Close Menu
  • 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
    Momo and Okarun share a close moment in Dandadan

    Momo And Okarun: The Gold Standard For Shonen Romance

    07/03/2025
    Ironheart Episodes 4 6 But Why Tho 1

    ‘Ironheart’ Explained: Explore MCU’s Bold New Chapter

    07/01/2025
    Buck in 9-1-1

    ‘9-1-1’ Has To Let Buck Say Bisexual

    06/29/2025
    Nintendo Welcome Tour promotional image of the maraca mini-game

    The One “Game” That Justifies The Nintendo Switch 2 Purchase

    06/25/2025
    Destiel Confession in Supernatural - Castiel (Misha Collins) and Dean (Jensen Ackles)

    The Destiel Confession: The Lasting Importance Of Supernatural’s Greatest Ship

    06/22/2025
  • Squid Game
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
  • Summer Game Fest
But Why Tho?
Home » Anime » REVIEW: ‘Solo Leveling’ Season 2 Episode 9 — “It Was All Worth It”

REVIEW: ‘Solo Leveling’ Season 2 Episode 9 — “It Was All Worth It”

Kyle FoleyBy Kyle Foley03/01/20254 Mins ReadUpdated:03/30/2025
Shadow dragon in Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Now that his fight with Baran is over, Sung Jin-woo (Taito Ban) can finally craft the Elixir of Life and save his mom. Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9, “It Was All Worth It,” takes Jin-woo to the next stage of his journey as new adventures await.

The opening few minutes of Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9 reveal some neat new abilities for Jin-woo that will surely be useful later. The first is his new shadow dragon, Kaisel. Jin-woo uses Kaisel to fly home after switching places with one of his shadow soldiers, another new ability he has unlocked. Solo Leveling is all about Jin-woo learning new abilities as a Player, and this is a great way to continue that progression within the confines of the story.

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

One of the reasons Jin-woo has been fighting so hard to get stronger is to save his mother. His only hope of getting her out of her Eternal Sleep Disease is to use the Elixir of Life. This plot point has been brewing for some time now, and Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9 is where it finally pays off. Jin-woo does not know for sure that the Elixir will work, but he has faith based on what the system has done for him so far.

Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9 shines a much-needed spotlight on Jin-woo’s emotional growth.

Jin-woo in Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9

This is interesting because it puts his development into more context. It is easy to realize that he has been getting physically stronger to beat more challenging villains. It’s harder to see that he has grown mentally as well, which Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9 takes the time to show. It makes the hospital scene with his mother so much meaningful now that we realize this is a gigantic leap of faith for Jin-woo. It’s an emotionally impactful moment that pays off after a significant build-up.

This is also important as Jin-woo gets dragged out of his personal story with his family and into the larger narrative taking place on Jeju Island. Jin-woo is freed from the weight of his mother’s health, and now he can help the people he’s met along his journey. He’s pushed others away for so long, though, that it might be a little awkward if he suddenly opens up and wants to help.

Still, the Jeju Island issue cannot wait. Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9 gives us a couple of scenes that really drive home how dire the situation is. One scene between two hunters eating dinner together gives a feeling of desperation, that the challenge of Jeju Island is not one that they can walk away from. We’ve seen glimpses of how dangerous the ants are, but this is one of the first times we’ve seen the toll their brutality is taking on those who are meant to fight them.

The Jeju Island subplot gets some attention, but other subplots keep distracting from its urgency.

Ants get the spotlight in Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9

They talk about how they are scared, but if they are afraid, then ordinary citizens must be a hundred times more frightened. The hunters have the chance to save lives, inspire hope, and alleviate fears. The ferocity of the challenge presented by the ants sets the stage for Jin-woo to use his abilities to level the playing field and help win the day.

Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9 ends by setting up a measuring contest between the hunters. Jin-woo is there as a bystander to witness some mighty hunters who all want to duel it out to see who is strongest. This, theoretically, can help build respect leading into the Jeju Island raid. However, it takes away from the problem’s urgency in the short term. It is hard to sell how dangerous these ants are when frequent detours or delays pop up, so hopefully, this sidetrack doesn’t last too long and take away from the overall pressure that is building.

Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9 sees Jin-woo getting the resolution he was looking for while starting off the next stage of his growth. Plenty of challenges are still ahead, but Jin-woo seems more than up to the task.

Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

Previous Episode | Next Episode
Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9
  • 7.5/10
    Rating - 7.5/10
7.5/10

TL;DR

Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9 sees Jin-woo getting the resolution he was looking for while starting off the next stage of his growth. Plenty of challenges are still ahead, but Jin-woo seems more than up to the task.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleApocalyptic Films To Punch You In The Feels
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Trapezium’ Delivers A Mixed Bag of Hard Truths
Kyle Foley

Kyle is an editor, writer, and musician from Orlando, FL who primarily covers soccer as well as video games and anime. He also believes mayonnaise is the best condiment for hot dogs, which are sandwiches.

Related Posts

Hikaru and Yoshiki in The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 1 From Netflix and CygamesPictures

REVIEW: ‘The Summer Hikaru Died’ Episode 1 — “Replacement”

07/05/2025
Jiji and Okarun in Dandadan Season 2 Episode 1
8.5

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 1’ – “Like, This is The Legend of the Giant Snake”

07/05/2025
Endo appears in Wind Breaker Season 2
6.5

REVIEW: ‘Wind Breaker Season 2’ Looks For Fun Despite Pacing Issues

07/04/2025
Nyaight of the Living Cat Episode 1
5.5

REVIEW: ‘Nyaight Of The Living Cat’ Episode 1

07/04/2025
Marin in My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episodes 1-2
9.0

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episodes 1-2

07/02/2025
My Hero Academia Season 1
7.5

REVIEW: ‘My Hero Academia Vigilantes’ Season 1 Sets Itself Apart

07/01/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8
7.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

By Sarah Musnicky07/03/2025

The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 spends welcome time in pre-domestic bliss before new developments stir up trouble.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer First Look Image From Prime Video News

Prime Video Unleashes Teaser for Prequel Series The Terminal List: Dark Wolf

By Kate Sánchez07/04/2025

The first Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer was released today by Prime Video. The series…

Black Clover Season 5 featured News

Black Clover New Season Gets First Look Teaser from Crunchyroll

By Sarah Musnicky07/05/2025

Black Clover is back for a brand new season, and Crunchyroll has revealed the first footage and key art out of Anime Expo.

Absolute Green Lantern Issue 4 DC Comics

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Green Lantern’ Issue 4

By William Tucker07/02/2025

Absolute Green Lantern Issue 4 starts to connect the past and present, finally revealing how Jo inhereited the power of the Green Lantern.

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