March of 2025 marked the exciting conclusion of Solo Leveling Season 2, a much-anticipated event eagerly awaited by anime enthusiasts worldwide. With its final episode, this season managed to shatter numerous streaming records, fortifying its status as an immensely popular series and showcasing the profound journey of Jinwoo. This season unveiled Jinwoo’s transformation into a Necromancer, earning him the enigmatic title of Shadow Monarch. The narrative spanned more chapters than its predecessor, encapsulating Jinwoo’s encounters from the gripping Red Gate Arc all the way to the eagerly awaited Jeju Island Arc.
Before adventuring into the Jeju Island Arc, Jinwoo achieved significant milestones. One such achievement was attaining the title of Korea’s tenth S-Rank Hunter, a prestigious recognition within the world of hunters. Moreover, he succeeded in rescuing his mother from the long-dreaded Eternal Slumber by offering her the rare Elixir of Life. This was no straightforward task, as acquiring the ingredients for this miracle required multiple attempts to clear the daunting Demon Castle. Yet, through perseverance and determination, Jinwoo achieved the miraculous, adding to his legacy of feats.
Currently, the confirmation of a third season for the anime remains eagerly anticipated by fans. Recent insights have suggested that an announcement from the production studio might be imminent. In a noteworthy development, Aleks Le, the voice actor responsible for Jinwoo’s English dub portrayal, shared insights in a recent TikTok video. According to Le, fans might need to exercise patience as Solo Leveling Season 3 is bound to have a longer wait than usual for its release.
Historically, the first two seasons graced our screens in consecutive years, setting a precedent for swift releases. Therefore, the deviation is unexpected. Nonetheless, the forthcoming season promises to delve deeper by unraveling the truths of the world within the anime’s intricate narrative universe. Fans also enjoyed a delightful revelation from Le, who confirmed incorporating a personal touch: an intentional reference to Elden Ring in the Season 2 finale.
Solo Leveling Season 2 Finale Dub Has an Elden Ring Reference
Within the finale of Season 2, a scene stands out involving Jinwoo being granted permission to confront a gate that manifests in the heart of a bustling street. Conventionally, a minimum requirement of ten hunters is a prerequisite to engage such gates. Yet, Jinwoo’s remarkable strength and the awe-inspiring prowess of his shadow soldiers allowed him a unique privilege granted by Gunghee Go, the Chairman of the Hunters Association. This compelling scene, encapsulated in a video, captures the ensuing exchange. When an Association assistant attempts to halt Jinwoo, he confidently asserts, “Let me solo it.”
This line serves as an homage to the phrase “Let me Solo her,” famously associated with Elden Ring. A deeper exploration reveals that Le included this reference deliberately, a nod to the iconic action RPG. Elden Ring, celebrated as the 2022 Game of the Year, stands as a testament to the mastery of FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game, under the directorial prowess of Hidetaka Miyazaki and enriched by George R. R. Martin’s world-building, is acclaimed for its groundbreaking open-world design, captivating narrative, and visually stunning aesthetics.
Within the gaming community, the phrase Le referenced pays tribute to a player character titled “Let Me Solo Her.” This character emerged as an online legend, enhancing the game’s lore. Their identity as an online hero came to the forefront when they extended a helping hand to players facing one of the game’s most formidable adversaries, Malenia, Blade of Miquella. This opponent presents a challenge of formidable difficulty in Elden Ring. The player, in-game, adopted a unique appearance characterized by donning nothing but a pot as a helmet and a loin cloth, wielding dual katanas. Notoriously, they managed to defeat Malenia single-handedly, embodying the phrase “solo” in the truest sense.
These unique and creative elements exemplify Le’s approach, adding distinct touches exclusive to the English dub, diverging from the subtitled version. Le elaborates on these personal contributions in the corresponding video clip, offering fans a glimpse into the subtleties contributing to the narrative’s depth. Wrapping up the video, Le graciously acknowledges the dedicated fans and reiterates that Season 3 will take some time before it becomes a reality. Furthermore, Le assures enthusiasts of new information related to the forthcoming season, building anticipation for what lies ahead.
As the video reaches its conclusion, the hauntingly beautiful ending theme of Season 2 resonates, seamlessly connecting with the emotions that accompanied each episode’s cliffhanger moments.
H/T: @SoloLevelAnime
