One Canonical Change Made ‘Solo Leveling’ Season 2 Episode 11 the Best of the Series
- Solo Leveling in its second season has enraged a lot of manhwa readers by changing things from the source material.
- While this enraged fans who demanded that the makers must be faithful to the source adaptation, one particular change made in Episode 11 of Season 2 amazed fans.
- Seeing the Ant King be treated as a sort of main character by changing this one thing impressed fans, causing them to rave about the change on social media.
Regarding anime adaptations, Solo Leveling fans seem to be the hardest to please because they want the anime to stay faithful to the source material. Even the slightest change seems to send them into a frenzy, with Solo Leveling’s Season 2 Episode 10 being the best example.
However, an exception exists. A change made by the makers of Solo Leveling in Episode 11 of their second season has impressed fans thoroughly, proving that changes are not always for the worst. The makers executed it so well that the Episode is being hailed as the best of the series.
What are we talking about?
The change in question occurs in Episode 11 of Solo Leveling’s second season. The episode titled “It’s Going to Get Even More Intense” shows the Korean Hunters raiding the nest of the Ant Queen.
With some of Korea’s strongest hunters, the team manages to clear the dungeon with little to no difficulties, only slowing down near the Ant Queen herself.
Through their teamwork and coordinated combo attacks, they weaken the Ant Queen, allowing Hunter Cha Hae-In to swoop in (with a buff from Min Byung-Gyu) and finish the Ant Queen by beheading her.
The episode truly showcases the raw strength of S-Rankers, who can take on a boss far stronger than themselves.
The situation is turned on its head, however, when the Ant King walks in after hearing the dying screech of the Ant Queen. Its unmatched aura and overwhelming strength make the S-Rankers freeze up, even when it is walking by them.
#SoloLeveling
— Broccoli Λ•D🥦🇳🇬 (@anxietyAD) March 16, 2025
This ant made Cha Hae in fall to her knees with his aura, only the AURA o my God … Goosebumps eh I love Villains like this pic.twitter.com/6grO8iD2Cw
The Ant King devours the Queen and realizes that Cha Hae-In landed the final attack. With this knowledge, the Ant King speed blitzes Cha Hae-In and takes her out in a single attack.
It then fights the rest of the Korean Hunters, easily taking them down and killing the healer, Min Bying-Gyu. While everyone was busy praying for Sung Jinwoo to show up, a few fans noticed something that elevated the entire scene.
How the turn tables
One detail that a few fans noticed was that the OST (Original Soundtrack) during the Ant King’s rampage sounded familiar. Ardent fans instantly identified the OST, commenting that the piece was called ‘Dark Aria’ and had previously been used for Solo Leveling’s protagonist, Sung Jinwoo.
You know it's gonna be a really bad day for the Korean S-ranks when they play 'Dark Aria' for Beru instead of Jinwoo pic.twitter.com/EEvxB8CLcQ
— RinSS (@RinSS_HI) March 15, 2025
The OST, previously used for Sung Jinwoo in Episode 6 of Solo Leveling’s first season, is now being used for the antagonist. It was as if the makers were telling fans that the Ant King was having his own “main character moment”, and that the Korean hunting team stood no chance.
The fact that the protagonist’s OST was now used for the antagonist made fans worry more about the fate of their favorite characters, instilling fear in everyone’s hearts.
Beru literally pulled a Jinwoo… just straight up carnage
— Lucien Wolfhaven (@MoonlightOkami) March 16, 2025
Several fans took to social media after the episode, commenting on how the OST heightened their emotions and noting that seeing the Ant King defeating his enemies felt oddly reminiscent of Jinwoo, but in a much more sinister way.
Out of all the changes A-1 Pictures has made to Solo Leveling’s anime adaptation, this one is undoubtedly the best, and fans acknowledged the intense emotions they felt when they noticed this change. Perhaps the makers of Solo Leveling deserve slightly more creative freedom with the anime adaptation, but it’s up to the fans.
Both seasons of Solo Leveling are available to stream on Crunchyroll.
