The popularity of the South Korean series “Solo Leveling” is undeniable, from its hit webcomic to the green light for a live-action adaptation.
Currently, all eyes are on the anime adaptation as it unfolds weekly, but a recent episode has stirred up quite a controversy, marking it as the most-disliked episode on Crunchyroll to date.
The contentious episode, titled “How to Get Stronger,” designated as episode 7.5, garnered a significant backlash from fans due to its recap nature.
The episode primarily served as a filler, recapping previous events, sparking disappointment and frustration among netizens.
At present, the episode has amassed a staggering 63.8K dislikes, a notable contrast to its just over 30K likes. The dissatisfaction stems from the fact that “Solo Leveling” currently only has eight episodes in its first season.
With such a limited episode count, fans expected each installment to contribute to the main storyline rather than providing a recap.
The anime, produced by A-1 Pictures, follows a single-course format, meaning it has only a few weeks left before the season concludes.
Fans Express Their Discontent
Fans express their discontent, questioning the decision to create a recap special rather than investing the effort into producing an additional canon episode.
This unusual move has sparked discussions within the fan community about the choice of content and pacing in adapting the beloved series.
Despite this episode’s divisive reception, “Solo Leveling” has enjoyed widespread success since its debut in January.
Viewers can catch up on the current episodes on Crunchyroll. For those unfamiliar with “Solo Leveling,” the official synopsis provides insight into the storyline:
“Known as the Weakest Hunter of All Mankind, E-rank hunter Jinwoo Sung’s contribution to raids amounts to trying not to get killed.
Unfortunately, between his mother’s hospital bills, his sister’s tuition, and his own lack of job prospects, he has no choice but to continue to put his life on the line.
So when an opportunity arises for a bigger payout, he takes it…only to come face-to-face with a being whose power outranks anything he’s ever seen!
With the party leader missing an arm and the only healer a quivering mess, can Jinwoo somehow find them a way out?”
Despite this recent episode’s controversy, the overall success of “Solo Leveling” attests to its widespread appeal and impact on the anime community.
