English Dub Review: Solo Leveling Arise from the Shadow “It was All Worth It”

Overview

Jinwoo tries to cure his mother with the Elixir of Life while preparations for the 4th Jeju Island Raid begin…

Our Take

Jinwoo’s journey has been one of relentless battles and personal sacrifice, making his reunion with his mother an incredibly poignant moment. After enduring life-threatening dungeons and countless struggles, finally achieving this long-held goal brings a rare glimpse of vulnerability to his character. The anime masterfully conveys this emotional weight, with Aleks Le’s voice acting adding depth to Jinwoo’s raw and heartfelt reaction. Despite his overwhelming power, this scene reaffirms that at his core, he remains a devoted son who has fought tirelessly for his family.

Beyond this emotional milestone, the episode introduces new layers to Jinwoo’s evolving power which are welcoming surprises that I’m sure will expand his already formidable arsenal, hinting at greater battles to come. Meanwhile, rising international tensions among elite hunters create an undercurrent of looming conflict. Jinwoo’s decision to forgo political formalities in favor of his mission underscores his unwavering focus, while figures like Thomas Andre suggest that the challenges ahead will require more than just raw strength.

Overall, this episode delivers a powerful shift from action to emotion, highlighting Jinwoo’s humanity while setting the stage for the next phase of his journey. And despite this being deemed the lowest-rated episode” across various social media sites, the backlash feels completely unwarranted given the significance of what took place.  Jinwoo went through hell and survived multiple near-death experiences to reach this moment, who wouldn’t break down after finally saving a loved one? But with 3 episodes left of this season, the Jeju Island raid begins, and tensions between top hunters escalating, the question now is what will drive Jinwoo forward after his deepest motivation has been fulfilled? I guess we’ll have to find out…