Solo Leveling is an acclaimed webtoon that introduces a compelling ranking system for hunters tasked with clearing perilous dungeons. At the heart of the narrative is Sung Jin-Woo, initially regarded as the “World’s Weakest Hunter”due to his pronounced vulnerabilities.
His life takes a dramatic turn when he stumbles upon a unique System that grants him the ability to level up, thereby enhancing his capabilities as a Hunter. As he progresses, the System bestows upon him the Shadow Extraction skill, enabling him to summon the souls of fallen warriors as formidable shadows. Jin-Woo leverages this newfound power to assemble a powerful army, with certain shadows emerging as particularly formidable among his ranks.
Updated February 21, 2025, by Emedo Destiny: While Jin-Woo showcases extraordinary power as an individual, the true essence of his strength lies within his vast Shadow Army, made possible by his unique Shadow Extraction skill. His shadow-based abilities enrich the storyline, fostering curiosity among fans eager to explore the individual strengths of Jin-Woo’s elite shadows. The anime adaptation has provided glimpses of powerful shadows like Igris and Tusk, prompting a deeper examination of the strongest members within Jin-Woo’s army.
This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa.
10 Tank
Alpha Ice Bear of the Red Gate
- Abilities: Colossal Strength and High Attack Power
- Shadow Rank: Knight
- Manhwa / Anime Debut: Chapter 100 / Episode 15
Tank made his debut when Jin-Woo encountered a Red Gate during his formidable adventures. Initially, the exploring Guild believed they confronted a C-Ranked dungeon, only to find themselves in a far more threatening environment populated by Ice Bears and Ice Elves. After a series of unexpected challenges, Jin-Woo seized the opportunity to level up, defeating these formidable foes and claiming their Boss Leader, whom he named “Tank”for his devastating attack power.
9 Kaisel
Kaisellin; Mount of the Monarch of White Flames
- Abilities: Immense Speed, Flight, and Enhanced Senses
- Shadow Rank: Knight
- Manhwa / Anime Debut: Chapter 88 / N/A
Kaisel, a powerful wyvern encountered by Jin-Woo in the Demon territory, adds remarkable depth to the story. Although initially unable to use his Shadow Extraction skill on Demons, everything changed upon his meeting with Kaisellin, the flight mount of Demon King Baran. Following an intense battle that led to Baran’s defeat by Jin-Woo, Kaiserlin was revived as a shadow, earning his place among the elite due to his unmatched speed and supernatural senses.
8 Sex
A-Rank Boss Naga
- Abilities: Size Manipulation and Regeneration
- Shadow Rank: Elite Knight
- Manhwa / Anime Debut: Chapter 122 / N/A
Although not extensively portrayed in the series, Jima’s dominance is evident. Jin-Woo confronted the formidable beast during a raid with the Ahjin Guild, where his magical prowess made him an overwhelming force. After Jin-Woo ultimately defeated Jima, he was resurrected as a shadow, unveiling abilities that manipulate his size and enhance his capabilities, consequently solidifying his position amongst the strongest shadows.
7 Iron
A-Rank Hunter Kim Chul
- Abilities: Regeneration and Shout of Provocation
- Shadow Rank: Elite Knight
- Manhwa / Anime Debut: Chapter 54 / Episode 15
Iron emerged from the Ice Bear Saga as another of Jin-Woo’s significant acquisitions. After the A-Rank leader of the mission barred lower rank members from advancing, envious conflicts arose, culminating in Kim Chul’s attempt to attack Jin-Woo, ultimately resulting in his demise at the hands of Igris. Jin-Woo capitalized on this moment and resurrected Kim Chul as “Iron, ”securing another elite shadow for his formidable army.
6 Greed
S-Ranker Hwang Dongsoo
- Abilities: Enhanced Strength, Regeneration, and Conversational Skills
- Shadow Rank: General
- Manhwa / Anime Debut: Chapter 147 / N/A
Greed represents the shadow of the formidable S-Rank Hunter, Hwang Dong-Soo. Consumed by animosity towards Jin-Woo, fueled by the suspicion of his brother’s demise, Dong-Soo attempted to eliminate Jin-Woo indirectly. Following his failure and subsequent defeat, Jin-Woo claimed Hwang’s essence in his Shadow Extraction, leading to the formation of Greed.
5 Tusk
Kargalgan, The Shaman High Orc
- Abilities: Gravity Magic and Diverse Hymnal Skills
- Shadow Rank: Commander
- Manhwa / Anime Debut: Chapter 75 / Episode 18
Initially, Tusk was the chief leader of the High Orcs in a hunter guild dungeon raid. When the situation turned dire for the hunters, they faced Kargalgan, a shaman leader with malicious intentions. Jin-Woo quickly intervened, ultimately defeating Kargalgan and resurrecting him as Tusk, whose extraordinary magical talents, such as Gravity magic and various hymns, make him an indispensable ally in Jin-Woo’s arsenal.
4 Igris
The Blood-Red Commander Idris
- Abilities: Regeneration, Conversational Skills, Strength, and Telekinesis
- Shadow Rank: Marshal
- Manhwa / Anime Debut: Chapter 45 / Episode 12
Igris, a red knight encountered in a challenging dungeon, solidified his significance as one of Jin-Woo’s earliest shadows. After conquering numerous challenges and unlocking his Shadow Extraction ability, Jin-Woo resurrected Igris, who later evolved into a formidable Marshal, gaining the ability to communicate and adapt continually throughout the narrative.
3 I take
The Ant King
- Abilities: Regeneration, Conversational Skills, Immense Speed and Strength, High Durability, Healing Magic, and Flight
- Shadow Rank: Marshal
- Manhwa / Anime Debut: Chapter 105 / N/A
Beru, acquired during the riveting “Jeju Island Arc, ”is a sovereign force rivaling the might of S-Rank Hunters. With the capacity to defeat formidable foes like Goto Ryuji, beru instilled fear in adversaries—and ultimately, upon confronting Jin-Woo, came to serve him, revealing powerful healing abilities that further enhance his role as a shadow.
2 Kamish
Humanity’s Greatest Calamity
- Abilities: Dragon’s Fear, Immense Strength, and Dragon’s Breath
- Shadow Rank: Marshal
- Manhwa / Anime Debut: Chapter 115 / N/A
Jin-Woo’s aspirations prompted a meeting with Kamish, a dragon deemed unstoppable by even the strong hunters of the world. Through the use of Shadow Extraction, Jin-Woo revived this legendary beast as a shadow, exhibiting immense power while still exhibiting a degree of autonomy. Nevertheless, Kamish’s existence as a shadow was short-lived, quickly demonstrating his prowess even in a limited time.
1 Bellion
The Right Hand of Ashborn
- Abilities: Immense Durability, Colossal Strength, Immense Speed, Regeneration, and Conversational Skills
- Shadow Rank: Grand Marshal
- Manhwa / Anime Debut: Chapter 166 / N/A
Bellion stands out as the only shadow unique in his emergence, serving as a final gift from Ashborn to Jin-Woo amidst the Monarch War. Having once commanded Ashborn’s formidable army, Bellion willingly accepted his new allegiance to Jin-Woo upon Ashborn’s passing. His overwhelming power was evident during his confrontation with Beru, effortlessly overpowering the formidable shadow, thus proving his formidable status.
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