Solo Leveling isn’t just a groundbreaking manhwa—it’s a global phenomenon that redefined power fantasy storytelling.
From jaw-dropping battles to god-like abilities, the series thrives on its hierarchy of unstoppable forces.
Solo levelling became the very first manhwa that had gotten this much success that it became the very first manhwa to be adapted into an anime (I think), and seeing how popular the animes season 1 was, it got adapted in the season 2, which is currently airing on Crunchyroll.
In this definitive ranking, we break down the strongest Solo Leveling characters, analyzing their feats, evolution, and impact on the story. Let’s see who dominates the food chain!
Table of Contents
Sung Jin-Woo (The Shadow Monarch)
Sung Jin-Woo’s journey from the weakest hunter to the literal Shadow Monarch is the backbone of Solo Leveling.
After surviving the Double Dungeon incident and becoming the Player of the System, Jin-Woo unlocks limitless potential.
His ability to summon and command shadows—including fallen foes like Beru and Igris—grants him an army that grows stronger with every battle.
But raw numbers aren’t his only strength.
Jin-Woo’s physical stats defy logic: he punches through S-Rank gates, dodges bullets effortlessly, and even overpowers Monarchs, celestial beings meant to destroy worlds.
His Dominion skill allows him to manipulate space itself, freezing time to land fatal blows.
The pinnacle of his power? Arise, a skill that revives the dead as loyal shadows making him the ruler of death making him immortal.
Antares (Monarch of Destruction)
The Monarch of Destruction isn’t just a final boss—he’s a cataclysmic event.
Antares, leader of the Monarchs, embodies pure chaos. His draconic form towers over cities, and his mere presence warps reality.
With Dragon’s Fear, he paralyzes armies, while Hellfire reduces continents to ash.
Antares’ rivalry with Ashborn (the previous Shadow Monarch) spans millennia.
Their clashes shattered dimensions, hinting at power levels beyond human comprehension. Even Jin-Woo struggled against him initially, and Antare was the only monarch who could permanently defeat a shadow soldier and his wound given to Sung Jin Woo could not be healed even with the power of Shadow monarch.
His Dragon’s Breath attack alone could’ve ended the series prematurely if not for Jin-Woo’s time-altering intervention.
Antares is the ultimate benchmark for power in Solo Leveling, a villain so strong that he forces the protagonist to rewrite fate itself.
The Absolute Being ( The Creator)
The Absolute Being, creator of the Rulers and Monarchs, is the unseen architect of Solo Leveling’s universe.
He was the all powerful who turned Ashborn who was previously a Ruler into a monarch because of his loyalty towards him.
He created the rulers and monarch just for entertainment where he contiously forced them to fight against each other then he just casually turned back time to continue the heavenly war.
Even though he was the all powerful but he never saw the betrayal of the rulers coming towards him and since he was not ready the cumulative attack of 7 out of 8 rulers resulted in his demise.
Ashborn (Original Shadow Monarch)
Before Jin-Woo, there was Ashborn—the primordial Shadow Monarch who ruled over the concept of death.
He was the only ruler who till the end was loyal to the Absolute being and for his loyalty was given the power to command the shadows.
As a former Ruler turned Monarch, Ashborn’s power transcends mortality he have the power of Rulers “authority” along with monarch “domain“.
The only ruler who stood by the side of the Absolute Being until the very end and the one who wanted just to rest after having lived infinity.
Bellion (Shadow Monarch’s Lieutenant)
Bellion, Ashborn’s former lieutenant, is a shadow general who initially doubts Jin-Woo’s worth.
His Soul-Stealing Sword drains life force, and his combat IQ rivals Jin-Woo’s.
During the Monarch War, Bellion holds off Legia (Monarch of Frost) for hours, saving Seoul from eternal winter.
His loyalty shifts to him when Jin-Woo defeated a monarch on his own, proving his mastery over Ashborn’s legacy.
