Solo Leveling: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Solo Leveling: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie Review

Solo Leveling Season 1 is a fun and exciting fantasy action-adventure anime. Created by Chugong, Dubu (Redice Studio), and h-goon (D&C Webtoon), Solo Leveling Season 1 features theme song performances by TOMORROW X TOGETHER  (opening) and krage (ending). Solo Leveling Season 1 features animation production by A-1 Pictures (Fairy Tail, Sword Art Online). Solo Leveling Season 1 will appeal to genre fans looking for some action-packed mayhem. Solo Leveling Season 1 arrives on physical media by distributor Crunchyroll.

Over a decade ago human beings became awed by the appearance of gates connecting the human world with otherworldly dimensions. The gates bridge the universes. Now some humans have an abundance of supernatural skills and abilities. These humans are now known as “Hunters” – these Hunters make their entire living by fighting dungeons after entering otherworldly gates. Jinwoo Sung (Taito Ban) might be considered one of the least skilled and successful hunters of them all but he still persists. Can Sung ever level up?

Jinwoo Sung makes a compelling lead for the series. The vulnerability and uncertainty of the leading protagonist is something that many audiences may find relatable. The character goes through a lot, experiencing a lot of action along the way – and audiences will respond to it. The character is well realized for the anime.

The score composed by Hiroyuki Sawano (Attack on Titan, Sengoku Basara - Samurai Kings) is another key highlight of the production. The score is a good backdrop for the action sequences. The music is exciting and the energy translates to good background music. The score provides the high-octane adrenaline necessary to keep things moving.

The character designs by Tomoko Sudo (Alice in Borderland, Fragtime) are well done. The designs by Sudo provide excellent details all around. Sudo is a talented designer and someone with a keen understanding of the process. The designs are effective for both the lead and supporting cast. Character artwork is well handled and makes a solid impression.

The animation is one of the most essential components of the series. The series features art direction by Yasuhiro Okumura (Flying Witch, Planet With). The art direction makes a big impression overall. A fantastic effort by the animation team. The animators did something remarkably special and there certainly is a lot to celebrate about the art style. The style is particularly effective at showcasing everything dark and gritty about the production.

The cinematography by Daichi Iseki (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, Spy×Family) is well done and brings the anime a fantastic gothic style. The sensibility of the cinematographer brings a good amount of depth and detail forward. Iseki made something special and the anime highlights the darkness and gothic tones of the cinematography well.

Written by Noboru Kimura (AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline, Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture), Solo Leveling Season 1 is a decent effort. The scripting could be better and certainly isn’t one of the finest qualities of the production. Even so, the script offers decent dialogue and characterizations. Fans of action anime will appreciate the effort made to action storytelling.

Directed by Shunsuke Nakashige (Future Card Buddyfight, Mother of the Goddess' Dormitory), Solo Leveling Season 1 is worth checking out. Fans of epic action anime series may find something fun and worthwhile for their interests. Solo Leveling Season 1 is not a total slam dunk for every genre fan but it does offer some compelling visuals and action for genre fans looking for a good time.

Solo Leveling: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Crunchyroll, Solo Leveling Season 1 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The series has an impressively dark and gothic atmosphere at times. The series cinematography is well highlighted on the release. The animation is robustly detailed and crisply reproduced on the box set. The encoding handles the animation and action scenes nicely.

One of the hallmark qualities of the Blu-ray disc format is the quality encoding. Streaming sometimes offers lower video quality compared to physical media. For home theater enthusiasts wanting to eek everything out of the video presentation, fans can find a superior video presentation, and on disc. A worthwhile quality of the format that deserves attention.

Solo Leveling: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Solo Leveling Season 1 includes a selection of lossless audio options: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound and Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0 (with English subtitles). The lossless audio encoding plays a big role in the presentation. The sound direction by Ryō Tanaka (A Galaxy Next Door, Mysteria Friends) is well reproduced. The score is well highlighted on the release, too. Dialogue is clear and is easy to understand.

One of the best things about Blu-ray is the lossless audio encoding. Streaming video services are limited to lossy (non-lossless) audio encoding. For home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles alike, the physical media option provides a more immersive soundstage for the best audio quality achievable. This is an enormous benefit of physical media that remains a testament to the strengths of the format.

Solo Leveling: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The limited edition version comes packaged in a deluxe chipboard art-box. The art-box includes gorgeous artwork. The interior of the set includes a pull-out standard edition copy with additional artwork. The inner package set also includes an o- card slipcover. The slipcover features different art than the artwork underneath the slipcover. The set also includes a set of four art cards, a sticker sheet, and a booklet. The 68 page art book is a big addition the release. The booklet contains an exclusive interview with the action director Yoshihiro Kanno, Japanese cast & staff interviews, and a selection of hand selected still artwork. The release is a Blu-ray + DVD combo pack edition which provides additional DVD discs for those wanting to use with other players around the house or on the go.

On disc supplements include:

The Extras:

Disc 1 –

The Leveling of Solo Leveling – Documentary (HD, 43:13) is a nice inclusion. A documentary is exactly the type of bonus feature anime fans want with their supplemental packages. Something more in depth in comparison to standard EPK promotional videos. Getting a documentary is a nice addition and it adds something special to the package. Bonus features fans who consider a purchase based in part on the quality of the supplements will be pleased with this almost hour-long supplement delving into the production. Crunchyroll did something cool here and fans will appreciate it.

Next Episode Previews (HD, 2:08)

Disc 2 –

Episode 7.5 Recap (HD, 23:42)

Next Episode Previews (HD, 2:40)

Character Promo Videos (HD, 3:08)

7 Day Promo Video Countdown (HD, 2:56)

Promo Videos (HD, 9:48)

Textless Opening Song (HD, 1:32)

Textless Closing Song (HD, 1:32)

Crunchyroll has done a good job with the supplements. The most noteworthy on disc extra is the documentary. It is nice to see some extra effort went into providing a documentary for the set. Considering many anime sets do not include bonus documentaries, the documentary can be considered a step in the right direction. In an era of streaming media where some fans might opt for a single time stream over a physical purchase, it is important that studios and labels consider adding more unique supplements like these to make sure that buyers are enticed for a complete and more definitive home media package.

Solo Leveling: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Solo Leveling Season 1 is worth discovery. Fans of high-octane action anime with fantasy elements may be intrigued by the series and its introduction. The anime has some nice production values and merits. Fans of the series will appreciate the limited-edition version includes gorgeous packaging and a nice selection of on disc bonus features. The limited edition also includes a deluxe chipboard art box, a booklet, artcards, and stickers. Fans of Solo Leveling Season 1 will want to consider a purchase. Recommended.