In recent years, manhwa and webtoons has flourished, with Solo Leveling standing as one of the most prominent examples of this growth. The anime adaptation of Solo Leveling in 2024 garnered immense popularity, nice anime fans worldwide with its breathtaking animation and rich storytelling.
This success has sparked a surge of interest in other Korean manhwa titles that could follow suit and capture the audience’s attention in similar fashion. Among them, the adaptation of Viral Hit debuted in the Spring 2024 season, aiming to make its mark. However, while Solo Leveling took the anime world by storm, Viral Hit failed to live up to expectations, casting a shadow over its potential.
The Rise and Fall of 2024’s Manhwa Adaptations: A Tale of Promise and Disappointment
Solo Leveling‘s success has had a ripple effect, with more manhwa getting anime adaptations, such as TBATE, Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, and The Boxer, all scheduled for 2025. This momentum in the manhwa industry has left fans eager for more, anticipating these new shows to live up to the high bar set by Solo Leveling’s first season.
As Season 2 of Solo Leveling is set for release in January 2025, expectations are already high, especially given how the trailer for Season 2 has exceeded the hype generated by the original trailer. The stunning visuals, thrilling action scenes, and new plotlines displayed in the trailer have increased fan excitement, with Solo Leveling promising to be even bigger and better in its next iteration.
In contrast, Viral Hit had a much more difficult journey. The manhwa follows the story of Hobin Yoo, a high school student who juggles multiple part-time jobs to support his sick mother. His life takes a dramatic turn when he accidentally goes viral on a platform called NewTube. The manhwa is full of action and suspense, with exciting fight scenes and a gripping narrative that could have been the next big hit following Solo Leveling.
Viral Hit: A Disappointing Debut Amid High Expectations
However, the anime adaptation was met with disappointment. Many fans expected an adaptation that would do justice to the original work, particularly in terms of the dynamic action scenes that made the manhwa so popular. Unfortunately, the anime struggled to capture the same level of intensity, and poor adaptation choices left fans underwhelmed.
The animation quality failed to match the high standards set by other adaptations like Solo Leveling, and the lack of a clear direction from the production studio hindered the overall impact of the anime. As a result, Viral Hit was overshadowed by other 2024 releases, such as Dandadan, and did not gain the traction that its original manhwa deserved.
The lackluster reception also raised concerns about the future of manhwa adaptations, leaving fans questioning whether studios can live up to the high expectations set by successful series like Solo Leveling. While Solo Leveling‘s success has paved the way for other adaptations, the disappointing debut of Viral Hit serves as a cautionary tale about the risks involved in bringing manhwa to life on screen.
