Sung Jin-woo’stransition from “World’s Weakest Hunter” to legendary Shadow Monarchhas been marked by his unique ability to extract and command shadows from fallen enemies. What begins as nameless soldiers transforms into an undead army with elite commanders possessing distinct personalities andawespiring power.
These shadows aren’t just mindless servants but characters with their own quirks and specialties. From the honorable knight who becomes his first true ally to the hilariously devoted ant king with a penchant for drama, each adds character to thepower fantasythat drives Solo Leveling forward.
Solo Leveling: 12 Strongest Characters, Ranked
Solo Leveling anime is finally here, and here are some of the strongest characters in the new Manhwa adaptation.
This ranking examines Jin-woo’s most powerful shadows based on combat ability, unique skills, notable accomplishments, established rank within theShadow Army, and strategic value.
The Brute Force
Completing the elite eight is Tank, originally the Alpha Ice Bear encountered during the Red Gate incident. True to his name, Tank brings overwhelming physical strength and durability to Jin-woo’s forces, functioning as a living battering ram againstenemy defenses.
As a Knight-grade shadow, Tank possesses colossal strength and attack power that make him strong in close-quarter combat. His massive frame and natural resilience allow him to absorbsignificant damagewhile continuing to fight effectively.
While lacking the finesse or special abilities of higher-ranked shadows, Tank’s raw physical power makes him invaluable whenbrute force is required. His straightforward effectiveness in combat situations secured his position among Jin-woo’s elite shadows despite his relatively simple skill set.
The Sometimes Breakable Shield
Originally Kim Chul, an A-Rank hunter known for his defensive capabilities, Iron retained his specialty after extraction. Armed with a massive shield and battleaxe, he serves as the immovable object among Jin-woo’s forces, absorbing damage that woulddestroy lesser shadows.
Iron’s value lies in his ability to withstand tremendous punishment, protecting both Jin-woo and more offensively-oriented shadows. His A-Rank hunter origins provide him withhuman-level intelligenceand combat experience that many monster-derived shadows lack.
Hissomewhat brash personalityadds character to the shadow army, occasionally providing moments of comic relief. As anElite Knight-grade shadow, Iron represents the perfect fusion of human expertise and shadow enhancement, earning his place among Jin-woo’s strongest.
The Aerial Wyvern
Kaisel provides Jin-woo with something no other shadow can match: extreme aerial mobility. Originally Kaisellin, the wyvern mount of Baran (Monarch of White Flames), Kaisel brings both the prestige of his former master and his own considerable power to Jin-woo’sforces.
As a Knight-grade shadow, Kaisel possesses immense aerial speed, enhanced sensory capabilities, and devastating breath attacks. His primary value comes from the tactical advantage of flight, allowing Jin-woo to traverse vast distances rapidly and engage inaerial warfarewhen necessary.
While perhaps lacking the raw combat ability of higher-ranked shadows, Kaisel’s unique mobility made him irreplaceable in Jin-woo’s toolkit.
The Embodiment of Avarice
Extracted from Hwang Dongsoo, an S-Rank hunter consumed by jealousy and greed, this shadow inherited both the tremendous power and the name of his former self. As a General-grade shadow, Greed possesses combat abilities that place him firmly among Jin-woo’selite fighters.
Greed’s impressive strength and speed allow him to participate in the most challenging battles alongside top-tier shadows like Beru. During the final confrontations against world-ending threats, he proves his worth by holding his own againstincredibly powerfuladversaries.
Where Greed forms his own path is that he originated from a modern S-Rank hunter rather than an ancient or mythical being. This gives him adifferent fighting styleand perspective than many of Jin-woo’s other elite shadows, adding combat versatility to the upper echelons of the shadow army.
The Master of Magic
While most shadows excel in physical combat, Tusk dominates the magical domain. Originally Kargalgan, a High Orc Shaman, Tusk brings destructive spell-casting abilities to Jin-woo’s arsenal. His mastery of various magic disciplines makes himuniquely dangerousat range.
Tusk’s value increased dramatically when Jin-woo gifted him the Orb of Avarice, a powerful artifact that doubles the wielder’s magical damage.
This enhancement elevated his already formidable abilities to new heights. As a General-rank shadow, he leads Jin-woo’s mage-type shadows, functioning as both commander andprimary magicalasset.
This combination of innate magical talent, enhanced by powerful artifacts and high rank, makes Tusk an indispensable member ofJin-woo’s elite forces. While perhaps lacking the raw physical power of the top three, his magical specialization provides tactical options that round out the shadow army’s capabilities.
The Ferocious Ant King
Few shadows, or even hunters made as dramatic an entrance as Beru. As the original Ant King from the Jeju Island raid, he single-handedly slaughtered multiple S-Rank hunters, establishing himself as a national-level threat even before joining Jin-woo’s ranks. His extraction proved to be amassive power spikefor the shadow army.
Beru brings versatility that few shadows can match: tremendous physical strength, blinding speed, natural durability, flight capability, and even healing magic. This diverse skill set makes him invaluable in virtually any combat situation. His ferocity andcombat instinctallow him to adapt quickly to new threats.
Solo Leveling: 10 Best Characters, Ranked
From Sung Jin-Woo to Ashborn, here are some of the best characters from Solo Leveling!
Most memorable is Beru’s fanatical devotion to Jin-woo, often expressed with bizarre enthusiasm. This combines with surprising intelligence and a quirky personality to make him Jin-woo’s most reliable lieutenant in the current times.
The Knight of Loyalty
Igris holds a special place in both Jin-woo’s army and fans' hearts as his first named shadow. Originally the fearsome commander guarding the double dungeon’s upper levels, Igris became the milestone that marked Jin-woo’s growth from struggling hunter to somethingfar more terrifying.
Though initially reduced to a knight-level shadow, Igris later ascends to Marshal rank when Jin-woo fully awakens as theShadow Monarch. His combat expertise centers on exceptional swordsmanship, making him perhaps the most skilled warrior in the entire shadow army. This mastery ofbladed combatallows him to stand among shadows with more raw power.
What truly distinguishes Igris is his loyalty. From the moment of his extraction, he devotes himself completely to Jin-woo’s service, becoming both a reliable lieutenant and a silent guardian.
His dignified bearing and honorable nature make him the moral compass of the shadow army, earning him universal respect from both allies and readers.
The Grand Marshal
Bellion is unchallenged at the pinnacle of Jin-woo’s shadow army. As the Grand Marshal, he occupies the highest possible rank, commanding authority and respect from all other shadows. Bellion was the first shadow ever created, serving as the right hand of Ashborn, theoriginal Shadow Monarch.
This ancient lineage grants Bellion both unparalleled experience and strength. While his screen time is limited compared to some other shadows, his position is never questioned. Every source consistently ranks him as Jin-woo’smost powerfulservant.
What makes Bellion truly exceptional is the historical weight he carries. As the original shadow, his existence bridges Jin-woo’s current power with the legacy of the previous Shadow Monarch, embodying the full potential ofshadowcraft when fully realized.
Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling features the story of Sung Jin-Woo, the weakest Hunter who gets the opportunity to level up and become an S-Class Hunter. Over the years, Jin-Woo fights on humanity’s behalf against powerful supernatural beings from another dimension.
