This article includes “only Leveling” spoilers. Discretion to the reader is recommended.
“Only Leveling”It is a story that, although at first glance it deals with the growth of a single man, Sung Jin-Woo, also has a lot of context behind. Although the issue of individuality is important, Jin-Woo himself charges with the responsibility of helping the common good. In essence, “Only Leveling” shows how a talent person can be a pillar for their country, becoming national pride and hope. As a light novel and Manhwa created in South Korea, this patriotic identity is key to the development of history, either for better or worse.
However, anime adaptation has taken a different course. Since its first season, the focus on nationality and citizenship has been quite softened, something that makes sense if it is considered that the story of “only Leveling” had already been criticized before by its hostile tone towards Japan. This is not a surprise considering the political history that exists between the two countries, but having A-1 Pictures, a Japanese study, in charge of animation, the adjustments were inevitable. And this is what has caught attention in comments forums, since the changes have generated a greater concern among fans.
But what has changed? Well, the anime has chosen not to mention specific countries, something that is more than evident in the Japanese version. For example, instead of the story develops in Seoul, it is now developed in Tokyo. Even the names of the main characters change: Sung Jin-Woo of Shun Mizushino, and Cha Hae-in became Shizuku Kosaka. Changing names between languages is normal (right, Bruno Díaz?), But changing whole places is already something completely different.
This makes it clear that adaptation to anime seeks to eliminate the strongest nationalist issues of Manhwa, especially in those where Japan is not well stopped. For example, in the Manhwa scene where Hwang Dong-Soo discovers the death of his brother, there are many mentions to nations such as Korea and the United States, including details about extradition laws. In the anime, all this is much more vague, leaving the conversation in very general terms.
Now, the arc of Jeju Island is a turning point in history, not only because of action, but because it is loaded with political issues. In Manhwa, Japan joins South Korea to face the disaster in hehe, but not for altruism, but to protect themselves. In addition, the dynamics of power are explored between the two countries and the impact that hunters have on world politics.
With all the above changes, fans fear that in the anime this arch will lose much of its essence. The history of Manhwa uses real elements such as geographical proximity between Jeju and Japan, which forces the second to participate in the entourage. And this is where things get interesting, since Japanese leaders, including hunter Ryuji Goto, have quite selfish motivations, representing Japan negatively.
And how does this affect anime? Because if the changes seem to be made to avoid international controversies, they also dilute part of the original plot. For example, it is mentioned that the original Ryuji Goto plan and the president of the Association of Hunters of Japan, Matsumoto Shigeo, is to use chaos on Jeju Island to weaken South Korea and, hopefully, take control. These political intrigues are much of what makes the arch interesting, but with the changes in the anime, it is not clear how they will handle this now.
Fans are clear that the anime of “only Leveling” is making risky decisions by modifying such important elements for the original story. And although this serves to make the story more accessible to a global audience, it also runs the risk of moving the original Manhwa readers, who would practically be witnessing a completely different story from the one they liked so much.
Only time will say if the anime manages to somehow rescue the essence of “only Leveling” with all these changes made not to offend the Japanese, But with the arc of Jeju Island on the horizon, fans are still aware to see what will happen to this adaptation.
Fountain: Comicbook Resources
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