The Solo Leveling manga centers around Sung Jin-woo, a former E-Rank hunter who unexpectedly acquires a power-up system granting him extraordinary abilities upon fulfilling missions.
Once despised as an E-Rank hunter, Sung Jin-woo transcends his limitations and becomes more formidable than S-Rank hunters. However, his newfound power comes with its own set of challenges, including formidable adversaries.
Throughout the story, numerous characters demonstrate incredible strength, some even capable of world-shattering feats. Today, we’ll explore the 20 most powerful characters in Solo Leveling, each leaving an indelible mark on the storyline with their awe-inspiring abilities and impact.
Strongest Characters in Solo Leveling
Kamish
In the series, Kamish is a monstrous creature, considered one of humanity’s biggest disasters. He’s the first S-Rank monster we meet after the emergence of the initial S-Rank portal. Kamish wreaked havoc by destroying the American West Coast and taking down many S-Rank hunters, leaving only the final five to defeat him. His appearance was a massive shock to humanity.
As an S-Rank magical beast, Kamish is intelligent and can speak. He’s got quite the ego and a strong desire for blood, typical of magical beasts. Kamish’s loyalty initially lay with Antares, the Monarch of Destruction.
However, after being captured by the Rulers in the first war, he was sealed away with an essence stone. Thousands of years later, he emerged from the S-Rank portal, ready to cause chaos once again.
Go Gun-Hee
President Go Gun-Hee, former head of the Korean Hunter Association, was an S-Rank Hunter renowned for his immense power. He had to retire due to old age when his body could no longer handle the sheer strength he possessed. Before Jin-Woo’s emergence, President Gun-Hee was the most dominant hunter in Korea, potentially matched only by Cha Hae-In.
While the series doesn’t fully reveal his capabilities, President Gun-Hee is acknowledged as one of four humans selected as Vessels of the Rulers. He demonstrates remarkable abilities, including using the Authority of Rulers and Spiritual Body Manifestation.
Christopher Reed
Christopher Reed, America’s strongest hunter and one of the five national-level hunters, ranked as the third most potent hunter globally. He exudes confidence and arrogance, a demeanor stemming from his formidable abilities.
Reed is the sole character capable of utilizing Spiritual Body Manifestation, a skill he employs in his clash against the Monarchs.
While often operating solo, Reed isn’t too proud to take necessary precautions when warranted. Like the president, he is recognized as one of the four Vessels of the Rulers, wielding the Authority of the Rulers and Spiritual Body Manifestation.
Liu Zhigang
Liu Zhigang, once hailed as Asia’s strongest hunter, holds the prestigious title of the second-ranked S-Rank hunter globally, with only Thomas Andre surpassing him. As one of the five National Level Hunters and a Vessel of Rulers, Zhigang’s strength is undeniable.
Despite his brash demeanor, Zhigang is surprisingly warm towards those he respects, particularly individuals of greater power. He openly acknowledges the vast disparity in strength between himself and Jin-Woo, showcasing humility in the face of overwhelming might.
As a Vessel of Rulers, Zhigang possesses the Authority of Rulers ability and, in theory, the capability for Spiritual Body Manifestation, although the latter remains unexplored in the series.
Thomas Andre
Thomas Andre, known as The Goliath, is the most formidable among the five National Level Hunters and holds the top rank globally, making him the strongest hunter in America. Renowned for his imposing presence, Thomas commands respect with his intimidating demeanor.
Despite his aggressive nature and pride, he demonstrates a strong camaraderie, particularly towards individuals like Hwang Dongsoo, even after the latter defies his orders to pursue Jin-Woo.
As expected of a National Level hunter, Thomas Andre is a Vessel of Rulers, possessing the Authority of Rulers and the ability for Spiritual Body Manifestation. Despite his exceptional strength as a human, he finds himself evenly matched with Rakan, one of the Monarchs, for a considerable duration.
Querehsha (Plague Monarch)
Querehsha, also known as the Plague Monarch, reigns as the Queen of Insects in Solo Leveling and ranks among the strongest characters in the series. Despite her formidable presence, she is considered one of the weaker monarchs. Beneath her captivating beauty lies a bloodthirsty nature, characteristic of her kind.
