Warning: The next incorporates spoilers for Solo Leveling’s manhwa!!
Solo Leveling has gained recognition primarily for its unimaginable animation and action-packed fights; nevertheless, what many viewers could not know is that the anime incorporates a number of thrilling Easter eggs and references not simply to different media however nods to future developments within the story that solely probably the most observant manhwa readers will be capable of spot.
Even within the Solo Leveling unique webtoon, the artist DUBU consists of many references to different common franchises with cameos of characters like Louis Armstrong from Fullmetal Alchemist and from acclaimed movies like Parasyte. This custom was stored alive within the anime adaptation, proving the love for the mission, because the manufacturing staff went above and past to not solely supply high-quality animation in Solo Leveling Season 2 but additionally to cover little tidbits and scenes for followers to note and choose aside, making the viewing expertise much more gratifying.
10
The Silhouette of Beru
Followers Bought the Affirmation of the Jeju Island Raid Arc Lengthy Earlier than its Launch
In the course of the starting of Solo Leveling Season 2, there was an enormous debate amongst followers about whether or not the season would be capable of cowl as much as the Jeju Island arc utterly and if viewers would be capable of get a glimpse of Beru, certainly one of Jinwoo’s strongest shadow troopers.
Nevertheless, this was confirmed by the anime manufacturing staff lengthy earlier than the discharge of Solo Leveling Season 2, since in the primary key visible, though it’s cleverly blended into the design, many followers could not assist however discover that, hidden in plain sight, Jinwoo’s hoodie kinds the silhouette of Beru. This, together with the a number of unique scenes meant to construct up the Jeju Island arc since season 1, helped create anticipation for Beru’s impending look within the anime, which did not disappoint followers in any respect together with his nice character design.
9
The Ant King Channels his Internal Hulk
A Marvel Cinematic Universe Reference in Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling Season 2, Episode 11 features a refined reference to the MCU in the best way Ant King fights the S-rank hunter Ma Dongwook. Within the episode, after Min Byung-Gu heals Ma Dongwook, he unsuccessfully makes an attempt to assault the Ant King, however the latter is quicker and grabs his leg, slamming him into the bottom repeatedly, much like how Hulk did to Loki in a scene from the primary Avengers film.
Whereas this is not a confirmed reference to the Marvel movie, and it’s a frequent motion scene meant to indicate the distinction in energy between the characters, the resemblance of each scenes is sort of placing, and in Solo Leveling‘s manhwa, the Ant King solely throws Ma Dongwook as soon as, which means this was a artistic determination of the anime’s manufacturing staff. Curiously, Solo Leveling‘s writer was a fan of Western comics, and he included a number of small references within the webtoon to common heroes like Spider-Man, Captain America, and Batman.
8
Kargalgan’s Demise within the Anime References the Double Dungeon
The Anime Does a Masterful Job of Referencing Panels From Solo Leveling’s Manhwa
In Solo Leveling Season 2, episode 6, the anime added a scene of Kargalgan combating his elite guards after they develop into shadow troopers of Jinwoo. This does not solely make his defeat extra ugly, since Kargalgan’s demise is easier within the manhwa with a single panel of him being stabbed, but additionally makes a direct reference to Jinwoo’s demise within the double dungeon at the start of the collection.
The glitching frames and the best way the guard brandishes the sword earlier than killing Kargalgan within the anime resemble the moments earlier than Jinwoo is saved by the system in chapter 10 of the manhwa. Initially, this scene was tailored otherwise in Solo Leveling episode 2, which signifies that when deciding how one can greatest show Kargalgan’s demise, the anime manufacturing staff may need referred to the primary chapters of the webtoon, nodding at one of the vital surprising moments of the collection.
7
Solo Leveling Season 2 English Dub Features a Nod to Gurren Lagann
Jinwoo Vs. Baran is One of many Epic Moments in Solo Leveling Season 2
In Solo Leveling Season 2, Episode 9, the combat of Jinwoo vs. Baran consists of many unique moments that made it extra memorable than within the manhwa, like Igris beheading Baran’s dragon or the explosion following Jinwoo’s uppercut punch. This provides the combat its personal id and allure, an instance adopted by Solo Leveling‘s English dub, which included in Jinwoo’s ending assault a reference to Kamina from the anime Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.
Within the manhwa and Japanese dub, earlier than punching Baran, Jinwoo says, “It is time to finish this.” Nevertheless, this was modified within the English dub for the catchphrase of Kamina, “Who the hell do you assume I’m?!” This quote was mentioned most in Gurren Lagann initially by Kamina and later by a number of characters all through the collection. Although Jinwoo’s English voice actor, Alexs Le, did not affirm if the selection of the quote was to pay tribute to Gurren Lagann, this variation made the scene extra epic, which is one thing that characterizes Kamina.
6
Jinwoo Turning into the Shadow Monarch
Jinwoo’s Job Change Hints at One of many Most Vital Moments within the Sequence
In Solo Leveling Season 2, episode 12, an Easter egg teasing a future improvement could be seen when Jinwoo accepts to alter to the necromancer class. Jinwoo’s eyes and aura turned purple for a second. That is totally different than within the manhwa, the place Jinwoo’s aura remains to be blue like in probably the most a part of the collection, which solely modified later when he makes use of the power Monarch’s Area.
Nevertheless, this easter egg is a foreshadowing of the main occasion within the upcoming Solo Leveling Season 3 when Jinwoo will get the black coronary heart in the course of the double dungeon, turning into the true Shadow Monarch as he begins displaying purple eyes and an aura like Ashborn. It is a good addition by the variation which additionally reveals the studio’s love for the collection to incorporate litltle particulars for the manhwa readers.
