Introduction

Viral Hit has become one of the most popular action webtoons and manga series in recent years. First released as a webtoon in 2017, Viral Hit gained a massive following in South Korea and internationally for its gripping story about an underdog high school student named Hobin Yoo who becomes a viral martial arts sensation. In 2022, the webtoon was adapted into an anime series by Studio Getname that closely followed the original story. The 12-episode first season of the anime was an instant hit, generating buzz among anime fans for its intense fight scenes and shocking plot twists. According to Duniagames, the Viral Hit anime announcement in 2024 had already built substantial hype based on the popularity of the webtoon, which had amassed over 100 million views. The anime brought the Viral Hit story to an even wider audience, adding vivid animation and voice acting that made the story resonate strongly. As both the manga and anime continue updating, Viral Hit has cemented itself as one of the most compelling current action series.

Story and Characters Summary

As Hobin’s popularity soars, he attracts the attention of established martial artists looking to challenge him. This includes skilled fighters like Taehoon Jin, a top student at the prestigious J High School. Despite facing increasingly tougher opponents, the underdog Hobin continues to prevail with his brilliance for improvised fighting techniques. His humble, unassuming nature makes him an appealing hero figure to root for.

Other key characters include Hobin’s best friend Eunhyeok Lee, a cowardly boy who provides comic relief. There’s also police officer Gwangnam Gong, who investigates Hobin’s viral fights. The fierce bullies of Cheonliang High also serve as early antagonists, with their leader Sang-Jin Gong becoming a recurring nemesis.

Hobin’s Tragic Backstory

The bullying trauma resurfaces when Hobin encounters the popular NewTube streamer Snapper in high school. Snapper begins viciously beating Hobin while streaming it to his followers, yelling that Hobin is a “cancer” just like his mother. This causes Hobin to finally snap and unleash his pent up rage from years of bullying. Hobin shockingly overpowers and defeats Snapper in the fight, despite Snapper’s larger size. From here on, Hobin dedicates himself to getting stronger in both mind and body, fueled by his past traumas. His underdog story of seeking redemption and justice against bullies resonates with many fans.

Supporting Characters

Taehoon Jin is Hobin’s best friend who often assists him in fights. According to the Viral Hit Wiki, Taehoon is described as an “energetic and outgoing high school student.” Despite not having formal martial arts training, Taehoon helps motivate and cheer on Hobin during his battles.

Another key supporting character is Eunhyeok Lee, who serves as the comic relief of the series. The MyAnimeList Viral Hit character page describes Eunhyeok as “a weak and cowardly boy” who provides humor but also emotional support to Hobin.

Together, Taehoon and Eunhyeok represent the few loyal friends Hobin has, and their interactions underscore the themes of friendship and loyalty in Viral Hit.

Appeal of Viral Hit

One of the main appeals of Viral Hit is its unique blend of high school drama and intense martial arts action sequences. The story follows an underdog protagonist, Hobin Yoo, as he navigates challenges both in and out of the ring at his high school (Source: Reddit). This allows for compelling character dynamics as Hobin deals with bullies like Taehoon Jin, while also training intensely to compete in secret NewTube martial arts competitions.

Fans on Reddit have praised how the manhwa balances “badass fight scenes” with “highschool dramas” (Source: Reddit). There’s an addictive appeal to following Hobin’s underdog journey both inside and outside the ring. The fight scenes also benefit from this grounded high school setting, as the stakes feel higher when the characters have interpersonal relationships at risk.

Fight Scene Choreography

One of the biggest appeals of Viral Hit is the intense and masterfully choreographed fight scenes. The martial arts action is a highlight of both the manga and anime, with fans praising how hard-hitting and visceral the fights feel. Each fight showcases unique moves and styles, from Muay Thai kicks to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu grappling. The anime brings the manga’s fights to life with fluid animation and impactful sound design that makes every strike resonate.

Many fans on Reddit have pointed to the thought put into the fight choreography as a standout element of Viral Hit. As one Redditor commented, “The fights are tactical and believable. The moves used make sense and aren’t overly flashy or unrealistic like in some other fighting series.”

