Solo Leveling Producer on the Challenge of Turning Webtoons Into Anime

As a longtime gamer and avid fan of webtoons, I can’t help but feel excited about the upcoming second season of “Solo Leveling.” Having read the original comic on my smartphone, I can attest to its unique pacing and tempo that sets it apart from traditional manga. The challenge of adapting this digital masterpiece into an anime is one that producer Atsushi Kaneko faced head-on during his tenure with A-1 Pictures.

1. Excited anticipation surrounds the second season of “Solo Leveling,” as everyone eagerly waits for the return of this popular manhwa. Thanks to A-1 Pictures, the once-obscure web comic has now found a wider audience, and the world of webtoons is taking notice. As anime continues to expand, production studios are seeking fresh content to adapt, and web comics are teeming with potential. In a recent interview, the producer of “Solo Leveling” discussed the main hurdles creators face when adapting webtoons.

Recently, ComicBook had an interview with Atsushi Kaneko, the producer from A-1 Pictures. During this conversation, he shared insights about their work on the anime adaptation of “Solo Leveling”. Interestingly, this was his first project as an exec to adapt, and his main worry when handling “Solo Leveling” was maintaining a suitable pace throughout the series.

As a seasoned anime producer with over 16 years of experience under my belt, I’ve created countless anime series during that time. However, here’s the confession: I’ve never adapted an anime from a manga or webtoon before. This new project marks uncharted territory for me, as I take on the role of overseeing its production.

As someone who has been a dedicated fan of graphic novels for most of my adult life, I must admit that my initial skepticism about the adaptation of “Solo Leveling” into an anime was quite strong. Having read the original work on my smartphone and experienced the unique rhythm it offered both as a reader and observer, I couldn’t help but wonder if the magic of the comic would translate effectively to a moving medium.

Certainly, when Kaneko speaks about the rhythm of reading a webtoon like “Solo Leveling,” it’s essential to understand that the speed at which one consumes this digital content can significantly influence their perception of the narrative. Unlike traditional manga, where pages are turned horizontally, webtoons are read in a vertical scrolling motion on your phone. This quicker method of reading allows fans to devour the content more rapidly. Consequently, Kaneko was concerned about striking the right balance between maintaining a brisk pace and ensuring that the “Solo Leveling” anime’s pacing aligned with how readers engaged with the comic on their mobile devices. Based on its popularity, it appears that his team has successfully tackled this challenge.

If you haven’t yet discovered “Solo Leveling,” a popular series is available to stream on Crunchyroll, and a new season has been confirmed. For those following the webtoon in English, Tapas and Yen Press are responsible for its distribution. For more details about this intriguing series, check out the official synopsis of “Solo Leveling” below:

1. “Jinwoo Sung, infamously known as the Weakest Hunter Among Humankind, often finds himself simply trying to avoid death during raids due to his financial responsibilities and limited job opportunities. Yet when a chance for higher compensation presents itself, he seizes it, leading him into a confrontation with a being of overwhelming power. With the party leader injured and the healer terrified, Jinwoo must now navigate a way out for them all.”

2024-07-30 19:13

Solo Leveling Producer on the Challenge of Turning Webtoons Into Anime

⚡ URGENT: Trump's Tariff Threats Shake EUR/USD Forecasts!

Read More