Anime Review: Solo Leveling, "Still A Long Way to Go" (Season 2, Episode 3)

Wait…did we just meet Sung Jinwoo’s father?

When a unkept man gets imprisoned after escaping a dungeon he’s been locked in for 10 years, they think that he is secretly a beast. However, after Hyang interviews him and asks if he remembers his son’s name, he responds with “Jinwoo.” Since he has a goal of killing Jinwoo, Hyang tells the man his son is already dead. Consequently, this results in the two facing off in battle and reducing the entire prison to rubble and flames.

At the same time, Jinwoo sets off to conquer a dungeon consisting of 100 floors. Collecting 10,000 demon souls is just the start as he isn’t even near the 100th floor when he completes that task. I do admire his unwavering determination and loyalty to his goal of taking care of his sister and mother no matter what it takes.

There are moments of stark contrast in the show where Jinwoo goes out to dinner with Yoo Jinho and they share a light-hearted conversation. Too many drinks in, Jinho starts to talk about how he wishes Jinwoo was his older brother because he was the only person who treated him with kindness unlike his cold-hearted biological brother.

Sung responds that he’ll consider Jinho his younger brother and friend, resulting in Yoo crying tears of happiness. It seems like Sung has a soft spot for Yoo as this is one of the only moments where he shows his warm side. Normally, he is cold and aloof.

I’m only three episodes into the second season of Solo Leveling and there are already so many plot twists. I would’ve never thought that Jinwoo’s father was stuck in a dungeon or that Sung would kill a fellow hunter. Anime plot twists are the best because they always keep you on your toes, wondering what’s going to happen next.