Some of the most memorable fights highlighted for their choreography include Hobin’s first viral NewTube video beating a gang of bullies, his intense showdowns with Taehoon Jin, and the climactic fight at the end of season 1. Each fight ramps up the stakes and intensity, with the finales leaving viewers breathless.

With martial arts excellence deeply woven into its DNA, Viral Hit has captured fans with its impressive display of hard-hitting physicality and skill. The care put into each blow and move elevates the stakes and cements the series as a new action classic.

Anime vs Manga Comparison

The Viral Hit anime adaptation stays relatively faithful to the manga in terms of the overarching story and characters. However, it does take some liberties when it comes to pacing and the presentation of certain story arcs.

One of the biggest differences is that the anime condenses some storylines that are more expanded in the manga. For example, the manga spends more time developing the supporting characters like Taehoon Jin and Eunhyeok Lee before Hobin’s big fights. The anime speeds through some of these sections to get to the martial arts action faster. This results in the anime feeling a bit more rushed compared to the meticulous storytelling of the manga.

The anime also adds some additional scenes that are not in the manga, likely for dramatization purposes. In particular, the anime has extra flashback scenes exploring Hobin’s tragic backstory. While these new scenes provide helpful context, some fans argue it overly dramatizes Hobin’s motivations compared to the manga’s subtler approach.

In terms of art and animation, the anime adaptation is very well done. The fight choreography and animation quality for the action scenes is excellent. Fans of the manga are particularly impressed by how all the unique fighting styles are translated to the anime screen. The visual direction captures the intensity and visceral nature of the fights that made the manga so popular.

Overall, while the Viral Hit anime makes some changes, it largely stays faithful to the original manga’s spirit. Most fans seem to agree that both versions have their own strengths and are compelling in their own ways.

Viral Popularity

Viral Hit has become massively popular, especially among manga and anime communities on platforms like Reddit. On the r/ViralHit subreddit, fans regularly discuss and debate the series. One popular Reddit thread titled “Is viral hit overrated or underrated?” has over 20 comments analyzing the manhwa’s merits and popularity compared to other major titles like Lookism.

Many memorable moments from the series have gone viral and generated significant discussion on Reddit and beyond. For example, the shocking death of character in chapter 105 was heavily debated, with some fans loving the unexpected twist and others feeling it was too drastic. The anime’s fight choreography and animation quality have also been praised, leading to clips being widely shared online.

Overall, Viral Hit’s blend of high school drama and intense, visceral martial arts action has clearly resonated with manga and anime fans. The series continues to have a strong online fanbase passionately discussing and dissecting each new plot development.

Speculation on Season 2 of the Anime

Season 1 of the Viral Hit anime covers up through chapter 55 of the manga, ending right after the intense confrontation between Hobin and Taehoon Jin. This leaves plenty of source material for a potential second season.

Many fans on Reddit are eagerly awaiting an announcement about season 2. The first season has been very popular, ranking in the top 10 most watched anime on Netflix in 2024 according to reports. Given the viral popularity, there is a good chance Viral Hit will be renewed for season 2.

With over 150 chapters left to adapt, there is more than enough manga content for another 12-13 episode season. Key upcoming story arcs include Hobin’s training in prison, the national fighting tournament, and further exploration of the Union organization. Fans are speculating these climactic storylines would make excellent material for season 2.

While nothing is confirmed yet, the chances look good for Viral Hit getting renewed. Many fans are eagerly awaiting an announcement and believe season 2 could surpass the first in popularity if adapted well. The manga provides plenty of shocking twists and intense fights to keep anime viewers hooked.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Viral Hit has clearly resonated with manga and anime fans due to its blend of high school drama and intense martial arts action. Fans connect with underdog characters like Hobin who rise to the challenge, and the shocking plot twists keep them hooked. The fight scenes are exceptionally choreographed, showcasing unique and hard-hitting moves. While the anime brings these iconic moments to life, the manga is where the story originates.

With its viral popularity, especially among online communities like Reddit, Viral Hit is cementing its legacy as a modern martial arts classic. There is eager anticipation for a second season of the anime to continue the story. Whether or not it gets renewed, Viral Hit has already proven itself to be an exhilarating series that delivers compelling characters and combat in spades.