The following contains spoilers for Solo Leveling Episode 12, "Arise", available on Crunchyroll.

The 12th and final episode of the first season of Solo Leveling was an incredible conclusion to the series which has been steadily improving since the beginning, and sets up very well for a highly anticipated arc coming later on. The animation was a stand-out aspect of the episode once again, but what was particularly great about the episode was how well it explored Sung Jinwoo's growth over the course of the season, as well as showing a vulnerable side to him that hasn't been expressed as much as it was before the Cartenon Temple Double Dungeon.

Beyond the developments with Jinwoo, this episode sets up for the upcoming Jeju Island Arc, with a very well-done post-credits scene that makes it clear that the series will continue and also piques the viewer's interest in what's to come.

RELATED

Interview With Aleks Le, Sung Jinwoo From Solo Leveling & ADR Director Caitlin Glass

We got the chance to sit down with Sung Jinwoo and ADR Director Caitlin Glass to chat about their experiences in the recording booth of Solo Leveling.

Jinwoo Faces His Demons

Winning the Mental Battle Comes First

At the end of Solo Leveling episode 11, Jinwoo is caught in a very tough situation after defeating Igris as swarms of the Knight enemies he faced leading up to the Igris fight come drifting through several portals that appeared in the throne room. This final challenge of the Job-Change Quest was one of the toughest parts, as Jinwoo's health and stamina were incredibly low, and while locked in this quest, Jinwoo could not make use of potions to replenish his health or leave without using the Teleportation Stone he received as one of the rewards from defeating Igris. Unfortunately for him, when he decided to use the stone, it was knocked out of his hand in the same way it was in the fight against Cerberus.

When he tries using his Stealth Skill, the Knight Mages use magic to expose his position. He has no choice but to fight. However, the timer that appeared for this final challenge counts up, not down, meaning that the waves of enemies might have no end. As Jinwoo struggles, his psychological state is in peril as he hears the voices of Song Chiyul, Lee Joohee, and even his past self mocking him and trying to encourage him to give up. He is reminded of his nickname, "Humanity's Weakest Weapon", and these voices clash against his will to survive.

Chairman Go Gunhee serves as a narrator, talking to Woo Jinchul about things that serve as parallels to Jinwoo's current situation, stating that Hunters are people who must overcome pain despite sustaining mental scars, otherwise they face destruction. Jinwoo's psychological scars threaten his resolve, and he sustains a lot of heavy damage; however, as he's on the verge of death once again, the penalty imposed for not completing the Daily Quest ironically saves the day, teleporting him to the dessert filled with Giant Centipedes.

"I can hardly recognize myself...

Looking pretty strong, but the differences are only skin deep. Inside, I'm still weak...

E-Rank Hunter, Sung Jinwoo. That's all you'll ever be – a dreamer who never knew his place in this world."

– Sung Jinwoo, Solo Leveling Episode 12

Return to the Job-Change Quest

Victory At All Costs

Jinwoo uses this chance to replenish his stamina and health; however, potions stop working if his health is too low, so he decides to replenish his vitals through leveling up, taking on the beasts with ease as his resolve steels once more. The fluid dynamic movement of Jinwoo as he tears through the centipedes is exciting, and the music swells to reflect his returned confidence; a moment that illustrates the major impact of Hiroyuki Sawano's musical contributions. Leveling up allows Jinwoo to fully replenish health and stamina, and he also uses the break to open up the Store to get some gear. He purchases a red blade called the Knight Killer, which does extra damage against armor-type monsters. He also learns the Ruler's Hand Skill he got from Igris, and wraps his bloody knuckles in bandages as the four-hour timer ends, sending him right back to the Job-Change Quest Dungeon. Now that he's back, the effectiveness of the Knight Killer and his calm mind enable him to realize why the swarms of Knights don't stop, nor does killing them grant him any XP: he has to defeat the mages that are summoning them first.

Related

Solo Leveling: Who Is Igris?

Jinwoo's fight against Igris in Solo Leveling Episode 11 was his greatest challenge so far. Just who is this incredibly powerful opponent?

Jinwoo's use of the Ruler's Hand, in tandem with quick movement makes for some of the series' most visually striking moments, and at some point, he equips two blades and assumes the pose seen in a lot of promotional material for Solo Leveling, which was a nice touch. He even uses Ruler's Hand as an offensive technique in addition to its ability to simply move objects through telekinesis. Desperate, the mage stop focusing on numbers and pool their strength together to summon a giant knight similar to the golem Jinwoo can be seen fighting in the opening sequence, but the smaller number of enemies just emboldens Jinwoo who finishes the ordeal in just under four-and-a-half hours. Due to the great performance he put in, and survival without use of the Teleportation Stone, he gained additional points that go into the Class Change.

Birth of The Shadow Monarch

Jinwoo Finally Says The Line

A number of windows pop up showing cryptic messages about the path Jinwoo has undertaken until this point. The System offers him a chance to become a Necromancer class; however, Jinwoo worries about abandoning the Assassin build he's set out for himself until this point, but after seeing that Necromancer is actually a secret class, he decides to accept the Job-Change, and sees that he actually qualifies for a title beyond Necromancer – he is the Shadow Monarch, which grants him various unique class-related Skills. Immediately, shadows burst forth and envelop him as a purple light bursts forth. His eyes that glow blue now glow purple to indicate his Job-Change is complete. He receives a Skill called Shadow Extraction, which enables him to pull the souls of the recently deceased back into this plane as Shadow Soldiers who serve under his command.

"Wherever the Player goes, the angel of death follows.

Whatever path the Player takes, it is littered with corpses, and the stench of blood remains.

In addition, the Player craves great power and blazed his own trail without relying on others.

His thirst for strength calls forth the ghosts that roam the valley of death."

– Solo Leveling, Episode 12

He first tries it on the Knights strewn about, but he learns that he doesn't have infinite capacity for Shadow Soldiers, so he releases 11 of them back into the void, so he can extract the Shadow of none other than Knight Commander Igris the Bloodred. The extraction fails twice, but Jinwoo directs a very moving speech towards the knight, who springs forth ready to serve him on the third and final attempt. Seeing Jinwoo finally utter the sacred phrase of the Solo Leveling franchise was quite satisfying, and the extraction of Igris was gorgeously animated. The shadows follow Igris's example as he kneels before his new king: Sung Jinwoo, the Shadow Monarch. With a combination of interesting direction, stunning visuals, and a great post-credits scene to wrap everything up, episode 12 of Solo Leveling was simply a marvelous end to what has been an exciting adaptation of one of the most highly anticipated titles in recent memory.

Solo Leveling

A-1 Pictures' Solo Leveling is an anime based on Chugong's popular web novel. Set in an unforgiving fantasy world where hunters explore dungeons filled with monsters, the vulnerable Sung Jinwoo gains a significant power boost after he is picked to be a solo player by the System.

MORE

Solo Leveling: What Happened on Jeju Island?

Clearly a point of focus in the Solo Leveling world, the events that took place on Jeju Island continue to have an impact on the series.