Dogulwang Episode 1 Discussion

What did you think of this episode?

DO NOT discuss the source material beyond this episode. If you want to discuss future events or theories, please use separate threads.
DO NOT ask where to watch/download this episode or give links to copyrighted, non-fair use material.
DO NOT troll/bait/harass/abuse other users for liking or disliking the series/characters.
DO read the Anime Discussion Rules and Site & Forum Guidelines.

Jun 14, 3:54 AM

AnimeHubLLLLC

Offline

Apr 2025

268

I watched the Korean version yesterday and the Japanese version today. Although I'm already used to Japanese and Chinese, it was very interesting to see it in the original language.

The Korean studio did an average job on this first installment, although some moments appear static.

I would call this adaptation an average version of Solo Leveling and recommend not having high expectations.

TV Anime premier in Japan on July 8 on Crunchyroll.

Important detail: It was released yesterday on the Korean platform Laftel.

Jun 14, 6:50 AM

AnimeHubLLLLC

Offline

Apr 2025

268

Hydosen said:
@AnimeHubLLLLC I read this manhwa a while back, and while people call it a Solo Leveling clone, it feels distinct enough to stand on its own atleast compared to the thousand other ones ive read. Both are Redice Studio manhwas, so the similar character designs in the manwha make sense, but it is hard to ignore that the anime adaptation's seo joo heon looks exactly like Sung Jinwoo anime design. I think the aeni overall is decent so far.

Also something yall might want to know is that this production is part of the Ministry of Culture’s $1 billion (1.5 trillion won) funding to help the korean animation industry comepete with global comeptitors through the use of AI.

Theres is no official confirmation from studio eek themselves of using AI. However based on comments i read from the Korean community, Studio eek is indeed using AI, they arent using 'prompt-to-video' generation; they are using AI-assisted coloring, background rendering, and upscaling to help put out episodes faster. Well knowing that this is part of the government investment strategy who have officially said they will use AI, i wouldnt be surprised if it was used.

I agree with these points. But I don’t care if they are using AI or no. For me doesn’t make any difference. The important is decent animation and screenplay.

Jun 14, 11:36 AM

Hydosen

Offline

Jul 2021

Reply to AnimeHubLLLLC

I agree with these points. But I don’t care if they are using AI or no. For me doesn’t make any difference. The important is decent animation and screenplay.

@AnimeHubLLLLC well if u care or not doesnt concern me mate. The thing is alot of people including me care, im just putting this out there for people that do care.

Jun 14, 12:27 PM

AnimeHubLLLLC

Offline

Apr 2025

268

Hydosen said:
@AnimeHubLLLLC well if u care or not doesnt concern me mate. The thing is alot of people including me care, im just putting this out there for people that do care.

I understand your worry about use of AI in anime. I guess for use in background is extremely good if used of form correct.

Jun 17, 6:04 PM

pantherpop619

Offline

Dec 2020

As long animation doesn't feel like every other Ai animated videos it's fine for me

Jun 19, 8:47 AM

PettankoLover

Offline

Nov 2016

924

@Hydosen bro even atelier is using AI

Jun 29, 11:01 AM

Nicolasagna

Offline

Oct 2023

PettankoLover said:
@Hydosen bro even atelier is using AI

It isn't, what are you talking about ?

Jul 8, 9:50 AM

KANLen09

Offline

Jul 2017

18054

For the first time, Fuji TV's B8station block (normally reserved for JP dubs of Bilibili Chinese manhua shows) has finally aired something new, and it's the Temu version of Solo Leveling is finally here, from manhwa author Sanji Jik-song and animated by first-timer Korean animation Studio Eek, given both the Korean and Japanese dub treatments. This is a TRUE Aeni Korean anime through and through.

For adventurer Seo Joo-heon, having a Sung Jin-woo like face and seeking desperation for his life-saving grace, it took a goddess in the form of a crow to give him supernatural powers and save both of his legs, finding himself back at the police superintendent box that is his daily job...and seemingly time-travelled back to 2025, life has changed quite the toll for insubordination against his superior and toxic colleagues, forcing him to be locked behind the temporary jail until he's returned mentally sane.

The enemy that Joo-heon's been scouted to go undercover as a spy, the TKBM group, the notorious group has always been on his heels. Even in his time-travelled life, being a Tomb Raider King and seeing all of the status notifications, it seems ludicrious at first, but Joo-heon decides to go with it, being saved out of temporary confinement by a colleague that understands him best. Even as life once tormented him facing against his back-alley bullies, it's time to repay the favour.

QWER's OST is alright, every bit like a K-Pop girl band in sense of the rhythm.

It's...an OK start to Solo Levelling...Lite.

Jul 8, 11:00 AM

FMmatron

Offline

Nov 2016

33805

I honestly enjoyed the first couple of chapters a bit more than the Solo Leveling manhwa.

