Even from the very first few episodes of season one of Solo Leveling, it is no great secret that there is something special about Sung Jinwoo that really differentiates him from a vast sea of other anime characters. Solo Leveling's popularity is monumental, and much of its success can be attributed to the protagonist himself.

Although the world he is living in, filled with Hunters and monsters, is so different from the real world, aspects of Jinwoo's journey are so relatable and human that he does not feel so different from the average person after all. His goals in Solo Leveling, like protecting his family, are easy to connect with. He was not born strong like so many anime heroes, Jinwoo had to fight for his strength, which makes him truly different from the rest.

Jinwoo’s Unwavering Resolves Sets Him Apart From the Bunch

Despite Knowing Nothing He Does Can Change His Hunter Rank, Jinwoo Pushes Forward Regardless

Sung Jinwoo truly started at the bottom, as the lowest-ranked Hunter in the often looked down upon E-Rank. He was constantly reminded that he would never amount to anything, never be a successful Hunter, and never advance beyond his current weakness, but despite these brutal insults, Jinwoo's resolve never once wavered. He continued embarking on dangerous missions into dungeons and risked multiple near brushes with death, with an almost zero chance of becoming the Hunter he dreamed of being.

Jinwoo's courage to keep trying, even as the rest of his much more powerful party relentlessly teased him, is truly honorable, and differentiates him from other anime characters. Most people would have just given up and elected to live a quiet, simple life, knowing that since Jinwoo is not just another run-of-the-mill hero though, he is bold enough to risk death over and over, even with the knowledge he would probably receive little reward for his efforts.

Contrary to Popular Belief, Weakness Is Actually One of Jinwoo’s Best Strengths

His Low Rank Forced Him to Hone Other Skills, Disproving the Idea That Weakness Is Always a Bad Thing

Jinwoo's weakness does not make him a worse character; contrarily, it makes him much more relatable. His plight of having to become the sole family provider after his mom falls ill makes it easier for viewers to sympathize with him, because his status as the frailest Hunter of all makes it nearly impossible for him to bring in enough income for his sister's college and family's living expenses. In some anime series, the protagonist is strong from the get-go, like Jujutsu Kaisen's Gojo Satoru or One Punch Man's Saitama, for example, but not Jinwoo.

Because of Jinwoo's low physical strength and lack of other useful abilities or expensive weapons as a Hunter, his intelligence and quick wits are more advanced than the average person's. As can be seen in the scene when he and his party become trapped in the Statue of God's dungeon, Jinwoo's alertness and sharp wit are his saving grace. Many characters who were born as the lowest-ranked Hunter might just become disheartened and give up, but Jinwoo relies on honing his other talents instead.

Jinwoo’s Reasoning for Becoming a Hunter Is Extremely Relatable

His Love for His Family and Dedication to Protecting Them Are Easy for Viewers to Connect With

Another commendable facet of Jinwoo's character is his underlying motivation for becoming a Hunter in the first place. Family is everything to Jinwoo, and although becoming the strongest is an enticing goal for him to strive towards, even more, he is devoted to saving his mother and helping his sister through school. Jinwoo's objectives make him one of anime's most relatable heroes, because almost any viewer can empathize with how he feels a weight on his shoulders as the family's main earner and the only one with a sizable chance at helping his mother survive.

Not only are Jinwoo's objectives respectable, they serve as yet another connection point between him and viewers. Sometimes, anime characters' large-scale plans to rule the world or become the mightiest are less concrete and more difficult to identify with, but deep down, Jinwoo just wants to protect the people closest to him and ensure they live long, happy, stress-free lives, which is how most people in real life feel about their loved ones too. Jinwoo's love for others also makes him an even better character, since he can easily see beyond himself and his own desires.

Being “Average” at the Beginning Is Actually One of Jinwoo’s Best Traits

Because He Started at Zero, His Victories Feel Truly Earned and Viewers Can Relate

Finally, although being average is often looked down upon in society, Jinwoo's "averageness" helps him connect with viewers. Jinwoo gradually levels up, and his strength does not kick in all at once. The fact that he started at zero makes his journey as a Hunter all the more interesting, and when he does reach new goals, it's much more satisfying because he truly earned these achievements through the fruits of his labor. It is easy for viewers to place themselves in Jinwoo's shoes, because his reactions to situations are also surprisingly honest and human.

Jinwoo's reaction to waking up and discovering his new powers in the hospital, for example, particularly stands out as refreshing because it is similar to how anyone would react in that puzzling situation. Because he readily expresses his emotions, Jinwoo is very human in a way few fictional characters are. Anime protagonists can be so overpowered that it can be difficult to connect with them because they seem so far above the average person, and in a lot of ways Jinwoo is, but his strength is balanced by other traits.

Jinwoo's core driving motives, his slow and steady progression as a Hunter, and his genuineness all make him a lot easier for viewers to see pieces of themselves in. Jinwoo is no doubt strong, but he is not the typical anime hero whose strength is so overwhelming that they are nearly impossible to connect with. Few anime characters out there are as realistic yet aspirational as Sung Jinwoo, and Solo Leveling remains one of the most groundbreaking animes ever because of his influence.