The twelfth episode of Solo Leveling, which aired on March 30, 2024, is a meaningful episode for fans as it revives the much-anticipated 'Arise' moment of the series' protagonist movie, Sung Jinwoo. This important scene, which was eagerly awaited in terms of animation and vocal performance, caused unexpected reactions from the audience.
In Solo Leveling, 'Arise' is the command used by Sung Jinwoo to transform any monster or human into a shadow soldier, a power he gained when he was designated as a Necromancer.
For the anime adaptation, the production team chose to translate 'Arise' into Japanese, leading to Sung Jinwoo exclaiming “Okiro”, which means “wake up”.
Despite the high anticipation surrounding this scene, it failed to meet the expectations of some viewers. One user on X, @LTVillan, expressed disappointment, describing the execution of the scene as offensive.
This viewer drew comparisons between this moment and similarly exaggerated scenes from other anime, suggesting that it did not achieve the same delivery as elsewhere.
Fans expressed disappointment with the 'Arise' scene in Anime Solo Leveling
Fans of the anime Solo Leveling have expressed disappointment over the 'Arise' scene, contrasting it with iconic moments from other shows such as Eminence in Shadow and Bleach.
In Eminence in Shadow, Cid Kagenou's signature technique, 'I Am Atomic', attracted considerable attention. This technique, honed through rigorous training, involves erecting a barrier around yourself and your opponent, much like expanding territory in Jujutsu Kaisen.
NGL.. Arise is very anti-climactic… disappointing https://t.co/Hx3FLnRYxu
— injured bird (@LTVillan) April 1, 2024
By infusing magical power into his ebony sword, Cid creates an explosive phenomenon, making fans happy with his role, especially in pivotal battles like against Zenon Griffy. in part 1 and Mordred Ragnarok in the final episode of part 2.
Similarly, Bleach introduces the concept of 'Bankai', an ultimate technique mastered by selected characters after mastering their Zanpakuto. Among these, Ichigo Kurosaki's 'Tensa Zangetsu' stands out with his iconic role in episode 58.
Fans recall this thrilling scene, which saw Ichigo's sword transform to become sharper and more durable, adding to the excitement and satisfaction of viewers.
However, some fans have expressed disappointment with the 'Arise' scene in Solo Leveling, comparing it unfavorably to climactic moments in Eminence in Shadow and Bleach. According to user X, the Solo Leveling scene did not meet expectations and ended up feeling offensive and unsatisfactory.
Fan reactions to Solo Leveling's 'Arise' scene are mixed
The latest Solo Leveling episode stirred diverse reactions from fans, with some offering insights on how the scene could have been done better, while others remained hopeful about its future impact.
“It would be much better if they did it in English.”
One fan addressed the translation issue, arguing that leaving the phrase in its original form would preserve its authenticity. Compared to the unchanged phrase in Eminence in Shadow, fans speculate that the translation may have lost the context of Solo Leveling.
“I think Arise becomes cooler in Manwha and I really hope they add some voice effects to the anime when he says that because Manwha has another speech bubble dedicated to it.”
Another fan suggested improving the 'Arise' scene with deeper vocal effects, citing common practices in anime where a character's voice deepens during key moments, adding to the their impact.
“Domain extension is better than 'I am an atom', sir. Bankai has its own class. Nothing comes close.
Comparing scenes from various anime, one fan highlighted the superiority of Bleach's Jujutsu Kaisen and Bankai's territorial expansion over Solo Leveling's 'Arise', suggesting the latter cannot compare Okay.
“Arise isn't even overhyped. But I agree with your point of view. Maybe in the future it will be more iconic than ‘I am an atom’.”
Optimism grows as fans predict Solo Leveling's 'Arise' scene will be more meaningful in future seasons, despite its current lukewarm reception.
“Bankai has its own tournament compared to these tournaments. What the hell is 'I am an atom'? I've heard Arise at least a few times, but what the heck is the second one?”
Expressing confusion over Eminence in Shadow's 'I Am Atomic', fans highlighted the disparity in popularity between lesser-known series and mainstream Shounen titles such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Bleach.
Throughout these reactions, fans expressed a variety of emotions, from disappointment to optimism, emphasizing the subjective nature of anime appreciation and the importance of high-impact scenes in defines the legacy of the series.