Aside from looking pretty stiff and soulless it's serviceable animation.

Peak seiyuu pick for Joo-heon, tho. And Hayamin will bless us once again.

One Piece episode 914 & 915 & 1027 were a mistake and 957 brought the salvation - FMmatron

Jul 8, 11:32 AM

#10

robertino129

Offline

Nov 2013

144

Right, after watching 2:30 of the korean version I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the audio is VERY cringe. Pig grunts are more appealing and immersive than what this guy had. If the japanese audio will be the same, this'll be the fastest drop in the west.

robertino129Jul 8, 11:36 AM

Jul 8, 11:33 AM

#11

phantomfandom

Offline

Sep 2015

10487

I choose to watch in Korean because I want to be as close to the creator's intention as possible.

Jul 8, 11:44 AM

#12

thebrentinator24

Offline

Jun 2014

8557

*Insert Solo Leveling joke here*

Yeah this is definitely gonna have a lot of people calling it a ripoff or inferior version of SL, but that’s not even my biggest problem with it. What stood out to me (in a bad way unfortunately) was how the sound effects from the hits lacked impact. Like, dude punches someone and it’s just this flat bland sound instead of the type of hard hitting impact sound you normally hear when someone gets punched. Anyway, this was just ok but I wasn’t expecting much from this one to begin with lmao.

People on MAL refuse to actually enjoy watching anime.

Your taste in anime isn't a personality trait.

Take me back to the days before MAL became infested with Twitter's favorite buzzwords.

Jul 8, 11:51 AM

#13

Gemini_Star

Offline

May 2015

Solo Max-Level Newbie should be a decade ahead of animating this Manhwa imho

Enjoyed the first little bit of Relic King, and some interesting 'coworker' dynamics that kept me for a while. Started to get old fast tho, it's tough for power fantasy to not implode on itself

Jul 8, 12:45 PM

#14

Ahohite-killer

Offline

Dec 2024

2853

this it pretty good honestly not just the fighting but the premise and world building is decent too.

this is guna get so much hate from both solo leveling fans and its haters just cus it shares a lot of similarities lol.

Jul 8, 12:51 PM

#15

Shadow_Eh_30

Offline

Dec 2022

347

I love this anime already I am a huge solo leveling anime fan and this with the time travel twist and indiana jones twist makes it very fun!

Jul 8, 1:06 PM

#16

PatNas

Offline

Apr 2007

Reply to robertino129

@robertino129 I'm glad I'm not the only one bothered by the voice acting! I'm a huge K-drama fan/watcher so it's not the language itself, the voice acting is just bad. First time I prefer a dub. Unfortunately Crunchyroll only has the Korean audio so far 😬

Jul 8, 1:11 PM

#17

Steelers92

Offline

Mar 2018

Reply to PatNas

@PatNas the japanese dub is on cruncyroll

Jul 8, 1:14 PM

#18

PatNas

Offline

Apr 2007

Reply to Steelers92

@PatNas the japanese dub is on cruncyroll

@Steelers92 Hmm, must vary by country, mine only has the original audio as an option 🥲

Jul 8, 1:15 PM

#19

PeboYAH

Offline

Aug 2024

Reply to thebrentinator24

@thebrentinator24 def is the sound engineering for me it lacks alot. Like it’s so noticeable in a bad way. Everything else is good but the sound is its only flaw… besides the mc looking like sung jinwoo (it bothers me a bit) but I’m enjoying this plot. I haven’t read the manhwa but I might aswell after the anime is done.

Jul 8, 1:18 PM

#20

Steelers92

Offline

Mar 2018

Reply to PatNas

@Steelers92 Hmm, must vary by country, mine only has the original audio as an option 🥲

@PatNas I'm in the US, they have the different versions as two separate videos under season 1

Jul 8, 2:06 PM

#21

alpo42ab

Offline

May 2020

2085

Solo Tomb Raider. Liked the talking crow god

Jul 8, 2:39 PM

#22

IKKIsama

Offline

Apr 2011

1951

Reply to Steelers92

@PatNas I'm in the US, they have the different versions as two separate videos under season 1

@Steelers92 Do you know if the Korean version has shop signs in Korean?

Jul 8, 2:54 PM

#23

Blazesword

Offline

Aug 2025

578

Is he a stuntmann?

Jul 8, 3:04 PM

#24

Memore

Offline

Feb 2021

8770

Reply to Blazesword

Is he a stuntmann?

@Blazesword, maybe, very skilled guy.

Jul 8, 4:47 PM

#25

Matheus2733

Offline

Mar 2024

106

I don't get the low rating; for an anime with this premise, it’s a good and promising start. If you're just looking for action and fun, this seems to be the right anime—though if you want a complex universe, this definitely isn't it. Overall, I really liked the beginning; it feels like *Solo Leveling*.

