We here at oprainfall don’t just love video games: we’re big fans of anime, manga, and light novels, too. So in celebration of the medium, we’re here to give you our thoughts on what we’ve been watching and reading each week as we enjoy them. Old, new – anything goes.

Manga:

Solo Leveling

Since I had recently watched the first half of the first season of Solo Leveling, I thought I’d re-read (binge) some of the manhwa to compare. I think I’m leaning toward writing a review once the entirety of season 1 debuts, which, as far as I’ve heard, should continue this fall. When I talked about the anime a few weeks ago, I had mentioned how the adaptation more closely follows the manhwa rather than the light novel regarding its story details and character depth, or lack thereof. Having re-read the first thirty some odd chapters, I only reconfirmed what I already knew. Still a fun, quick read, yet it reaffirms my desire to see more from the anime. I can hope, right…?

Solo Leveling | ch16, pg24

Also, as I had said previously, the art of the manhwa definitely outshines the anime’s visuals. A sharper, deep style really makes the manhwa pop, whereas the anime looks too similar to other anime productions. Yes, the anime captures Sung Jinwoo and his exploits fairly well, but I can’t help but think it also has a common, general feel to its production, versus the manhwa which just has more vividness and a raw or feral edge to its visuals.

Solo Leveling | ch18, pg34

I’ll go into more detail comparing the aesthetics of the manhwa and the anime when the time to write that review comes. I’m also hoping the second half of season 1 sees a visual improvement, for as of now, my re-read of this manhwa is only demonstrating to me what could have been. – Drew D.

What anime are you watching? What manga and light novels are you reading? Let us know in the comments!

You can read previous Week in Anime & Manga entries here!

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