Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 12 finally brings to life one of the most anticipated battles—the showdown between Sung Jinwoo and the Ant King. Fans who’ve followed the manhwa have been waiting for this moment, and while A-1 Pictures stayed faithful to the core events, they also made some interesting changes. Some add depth, some provide extra context, and some just change things a bit for a smoother anime experience. Let’s break down the key differences and what they bring to the table.
The Broadcast Cutoff
In the manhwa, the broadcast from Jeju Island gets interrupted not because of technical difficulties but because the studio chooses to cut it. They panic, fearing that the Ant King will slaughter all the S-Rank Hunters, and decide that airing a massacre isn’t the best idea.
The anime, however, flips this a bit. Instead of a deliberate choice, the interruption happens due to a malfunction in an A-Rank Hunter’s camera. This small change adds a sense of realism—after all, it makes sense that tech wouldn’t hold up in the middle of an apocalyptic battle. Plus, the anime takes a step further by showing how the sudden blackout throws the public into distress, making things even more intense.
Jinwoo’s Shadow Extraction: A Key Difference
Manhwa readers will recall that during the battle, Sung Jinwoo used his Shadow Monarch powers to extract shadows from the dead ants, adding them to his army.
In the anime, however, this doesn’t happen. Instead, an extra scene is added where Jinwoo tells the remaining S-Rank Hunters to follow Tusk, ensuring that Cha Hae-in gets treated. This shift in focus highlights Jinwoo’s leadership and sense of responsibility. It also adds a sense of urgency—there’s no time for power-ups when people’s lives are on the line.
Matsumoto Shigeo’s Role
In the manhwa, after losing seven S-Rank Hunters, the Japanese Hunter Association Chairman Matsumoto Shigeo pretty much gives up. Instead of taking action, he watches the events unfold on a Korean broadcast, resigned to the outcome.
The anime takes a different route. Rather than giving up, Matsumoto orders the initiation of “Plan No. 9,” which involves the remaining three S-Rank Hunters regrouping with the second assault team in the sea and reentering Jeju Island. This change makes Matsumoto a more active character, showing that he isn’t just sitting on the sidelines.
Character Moments That Hit Harder
The anime also expands on character interactions in meaningful ways. We see Jinwoo personally giving healing potions to injured Hunters, reinforcing his growing sense of responsibility beyond just fighting. His moment with Cha Hae-in is particularly noteworthy.
Another small but interesting change is how the Ant King uses Kei’s ice abilities. In the manhwa, it’s mentioned that the Ant King gains powers by consuming strong enemies, but the anime visually emphasizes it, making him even more terrifying.
One of the coolest additions? The anime does a great job of portraying the Ant King’s fear of Jinwoo. This isn’t just a battle—it’s a predator realizing he’s become the prey. The slow realization that he’s utterly outmatched adds so much tension to the fight.
Final Thoughts: Do the Changes Work?
For the most part, yes. These alterations don’t take away from the core events but instead add onto the impact. The broadcast scene makes the public’s panic feel more real. The decision to omit shadow extraction keeps the focus on the immediate battle. Matsumoto’s actions make him a more interesting character.
At the end of the day, Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 12 delivers a thrilling adaptation, one that broke multiple record and for good reason. Now, with the Ant King defeated, all eyes are on what comes next in Sung Jinwoo’s journey.
About Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling is a Korean Webtoon written by Chu Gong and illustrated by Jang Sung Rak. It is adapted from the web novel; I Alone Level Up. Kakaopage publishes it in South Korea and Piccoma in Japan. The series ended in December 2021 and has been collected into 14 volumes.
Portals connecting the Earth to realms of monsters have opened up, and hunters defeat those monsters. Sung Jin Woo belongs to the lowest level of hunters, but after getting involved in a Dungeon quest, he alone can see quests like that of a game.
His journey to become the most powerful hunter and bring peace back to Earth begins.
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