Anime Expo 2024: Solo Leveling Season 2 Insights
Anime Expo 2024 was insane with excitement as fans gathered to catch a glimpse of what’s to come in the highly anticipated Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-. With the recent release of the Season 2 teaser, anticipation is at an all-time high, even though a release date has yet to be announced.
During the event, we had the opportunity to sit down with some of the key voices behind the anime—Aleks Le (English voice of Sung Jinwoo), Taito Ban (Japanese voice of Sung Jinwoo), and producer Atsushi Kaneko—to discuss their experiences and what fans can expect in the upcoming season.
Aleks Le on Voicing Sung Jinwoo
Aleks Le, who voices the iconic protagonist Sung Jinwoo in the English dub, reflected on the challenges of portraying such a dynamic character. “Sung Jinwoo’s transformation from an E-rank hunter to the ultimate powerhouse was an exciting journey for me as an actor. The show allowed me to showcase a wide range of emotions and tones, which was both challenging and fulfilling,” Le shared. He also mentioned the difficulties of balancing his vocal performance with other roles, noting that the intense sessions for Solo Leveling required careful scheduling. “Sometimes I’d get into a higher range, and it would affect my voice for days. Managing that while maintaining consistency was tough but incredibly rewarding.”
Taito Ban’s Take on the Japanese Audience
Taito Ban, the Japanese voice of Sung Jinwoo, offered insights into how the anime resonates with different audiences. He emphasized the importance of satisfying both original webtoon fans and new viewers who might be introduced to the story through the anime. “Our goal was to create an adaptation that honors the original while also adding something new for anime fans. We want people to watch the anime and feel compelled to dive into the webtoon, and vice versa,” Ban explained. He believes that the anime and webtoon complement each other, creating a larger, more engaged fandom.
Producer Atsushi Kaneko on the Global Appeal
Atsushi Kaneko, the producer of Solo Leveling, spoke about the challenges of meeting the expectations of a massive international fanbase. Despite the pressure, Kaneko revealed that the production process remained true to the traditional methods used in anime creation. “It’s been a learning experience, but we didn’t change our approach just because of the global attention. We focused on delivering the best possible product, and the international appeal seems to be a happy coincidence,” he said. Kaneko also mentioned that working on Solo Leveling has been a continuous journey of growth and adaptation, and he’s excited to see how fans react to the new season.
Anticipation for Solo Leveling Season 2
As we await the official release date for Season 2, this interview offers a glimpse into the passion and dedication driving the Solo Leveling anime team. With the promise of more thrilling battles, character development, and the continuation of Sung Jinwoo’s epic journey, fans have plenty to look forward to. Stay tuned for more updates as the world of Solo Leveling expands even further.
Arise!
