This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa.

One of the best things that ever happened in Solo Leveling was the birth of Sung Jinwoo’s shadow army. Every single time Jinwoo commands a dead character to rise, fans are filled with excitement. The good news is that there’s no stopping Jinwoo from adding more powerful characters to the shadow army, as the world requires him to grow stronger, especially in Solo Leveling Season 3.

However, even the most formidable shadow army remains vulnerable to defeat. Solo Leveling has an intriguing character with the power to keep Jinwoo’s shadows at bay. No matter how powerful they are, this character has proven they can put Jinwoo’s shadows in their place at will. Who is this character, and why does he have power over Jinwoo’s shadows? Let’s find out.

solo leveling why are monarchs after jin woo

Solo Leveling: Where Does Season 2 End In The Manhwa?

Solo Leveling Season 2 has ended, and if fans wish to read the manhwa before next season's release, here's where the second season ends.

Posts

By Shivam Gulati

Jinwoo Owns Powerful Shadows in Solo Leveling

Jinwoo Has Raised 6 Elite Shadows

Raising a formidable shadow army is no joke, even for the great Sung Jinwoo. He needs to be on top of his game every time he says the magic word “Arise” to ensure the success of shadow extraction. The success of the skill does not only depend on the power gap between Jinwoo and the dead character but also on the time of their death. In addition, not everyone can be raised from the dead under the requirements and conditions of the shadow extraction skill.

Still, Jinwoo boasts a shadow army with a handful of elite shadows raised in Solo Leveling Seasons 1 and 2. The first shadow soldier who gave Jinwoo the toughest challenge was Igris, while the likes of Iron, Tank, and Tusk were far less difficult to subdue. Then there’s the shadow of the Ant King, Beru, which eventually becomes Jinwoo’s most obedient shadow.

You sure have a lot to say for someone who's about to die. — Beru

Unfortunately, there were times when the shadow extraction failed Sung Jinwoo. For the strongest hunter in Korea, it’s probably frustrating and embarrassing, but it’s normal. If he could raise anyone from the dead, he could have been a god-tier being in no time. There were also moments in the series where he had to let go of a healer-type shadow in respect of the fallen warrior’s original will.

The Architect Has Power Over Jinwoo’s Shadow Army

The Architect Can Remove Jinwoo’s Shadows in Battle

The Architect of the System can nullify Jinwoo's shadows.
The Architect can effortlessly defeat Jinwoo's shadows.

At this point, every Solo Leveling fan probably knows the identity of the creator of the system, which consistently guides Jinwoo’s growth and forces him to commit murder. It’s none other than the Architect, otherwise known as Kandiaru among manhwa fans. Since the Architect basically knows the full mechanism of the system, he naturally possesses the power over the shadow army.

That said, the Architect can defeat Jinwoo’s shadows without breaking a sweat. Or, he can simply remove them from the battlefield with a flick of his finger, leaving Jinwoo no choice but to rely on his physical strength and combat prowess in battle. This rare scenario has been proven already in the Solo Leveling manhwa, with the Architect abstaining Jinwoo from commanding the shadow army, including his elite soldiers.

Arise.—Sung Jin-Woo

Make no mistake though, Jinwoo is still strong even without the shadow army by his side. After all, he originally fought by himself in the earlier story arcs of Solo Leveling until the job change quest arrived. While it will be more difficult to fight without the shadows, it won’t mean it will leave him defenseless and helpless. The worst thing any of Jinwoo’s opponents do is underestimate him without his shadows.

Another Character Can Rein In Jin-Woo’s Shadow Army

Besides the Architect, the Monarchs Are Also Capable of Keeping Them in Check

Fighting the shadow army and winning against them is no walk in the park, but for some powerful beings in Solo Leveling, it’s a different story. For the Monarchs, especially the Frost Monarch and the Beast Monarch, they are strong enough to restrain Jinwoo’s shadow army. Worse, they can also destroy the shadows, even the likes of Beru, which fans know has a higher shadow grade than most of the shadows.

As the plot unfolds in Solo Leveling, the shadow army will naturally grow stronger, but so do their opponents. It’s a good thing that Jinwoo’s upcoming shadows possess immense strength, which could be instrumental in turning the tide of his future battles in Solo Leveling.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image