After paving the pathway forward,Solo Levelinghas raised the bar in expectations forfuture manhwa adaptationsfollowing its success after the second season’s conclusion. But one of its previous rivals from Webtoon is looking to sit upon the throne next, with its own anime’s release date yet to be announced,Eleceed.
Eleceedruns in the same vein asSolo Leveling,as another action-packed power fantasy told through Jiwoo Seo, a young man with lightning-fast abilities he’s never learned to harness, till coming across Kayden, a ruthless, powerful rogue who takes him in as his student. Written by Son Joe-ho, the webcomic is still ongoing after first debuting in 2018.
Eleceed Masterfully Weaves a Heartfelt Mentorship Through Kayden and Jiwoo
All While Delivering on the Same Thrilling Battles and Fights Expected of a Coming-of-Age Story
In the world ofEleceed, the Awakened are gifted individuals with special abilities, and those who receive proper training can go on to establish a reputable career that sets them up for life. Kayden is one of the most exceptional Awakened in current day, and yet he has sworn allegiance to no one but his own interests.
After being hunted and struck down, Kayden manages to get away.By transforming into an overweight cat. While not entirely his intention, his attackers lose track of him, and the world’s strongest Awakened is safely undercover while he recovers. While taking care of the cats in the neighborhood, Jiwoo comes across Kayden, who takes him in.
Eleceedwastes no time in setting up its premise, introducing lovable characters and setting them off on their journey of training and uncovering the mystery behind Kayden’s transformation into a cat, as well as the Awakened that had been hunting him. The relationship between mentor and student, while not always patient, is a learning curve on both their parts.
Jiwoo’s soft and endearing nature is coupled with a naive and overly trusting sincerity that works to melt away Kayden’s cold and standoffish demeanor. Through them, a world of extraordinary beings is discovered to be revered as powerful figures in organizations as well as shady underworld dealers who’d go so far as to perform tests on animals and humans alike to force Awakenings.
Themanhwa is a wonderful compilation of both mystery, intrigue, training, and earnest slice-of-life momentswithin a well-rounded and grounded cast. Between its humor and well-written narrative,Eleceed’sanime is guaranteed a successful debut as long as it retains these core traits alongside quality animation.
All the Makings of a Great Future Anime
Eleceed Can Deliver an Impactful Adventure if It’s Packaged Nicely
After months of rumors,Eleceedwas finally revealed to have an anime adaptation in the works. DandeLion Animation Studio will be tasked with bringing the manhwa to life, having done incredible work withThe First Slam Dunk, the conclusion to the classic basketball anime.
DandeLion Animation manages to nail the artstyle inEleceedverbatim and uses a blend of both 2D and 3D techniques to hone in on the movement of its characters.
As of this writing, the other production members involved are the director, Hiroshi Nishikiori, whose other works includeDandadan,Trigun Stampede,Outlaw Star, an underrated space opera, and screenwriter Yosuke Kuroda, who has also worked onTrigunandMy Hero Academia. Both creatives are exceptional additions to the project, securingEleceed’ssuccess.
With its official announcement,Eleceedalso gave a glimpse at how the anime’s production is looking behind the scenes. On first glance, the trailer looks to market a lot of animation on the webtoon’s artstyle, but the last few seconds reveal the studio’s take on the early scenes of the manhwa.
DandeLion Animation manages to nail the artstyle inEleceedverbatim and uses a blend of both 2D and 3D techniques to hone in on the movement of its characters. Although it’s only ashort duration of what the series has in store, it’s a promising start for the studio, so fans can breathe a sigh of relief that there isn’t anotherThe Beginning After The Endon the horizon.
The Future Looks Bright for Eleceed’s Anime
Manhwa Adaptations Have Proven to be a Hit Amongst Audiences, Guaranteeing More For the Anime Industry
Manhwa adaptations have been a hit-or-missin the past few years, withSolo Levelingshowcasing the peak of what a great adaptation can bring, while others have missed the mark. Its success is in part due to its strict adherence to the source material that managed to build up a sizable fanbase before the anime was even a thought bubble.
WhileEleceedis already looking to make some changes, primarily alterations to the name, since it’s being picked up by a Japanese studio,its story and plot should remain largely the same. It’s a bit disappointing that the Korean names won’t be kept since they are what fans have attached themselves to, but faithfulness to the manhwa is more important.
Eleceedis shaping up to have a quality team behind the production.DandeLion’s 3D animation style may not resonate with every viewer, but the first look at the 2D style is reassuring. UnlikeThe Beginning After The End,Eleceedshould have better pacing for its first arc, not having to worry about building up its narrative or slowing down in a school setting.
The manhwa has always delivered on balancing its intense confrontations with moments of downtime that allow for the characters to bond with one another. As long asEleceed’sanime can stick with this formula going forward, there’s no doubt that it’ll be well-received for old and new fans alike.
