Solo Leveling – Season 2 Episode 1 Recap & Review

You Aren’t E-Rank, Are You?

Episode 1 of Solo Leveling Season 2 begins with Jinah calling Jinwoo while he’s resting in bed. Jinah reminds Jinwoo that she has a parent-teacher meeting today. Jinwoo and Jinah attend Jinah’s parent-teacher meeting. Jinah’s teacher praises Jinah for her achievements. Jinwoo tells Jinah’s teacher that he wouldn’t let Jinah become a hunter if she awakened.

Later, Jinwoo meets with Song-Yi, the E-Rank hunter he and Jinho recruited in season 1. Song-Yi learns that Jinwoo is Jinah’s brother. Sony-Yi tells Jinwoo she’s not quitting the hunter business. Jinwoo understands and asks Song-Yi to accompany him somewhere.

Next, Dongsoo meets Woo at an airport. Dongsoo tells Woo he’s here to annihilate Jinwoo and Jinho. Later, Go and Choi discuss the creatures Choi’s group spotted during their trip to Jeju Island. 

Meanwhile, Jinwoo and Song-Yi meet Ahn and Hyun at a dungeon gate. Ahn introduces Song-Yi and Jinwoo to Kim Chul, an A-Rank hunter, known for being a tanker. They want Jinwoo and Song-Yi to observe Chul’s group in action. 

As Jinwoo and Chul’s group enter the gate, the gate turns red, and bad things happen. Jinwoo tells Ahn to contact the assault team. Baek learns about the gate issue and says he’ll be there immediately. Jinwoo and the others find themselves in a wintery area. 

Jinwoo tells Song-Yi they’ve entered a Red Gate. He says entering a Red Gate leads folks to a dungeon that’ll make them lose contact with the outside world. Jinwoo says they must defeat the dungeon’s boss to escape. Several Ice Elves (Ice Slayers) kill two hunters and toy with Jinwoo and the others. 

Chul tells everyone to split into two groups. He only wants C-Rank hunters and above to travel with him. A high-rank female hunter (Park Heejin) joins Jinwoo’s group. Heejin thinks Jinwoo isn’t an E-Rank hunter since he saved Song-Yi from a fast-moving projectile.  

Chul and Jinwoo’s groups part ways. The former’s group spots Ice Bear marks on a tree. Chul thinks Jinwoo’s group won’t survive. As Chul ponders, he and his group confront a trio of Ice Bears. At the same time, Heejin stops Jinwoo and warns him about the Ice Bear’s markings. 

Jinwoo’s not concerned about the Ice Bears. He gives his team coats from his log’s inventory. Jinwoo asks everyone not to ask questions or demand things from him. As an Ice Bear approaches Jinwoo’s group, Baek observes the Red Gate. Baek can’t tamper with it and suggests they hold out hope for Chul.

Dongsoo arrives and says he wants to meet Jinwoo. Jinwoo defeats many Ice Bears. Song-Yi and the others eat and discuss Jinwoo’s capabilities. Jinwoo visits several Ice Bears’ homes and summons Igris and his shadow army. He commands his shadow army to fight the Ice Bears. 

The Ice Bear boss arrives and defeats Jinwoo’s shadow army. Jinwoo orders Igris to defeat an Ice Bear Boss. Igris defeats the boss and Jinwoo congratulates Igris. Meanwhile, Chul’s group struggles against some Ice Slayers. Many of Chul’s men beg him to save them. 

Chul flees and lets his remaining ally perish. The episode ends with a shot of an Ice Slayer grinning. 

The Episode Review

Solo Leveling has returned. This chapter shows Jinwoo utilizing his Shadow Monarch skills in action. In the meantime, this episode provides audiences with a fine contrast between Jinwoo and Chul’s leadership standards. Where Chul only looks out for himself, Jinwoo shows his allies some form of care. It’s a nice way to remind folks that Jinwoo’s not just a powerful lead, but a caring one.

At the same time, Dongsoo reenters the narrative and is on the hunt for Jinwoo and Jinho. Even if Jinwoo and his allies escape, Jinwoo may have to rumble with Dongsoo afterward. While some fans may have wanted more build-up to that altercation, others may be eager to see how it’ll go.

Moreover, the episode gives audiences insight into what happened with Choi’s reconnaissance mission at Jeju Island. Hopefully, future episodes share more information about that. 

But all in all, this was a fine showcase from Solo Leveling season 2. The animation remains delightful and it’s great seeing Jinwoo utilize his new powers. 

Solo Leveling Season 1 – Full Story Recap:

If you want to remember what happened in Solo Leveling Season 1, click here.