10 Things About “Solo Leveling’ Season 1 That Made Absolutely No Sense

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In 2024, ‘Solo Leveling’ made a splash in the anime world with its smooth animation and gripping power fantasy. It drew me into the tale of Sung Jinwoo, an initially weak hunter who ascends to divine might. The series’ rapid-fire action and game-like MMORPG setting captivated me right away, but certain aspects of the first season felt a bit inconsistent.

While immersed in the series, I spotted several plot twists and creative decisions that seemed inconsistent or unclear. Here are ten aspects of ‘Solo Leveling’ Season 1 that left me utterly perplexed, listed from the least confusing to the most mind-boggling.

Hope this helps!

10. No Government Oversight for Hunters

In the universe of ‘Solo Leveling’, dangerous monster portals known as gates have been a problem for over ten years, but there’s no apparent oversight from the government regarding hunters, who are incredibly powerful individuals. Even high-ranking hunters like Goto Ryuji operate more like freelance warriors with minimal responsibility for their actions. This situation leaves me puzzled as to why no authority takes steps to control their potentially devastating activities, especially since whole teams can vanish without any repercussions when delving into dungeons.

It’s odd that a society perpetually menaced by monsters doesn’t have a mechanism to oversee their hunters. Not even when Jinwoo’s team narrowly escapes death in Episode 1, does anyone conduct an investigation or accept accountability. This absence in the construction of the world feels like a lost opportunity to establish the gravity of the hunter system and make the turmoil surrounding it appear more authentic.

9. Civilians Barely React to Monster Gates

For decades, gates releasing metropolis-devastating creatures have existed, yet people appear surprisingly unfazed by this fact. I assumed there’d be widespread panic or significant societal changes, such as mass relocations or fortified settlements; however, civilians carry on with their daily lives as if it were routine. It’s challenging to accept that humanity wouldn’t consistently live in fear of these unpredictable doorways.

Instead of heavily emphasizing Jinwoo’s personal development, the series could provide insights into how society responds to the ongoing peril, perhaps by incorporating scenes depicting public reactions or even demonstrations against hunter inadequacies. This would enrich the backdrop and make the danger appear more authentic.

8. Jinwoo’s Sudden Personality Shift

Initially, Jinwoo is a shy, feeble E-rank hunter, but following the acquisition of his system abilities, he transforms into someone self-assured, bordering on boastful, in an instant. While it’s understood that power can alter individuals, this sudden change seems rapid without much delving into how he adapts psychologically to his enhanced might, resulting in a character progression that appears underdeveloped and lacking depth at certain points.

The series might have provided a deeper insight into Jinwoo’s internal conflict between his past insecurities and his recent acquisition of power. However, it seems like the character transitioned too quickly from an underdog to a composed authority figure, without adequate scenes portraying self-doubt or introspection. This has made it difficult for me to emotionally connect with Jinwoo’s personal development.

7. The System’s Arbitrary Rules

The in-game leveling system that resembles a video game interface is integral to the show, but its guidelines are unclear. It’s puzzling as to why it exclusively targets Jinwoo, and why some missions have time constraints while others don’t. I often found myself perplexed by the illogical inconsistencies in what the system permits or requires.

Reworking the sentence for better readability: It seems that the system is more like a handy story element instead of a carefully designed feature due to its lack of clarity. If we had some insight into where it came from or its limitations, Jinwoo’s adventure would feel less arbitrary and more captivating.

6. Hunters Ignoring Teamwork

Frequently, hunters plunge headlong into perilous dungeons with little coordination or tactical thought, even against formidable monsters that pose grave danger. I found it astonishing how Jinwoo’s initial party in Episode 1 stumbles through a dungeon without a defined strategy, resulting in catastrophe. Even seasoned hunters seem to consistently underestimate threats.

A lack of caution calls into question whether hunters are truly skilled experts. It would have been more convincing if the show had depicted organized teamwork and rigorous training to demonstrate how hunters manage to thrive in such a harsh environment, rather than constantly relying on Jinwoo as the savior.

5. Dungeons Changing Ranks Randomly

In the series ‘Solo Leveling’, dungeons can suddenly change their rank without warning, such as a C-rank dungeon transforming into a lethal Red Gate. This occurs in Season 2, yet it seems unusual that hunters, who have dealt with these gates for over a decade, don’t possess more accurate methods to foresee these alterations. I found it peculiar that they haven’t developed better prediction techniques.

In my experience, the unpredictability of the system seems almost as if it’s being used as a tool to increase tension without providing a clear explanation for its randomness. A glimpse into what triggers these changes could have given the world a sense of internal logic and made it feel less like an arbitrary plot device.

4. Jinwoo’s Delayed Heroics

In many instances, Jinwoo tends to hold back until his allies are on the brink of defeat before taking control against opponents. This repeated behavior, particularly in later episodes, appears contrived to generate tension. It left me questioning why he doesn’t intervene earlier, given that he is significantly stronger than most of his allies.

In my perspective, the recurring pattern where Jinwoo dramatically arrives after others struggle to make their moves seems to lessen the tension. If we could witness him contemplating strategies earlier or encountering genuine challenges before his triumphs, it would lend a sense of merit and unpredictability to his victories.

3. Shadow Army’s Overpowered Nature

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that Jinwoo’s talent for transforming vanquished adversaries into shadow soldiers is nothing short of awesome, yet it feels excessively powerful. By mid-season, he’s amassing an army so formidable that the majority of battles are lopsided in his favor. The strategy involved in these conflicts becomes minimal due to the sheer overwhelming power of his shadows, which can overpower any opponent without restraint, leaving me feeling a tad frustrated.

The show might have introduced limitations to the shadow army, such as a maximum size or expenses for upkeep. If not, Jinwoo’s fights appear predictable and unengaging, which makes it challenging to maintain interest in the results.

2. Lack of Consequences for Failure

In this perilous realm, repeated failures in dungeon expeditions result in a shocking number of casualties. However, neither guilds nor hunters experience any repercussions, and society appears indifferent to the mounting death toll. I found it hard to understand why there’s no drive for safety measures or responsibility in this world of constant danger.

Overlooking this detail gives the situation an unrealistic feel. Including sequences depicting public protests or internal probes would have underscored the genuine toll of these mistakes on people, thereby increasing the emotional weight of Jinwoo’s advancement amidst authentic repercussions.

1. The System’s Origin Is Completely Ignored

The most puzzling aspect of Season 1 is the enigma surrounding Jinwoo’s leveling system. It’s a unique game-like interface that only he can access, but the series fails to provide any insight into its origin or purpose. This unexplained plot element left me perplexed, as it plays a crucial role in the narrative without offering any background information.

A hint about the system’s function would have made the story more cohesive. However, it seems that the rapid ascension of Jinwoo is loosely explained, which leaves me feeling unsatisfied due to the missing pieces in a show that was otherwise captivating.

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2025-07-20 19:14