Solo Leveling was recently honored as Anime of the Year, a success that thrilled fans worldwide. While many eagerly await season 3 and hope for deeper character development for Sung Jinwoo, some believe another manhwa protagonist has surpassed him.
Sung Jinwoo remains one of the most beloved protagonists today
Solo Leveling’s global success surprised many, including its production team. Producer Atsushi Kaneko admitted that in Japan, Solo Leveling has yet to reach the iconic status of Dragon Ball, One Piece, or Naruto.
However, worldwide, Sung Jinwoo, the main character of the hit manhwa Solo Leveling, has become a household name. Starting as the “weakest hunter,” he undergoes a dramatic transformation to become the strongest hunter in the world. His appeal comes not only from his power but also from his character growth, evolving from a timid young man into an unbeatable legend.
At the Crunchyroll Awards, Sung Jinwoo helped Solo Leveling win Anime of the Year and personally took home Best Main Character, beating out fan favorites like Frieren and Maomao. This highlights his immense popularity.
Sung Jinwoo is famous, but Kim Dokja may be a superior manhwa protagonist
Currently, no manhwa matches Solo Leveling’s anime adaptation success. Yet some other series have the potential to surpass it if adapted well. Among these, Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint and its protagonist Kim Dokja stand out.
Many believe Kim Dokja is a far better character than Sung Jinwoo. While Jinwoo isn’t a bad character, his fame mainly comes from his strength and cool demeanor, with less emphasis on character depth. In contrast, Kim Dokja offers much greater complexity.
His role in Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint features a complex plot and multi-dimensional characters. Unlike other powerful leads, Kim Dokja’s strength lies in his deep understanding of the story. He uses this knowledge to predict the future and make strategic decisions that help him and his allies survive in a dangerous world. What makes Kim Dokja unique is that he is not just a hero but also a reader, narrator, and part of the story he lives.
If given the chance, Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint could compete head-to-head with Solo Leveling.