The controversial ending of Solo Leveling explained: Fans react to jinwoo's journey

After three years of taking the world by storm with its epic action sequences and fantastic artwork, Solo Leveling concluded with 179 chapters. The series followed Sung Jinwoo, a weak Hunter who became the strongest in the world. Along the way, he faced an array of monsters and gods, ultimately confronting Antares, the Monarch of Destruction, in the final battle.
While the Solo Leveling manhwa's ending was visually stunning and provided an epic showdown, many fans were left feeling conflicted. The battle between Jinwoo and Antares was one of the most anticipated moments in the series. Yet, the resolution of the fight, the time travel aspect, and some of the final choices raised questions, leaving fans divided. Here’s a breakdown of the controversial moments that shaped the ending.
The Solo Leveling final battle started with huge promise. Jinwoo used his skills to gain the upper hand, facing Antares alone on a deserted island in Japan. But the fight quickly shifted from a one-on-one confrontation to a Monarch versus Monarch battle. Jinwoo's Shadow Army was up against Antares' army of dragons. For a brief moment, Jinwoo seemed to hold his ground.
However, the arrival of the Rulers at the last second turned the tide, defeating Antares in a deus ex machina moment. This left many fans feeling that Jinwoo's efforts were diminished, with the epic showdown falling flat.
One of the biggest points of contention was Jinwoo’s use of the Cup of Reincarnation. After the Monarchs’ defeat, Jinwoo chose to go back in time, erasing the consequences of the entire series. He saved everyone, including those he lost, and returned to a life before the Gates ever opened. While this offered a sense of closure, it also negated the emotional stakes of the earlier events.
Fans were split on this resolution, feeling that it was too convenient and undermined the series' emotional weight. For many, the Cup of Reincarnation felt like a way for the creators to reset everything, making Jinwoo’s journey feel less significant.
In the end, the Rulers turned on Jinwoo, giving him the ultimatum to either leave Earth or be sealed away. This betrayal felt hypocritical, given all that Jinwoo had done for them. Yet, instead of backing down, Jinwoo showed his overwhelming power, intimidating the Rulers into submission.
However, this forced Jinwoo into a moment of introspection. With the battle over and the world at peace, he questioned his purpose. Having gained godlike powers, he wondered if he was still needed. The ending highlighted his internal struggle with the overwhelming strength that he possessed but had no clear use for anymore.
Despite the divisive ending, Solo Leveling lives on through Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, a spin-off series following Jinwoo’s son, Sung Suho. The continuation of the story offers hope for a fresh chapter, allowing fans to explore new characters and dynamics in the Solo Leveling universe.
As the anime adaptation of Solo Leveling continues to gain traction, there is potential for the series' anime conclusion to address some of the issues with the original manhwa ending. With the anime already expanding on character development and world-building, fans hope that the conclusion will provide a more satisfying resolution.
For now, the Solo Leveling manhwa’s ending stands as a controversial one, but with the Solo Leveling: Ragnarok spinoff and the ongoing anime series, the world of Solo Leveling is far from over. Fans can only wait to see if future adaptations can redeem the story’s conclusion or offer an alternative ending to satisfy the series’ loyal fanbase.
Read more - The Solo Leveling Anime: Missing the Depth of the Manhwa’s Story