Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Anime » REVIEW: ‘Solo Leveling’ Episode 4 — “I’ve Gotta Get Stronger”

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

Charles HartfordBy Charles Hartford01/27/20245 Mins ReadUpdated:01/06/2025
Solo Leveling Episode 4
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

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.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

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.

Solo Leveling Episode 4

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.

Solo Leveling Episode 4 — "I've Gotta Get Stronger"
  • 8/10
    Rating - 8/10
8/10

TL;DR

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.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleSUNDANCE 2024: ‘Kneecap’ Celebrates Irish Heritage
Next Article REVIEW: ‘A Sign of Affection’ Episode 4 — “What Kind Of Voice?”
Charles Hartford
  • X (Twitter)

Lifelong geek who enjoys comics, video games, movies, reading and board games . Over the past year I’ve taken a more active interest in artistic pursuits including digital painting, and now writing. I look forward to growing as a writer and bettering my craft in my time here!

Related Posts

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

09/11/2025
Sakamoto Days Episode 20
6.5

REVIEW: ‘Sakamoto Days’ Episode 20 — “Mutual Fans”

09/08/2025
Tougen Anki Episode 9 still from Netflix
4.0

REVIEW: ‘Tougen Anki’ Episode 9 — “Momotaro Spirit”

09/06/2025
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 10 promotional image from Crunchyroll
10.0

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 10 — “So We’re Gonna Do It All Right Now?”

09/06/2025
Arknights Rise From Ember Rosmontis

REVIEW: ‘Arknights: Rise From Ember’ Is Phenomenal But Drags On Too Long

09/06/2025
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity Episode 1
7.5

REVIEW: ‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity’ Episode 1 – “Rintaro and Kaoruko”

09/05/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen - But Why Tho (2) Features

Everything To Know About Satoru Gojo

By Kate Sánchez09/07/2023Updated:02/16/2025

Satoru Gojo is the heart of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 — now, heading into Cour 2, here is everything you need to know about the character.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here