadori. The manga explores the symbolism in a couple of panels, but the anime goes through excruciating detail to show how pathetic the once prideful curse has become.

With less than a handful of episodes, Solo Leveling season 2 is already shaping up to make history. Much like Jujutsu Kaisen in 2023, the drastic improvements between seasons will surely garner attention, additional fans, and some noteworthy recognition for anime of the year in 2025.