In Solo Levelling Journey of Sung Jin Woo from the weakest to the strongest hunter is one of the many reasons it got the love that it got, but one another big reason was the shadow soldiers which he commanded.
From Beru, the ant king, a king of the most advanced ant species, became a servant of Jin Woo, along with the S rank level Kamish, so his journey has been great, but would not be this great without his shadow soldiers.
So today, in this list, we are listing down all the shadow soldiers that Sung Jin Woo commands and ranking them.
Please comment down if you agree or disagree with this list.
This is my take on the strongest shadow soldiers ranked by their actual feats from the anime and manhwa, complete with when they first appeared and their most iconic moments.
Table of Contents
10. Kaisel – The Wings of the Shadow Monarch
- First appearance: Anime Episode 12 | Manhwa Ch. 61
Kaisel began as the wyvern mount of Baran, the Demon King, and was feared for his speed and magic-resistant scales.
After Jinwoo slayed Baran, he took Kaisel into his shadow army—not for frontline combat, but as his personal aerial unit.
Kaisel’s ability to swiftly cover long distances made him vital in surprise attacks and quick rescues, something no other shadow could replicate.
In terms of raw battle power, Kaisel isn’t on the level of the generals. He’s more of a tactical piece on the board—ideal for transporting Jinwoo or giving him an aerial view in large-scale fights.
Kaisel’s Stat Card:
- Army Rank: Mount Unit Leader
- Grade: Elite Knight
- First Kill (as shadow): Demon army scouts during Baran’s castle siege
- Notable Feat: Long-range deployment in Demon Castle arc
- Speciality: High-speed aerial transport & scouting
9. Tank
- First appearance: Anime Episode 9 | Manhwa Ch. 42
Tank, the giant ice bear from the Red Gate arc, was one of Jinwoo’s earliest high-profile shadow recruits.
As a monster, Tank was already a powerhouse capable of shredding hunters with his claws and enduring powerful blows without flinching.
Once resurrected, his durability only increased, turning him into a walking wall of fur and muscle that could hold the frontlines against massive enemy forces.
Despite his brute strength, Tank’s role is mostly defensive.
He’s great at keeping enemies off Jinwoo’s back, but lacks the versatility or speed to be a game-changer against the top-tier shadows.
Tank’s Stat Card:
- Army Rank: Frontline Unit Commander
- Grade: Knight
- First Kill (as shadow): High-tier ice beasts in Red Gate
- Notable Feat: Defending Jinwoo against a wave of high-level demons in Demon Castle
- Speciality: Extreme durability & crowd control
8. Jima
- First appearance: Manhwa Ch. 150 (Not yet in anime)
Jima was once a massive Naga boss ruling the seas. Wielding a colossal trident and covered in armour-like scales, he was nearly impossible to defeat in aquatic combat.
Jinwoo brought him down in an intense battle, most hunters could never touch.
While on land, Jima isn’t as threatening as Beru or Igris, but in the water, he becomes a nightmare.
His adaptability and ability to command underwater battles give the Shadow Monarch control over an entirely different battlefield.
Jima’s Stat Card:
- Army Rank: Aquatic Combat Specialist
- Grade: Elite Knight
- First Kill (as shadow): High-tier sea serpent swarm
- Notable Feat: Dominating the naval battlefield in the war against the Monarch forces
- Speciality: Water-based combat & area control
7. Iron
- First appearance: Anime Episode 9 | Manhwa Ch. 41
Iron, if I remember correctly, was the first human whom Sung Jin Woo had turned into a shadow soldier. Iron’s story starts with arrogance.
As Kim Chul, he was an A-Rank hunter during the Red Gate incident, whose selfishness ultimately cost him his life.
But once Jinwoo turned him into a shadow, that ego was replaced with loyalty and resilience.
Iron became a powerhouse tank who could stand toe-to-toe with enemies far stronger than his human self could ever handle.
While others’ shadows are designed for flashy kills, Iron can withstand sustained enemy assaults and keep fighting, making him a perfect shield for Jinwoo and the generals.
Many times, he has also acted as a comic relief, which makes him even more special.
Iron’s Stat Card:
- Army Rank: Shield Commander
- Grade: Elite Knight
- First Kill (as shadow): Dungeon ogres post-Red Gate
- Notable Feat: Holding back an army of A-Rank demons solo
- Specialty: Tanking & defensive formations
6. Greed – The Hunter Turned Predator
- First appearance: Manhwa Ch. 163 (Not yet in anime)
Greed was once S-Rank hunter Hwang Dongsoo—a man feared for his brutality.
Even as a human, his raw power put him in the top tier of hunters, and as a shadow, he retained that lethal strength.
Greed’s combat style is pure aggression, overwhelming enemies before they can react, and his skill with close-range combat makes him a deadly assassin in the army.