5
Jinwoo Is Pressured by the System To Comply with Saitama’s Coaching Routine
One-Punch Man Creates the Final Exercise to Develop into Overpowered
After Sung Jinwoo’s reawakening, he receives a each day quest from the system to strengthen his physique, which he has to comply with to keep away from being despatched to the penalty zone. Nevertheless, what’s curious is the workout routines included within the each day quest, as it’s the identical coaching routine that Saitama from One-Punch Man did to develop into sturdy, and that made him sadly lose all his hair. Fortunately, Jinwoo simply turned taller and stronger with out turning right into a Caped Baldy.
One-Punch Man exercise: 100 situps, 100 pushups, 100 squats, 10-kilometer run.
This Easter egg in Solo Leveling confirms One-Punch Man’s affect, not solely on different shōnen anime, but additionally on different mediums like Korean webtoons. Furthermore, One-Punch Man has additionally been referenced in collection like Invincible and in anime like Mob Psycho 100, which was created by the identical writer, ONE.
4
Jinwoo Does Goku’s Heat-up in His Battle With Kang Taeshik
A Tribute to the Grasp Akira Toriyama
Solo Leveling Season 1, episode 9, hides an homage to Dragon Ball, as when Jinwoo prepares for a combat to the demise towards the A-Rank hunter Kang Taeshik, he makes use of a warm-up method that was beforehand showcased by Goku within the movie Dragon Ball Tremendous: Broly. Whereas this could possibly be dismissed as a typical preparation earlier than a combat, the best way Jinwoo hops, alternating his legs earlier than dashing into the battle, mirrors the actions of Goku.
Furthermore, this was added within the anime, as within the manhwa, Jinwoo simply momentarily stops to learn the system notification earlier than persevering with the combat. Nevertheless, even when it was an unintended coincidence, for the reason that launch of the episode coincided with the announcement of Akira Toriyama’s passing, followers claimed that Solo Leveling‘s studio needed to pay tribute to Dragon Ball, which is unlikely given the manufacturing schedules of the anime. One other curious resemblance to the warm-up of the legendary hero occurs in Solo Leveling Season 2, episode 10, the place Jinwoo does the attribute stretching of Goku earlier than sparring towards Ryuji Goto.
3
Min Byung-Gu Asks Jinwoo To Use His Powers
A Vital Change from the Manhwa Forward of Solo Leveling Season 2 Finale
Within the remaining a part of Solo Leveling Season 2, episode 12, when Jinwoo seems to be for a method to save Cha Ha In after the Elixir of Life did not heal her, the episode ends simply after he unexpectedly turns to take a look at the digital camera. Whereas this creates an excellent cliffhanger, which was the norm all through Solo Leveling Season 2, this scene hides a tidbit, since after the display screen goes black and the music stops, an unintelligible whisper could be heard. That is revealed to be the Min Byung Gu, who requested Jinwoo to make use of his powers to heal Cha Hae In.
This Easter egg was a intelligent method to introduce a change from the manhwa, since initially Jinwoo considered utilizing shadow extraction on Min Byung-Gu since he knew about his demise and had two failed makes an attempt to extract him, which highlights his private quandary of turning a superb particular person right into a shadow. Nevertheless, as Min Byung-Gu’s soul is the one calling out to Jinwoo, it takes away the angst of the supply materials, turning it right into a candy second that continues to humanize Jinwoo.
2
The System Notification Concerning the Key to the Cartenon Temple
An Eater Egg that Units up Solo Leveling Season 3
In Solo Leveling Season 2 finale, there’s a glitch displaying a system notification when Jinwoo reaches stage 100. This notification reveals the data of the merchandise that Jinwoo obtained within the Demon Fortress in episode 15, which he could not learn on the time for not assembly all of the situations, revealing it’s the key to the Cartenon Temple.

Associated
Solo Leveling Set Up Season 3 With a Finale Easter Egg Everybody Missed
Solo Leveling’s season finale featured a surprising easter egg that confirms Jinwoo’s most awaited combat and largest arc for season 3.
The Cartenon Temple is the double dungeon that seems at the start of Solo Leveling, and the truth that this wasn’t revealed until now signifies that Jinwoo wanted to achieve stage 100, hinting that the system needed to make him stronger for a selected objective. Since that is an unique element from the anime, as within the manhwa, the merchandise’s data is observed by Jinwoo in chapter #111, it turned a superb method to arrange the most important arc for Solo Leveling Season 3, the Double Dungeon Arc.
1
The Face of the Architect
A Hidden Nod to the Largest Thriller Concerning the System in Solo Leveling Season 1
The job change arc was undoubtedly one of many highlights of Solo Leveling Season 1, that includes the unimaginable combat of Jinwoo towards Igris the Blood Purple Commander and giving him the brand new class of the Shadow Monarch. But, simply earlier than Jinwoo enters this dungeon, there may be an Easter egg teasing an essential antagonist who will make his look in an upcoming Solo Leveling Season 3.
When Jinwoo accepts the job-change quest in Solo Leveling Season 1, Episode 11, throughout a cut up second in minute 1:01, there’s an impression body when the gate seems wherein the face of the Architect could be seen. The Architect is the one answerable for creating the system and making Jinwoo a participant, and he’ll seem as soon as he returns to the double dungeon, as it’s being teased on the finish of Solo Leveling Season 2.