During the Monarch Arc, where Querehsha, alongside the Frost Monarch and the Beast Fang Monarch, confronted Sung Jin-Woo, she exhibited her power through Spiritual Body Manifestation. This ability signifies exceptional strength, yet even with this formidable skill, she could not overcome Sung Jin-Woo’s might. Ultimately, Sung Jin-Woo emerged victorious, defeating Querehsha in battle.
Igris
Commander Igris stands out as one of Sung Jin-Woo’s most formidable Shadows. Initially, he served as one of the knights in a dungeon discovered by Sung Jin-Woo during his solo endeavors to level up. Sung Jin-Woo faced daunting challenges within this dungeon, relying on his intellect and endurance to overcome monstrous adversaries.
Upon conquering the dungeon, Sung Jin-Woo gained the power of necromancy, enabling him to resurrect the fallen as his loyal minions. Among these resurrected beings was Igris, who pledged his unwavering allegiance to Sung Jin-Woo as a Shadow Knight.
As the series progressed, Igris experienced significant power growth, eventually attaining the prestigious rank of Marshal within Sung Jin-Woo’s army.
Ank King (Beru)
Ant King Beru emerges as a fascinating character in the Solo Leveling series, making his debut during the Jeju Island Arc. He represents the pinnacle of ant organism evolution, sparking global concern and prompting mighty hunters to unite in a concerted effort to eradicate the evolved ants infesting Jeju Island.
The operation proceeded smoothly until the formidable Ant King, Beru, emerged. Beru proved a formidable adversary, effortlessly dispatching numerous strong hunters until Sung Jin-Woo intervened, ultimately prevailing in a climactic showdown.
True to form, Sung Jin-Woo assimilated Beru into his vast army of soldiers, where Beru rose through the ranks to achieve the esteemed status of Marshal by the series’ conclusion.
White Flame Monarch
Demon King Baran, also known as the Monarch of White Flames, stands as the ultimate adversary for Sung Jin-Woo upon reaching the 100th floor of his solitary mission. Crafted by the Architect rather than the Absolute Being, Baran is a formidable opponent, possessing immense strength and power.
Despite Baran’s abilities, Sung Jin-Woo engages him in a challenging battle, leveraging his strategic acumen to gain the upper hand. With determination and skill, Sung Jin-Woo seizes a crucial moment of weakness in Baran’s defenses, ultimately emerging victorious in their intense confrontation.
Iron Body Monarch
The Iron Body Monarch, also known as the King of Monstrous Beings, is one of the most formidable characters in Solo Leveling. Introduced during the Crisis Arc in Japan, this Monarch, alongside the Monarch of Beasts, inflicted a fatal blow to Chris, the third strongest hunter in the United States, leaving his body mutilated.
What sets the Iron Body Monarch apart is his rare ability to wield Erasure, a power capable of obliterating someone’s existence from the universe.
Monarch of the Beginning
The Monarch of the Beginning, Legia, known as the King of Giants, commands immense power in Solo Leveling. One of his notable attributes is his incredible physical strength, which remains strong even under restriction, as depicted in the manga.
Despite his limited access to vital mana, the Monarch compensates with his wind pressure ability, enabling him to generate and control powerful wind gusts. Additionally, he possesses spell-casting capabilities that grant him the ability to extract truth from his opponents.
Bellion
Bellion hailed as the mightiest shadow under Ashborn, the Shadow Monarch, held the prestigious rank of Grand Marshal within Ashborn’s formidable military force. His prowess was not merely ceremonial, as evidenced during the intense battle against mighty Monarchs alongside Sung-Jin Woo.
A key factor contributing to Bellion’s immense strength is his origin in the World Tree, much like Celestial Beings. This unique birthright endowed him with extraordinary abilities. Bellion’s formidable resilience was evident in his confrontation with Beru, where he effortlessly endured a blow aimed at his head, showcasing his unparalleled power.
Sung Il-Hwan
Sung Il-Hwan, Sung Jin-Woo’s father, exemplifies the family’s martial prowess. Sporting long, unkempt hair and eyes aglow with power, Sung Il-Hwan is revealed as a vessel for one of the Seven Rulers, legendary figures who vanquished the supreme god of the Solo Leveling Universe.