Jul 8, 4:52 PM

#26

MarcioNeves

Offline

Aug 2024

915

Oh, damn, I thought this wold be some Temu Solo Leveling, but that was actualy very good. And I know the original work was published BEFORE Solo Leveling, but you can't NOT compare both works, specialy with a MC looking like that 😁

Edit: I did some reasearch, and it started being published some 5 months after Solo Leveling. Still, very close together

MarcioNevesJul 10, 5:00 AM

Jul 8, 5:41 PM

#27

Matheus_oakbr18

Offline

Nov 2016

Muito bom, ta bem animado.

Jul 8, 6:04 PM

#28

Tarrian

Offline

Oct 2010

541

People have been making all kinds of ill-informed comparisons based entirely on the similar look between the mc of this and SL but I have to ask... you do realize it's Korean, right? There are certain concepts that are incredibly common and an idealized standard of attractiveness that make their way into just about every novel and manwha.

At the end of the day, SL and this are completely different in every other way from origin to background to characterization to NPCs that have personality, hell there's a ROPE with more personality than any of the side characters in SL and the mc is a certified greedy bastard who will go to any, and I do mean ANY lengths to get his revenge.

If your SL defenses are up, well, I don't know what to say other than this is in no way a clone or copy or even in the same ballpark.

Jul 8, 6:31 PM

#29

CrasianLe

Offline

Jun 2013

211

i swear these Korean anime are on par with Japanese anime. idc if it looks like a knockoff of Solo leveling, its still amazing with amazing quality and animation. so excited to see how this all plays out. everyone wants to compare it to another anime instead of just judging it on its own.

Jul 8, 6:34 PM

#30

GoldenPekka

Offline

Feb 2025

i mean its alrght like

Jul 8, 8:04 PM

#31

Noxseban

Offline

Oct 2019

The new anime "Leveling solo"

Jul 8, 8:09 PM

#32

permavirgin415

Offline

Jan 2020

I know it's going to stop no one, but I don't like that people are already calling this Temu Solo Leveling. I get why I mean hell that's why I even read the OG story in the first place, but it has more to it than the surface. It's a regression story, our MC isn't trying to constantly aura farm. There are other major differences, but give it more of a shot than the first taste. However, I will add the animation isn't doing this story justice, and it makes me a little sad... It's not going to be groundbreaking by any means though. Last thing is that I'm hoping they'll get some flack for using AI stuff since it obviously cut cost and what not, and they aren't using the savings to good use IMO. Fingers crossed.

Jul 8, 8:20 PM

#33

HansDevX

Offline

Jul 2011

262

If they are going to copy and paste solo leveling why make it so obvious?

Steam

MAL

VNDB

Jul 8, 8:29 PM

#34

MinscS2

Offline

Aug 2024

313

Decent first episode, but it didn't exactly make me go ":o" the same way the first episode of SL did.

And it's impossible to not compare it to SL given the similarities.

First episode does in a lot of ways feel like an inferior version of SL, but I'll stick around for now, show looks entertaining enough.

A tentative 7/10 with room to grow.

Jul 8, 9:13 PM

#35

MiaAyende

Offline

Nov 2018

385

Straight up thought I had forgotten a new season of Solo Leveling was airing this season, during the cold open

Jul 8, 10:23 PM

#36

KiliianSleipnir

Offline

Dec 2015

2988

well that was pretty good! not quite as derivative of Solo Leveling as i expected. it takes a total 180 in the backstory from SL, pulling the MC out of his timeline backwards 15 years instead of just inserting the main character's OPness immediately. plus, this worldbuilding has the 'relics' giving out all the goodies to their new owners instead of folks having 'inherent magic' and so forth. the 'tombs' seem to have real world buildings and such and not just SL's gates to parallel worlds. there is another BIG difference. this MC is already a scumbag and doesn't need an 'amoral arc' to change his worldviews towards self-interest.

but it does seem like this author is pulling from known mythologies etc. instead of using more... hmm... original... or basic? TTRPG fantastical stuffs like SL's author used.

the similarities are myriad, but the differences are enough that i'm enjoying it.

just an ol school American otaku enjoyin the life. don't sass me kiddies, i've been otaku probably since before you were born. leave me in peace and i won't bother you either.

Jul 8, 11:07 PM

#37

DLanime_nerd

Offline

May 2026

I really enjoyed the first episode giving off solo leveling vibes at least for me so have high hopes for this

Jul 9, 12:05 AM

#38

John_Banana

Offline

Nov 2023

How can you make a more derivative Solo Leveling? Pushing the boundary of garbage, I see.

