Images: A-1 Pictures
Many are unhappy about this week's episode, but they've probably forgotten why Jinwoo became a hunter in the first place.
Yes, I’m ready for this debate. Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 21, aptly named It Was All Worth It, has received the most dislikes out of all the episodes so far, and I genuinely don’t understand why.
Sure, Jinwoo is strong, and he’s got the badass aura every shounen protagonist carries. And yes, this week’s episode was slower, leaning more into drama rather than pure action. But I wouldn’t call it a filler episode that just needs to get to the fight scenes. Rushing this part of the story would be a disservice to Jinwoo's development.
It’s Attack on Titan all over again, where people were angry at Eren shedding tears over Mikasa because he was supposed to be cool and emotionless. But some people forget that the most memorable characters are the ones who aren’t one-dimensional — they have layers beyond their strength or beauty.
If you think this is a filler, you’ve forgotten why Jinwoo fights
If you’re one of the many upset viewers calling this a filler episode, you’ve forgotten why Jinwoo has been going through all of this in the first place. He’s been fighting and getting injured as a hunter, to the point of nearly dying multiple times, pushing himself to the limit — not for fame, revenge, or to become someone’s hero. He never did it for fame or revenge, or for the sake of being someone's hero, or to be rich and among the elite. Even as an E-rank, he could have chosen not to fight and be a hunter, but he was fighting for and working for something. Someone.
This is why he was never interested in the media, or being the most influential of all — at the time, he had only one goal: get stronger. At first, this was to make more money so he could provide for his sister and his mom’s mounting medical bills. But once he found a way to craft the Elixir of Life and get his mom out of Eternal Slumber, that became his new goal.
Yes, he enjoys fighting at times — the glint in his eyes, the slight smirk, the thrill when facing a worthy opponent. That’s a part of him, but at his core, he was never fighting just for the sake of being strong.
“This crying episode ruins Jinwoo’s aura!”
Aura? Imagine loving and missing someone who has been gone for four years, and then suddenly, they’re back. Wouldn’t the natural reaction be overwhelming happiness — to cry? What makes this part of the episode hit so hard is how much it mirrors real life. Isn’t this the reality for many of us — except for the fantasy element of slaying monsters, levelling up, and collecting loot? Every day, people push themselves to their limits, grinding away at life.
Sometimes, the daily grind feels like the main quest, while the reason we push through — our loved ones, our dreams, or our goals — can seem like a side quest. In reality, it's the other way around. For those of us with elderly parents, this episode stings. The grind gets exhausting, and the sacrifices feel endless. But what keeps us going is the purpose behind it all — family, loved ones, dreams, hopes, or even just the will to keep moving forward.
Because if Jinwoo’s only goal was to be strong and defeat everyone, what an empty purpose that would be. Hearing Jinwoo’s mum say, “Good job, you’ve been through so much, thank you,” was pretty moving, especially because Jinwoo's Japanese VA, Taito Ban, delivered his reaction so naturally that it became easier for most viewers to immerse themselves in the scene.
It was so good that I could barely see what was happening through the tears for a few seconds. No matter how strong someone is, doesn’t it feel good to have someone acknowledge everything you’ve been through and thank you for it? Season 2 has had pacing issues, but skipping this moment just to rush into action would have been a massive disrespect to his character. This was the right choice.
Not everything needs to be fast, and this wasn’t even that slow. Maybe some people should revisit older anime with episodes full of transformation sequences or recaps (No shade to any genre, but let’s be real). The best-written characters have depth, struggles, and growth. If you think the only good characters are the ones who are perpetually cool and never show emotion, you might be missing out on what truly makes them compelling.
Jinwoo’s farewell to Esil makes him more human
One addition in this episode stood out: Jinwoo actually saying goodbye to Esil instead of just leaving like in the manhwa. While the original had its charm—his cluelessness about expressing gratitude was hilarious—this change gave him more depth. It showed that Jinwoo isn’t just a cold, battle-hardened fighter; he acknowledges those who have helped him, even if he struggles to express it.
South Korea and Japan’s S-Rank Hunters gather
Finally, we see a few of South Korea’s, and ten of Japan’s S-rank hunters gathered in one place. This scene did a great job of building hype for what’s to come. However, the anime did cut a part where the translator and an A-rank guild leader clashed. While it would’ve been fun to see, this may have been a deliberate choice to avoid touching on sensitivities related to real-world tensions between Japan and South Korea.
It makes me wonder how the anime will handle the upcoming episodes. With all these powerful hunters in one place, egos are bound to collide, and when you throw in national pride and real-life history, things are about to get messy.
The Jeju Island Arc begins
This was a solid episode—light on action, but strong in character development and emotional depth. As we officially enter the Jeju Island arc, though, a part of me is uneasy. We’re about to dive into high-stakes, action-packed fights, but how will the animation hold up? Are we in for a treat? I hope we are, because the Jeju Island Arc is one of the most crucial arcs in the series.
If you want to take a look back at what happened in the previous episodes, check out our Solo Leveling review compilation here.
