Regarding pacing concerns, the Solo Leveling anime has generally done an outstanding job in adapting the popular webtoon, incorporating elements from the light novel as well for added depth. A-1 Pictures has creatively expanded upon the webtoon with unique, visually stunning scenes such as providing more screen time to top-tier hunters, preparing the audience for the Jeju Island Raid, and dedicating a whole sequence to the Ant King’s transformation. However, the recent episode introduces an unforeseen anime-original ability for the new favorite villain, causing some confusion among fans.
In the intense showdown between Jinwoo and the Ant King in Season 2 Episode 12 of Solo Leveling, an unexpected twist occurred: the Ant King, later named Beru, employed Ice Magic against Jinwoo. This tactic during the battle is unique to the anime and wasn’t present in either the manhwa or the original web novel. This suggests that Beru may have consumed a Japanese hunter called Kei, who was known for his Ice Magic ability, thereby acquiring it. Though this change might cause some confusion among fans of the series, it underscores the anime creators’ diligence in staying true to the spirit of the web novel.
Solo Leveling’s Anime Gives Beru Ice Magic
Initially, it’s not explicitly stated, but one of Beru’s skills, called Gluttony, enables him to acquire the talents and powers of whatever creature he eats. For instance, the Ant King got his poisonous stinger from consuming normal aquatic creatures, and the only possible way for him to have learned Ice Magic would be by eating the high-rank Japanese hunter Kei, who was killed in Season 2 Episode 11 while attempting to shield himself with ice.
In the webtoon and anime versions of this story, it’s unclear whether Kei was eaten by Beru, but the web novel provides a clearer answer. In both animated adaptations, when Goto Ryuji discovers Kei’s body, his head is mostly in tact with only part of his jaw missing. However, in Chapter 115 of the web novel, it’s explained that Goto Ryuji found all the dead Japanese hunters with their heads missing and necks neatly bitten off by the Ant King. This suggests that even though Beru rarely uses the skills and abilities of the dead Japanese S-rank hunters, he still retains them.
The scene in the anime where Beru employs Ice Magic now takes on a new significance, given that it’s an exclusive addition to the anime, demonstrating that the creators have meticulously studied not only the webtoon but also the original source, the web novel, while adapting Solo Leveling. Although this is a minor expansion of Beru’s abilities, his use of Ice Magic against Jinwoo significantly enhances the fight’s excitement and intrigue. Despite the somewhat hurried tempo in Season 2, A-1 Pictures has generally done an outstanding job with the anime adaptation of Solo Leveling, and it appears that things can only improve from hereon.
Solo Leveling is available on Crunchyroll.
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2025-03-26 19:12