REVIEW: ‘Solo Leveling’ Episode 4 — “I’ve Gotta Get Stronger”

Sung Jinwoo (Taito Ban) is learning the ropes to his new video game-inspired life. While he’s getting stronger, he may not be ready for the challenge waiting for him within the dungeon he finds himself in. However, running isn’t an option. Jinwoo wants to escape the emotional weight he carries with him, so he must face the danger in Solo Leveling Episode 4, “I’ve Gotta Get Stronger.”

This episode delivers a lot of action as Jinwoo spends most of the story fighting his way through the dungeon. The protagonist repeatedly battles his way through Steel-Fanged Lycons and other threats. These battles help him discover how much his recent training has increased his combat abilities. This focus on action comes with an unfortunate side effect that keeps Solo Leveling Episode 4 from being all it could be.

The shortcoming of all this action comes in how uninteresting the strategy behind it is. The episode quickly establishes that all Jinwoo needs to do is power through his opponents, and he’ll win the day. That thought and strategy are of no importance in his world. Only power. While this head’s first approach does allow A-1 Pictures and Production I.G. to craft some gorgeous visuals, it quickly saps any deeper engagement from the various battle sequences. Even the thoroughly impressive dungeon boss loses all its punch once it becomes clear that Jinwoo’s path to overcoming it will require nothing but wanting it enough to “dig deeper” and find his true strength.

While this approach reduces Solo Leveling Episode 4‘s biggest moments to little more than empty bombast, it also feels disingenuous to the gaming concept that the show builds itself around. Dungeon bosses are rarely bested through pure force. Rather, it takes plans, exploitation of weaknesses, and skillful implementation to best an enemy that is levels above you. Ignoring that robs the series of fully committing to the premise it spent all of the last episode setting up.

While Jinwoo’s basic answer for every threat is the same, the animation does a great job of making it visually appealing. Every motion delivers an excellent sense of speed. When hits connect, they are felt. Bone-rattling impacts send characters flying, and cuts always result in profuse amounts of blood spilling across the ground. Despite the simple strategic approach to combat, the visual outcome always hits hard.

The best element of Solo Leveling Episode 4 is how it dives into Jinwoo’s emotional struggles. In the past, Jinwoo has presented himself as being somewhat comfortable with his former power level despite wishing for more. He seemed resigned to his role, knowing there was no way to change it. However, now that a path forward is there, we learn that Jinwoo has been harboring a lot of shame. How many Hunters looked down on him chides his spirit. This shame fuels him forward, even when a way to escape the dungeon presents itself.

This exploration of his previous status within the Hunter community feels like it is also meant to explain why he approaches problems how he does. He sees power as the only separator between those who win and those who lose. While this does inform why his first instinct is to just hit something harder, it doesn’t alleviate the shortcomings of letting that approach be the final solution.

We also get to see a few more classic video game mechanics come to life during this episode. We see monsters now drop loot for Jinwoo to either use or sell back to gain gold. This extra touch brings the story further in line with the living through a video game concept. Hopefully, this ever-present shop won’t become a means for Jinwoo to always have whatever he needs conveniently on hand.

The final moments of Solo Leveling Episode 4 set up what’s to come as Jinwoo gets back from the dungeon. He learns that several Hunters are engaged with a monster that has broken through a neglected portal. When he arrives, he sees the Hunters, Lee Joohee among them, in imminent danger of being overwhelmed. He takes decisive action to save the group, shattering the monster’s defenses with a single throw of his sword. He quickly retreats before anyone can learn who threw the blade, hoping to avoid questions about his newfound strength. Though it seems Joohee spots him before he can vanish. This sets the stage for some likely emotional moments in episodes to come.

Solo Leveling Episode 4 delivers some gorgeous moments of combat and character exploration. Despite the final strategy Jinwoo employs to succeed lacking originality, there is still much to be enjoyed here. And as it is only episode four, future threats may force the growing Hunter to utilize more than just his fists.

Solo Leveling Season 1 is streaming on Crunchyroll, and new episodes of Season 2 air every Friday.