5 Brutal Reasons Why Critics Say 'Solo Leveling Is Mid' Despite Its Controversial 2025 Anime Awards Sweep

The debate over Solo Leveling has never been hotter, especially in late 2025, following a controversial awards season that reignited the "Is it mid?" argument among the global anime and manhwa community. For a series that broke streaming records and is widely credited with bringing the Korean webtoon (manhwa) to the mainstream, the term "mid" (mediocre) seems like a bizarrely harsh label. Yet, a vocal and growing contingent of critics and long-time fans insist that the story, divorced from its spectacular visuals, is fundamentally flawed and undeserving of its massive hype. This article dives deep into the five most compelling arguments used to label the global phenomenon as simply "mid," analyzing the narrative weaknesses, the controversial 2025 accolades, and the rising competitors that are now setting a new standard.

As of December 2025, the core of the controversy stems from its polarizing performance at the recent Crunchyroll Anime Awards, where its success was widely seen as a victory for "hype" over genuine narrative depth. We explore why many viewers feel the series is a thrilling spectacle but a shallow experience, focusing purely on the addictive power fantasy rather than the intricate storytelling found in its peers.

The Core Critique: Why 'Solo Leveling' is the Definition of a 'Power Fantasy'

The single most common reason for the "mid" label is the series' unwavering commitment to the power fantasy trope. The narrative of Solo Leveling is built entirely around the protagonist, Sung Jinwoo, transitioning from the "World's Weakest Hunter" to an unstoppable Shadow Monarch. While this progression is undeniably satisfying—a true dopamine rush for the viewer—critics argue that it sacrifices all meaningful tension and character depth for instant gratification.

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The Problematic Power Curve and Lack of Stakes

The story's central mechanic is its Leveling System, which allows Jinwoo to constantly grow stronger, often without true struggle after the initial Double Dungeon arc. Once he gains the system, every challenge becomes a mere stepping stone for his next power-up. This creates a predictable narrative loop: a new, stronger enemy appears, Jinwoo trains/levels up off-screen, and then effortlessly defeats the opponent.

• Zero Character Growth for the Protagonist: After he gains his powers, Jinwoo’s personality remains largely static. His primary motivation is no longer survival or a complex moral dilemma, but simply becoming stronger. This lack of internal conflict makes him a less compelling character compared to protagonists with deeper psychological struggles.
• The 'Shadow Monarch' Effect: The introduction of his Shadow Army is a spectacle, but it further removes him from genuine danger. Characters like Igris, Beru, and Tusk are cool, but they function as power multipliers, reducing the need for strategic combat or personal sacrifice on Jinwoo's part.
• The 'Mid' World-Building: The world of Hunters, Gates, and Dungeon Breaks is established, but the focus is so intensely on Jinwoo's personal journey that the political, social, and emotional impact on the wider world feels underdeveloped.

For many, this reliance on spectacle over substance makes the series "surface fun" that is enjoyable in the moment but leaves no lasting emotional impact, unlike truly great anime.

The 2025 Awards Backlash: Hype vs. Quality

The "mid" sentiment exploded into the mainstream following the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Despite facing competition from critically acclaimed and thematically rich series like *Frieren: Beyond Journey's End* and *Dandadan*, *Solo Leveling* secured a controversial sweep, including a contentious win for Anime of the Year.

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This victory was immediately met with a massive backlash, with critics arguing that the win was a result of sheer popularity and the size of its fanbase, rather than objective quality. The argument is simple: a show that is merely "mindless fun" and a well-animated action vehicle should not be celebrated as the best of the year when other titles offered profound thematic cores, complex character studies, and innovative storytelling. This perceived disconnect between critical consensus and popular vote cemented the idea that the series is fundamentally "overrated."

Why Competitors Are Considered Objectively Better

To establish topical authority, critics often compare *Solo Leveling* to other highly-regarded Korean webtoons and anime in the same genre. These comparisons consistently highlight the narrative shortcomings of Chugong's original novel and the subsequent manhwa illustrated by Dubu (Redice Studio). The consensus is that while *Solo Leveling* has superior artwork and animation (thanks to A-1 Pictures), it falls short in the writing department.

The 'Solo Leveling' Alternatives: Better Storytelling

Two titles are most frequently cited as having surpassed *Solo Leveling* in terms of narrative depth and character development:

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1. Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint (ORV)

Often hailed as the superior story, *Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint* is praised for its intricate plot, meta-narrative layers, and superior ensemble cast. While *Solo Leveling* focuses on one character's ascent, *ORV* explores a complex, evolving world where the protagonist, Kim Dokja, must navigate a scenario based on a web novel he alone has read.

• Complex Themes: *ORV* tackles themes of storytelling, destiny, and the relationship between a reader and a character, which is far more ambitious than the simple "get stronger" theme of *Solo Leveling*.
• Supporting Characters: Characters like Han Sooyoung and Yoo Joonghyuk are fully realized, going through significant character arcs and becoming as important as the main protagonist, a stark contrast to *Solo Leveling*'s largely underdeveloped supporting cast (e.g., Cha Hae-In, Yoo Jinho).

2. The Beginning After the End (TBATE)

*The Beginning After the End* is another frequent comparison, with many fans arguing that its reincarnation and magic system allows for a more emotionally resonant story. The protagonist, Arthur Leywin, faces genuine setbacks, loss, and moral ambiguity that ground his journey in a way Jinwoo's journey rarely does.

• Emotional Depth: *TBATE*'s narrative is considered to have more emotional weight, focusing on the consequences of power and the protagonist's personal growth beyond simple strength.
• Pacing: Critics argue that *TBATE* maintains tension longer, whereas *Solo Leveling*'s pacing accelerates too quickly, causing it to lose its dramatic stakes almost immediately after the initial arc.

The Rise of 2025's True Contenders

The final reason the "mid" label has stuck is the emergence of new, high-quality anime and manhwa adaptations in the 2025 Summer Anime season and beyond. These new titles are actively raising the bar for the action-fantasy genre, making *Solo Leveling*'s formulaic approach feel dated.

Series like *Gachiakuta* and *The Lord of Mysteries* are being touted as the next generation of action-fantasy, with *Gachiakuta* specifically being highlighted as a potential dark horse that has already surpassed *Solo Leveling* in viewership on some streaming platforms. These new titles often blend unique artistic styles with more mature, complex themes and world-building, leaving the "pure spectacle" of *Solo Leveling* in the past. The debate is no longer about whether *Solo Leveling* is *good*, but whether it is *great*—and against the new wave of sophisticated storytelling, many conclude it is simply a fun, well-animated, but ultimately mid-tier experience.