Jul 9, 12:17 AM

#39

NoHead1715

Offline

May 2026

703

Okay start for a regression fantasy. This is reminding me of last season's Great Sage Ryddel with the going back in time with skills intact. Will have to see how much the MC will push himself to improve instead of just making a different decision at same time nodes. Will be boring if all he does is work within future knowledge.

Jul 9, 1:38 AM

#40

ropiel

Offline

Sep 2013

1267

Decent start, first scene looked rough with the cgi monster but everything after that was fine visually,

Pretty cool getting more regression stories adapted into animes, i didn't read this one but with more than 400 chapters i'm expected an interesting story, the mc seems to be some sort of anti hero

Impressive effort for a new studio from Korea overall

Deep dark fantasies

Jul 9, 1:56 AM

#41

samikaz

Offline

Apr 2025

this was meh. Like a temu version of Solo leveling

Jul 9, 2:12 AM

#42

Memore

Offline

Feb 2021

8770

Very good episode! Especially with original voices.

I have already watched the second (sadly with voiceover), so have to wait till the 23rd of July.

Jul 9, 2:48 AM

#43

NoHead1715

Offline

May 2026

703

Reply to IKKIsama

@Steelers92 Do you know if the Korean version has shop signs in Korean?

@IKKIsama

IKKIsama said:
Do you know if the Korean version has shop signs in Korean?

yes, Korean version has shop signs in Korean

Jul 9, 3:13 AM

#44

HagePotPotato

Offline

Oct 2019

4951

So, gave me solo leveling vibes. Similar, but this back in time thing makes it distinct enough that I don't really care. All that matters is, "is it good?"

TBD, but it was a decent start

I looked to make sure, but this started about a year after solo leveling, just for clarity

Jul 9, 3:34 AM

#45

Yhoto

Offline

Apr 2022

788

idk... it was okay... the animation is good but i feel nothing off of the story so far, its the first episode so ill give it a pass

also idk if anyone has this feeling or is it just me, but this animation and art feel rather... odd, idk what exactly it just feels off... I dont want to accuse the studio of AI or nothing so I hope I'm wrong

YhotoJul 9, 3:39 AM

Jul 9, 3:36 AM

#46

IKKIsama

Offline

Apr 2011

1951

Reply to NoHead1715

@IKKIsama

IKKIsama said:
Do you know if the Korean version has shop signs in Korean?

yes, Korean version has shop signs in Korean

@NoHead1715 Thank you!

Jul 9, 4:06 AM

#47

X_1817

Offline

Dec 2023

306

This is so ass bro, i see what people are talking about with Manhwa slop

Jul 9, 6:12 AM

#48

Memore

Offline

Feb 2021

8770

Reply to Yhoto

@Yhoto, it is the feature of manhwas, difficult to animate, that is why.

Jul 9, 6:54 AM

#49

Rexnihilo

Offline

Oct 2020

6198

Lol, it might be another leveling system etc tower/dungeon slop but still entertaining? idk if the storys going to be any good but I guess temu solo leveling like some people call it isn't bad? There are some characters I see that make me think of SL though like one dude in the op whatever makes me think of that side kick dude in SL or blonde girl kinda with the other blonde girl in SL. Just might be generic designs though. Also damn the jaws man idk I don't think its ai probably like some people say but it definetly looks kinda off at times...I hope the quality only goes up from here instead of down...

Overall, ok start though. It was also interesting hearing it in korean vs Japanese/chinese. I wonder if I'll keep to Korean or switch to Jap later. I did start at first with Jap then changed to Korean to see. It's not great honestly, but I just gotta get used to it probably? might need to watch the ep in jap to compare.

the korean voice acting might be decent to watch though just cuz so bad it's good/funny.

Jul 9, 7:56 AM

#50

GooseHybrid

Offline

Apr 2023

1175

Very Solo Levelling coded 😬

See All Discussions

Poll: » Dogulwang Episode 8 Discussion Niwaka-Samurai - Aug 26	15	by devilflame »» 6 hours ago
Poll: » Dogulwang Episode 10 Discussion Skuvan - Yesterday	16	by AnimebySanju31 »» 7 hours ago
Poll: » Dogulwang Episode 9 Discussion LunaBright - Sep 2	13	by Rello »» Today, 1:48 AM
Poll: » Dogulwang Episode 2 Discussion AnimeHubLLLLC - Jun 14	45	by Uchiha_zoro999 »» Sep 7, 11:51 PM
Poll: » Dogulwang Episode 7 Discussion tsubasalover - Aug 19	18	by devilflame »» Sep 2, 5:45 PM

Dogulwang Episode 1 Discussion

More topics from this board

Poll: » Dogulwang Episode 8 Discussion

Poll: » Dogulwang Episode 10 Discussion

Poll: » Dogulwang Episode 9 Discussion

Poll: » Dogulwang Episode 2 Discussion

Poll: » Dogulwang Episode 7 Discussion

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters