Parents' Guide to Solo Leveling

TV Crunchyroll Anime 2024
Solo Leveling TV poster: Jin-woo, holding a knife, crouches by monsters. A stronger Jinwoo stands behind with a bloody blade.

Common Sense Media Review

By Danae Stahlnecker , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 16+

Modern fantasy anime has intense, gamified violence.

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Parents Need to Know

Why Age 16+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 13+

Based on 16 parent reviews

Parents say the show features cool characters and engaging storylines but is heavily criticized for its extreme violence and gore, making it unsuitable for younger viewers without parental discretion. While some find the action entertaining and comparable to other popular series, others express concern about its disturbing themes and messages associated with violence and false gods.

  • violence concerns
  • engaging storylines
  • mixed reviews
  • suitable for teens
  • parental discretion advised
Summarized with AI

age 13+

Based on 24 kid reviews

Kids say the show features impressive animation and action sequences, but it is rife with intense violence, gore, and some mild profanity that may not be suitable for younger audiences. While many viewers appreciate the plot and character development, particularly of the main protagonist, concerns have been raised about the excessive bloodshed and overall thematic coherence.

  • violence and gore
  • character development
  • impressive animation
  • moderate profanity
  • intended for teens
Summarized with AI

What's the Story?

SOLO LEVELING is the story of underdog hunter Sung Jin-woo (voiced by Aleks Le) getting a second chance at life -- and at greatness. After a brutal experience in a deadly dungeon, Sung Jin-woo wakes up in the hospital with the ability to see a video-game screen visible only to him. He quickly learns that completing the screen's daily quests helps him "level up" his real-life body and skills.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 16 ):
Kids say ( 24 ):

This Korean webtoon turned anime is a fan-favorite series for good reason. Solo Leveling is a high-stakes drama with shocking violence that's definitely not meant for younger viewers. That said, the show handles trauma, violence, and personal growth with nuanced maturity. It's good for viewers looking for complicated protagonists and a modern fantasy world where danger -- no matter how fantastical -- has serious consequences.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about characters' strengths. What were Jing-woo's strengths at the start of the story? What new strengths does he gain? What does Jing-woo have to give up in order to gain these new skills?

  • Families can talk about the responsibility of power. The Chairman of the Hunters' Association says in a training video that it's important for hunters to remember to "be afraid and stay humble." Why does he say this is important? What happens to characters who forget this?

  • Families can talk about violence and power. What is the relationship between strength, power, and violence in this show? How does this affect affect characters and the way they handle their trauma?

TV Details

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Solo Leveling TV poster: Jin-woo, holding a knife, crouches by monsters. A stronger Jinwoo stands behind with a bloody blade.

What to Watch Next

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