Bellion was the strongest being in the army of Sung Jin Woo he was at the level of some weak monarch and had been with Ashborn before jin woo even before he turned into the first shadow monarch.
The Monarchs (Collective Forces of Annihilation)
The Monarchs are interdimensional warlords, each representing a primal force like frost, beasts, or plague.
While Antares leads them, others like Legia (Monarch of Frost) and Querehsha (Monarch of Transfiguration) are forces of nature.
Legia’s Eternal Winter can freeze oceans and shatter continents, while Querehsha corrupts living beings into monstrous hybrids.
The Monarch of Plague’s Pandemic skill wiped out 70% of humanity in an alternate timeline. Together, they nearly ended Earth—until Jin-Woo’s shadows and the Rulers intervened.
What makes the Monarchs uniquely dangerous is their immortality.
They regenerate from any injury, adapt to opponents’ tactics, and grow stronger with each defeat. Only the combined might of Jin-Woo’s army and the Rulers’ divine weapons could counter them.
Beru (Shadow Monarch’s Right Hand)
Once the Jeju Island Ant King, Beru becomes Jin-Woo’s most loyal shadow.
His insectoid form hides a genius-level intellect, regenerative flesh, and venom that melts steel.
Beru’s Adaptive Evolution lets him copy opponents’ skills—even mimicking Jin-Woo’s fighting style.
His finest hour? Holding off Legia long enough for Jin-Woo to regroup.
Beru’s loyalty isn’t forced—it’s earned through respect. He symbolizes Jin-Woo’s growth from lone warrior to commander of legions.
Kamish (The Legendary Dragon
Kamish, the dragon that nearly ended humanity, is a prequel legend.
Its Dragon’s Curse corrupted entire nations, requiring a coalition of S-Ranks (including Thomas Andre) to slay it.
Kamish’s scales birthed divine-grade weapons, and its death established Andre as America’s Strongest Hunter.
Though long dead, Kamish’s legacy haunts the series. Its power foreshadows the Monarchs’ threat, proving even dragons bow to greater evils.
Thomas Andre (America’s Strongest Hunter)
Thomas Andre, leader of the Scavenger Guild, is humanity’s last line of defense before Jin-Woo’s ascent.
Dubbed the Giant, his physical strength rivals early-game Monarchs.
He crushes A-Rank monsters with his bare hands and tanks nuclear-level explosions without a scratch.
Andre’s Knight’s Vow skill amplifies his durability, letting him shield entire cities from disaster.
His clash with Jin-Woo in Jeju Island remains iconic—though outmatched, Andre’s tenacity forced Jin-Woo to get serious.
But raw power isn’t Andre’s only asset. His leadership unites global hunters, proving that even in a world of gods, humanity’s grit matters.
While he eventually acknowledges Jin-Woo’s supremacy, Andre’s role as the “strongest human” (pre-Shadow Monarch) cements his legacy.
Cha Hae-In (The Lightning Sword)
Cha Hae-In, Korea’s top S-Rank hunter, is a blend of elegance and lethality.
Her Lightning Blade technique slices through SS-Rank monsters, and her mana sensitivity lets her track enemies across continents.
While she lacks Jin-Woo’s shadow hax, Cha’s combat IQ is unmatched.
She adapts mid-battle, exploits weaknesses, and coordinates seamlessly with allies.
Her duel with Igris (Jin-Woo’s shadow) showcased her ability to hold her own against Monarch-tier foes.
However, Cha’s true strength lies in her emotional resilience. She fights despair even as gods and Monarchs ravage Earth, embodying humanity’s hope.
Her bond with Jin-Woo also humanizes the protagonist, reminding readers that even the Shadow Monarch needs allies.
Solo Leveling’s power hierarchy is as complex as it is thrilling. But the true winner? Fans who witnessed Jin-Woo’s rise from underdog to overlord.
Who’s your favorite? Debate in the comments!
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