Solo Leveling Animator Changed This Iconic Villain Scene for the Better

Despite Season 2 of “Solo Leveling” wrapping up some time ago, many enthusiasts find it hard to move on, as there’s no official word yet about Season 3. The impact that Season 2 has left on fans is evident, and a major factor for this is the impressive conclusion, particularly the captivating Jeju Island Arc. The battle between Jinwoo and the Ant King, or Beru, has garnered immense popularity among anime viewers, with Beru himself emerging as a new favorite shadow soldier. However, the outcome of Jinwoo’s fight against the Ant King might have been drastically different if not for an outstanding alteration made by one dedicated animator to that specific scene.

In his latest update on X, renowned animator Yoshihiro Kanno (Storyboard Artist, Action Animation Director, Action Director, and Key Animator for Season 2, Episode 12 of Solo Leveling) unveiled exclusive sneak peeks into Beru’s metamorphosis depicted in the episode. Alongside these sketches, Kanno offered intriguing insights into the artistic modifications made during the transition from the comic (manhwa), focusing particularly on the enhancement of the Ant King’s transformation, a detail that was significantly expanded upon in the anime.

Kanno’s post states, “Here is my unique interpretation of Beru’s transformation scene from Episode 24 in ‘Solo Leveling’. Since this moment marked the beginning of the crucial second round against Jinwoo, I decided to present the transformation in a slightly distinct manner compared to the original.” The alterations were implemented for the purpose of creating a powerful impression within a limited time frame, as Kanno explained.

In the 24th episode, this is the original sketch of my level-up story and the Bell transformation scene. Instead, I decided to incorporate a slightly different depiction of transformation as it marked an important second round with autumn. I aimed to make an impact quickly, but was surprised when Tazawa-san’s divine music and eerie sound effects were added later. It felt like a sudden change in the air.

The original sketch for my level-up story and Bell transformation scene in episode 24. To create a quick impact, I changed the depiction of the transformation slightly from the source material as it marked an important second round with autumn. However, when Tazawa-san’s amazing music and spooky sound effects were added later, it took me by surprise and made the whole atmosphere shift dramatically.

— 菅野芳弘 (@P1B9f44VEGyAe8n) March 26, 2025

Solo Leveling’s Anime Made the Jinwoo vs. Beru Fight Even Better Than the Manhwa

The transformation of the Ant King in the anime stands out as one of the most significant enhancements, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. While the Ant King’s transformation is also present in the original comic (manhwa), it doesn’t hold the same level of uniqueness as it does in the anime. The anime truly highlights Beru during this transformative moment with its exceptional animation, music by Hiroyuki Sawano, and superior sound design. Even Yoshihiro Kanno, another composer, was taken aback by Sawano’s powerful music and eerie sound effects, which significantly changed the atmosphere according to his post.

the episode showcases a brilliant adaptation of original anime scenes that are not only purposeful but also enhance an already remarkable fight scene from the manhwa even further.

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2025-04-04 02:09