His status as a vessel underscores his formidable strength, yet Sung Il-Hwan harbors a critical vulnerability to mana-based attacks. Despite this weakness, he valiantly fended off the Frost Monarch, providing crucial support for Sung Jin-Woo’s recovery.
Beastly Fang Monarch
The Monarch of Beastly Fangs, also known as the King of Beasts, ranks among the mightiest Monarchs. His raw power was showcased in a confrontation with Thomas Andre, the USA’s strongest hunter, where he maintained dominance even while under pressure.
In the manhwa, his very presence instilled fear in powerful hunters. Preferring brute strength over mana-based attacks, his abilities revolve around sheer force. However, despite his formidable strength, the Monarch exhibits cowardice, fleeing when faced with a superior opponent.
Frost Monarch
The Frost Monarch, also known as the King of the Snow People, commands significant power among the upper echelons. As an ice elf, his mastery lies in ice-based abilities, harnessing ice magic to his advantage. Through this, he conjures and controls ice golems, using them as extensions of his will.
His arsenal comprises ice-based weaponry like ice arrows and spears, fashioned from his magical prowess. Moreover, he wields the ability to freeze formidable adversaries, encasing them in solid ice formed at sub-zero temperatures.
The Rulers
The Rulers were the initial creations of the Absolute Being, serving as his earliest subjects and loyal attendants. In a prolonged conflict, they battled against the Monarchs, led by Ashborn, who was once a Ruler himself. However, the Rulers eventually learned a disturbing truth: their conflicts and the resulting suffering were merely entertainment for the Absolute Being.
Realizing this, the Rulers allied with one another and successfully rebelled against the Absolute Being, culminating in his demise. This demonstrated their immense power and resolve. Throughout history, select individuals such as Thomas Andre, Go Gun Hee, and Sung Il Hwan were infused with the powers of the Rulers, earning them the designation of “Vessels of the Rulers.”
Monarch of Destruction
The Monarch of Destruction, Antares, lives up to his name as a harbinger of chaos and devastation. Known as the King of Dragons, his Spiritual Manifestation Skill allows him to morph into a fearsome red dragon, surpassing even the formidable Kamish. Among his arsenal is the unique ability called Dragon’s Fear, which instills terror in adversaries weaker than him.
In the climactic finale of Solo Leveling, Antares stands as Sung Jin-woo’s ultimate adversary. Their battle showcases Antares’ remarkable power as he engages Jin-woo on equal footing. Notably, Antares wields the Breath of Destruction, a formidable skill capable of obliterating opponents without a trace.
Shadow Monarch
The Shadow Monarch, also called Ashborn, possesses a compelling backstory in Solo Leveling. Initially, he was part of the Seven Rulers, revered as the Greatest Fragment of Brilliant Light. However, he defied the rulers and ironically embraced the title of the “Shadow” Monarch. Undoubtedly, he stands as one of the manga’s most formidable characters.
Ashborn shares his powers with others, including Sung Jin-woo, utilizing his Ruler ability. However, his Monarch abilities primarily revolve around shadow manipulation, allowing him to extract shadows and empower his shadow minions.
Sung Jin Woo
Sung Jin-woo stands as the central character in Solo Leveling, and by the manga’s conclusion, he emerges as arguably the most potent Monarch and hunter. Leading millions of soldiers, Sung Jin-woo wields boundless mana and a formidable ability: damage reduction and halting any incoming attacks aimed at him.
Moreover, Sung Jin-woo possesses temporal acausality, transcending time and rendering him immortal. Alongside his remarkable attack prowess, speed, and rapid regeneration, Sung Jin-woo solidifies his status as one of the mightiest characters in Solo Leveling.
The Absolute Being
While Sung Jin-woo commands immense power in Solo Leveling, the actual apex lies with the Absolute Being, the creator of the universe. Endowed to bring life into existence from nothingness, the Absolute Being is the progenitor of the Rulers and Monarchs.
However, despite his divine stature, the Absolute Being is depicted as callous, permitting the perpetual conflict between the Rulers and Monarchs for his amusement. Ultimately, the Absolute Being meets his end at the hands of the Seven Rulers, underscoring that even the most powerful beings require allies to confront such an omnipotent force.