Greed’s Stat Card:
- Army Rank: Assault Specialist
- Grade: Elite Knight
- First Kill (as shadow): Rogue Monarch forces
- Notable Feat: Swift elimination of multiple S-Rank enemies
- Speciality: Brutal melee combat & overwhelming offence
5. Tusk
- First appearance: Anime Episode 12 | Manhwa Ch. 61
Tusk was once Kargalgan, the boss of a Hunters Guild dungeon.
As a monster, his magical power was already formidable, but once resurrected, Jinwoo equipped him with the Orb of Avarice, turning him into an absolute AOE powerhouse.
Tusk’s magic can obliterate entire enemy formations before they even get close.
His role as a General in Jinwoo’s army makes him the commander of magical units. When the battlefield demands large-scale devastation—like during the Demon Castle raids—Tusk is the one who delivers.
Tusk’s Stat Card:
- Army Rank: Magic Corps General
- Grade: General
- First Kill (as shadow): Demon lord Baran’s lieutenants
- Notable Feat: Wiping out hundreds of enemies with Orb of Avarice blast
- Speciality: Large-scale magic destruction & spell coordination
4. Kamish – The Calamity Dragon
- First appearance: Manhwa Ch. 166 (Not yet in anime)
Kamish wasn’t just strong—he was the most destructive dragon to ever appear in the human world.
It took five National-Level Hunters to bring him down, and even then, it was a brutal fight that left lasting scars.
When Jinwoo briefly resurrected him, the sheer aura he emitted was enough to intimidate even high-level hunters.
Sadly, due to mana decay, Kamish couldn’t stay in the army for long.
But during his short time, he was a walking apocalypse, easily one of the most dangerous beings ever to serve under the Shadow Monarch.
If mana decay hadn’t been a factor, he could have been second only to Bellion.
Kamish’s Stat Card:
- Army Rank: Dragon Unit Commander
- Grade: General
- First Kill (as shadow): Monarch troops during the International Guild Conference
- Notable Feat: Fighting evenly with five National-Level Hunters in life
- Speciality: Fire-based destruction & aerial dominance
3. Beru – The Ant King Supreme
- First appearance: Anime Episode 12 | Manhwa Ch. 60
Beru first appeared as the terrifying Ant King during the Jeju Island Raid, casually slaughtering S-Rank hunters.
His speed, regeneration, and adaptability made him a nightmare opponent—until Jinwoo defeated and resurrected him.
As a Marshal Grade shadow, Beru retained all his monstrous abilities but added unwavering loyalty to the mix.
Beru’s most famous moment post-resurrection was his duel with Bellion, where he fought valiantly but ultimately lost.
Even so, Beru’s versatility—ranging from aerial combat to close-quarters brutality—makes him one of the most complete fighters in Jinwoo’s army.
Beru’s Stat Card:
- Army Rank: Aerial Marshal
- Grade: Marshal
- First Kill (as shadow): Monarch’s insect troops
- Notable Feat: Slaughtering S-Rank hunters during Jeju Island Raid
- Speciality: High-speed aerial combat & regeneration
2. Igris – The First Blade of the Monarch
- First appearance: Anime Episode 4 | Manhwa Ch. 16
Igris holds a special place in both Jinwoo’s army and fans’ hearts.
As the Blood-Red Commander, his swordsmanship is unmatched, and his mastery over telekinesis allows him to control his weapon with precision beyond human limits.
Starting as a tutorial boss, Igris grew alongside Jinwoo, evolving from a simple shadow into a trusted commander.
While Beru may have been stronger initially, Igris’s growth and adaptability allowed him to eventually rival the Marshal Grade shadows.
Igris’s Stat Card:
- Army Rank: Sword Commander
- Grade: Marshal
- First Kill (as shadow): High-tier dungeon knights
- Notable Feat: Defeating multiple S-Rank foes with telekinetic swordplay
- Speciality: Swordsmanship & battlefield leadership
1. Bellion – The Unquestioned King of Shadows
- First appearance: Manhwa Ch. 166 (Not yet in anime)
Bellion was Ashborn’s Grand Marshal for countless aeons before pledging himself to Jinwoo.
His insect-like tail blade is a unique weapon capable of rapid, unpredictable strikes, and his combat experience stretches across aeons of warfare.
When he first arrived, he quickly proved his dominance by defeating Beru in direct combat.
Calm, calculated, and brutally efficient, Bellion is the perfect second-in-command for the Shadow Monarch.
Bellion’s Stat Card:
- Speciality: Master-level combat strategy & multi-weapon mastery
- Army Rank: Grand Marshal
- Grade: Marshal
- First Kill (as shadow under Jinwoo): Monarch’s elite forces
- Notable Feat: Defeating Beru in seconds
Comments
One response to “Strongest Shadow Soldiers in Solo Leveling”
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