Solo Leveling is currently the most talked about series around the world. With only three episodes released the anime adaptation is already breaking the Internet. But a question pops up: is Solo Leveling originated from South Korea or Japan? Many fans believe that the show originated from Japan but many say it originated from South Korea. In this article, we’ll delve into the country’s origin of Solo Leveling.
Difference Between Japanese and Korean Anime
Korean anime both forms of animated entertainment have their unique qualities. Japanese anime covers a range of genres such as sci-fi, fantasy, slice of life, and action adventure. It is known for its plot-developed characters and emotional depth. The character designs often feature eyes, exaggerated features, vibrant hairstyles, and diverse body proportions. The animation styles can vary from detailed to stylized.
On the other hand, Korean anime or K anime tends to focus on romantic comedy, drama, and school life. It emphasizes character-driven stories with conflicts and emotions. The character designs in K anime usually depict body proportions and facial features. The animation styles aim for smoothness and consistency to enhance appeal.
While Japanese anime draws inspiration from mythology, folklore, and video games while incorporating influences; K anime is heavily influenced by Korean webtoons (webcomics) and live-action dramas. It also takes cues from comics and animation styles. Japanese anime stands out with its recognition of diverse genres available in it along with its visual styles; whereas K anime distinguishes itself through relatable characters depicted in slice-of-life themes which has rapidly gained popularity worldwide.
Is Solo Leveling Korean or Japanese Originated?
Solo Leveling, despite its name and the fact that it shares a resemblance, with manga originates in South Korea. It all started as a web novel written by Chugong in 2016 and later gained popularity when it was serialized on KakaoPage. Jang Sung rak, also known as Dubu, took it upon himself to adapt the story into a webtoon format, which resonated with audiences not only in South Korea but worldwide.
The story takes place in modern-day Seoul. Beautifully incorporates landmarks and cultural elements. The character names themselves such as Sung Jin Woo and Yoo Jin Ho are reflective of their roots. Although the original web novel and webtoon are in Korean translations, versions have been made available for fans across the globe.
REDICE Studio, an animation studio based in Korea brought Solo Leveling to life through its webtoon adaptation. While visually reminiscent of manga, Solo Leveling proudly stands as a Korean webtoon that has captivated an international audience.
Is There A Japanese Version Of Solo Leveling?
The Korean series Solo Leveling goes through a process of “Japanization” when it is adapted into mediums, its anime version is produced by A 1 Pictures. In this adaptation, the names of the characters change from Sung Jin Woo to Shun Mizushino and other names also receive versions. The story locations are shifted to Japan with Seoul becoming Tokyo.
Some cultural adjustments are made, such as tweaks to dialogue and references to better connect with an audience. It’s important to note that despite these changes the core plot, characters, and world-building of Solo Leveling remain faithful to the web novel. It should be seen as an adaptation created specifically for an audience. Is only available in Japan and regions, with similar licensing agreements.
